Huh? Who Are You?
J. Kelly Hoey
Design your future around the relationships you're building today // Author + Coach + Speaker + Strategy ???????? focused on high-achieving networks along with the networking strategies women need for success
Yes, I'm revisiting my “Miss Networking Manners” post from a few years ago. A Sunday morning networking routine - catching up on the comings/goings/achievements/interests of my connections on Linkedin which otherwise breeze past during a full week. I just received a "Hi, could you please add me to your linkedin connections?" from a 3rd degree connection and touchingly, it was posted in a comment to an article I posted on Linkedin.
Hmmm.
I actively use Linkedin aka the “professional” networking site. For me, it’s an efficient way to stay connected and top of mind with recent introductions, former work colleagues, new and ongoing business connections… It’s my “rolodex” (for those who remember what that is), digital business card, business relationship management system, and I add new contacts pretty regularly. By “regularly” that means when I can find the time (such as on a Sunday morning).
My contact etiquette isn’t perfect. I’ll admit it. In some cases, it may be days or weeks after I’ve met someone, when I finally find time (or the business card in my purse) to reach out. If “best practice” means sending an email within 24-hours of meeting a new business contact, then my grade would be a pass, at best.
And I’m not alone in not immediately sending the follow-up networking note.
Which brings me to the “standard” message Linkedin provides when you invite someone to connect on that social networking site:
I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
59 efficient little characters which are not particularly helpful. Linkedin is a “professional” networking site. We’re all there to connect with other people in order to further ourselves professionally. That’s the whole point....
If you’re like me, and don’t remember meeting someone, this "standard” message causes unfortunate reactions like:
That’s nice, but who are you?
Hmmmmm (followed by head scratching)
And I know you, because……
And you want to connect with me, why……
Standard “form” messages should be used with care. Think of them as a reminder to write a personal note of introduction. It may be efficient for you to use the “standard” message but for the person you’re sending the request to, your time saving is wasting their time. When I receive a “I’d like to add you to my professional network on Linkedin”, with nothing more, I have to figure out (a) how I know you (b) when we met (c) who we may have in common (d) why we may want to stay connected…(you get the picture, I’m spending my time figuring out why you invited me to connect).
And yes, when I see a request with a name I don’t readily recognize, I default to the “I don’t know_______________” option on Linkedin.
It makes it a lot easier to “accept” when the person sending the request to connect on Linkedin (or any networking request) includes context (when we met, what we talked about, where the meeting was held or for what organization) and isn't simply "add me to your contacts".
So, tell me, why do you want to add me to your professional network?
PhD Candidate in Forestry | Forest Immersion & Health | Nature Therapy Guide
10 年I wrote right in my LI profile that if you reach out I need some context around how we know each other. If I receive a request without context then Ill reply asking how we know each other. Many times the answer is, "LinkedIn recommended you." This is undortunate that LI's growth strategy includes being such a waste of my time.