Sending a good LinkedIn invitation is crucial for expanding your professional network and making valuable connections. However, with LinkedIn’s focus on professionalism, you need to be careful to avoid coming across as spammy or salesy. The key is to personalize your invitation and provide value to the recipient. Here are some tips on how to write an effective LinkedIn invitation:
Do Your Research
Before reaching out to someone, take the time to learn about them and their background. Read their LinkedIn profile and any articles or posts they may have. Understand their career path, skills, interests, and goals. This allows you to personalize your invitation and show you took the initiative to get to know them. It also gives you insights you can reference in your message.
Personalize the Message
Generic outreach won’t get you far on LinkedIn. Take the information from your research to craft a message unique to the individual. Mention how you found them, what you have in common, or why you’d value connecting. Referencing shared connections, groups, or interests makes it more natural. The specificity demonstrates you’re not just spamming your contacts.
Introduce Yourself
Since you likely don’t know the person, provide some context on who you are and why you want to connect. Share details about your background that are relevant and explain you are interested in expanding your network. This establishes a basis for the connection beyond just sending an empty invitation.
Explain Why You Want to Connect
Articulate what value you both can gain from the connection. Perhaps you share similar career experiences, are in the same industry, or have complementary skills. Avoid vagueness by being specific about your motivations and what you could potentially offer one another. This gives the recipient a concrete reason to accept.
Make the Ask Clear
Close your message with a clear call to action, such as asking to connect on LinkedIn. Don’t assume they’ll know what you want without explicitly stating it. A clear ask demonstrates professionalism and improves your chances of getting a response.
Proofread Thoroughly
With written communication, typos or grammar errors detract from the impression you want to make. Proofread your invitation carefully to avoid mistakes. Consider asking someone else to review it as a second set of eyes. A polished message shows extra care.
Crafting the Introduction
The first paragraph of your invitation sets the tone. Grab their attention with an interesting opening relevant to them. Here are some examples:
Reference Something You Admire
“I recently read your article on digital marketing trends and found your insights truly insightful.”
Compliment Their Work
“Your work as Founder of Acme Co. has been incredibly inspiring. The partnerships you’ve brokered with Fortune 500 companies have been genius.”
Note a Shared Connection
“I see we’re both connected to Jane Smith. She had great things to say about you when we last spoke.”
Mention Shared Interests
“I noticed you share a passion for mountain biking. I’ve been riding for years in the Rockies and would enjoy swapping stories.”
Highlight Shared Experiences
“It looks like we both graduated from the University of Michigan a few years apart. Go Blue!”
Explaining Who You Are
After grabbing their attention, provide details on who you are and your professional background. Tailor this to what would interest them most based on your research.
Current Job Details
– Company name
– Position title
– Main responsibilities
“I’m currently working as a Marketing Manager for ABC Company where I oversee digital advertising campaigns and social media strategy.”
Career Experiences
– Past companies/positions
– Timeframe
– Highlights and achievements
“Before my current role, I worked for 5 years as a Project Manager at DEF Inc. where I led cross-functional teams and implemented CRM systems that increased sales by 25%.”
Education
“I graduated from Stanford University in 2018 with a B.S. in Computer Science. My coursework focused heavily on UX design and front-end development.”
Skills & Interests
“Outside of work, I’m an avid runner and have completed five marathons so far. I’m passionate about health and fitness.”
Explaining Your Motivations
Now explain why you want to connect with them specifically. Go beyond just saying you want to expand your network. Give tangible reasons how you both can benefit.
Shared Field/Industry
“With over 10 years in the biotech industry, I thought you would be a great person to connect with. I’m interested in learning more about innovations in the field from an experienced leader like yourself.”
Complementary Skills
“As a front-end developer, I’m fascinated by your work on UI design. I think we could have some great conversations about improving user experience and accessibility.”
Career Advice
“You have an impressive background in marketing. I’m early in my career and would appreciate any advice you’re willing to share on positioning myself for success.”
Business Partnership Potential
“I help companies scale their social media marketing through paid advertising and influencer partnerships. I think my services could greatly benefit your ecommerce business if you’re looking to expand your online presence.”
Making the Direct Ask
Wrap up your invitation with a clear call-to-action to connect on LinkedIn. This removes ambiguity and positions you professionally.
Simple and Direct
“I’d appreciate the chance to connect with you here on LinkedIn.”
Time-Bound
“Would you be open to connecting on LinkedIn within the next week?”
Additional Context if Needed
“I completely understand if you’re not open to new connections at this time. If you are, I’d be grateful for the chance to add you to my professional network here on LinkedIn.”
Proofreading Tips
To polish your invitation, be sure to proofread thoroughly:
– Read slowly and carefully, looking for errors
– Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes
– Look out for awkward phrasing and repetitive words
– Make sure sentences are clear and easy to understand
– Double check proper nouns like names and companies
– Consider reading out loud to catch anything you might have missed
Having a second set of eyes proofread can also catch things you gloss over. A clean message prevents undermining the professionalism you want to convey.
Conclusion
Sending a strong LinkedIn invitation requires personalization, research, and polish. Craft an introduction catching their interest, explain who you are and your motivations, directly ask to connect, and proofread carefully. With this strategic approach, you can expand your network effectively. The extra effort makes a difference in standing out from generic outreach. Focus on quality over quantity and watch your connections flourish.