LinkedIn is an excellent tool for networking with various professionals: from recruiters to influencers and users with similar interests; it’s an excellent way to expand your network. However, when issuing connection requests, there is always the possibility that some of them will be denied. To assist you in minimizing this, here is our advice for writing the ideal LinkedIn connection request.
Connect With Individuals You Know
This step is ridiculously simple. LinkedIn is used by a large number of people you already know. Navigate to the Add Connections page on LinkedIn. LinkedIn will next request your email address and begin importing contacts from your email account. (Even if you’ve used this tool only once or twice previously, you may uncover a startling number of new contacts.) After you’ve completed this process, LinkedIn will allow you to choose among dozens, if not hundreds, of people you know but haven’t linked with yet.
Mention How You Discovered Them.
It’s worth noting how you discovered their profile. Whether you met them at a networking event or were simply looking for specific industry specialists, describing how you discovered them would pique their curiosity.
Encourage Others to Send You Connection Requests
If others give you connection requests, you can accept or deny them without fear of being flagged as spam. At the most fundamental level, you must ensure a visible, compelling LinkedIn profile. Ascertain that your profile communicates who you are, what you do, and why you’d be a beneficial addition to their network to those who encounter your page via a search.
Connect with People You’re Interested in
Connecting with many random people is the worst possible thing to do. Clicking the connect button repeatedly on an algorithmically generated list of individuals LinkedIn believes you may know it is a surefire way to achieve mediocrity.
Additionally, there is a significant risk of sending generic queries to random individuals. If a sufficient number of people who receive your connection request flag you as spam, you risk being banned. Although LinkedIn does not disclose the exact threshold, there is a real possibility of your account being suspended if you receive an excessive number of spam reports. Consider that networking entails reaching out to people you are unfamiliar with. Do not be scared to contact persons you wish to learn more about. Simply ensure that you have a strategy.
Make It Crystal Clear That You Wish to Connect.
Whether you’re looking for professional assistance, want to learn more about their job, or want to hear about career chances at their organization, stating your intentions in the connection request will help set expectations.
Mentioning Mutual Connection
Attract their attention by alluding to someone who may be more knowledgeable than you. If this target is extremely important to you, you can also contact your mutual relation to see if they can introduce you first. This strategy, however, is effective only if you know the mutual link well enough to ask for such favor and if they are acquainted with your target on a more personal level.
Or, by mentioning their rivals, there is minimal likelihood that the individuals you’ve contacted would disregard your message if you provide them with vital inside information. Additionally, those you wish to contact will accept your request since they will immediately recognize you as someone who may be of assistance in the future. When writing the message, add the “teaser” in the first sentence to pique the interest of your potential clients.
Personalization!
Personalization is what convinces individuals to accept the request. All of the above stages result in a properly personalized LinkedIn cold message that has been warmed up with information that will pique the contacts’ attention. The critical aspect of personalization is prioritizing them and tailoring your message accordingly. Individualization requires time and effort. Although you can categorize your targets based on certain parameters, each individual has unique triggers.
Key takeaways
If you want to stand out and appear more professional, a customized LinkedIn connection request is a requirement. Prior to sending connection requests, enhance your profile and conduct extensive research on the person of interest — this will ensure that your message strikes the sweet spot and significantly boosts the likelihood of individuals accepting your request.