LinkedIn Q & A [Part 4 of 7]: 3 Rules For Connecting With People You Don’t Know

Question: ”Are there any guidelines on connecting with people you don’t know?”

Answer:

Here are 3 rules to follow:

1. Be respectful of what type of networker they are:

There are 3 types of people on LinkedIn:

a) ‘Open Networkers’

People who are open to connect with anyone who approaches them

b) People who will only connect with people they have a relationship with

I know some people who will absolutely never connect with people they don’t have a face to face relationship with. That’s their choice and their prerogative.

c) People who are somewhere in between

I’m one of the ‘in between’ types.

I’m not an open networker that says “anyone, come and connect with me”, but at same time on my website I openly invite people that read my blog and newsletter to connect with me. Similarly on my Facebook page, I have link backs to my LinkedIn page too. So what I’m saying is that I’m open to connecting with people on LinkedIn who have some type of relationship with me (even though we may not know each other personally). That’s my choice.

Everyone is different so take a few moments to read people’s profiles, website, blog (if they have one) to look for clues to what they prefer and be respectful in following their preferences and choices in how they use LinkedIn.

2. Where possible, always go via a mutual contact

In the offline world, if you want to connect with someone you don’t know, it’s always best to go via a warm introduction rather than making a cold approach. The same applies on LinkedIn.

So mention the mutual contact within your invitation note and you’re more likely to get a positive response and begin the relationship on a good footing. Hardly rocket science, but many people don’t think to do this and simply try and make a cold approach or don’t bother at all.

3. Personalize and ‘be nice’

I hate the standardized LinkedIn invites. I know it’s a small thing, but taking 30 seconds to personalize a message makes so much difference. It tells me you want to connect with me rather than simply clock up the number of connections you have.

So if I receive a LinkedIn invite from someone I don’t know but they’ve personalized the note I’m generally fine with it.

E.g. “Hi Sital, I read your blog and really enjoy it. I hope you don’t mind me adding you to my LinkedIn network”

or “Hi Sital, I heard you speak at xyz and really found what you had to say about abc interesting. Would it be ok for us to connect on LinkedIn..?”

I’m totally fine with connecting with these types of people – because they’re being polite, respectful and have taken a few seconds to personalize their note.

In summary

If someone doesn’t know you, is not an ‘open networker’, has no mutual contacts with you and sees that you haven’t bothered to spend 30 seconds writing a personalized note in the invite – why should they be bothered to join your LinkedIn network?

Be respectful, be personable and be nice – it works (most) of the time…

By Sital Ruparelia

Comments

[billiesucher]

Sital,

I just wanted to take a moment to say 'thank you' for being so caring about your readers, and by your own example of 'be nice' with the tremendous effort you have put forth with this LinkedIn Q & A series. Your tireless commitment to educating job seekers through your posts here on Career Hub is commendable and most appreciated. I have been encouraging my clients to follow along with your posts here.

[Sital]

Thanks Billie!

[Halhorowitz]

Sital, hi.

Another tip, and one I use often is when I would like to connect with someone with whom I might share a group and am able to send a message to them directly, I will ask them if they mind me sending an invitation, or to feel free to invite me as well. Most people answer positively. Those that do not answer at all I assume to not wish to connect. That applies personal contacts as well, if I am trying to renew an old contact; if that person is listed on Linkedin,and especially if I have a concern that he or she may not remember me, I will send a personal email to reestablish the rapport and ask if I can invite him or her to join my Linkedin network. Again, most results are positive.

[Sital]

thanks Halhorowitz,

some very useful suggestions. I will include them on "day 8" of this series when I publish suggestions and recommendations that have been left in the comments section the previous 7 days

Sital

[Softcialis]

I am interested in learning about scientists who have have completed
studies about global warming. Of those that submit to peer review,
what percentage of them show that global warming is both (a) man-made
and (b) expected to have a severe negative impact to mankind?