Whether you’re using LinkedIn to get a new job, or to find candidates for a role you’re recruiting for, it can be a really useful tool for speaking to people you wouldn’t normally be able to connect with.
But how do you approach connecting with people on LinkedIn? Do you like to add a lengthy, customized personal note, or are you one of the many people who are quite happy with the standard “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn”?
If you’re in the latter camp, then maybe it’s time to start rethinking your LinkedIn strategy to make people take you more seriously!
With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to write the perfect LinkedIn connection request.
Keep It Honest
If you want to connect with someone because they work at a company you want to work for, or they would be a good fit for a role you’re recruiting for, then tell them using the personal note!
People appreciate honesty, and they’ll be more likely to accept your invitation and engage with you if they know why you want to connect.
Don’t be scared of admitting you’re looking for some help getting your foot in the door or a company – most people will be more than happy to help as long as you’re up front with them.
Explain Where You Found Them
Another useful part of a personal LinkedIn invitation is explaining where you came across the person you’re requesting to connect with.
Whether a friend suggested you contact them, you noticed them in a LinkedIn group discussion or they simply came up in the “People You May Know” section of your home page, it’s common courtesy to let someone know how you discovered them.
This additional effort on your part could be the difference between someone accepting your invitation or not.
Refer To Their Profile
When you receive a LinkedIn invitation, it’s always nice when people make the effort to find a shared interest and refer to it in the invitation.
For example, write something like: “Hi Lauren! I noticed on your profile that you studied at Liverpool John Moores University! I also studied in Liverpool around the same time, so it would be great to connect!”
This shows that you genuinely want to connect with that person because of who they are, not just because of how they might be able to help you or just to boost your connection numbers.
Offer To Help
While you want to connect with people as they’ll be able to benefit your career, it’s also courteous to offer to help the person you’re requesting to connect with should they ever need it.
Give them your email address and telephone number as – not only will that make you seem helpful – but they’ll then have your contact details for when they feel that they can help you!
Also, this makes the person you’re inviting to connect feel like they’d benefit from the connection themselves, so they’ll be more inclined to say yes!
So there we go, some tips on writing the perfect LinkedIn connection request! Do you agree with these tips or have some of your own?
Let me know in the comments below!
This article was syndicated from Business 2 Community: How To Write The Perfect LinkedIn Connection Request
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