On Connecting

If I have to read one more, copy/pasted, multi-paragraph sales pitch upon connecting with someone, I may not make another LinkedIn connection again.

In the past week, how many people have requested a connection with you and sent a genuine, personal message? For me, it was one person. I have to say, that person stood out. Why?

With few exceptions, every time I connect with someone new on LinkedIn, I look at their industry and job title to see what the connection could possibly lead to. Nine times out of 10, especially since starting my own business and concentrating in event planning, the word "sales" is in their tagline. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with a salesperson using LinkedIn to connect with a potential client; in fact, I've done the exact same thing myself. It's what happens afterward that sends me into a tailspin.

After connecting, I wait for the initial inbox message and hold my breath: Please don't be another templated message. Please don't be another templated message.

Almost all of the time, my inbox fills with messages that seem personal at first, but when I scroll down, I see several paragraphs, links, and a copy/pasted "about me" statement, and a few words about what 'it seems' I do, with a pitch about what I can purchase from them.

In all networking, not just LinkedIn, I believe we should lead with a genuine connection, and then, after getting to know the person and assessing their situation, learn how we can really help the person we are connecting with. This could be through referrals, a partnership, or (maybe!) selling them a product or a service that they have been dying to try or that would make their day-to-day easier.

So, I ask: Please do not send me your long-winded, copy/pasted introductions. If (and this is a big if) you'd like to genuinely connect, send me a message and say:

Thank you for the connection, I'd like to meet or have a call to learn more about what you do and get to know you better.

I'm so glad we were able to connect! I'm planning X event and need your help.

Thanks for reaching out! I do X, and I think we could form a great partnership on Y but I'd love to have a quick call to get to know you better first. Would you be open to it?

Or, if you're genuinely selling me on something, whether that be a venue, a service, or a potential partnership, tell me! I respect that everyone has to develop their business, and don't reject a pitch just because it's a sale. I tend to reject connections because the people behind them are not genuinely reaching out to me, they're reaching out to "Award-Winning Meeting & Event Planner."

If you want to (genuinely) connect with me, Beth Lawrence, CMP, I welcome the opportunity.

What is your pet peeve about connecting on LinkedIn vs. in person? Tell me in the comments!