Inviting to Connect on LinkedIn? Give Context. Please.
Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 11:26AM Here are some familiar words for users of LinkedIn.com…
I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
Nine times out of ten, the LinkedIn connection invitations I receive come with the default text above. Granted, it is the fastest way of sending invitations. And when you and I know each other well, perhaps no more is needed.
For everyone else - loose connections, a person I met once long ago, or strangers, it will not do.
Give me some context, please. Why would you like to connect? What can I expect from our connection?
There are two really important reasons to give some context. The first is obvious. You will increase the likelihood that I, or whomever you hope to connect with, will say yes. Here are some ideas for how to handle it:
You may recall that we met last week at the ______ Conference during the break-out session. I enjoyed our conversation about ______. I thought it would be a good idea to follow-up with a LinkedIn connection so that we can stay in touch periodically.
We haven’t met, but I wanted to introduce myself because I am fan of your brand and have done similar work in the industry.
I am a long-time reader of your blog, and have commented on a couple of posts. I would love to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
These are reasonable asks and will increase the likelihood that I say yes.
The second reason is more subtle but powerful. What I have experienced when I invite or accept a new LinkedIn connection is that after the “transaction,” there is silence. Nothing happens.
Isn’t there a space to trigger something? Certainly, we may not want to trigger an action in each case, but it could be a wonderful opportunity and excuse to make some sort of follow-up happen.
Let’s connect our networks so that we can help each other. Are you available next week for lunch to talk about some specific ideas?
Is there anyone in my network that you’d like an introduction to?
I was thinking about you today because I met someone who I think would be an interesting contact for you. Let’s connect and I will make an introduction.
I would like to connect you to my professional network. And specifically, I was wondering whether you’d be able to introduce me to X. We work in the same industry and know some of the same people. I was hoping to make a connection as I am exploring opportunities in this field. May I forward a connection request to you?
Of course, this isn’t just about using LinkedIn well. There is a subtle art to developing and managing a professional network. How we ask is an important part of being a successful networker.
If you have suggestions to add or don’t agree, chime in on the blog. It would be great to hear from you.
linkedin in Managing Your Career, Networking 
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Reader Comments (5)
Ian, your post is simply brilliant. Rarely have I seen anyone articulate so well how one SHOULD use LinkedIn. There's much more to that social network than just collecting connections.
THANK YOU!
Ian,
In addition to giving context, I make it a point to turn the LinkedIn 'I would like to add you...' around into a question, for example 'would you care to...' or the like. seems more gracious to me, emphasizing the other person's choice rather than what I want do.
Ian,
Just wanted to say "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You". Both the timing and the content of this article is so ironic to me - precisely because it answers one of several questions that I have been agonizing over within the last couple days. How and/or What is the most appropriate approach when trying to make a connection?
Not only am I new to LinkedIn, but I am also a new member to a new community and new state, where I have absolutely no leads or established connections. This article is a helpful piece of advice and should help get the ball rolling for me.
And, if anyone else out there has other information or insight that may be helpful, I welcome that too - as long as it's constructive..
Ian, thanks for the sound advice. I have tried all of the suggestions prior to reading this blog to no avail. It is very disheartening.
Lately I feel as though I am just spinning my wheels waiting for some miracle to come along and put everything back to the way it was.
I've been in construction for over 30 years and have now been layed off for 4 months. I've never seen it so bad. In the past, at least there were jobs to apply for. But even searching within a 100 mile radius, overnighting my resume and cover letters directly to CEOs and COOs have proven fruitless.
Changing my career now is a necessity. There in lies the problem. To what?
Thanks for your blog. I sense hope here and appreciate it!
Ian, thank you for yr. valuable comments. They are very creative.