Is it just me or has the concept of connecting on #Linkedin changed recently? One thing I have always loved about LinkedIn is that it is built on a singular concept: 1:1 networking. Granted, as a social media manager this can present its challenges when managing a business page, but as a networking tool this means that it allows you to connect with like-minded people who share common goals or interesting content which adds value to our lives.
I am on LinkedIn to network, share knowledge and learn. Always learning.
It's great when someone asks you to connect and you can see that their interests are aligned or they share common values/skills etc. But when the connection to you is less obvious, I ask just one thing: please say something. A simple note that tells me why you want to connect.
How do you think we can help each other? Work together? Learn from each other? Don't try and sell to me. Tell me how you can add value or how I can add value to you.
Otherwise I fear we may never interact, speak, or even be aware of each other's existence in the future. Or worse I may not accept the connection for fear of the former happening when perhaps we could have enhanced each others lives in some way. That is just plain sad.
So here are my top 3 best practice tips for ‘connecting etiquette’ as I like to call it:
1. (This one is from LinkedIn) Only connect with people you know. Not quite, in my opinion. It’s ok to connect with people you don’t know but only if you see a genuine connection. What I mean is, could you see yourselves working together? Or reading each other’s content? Attending the same events? Or meeting for coffee to discuss like-minded topics? If not then perhaps refrain from pushing that connect button
2. If you have established a reason, then when you ask that person to connect, add a note. Tell them why you want to connect. Maybe you think you could work together in future? Perhaps you look up to them as potential mentor? Maybe you read an article of theirs which you found interesting so you’d like to follow their posts? Just let them know why so that they can make a considered decision whether to accept the connection
3. Interact with their content. If you’d like to get in front of this person, don’t sell to them. Interact with their content. Let them know that you think what they have to offer is interesting and engaging. Show an interest in them and what they have to offer.
Or you could take a leaf out of one of my recent connections’ book. He was the first person who - when I connected with him - sent me a personalised voice message. It was friendly and approachable. He didn’t try and sell me anything. He simply said something along the lines of ‘I hope you enjoy my content and I hope we might be able to collaborate together in the near future’. And that simple message made me think ‘I hope we might collaborate together in the near future too.' What are your thoughts? Do you add a note when you ask someone to connect? Do you accept anyone and everyone or are you selective? I’d love to hear from you. Maybe it’s just me?! ;)
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