Founder | Strategist | Podcast Host I guide #CEOs to elevate sales to increase their valuation. Skier?? Sailor ??
So, you know the person trying to connect with you hasn't read your profile and doesn't know anything about you, when they send you connection requests like these: (Cut and pasted but I left off the names to protect the guilty.) >Howdy Alice, I really want to connect. As such, I’ve decided not to send you the generic LinkedIn invite! Fingers crossed >Hey Alice, your profile caught my attention! I would love to connect with you! >Hello, Alice,, I came across your profile and thought we could benefit by being connected. Hope you are having a great week. >Dear Alice - please add me to your LinkedIn contact list. Thank you. >I ran across your professional profile and thought we could benefit from being connected. Really! Is that the best you can do? Does that make me want to connect with you? Stop spamming people with your connection requests. Connect with people you know and get introductions to those you want to know. If you can't get an introduction, then introduce yourself by looking to see what you have in common and using that to make a connection. Build relationships first. Pity, the people who need to read this will not and they will continue. #StopSpaming #BeHuman #ShowMeYouKnowMe
I get the frustration of what sometimes feels like spam, but there is a shade of gray. I so often rush to judgement if I'm cold called, contacted randomly etc - but I'm using my bias. For me, a non prolific connector, often I won't include an introductory note ( invariably they are copy and pasters paying lip service to authenticity with their note). I may see a Ted talk, a tweet, a post and think I may like to see more of this content and 50% connect without a note which I'm cool with. I m not yet a fan and not ready to presume a relationship, if a note is a prerequisite to them accepting I'm also cool letting it through to the keeper. Most people have a social media link to Linkedin, and some of us have no ulterior motive other than connecting with a like minded spirit. If someone sends me a request that doesn't feel canned I ll check the profile and usually accept. Sometimes I will connect with a note particularly if I think there might be a mutual networking opportunity like a coffee worth pursuing. ??
Here's a post that will help anyone who wants to use social media throughout the sales process?https://aliceheiman.com/how-to-close-more-deals-with-social-media/
The one word blaring in my head reading all of these: "Why???"
BTW, I had one guy a while back reach out to me - more generic as we have talked about - and I connected with him because he had an interesting teaser. He immediately asked for referrals, and when I didn't give him any, he scolded me and said: "then why are we connected?" Needless to say, I am glad I'm no longer connected with that unprofessional.
Thanks for posting this Alice. I too get far too many of these requests. In many cases, I try to be courteous and ask them what help I can provide to build some rapport. Unfortunately, in some of those cases, I start getting the boilerplate responses and then I regret making any effort.
I think there are two sides to this: the obvious 'let's throw as much mud on the wall as possible and see what sticks' people. I agree they need to stop and/or be stopped. it's beyond annoying!? Buuuuut, there's another side to this coin.... LinkedIn is growing rapidly and salespeople are being told they HAVE to get on LinkedIn, it's the NEW FRONTIER, and they don't want to miss out.? The problem is, most companies have no LinkedIn training to speak of so they do what comes naturally- they sell!? For those of us who are living in the LinkedIn culture every day, we can't believe they'd do such a thing.? But in reality, they just don't know any better.? Responding in kindness- giving them the benefit of belief, can not only help someone, but it may also get you a client if you're in the LinkedIn training realm. I think a great idea for those of us that train on LinkedIn is to be sure we're sharing content that shows people the proper 'etiqutte' of the LinkedIn world we live and engage in! Sorry if I co-opted your post Alice!
Happens all the time. Most people send a standard invitation with absolutely no reason to connect. We send a personal response inviting them to let me know what questions they have about referral selling. One of three things happens: - No response - They respond that they read my article or listened to a podcast I did. (Why didn't they say that in the first place?) - But the most offensive is when they say: "What is #referral selling?" That's my cue to remove the connection. What salespeople forget is that social media is about being social. It's a place to begin a conversation and begin a relationship. #sales #socialmedia #referrals
A-MEN! Worse yet - the generic “I’d like to become part of your LinkedIn network” invite. Puh-LEEZ!
I recently had a woman reach out with what I thought was a personalized invite (admittedly I was very interested in knowing more about her). After connecting I sent her a message about her business asking for more info...nothing. I had even reached out to her on her website a few months prior asking for more information with no response. I thought about it for a bit and decided to remove my connection with this woman. She had no interest in anything other than spreading her name. It was a one-way street and she lost my interest and respect as a professional.?
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5 年I get so frustrated when I receive a request with no note at all.? LinkedIn gives you the "Add a note" field...use it meaningfully!!!