On Linkedin connection requests

“It looks like we have similar connections”/ “It looks like we both work in [generic industry or job function]” = How do you do, fellow kids?

“I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” = I cannot be bothered to put even an ounce of effort into this interaction.

There’s a seemingly infinite number of ways you can do Linkedin connection requests poorly. A big part of this, I think, is because most connections are treated pretty selfishly, framed in a way that only the requestor has something to gain.

So the answer then is to justify the value to the requested party, right? Well, sort of. I still reject plenty of sales reps trying to connect with me to suggest how they can save me thousands on paid advertising, or the recruiter who wants to tell me all about this exciting opportunity that she is not actually allowed to disclose much of at all.

The trick is timing and relevance. If you’re selling a piece of software, you’ve got to approach me at a time when I’d realistically be able to make a purchasing decision (and it’s not December, or even November). You also need to have done the research to confirm my current solution is inadequate, and have a clear proposition for why your solution is worth considering as an alternative. And you need to leverage our shared network. Mentioning how a contact I know is already using your product and loving it is a really good step towards getting a foot in the door.

This all sounds like a lot of time consuming work. And that’s the idea. In a world where we can instantly reach out to anyone on these networks, the bar has raised on what gets noticed or ignored. If you don’t put in the work to rise to the top of the inbox, you never deserved that connection anyway.