WHEN TO "ADD A NOTE" TO A CONNECTION REQUEST ON LINKEDIN

This is absolutely a topic of discussion for those who use LinkedIn on a regular basis. Most of us, if not all of us, have received connection requests with notes added to them that have either been genuine, robotic, or sleazy sales pitches.

Now what I do understand is that we have been told, not just by LinkedIn, that it's better to "add a note" to a connection request, rather than just hit "connect" with the hopes that it will increase the chances that someone will accept the connection request.

There was a study done by a third-party company that sent out thousands of connections with a note, and thousands of connections without a note. What they found out was that the acceptance rate was no different whether you added a note or not.

We are all looking for ways or "hacks" to improve our acceptance rate of connections sent out on LinkedIn, and some feel that "adding a note" is the way to do just that. In some cases, yes, but in most cases no, and I am going to explain why.

One of those ways is "adding a note" to the connection request to personalize it.

Now in reality it sounds like a great idea, but I have found that if it's done too often, it gets lumped into the same category of "spam" messages being sent out.

In my opinion, there are 3 instances where it is appropriate to send a connection request with a note:

1. If you know the individual personally:

This is the most common example of when you should add a note to a connection request. Maybe you are connected to this person on Facebook or Instagram, and not LinkedIn. So, you end up seeing them pop up in the "people you may no section" or a search. This is when you send them a connection request and add a note to it that states something like this:

"Hi ______. So great to see you on LinkedIn. I know we are connected elsewhere but would love to connect here. Looking forward to reconnecting soon."

It is personal. It is genuine. It is real.

2. If you were referred to connect with them by a mutual connection or colleague:

One of the best forms of connecting is through referrals. It happens to me multiple times per week. I often get connection requests sent to me that state that they wanted to connect because a mutual connection of ours stated that it would be a good idea for them to follow me or to connect with me based on what I do within my business. This also acts as warm leads for the person who is receiving them.

If you referred to follow someone or connect with someone based on a conversation with one of your connections, here is what you should say:

"Hi _________. Our mutual connection ___________ suggested me to connect with you based on what you professionally, as they felt you would be a value-added connection to my network. Hoping to learn more about you and how you help your clients."

What this note does is state the connecting point between you and the person you are looking to connect with on LinkedIn. This in turn will increase the chance of that individual accepting your connection request.

3. If you found the person via their business (book, podcast, speaking engagement, networking event):

In my opinion, this is the type of note that is added to the connection request where I am most likely to accept. When someone takes the time to send me a connection request and they state now they found me, whether it was from one of my books, my podcast, or training I had done, it really shows how genuinely interested that person is in wanting to connect with me.

If you happen to listen to a podcast of someone, see or attend of training someone, or read a book by a specific author and you find them on LinkedIn, add a note that is just like this:

(This was an actual note that was sent to me by someone)

"Hi, Scott. I am listening to your amazing interview with Nancy Juetten. She is a highly trusted mentor of mine. Love what you are teaching!"

As you can see, there is a right and wrong way to "add a note" to someone on LinkedIn. Let me give you a final example of what NOT to say when adding a note to a connection request to someone on LinkedIn:

"Knock Knock...Now you're supposed to say "Who's there?" Just Kidding Scott, I am always looking for more leaders in the Coaching industry to add to my network. Would love to connect!"

I think this example speaks for itself. Don't forget that being genuine, authentic, real, and creating a connecting point between you and that other person will always have you come out on top!

Do you feel it's best to send a note with a connection request if you don't know the person?

Comment below...

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