This is why you should personalize LinkedIn invitations to connect

I’ve seen a few (notable) LinkedIn experts diminish the importance of sending personalized LinkedIn invitations. They teach their clients to “automate everything” and spam, I mean, “DM everybody” with their sales offers.

Perhaps from a sales perspective, it’s about going for the numbers. Or maximizing their time to get faster results. That sounds like a fancy strategy, right?

Okay, sure. Saving time by sending mass automated or generic messages may be appealing.

After all, it’s sexy to sell results in less time. We all want to make more money with less effort (just like I’d love to lose more weight without ditching carbs and sugar). 

Again, the message is appealing, especially if you don’t understand how LinkedIn works.  

But here’s the thing: 

1. Personalizing an invitation to connect takes less than 5 minutes. 
2. Adding a note can make a difference between whether someone who will buy from you accepts or ignores your request.  
3. If you’re genuinely interested in making connections on LinkedIn, what’s the big deal about taking the time to add this step?  Your note can be as simple as referencing shared interests/connections, a recent article they posted, or a comment they made on your post. This is just a starting point, so it doesn't have to be a love note.

Think of a LinkedIn invitation as more than just a way to “follow” or "add" someone to your network. It's actually like a gate into someone’s network. In fact, it's the gatekeeper to establishing relationships that will help you grow your business.

But as Dale Carnegie says, “To be interesting, be interested.” So take the time to look at someone’s profile to learn about them. Show in your note that you want to do more than just collect contacts in the hopes of selling your stuff.

The effort you put in will reflect in the response you get back. 

Marietta Gentles Crawford is a personal brand strategist and LinkedIn expert who helps coaches, consultants, and leaders profit from their digital prescence. Get your free LinkedIn Guide and stay connected.