Connecting with other professionals on LinkedIn can provide many benefits, but blindly sending invitations to everyone you know or meet may not always be the best approach. Here are some quick answers to key questions to help determine if and when you should send those connection requests.
What are the benefits of having more connections?
Having a large network on LinkedIn can be advantageous in several ways:
- Increased visibility – With more connections, your profile and activity have broader reach, which can lead to more profile views.
- Access to connections’ connections – Your 2nd-degree connections can be invaluable for expanding your network. But you need connections to gain access.
- Staying up-to-date – Newsfeed content from connections shares the latest happenings at their organizations.
- Insight for job search – Connections often post about open positions and can provide referrals.
In short, more connections mean more people you can potentially connect and engage with professionally.
When should I not invite someone to connect?
There are a few instances when it may be best to hold off on sending a connection invitation:
- Strangers or casual acquaintances – Only connect with those you know and trust or have an established professional relationship with.
- Contacts from events – Wait until you’ve had a meaningful conversation before linking profiles.
- Spam connections – Don’t accept invitations from bots or strangers just to increase numbers.
- Competitors – Be cautious connecting with direct competitors, as it could raise conflicts.
Connecting just for the sake of growing your network can decrease the value of your connections. Focus on quality over quantity.
How do I customize connection requests?
Personalizing your connection invitations can improve the chances of acceptance. Here are some tips:
- Remind them where you met or your common connection.
- Explain why you want to connect and how you can help each other.
- Share why you admire their work or background.
- Use their first name and avoid generic messages.
Taking the time to craft thoughtful requests shows you value developing a professional relationship.
How often should I invite new connections?
There is no magic number for how often to send connection requests. It depends on factors like:
- How active you are on LinkedIn – If you engage regularly, more connections have value.
- Your career stage – Those early in their career may want large networks for discovery.
- New people you meet – Conferences or company changes naturally create new contacts.
In general, focus on quality over quantity and connect only when you have a specific, professional reason to do so. Spamming invitations can hurt your reputation.
Should I follow up if a request is ignored?
If your connection request is left pending after 1-2 weeks, consider a follow up. Tips include:
- Send a personalized message reintroducing yourself and reiterating why you want to connect.
- Ask if it would be better to connect at a later date and offer to follow up.
- If no response after follow ups, move on to avoid pestering them.
However, if someone rejects your request, it’s best not to re-send invitations or ask why they rejected. Respect their decision and connect at another time if appropriate.
Conclusion
Expanding your LinkedIn network can generate many professional opportunities. But focus on forging meaningful relationships, not just numbers. Be selective in who you connect with, customize your invitations, and avoid pestering those who ignore your requests.
With a strategy focused on quality over quantity, you can build a thriving LinkedIn network that develops your career.
Top Tips for LinkedIn Connection Requests
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Connect with those you have an established professional relationship with | Send generic invitations to strangers or casual acquaintances |
Personalize invitations to share why you want to connect | Spam every new contact with an invitation |
Focus on quality connections that help your career | Focus solely on getting the highest number of connections |
Follow up once if a request is ignored | Repeatedly re-send requests if rejected or ignored |
When Are LinkedIn Connections Worthwhile?
Situation | Worth Connecting? |
---|---|
Stranger who sends generic invitation | No |
Met at industry conference and had meaningful chat | Yes |
Changing jobs and want to stay in touch with colleagues | Yes |
Connecting would create a conflict of interest | No |
Highly recommend industry peer you haven’t met | Yes, with introduction |
Key Takeaways
- Focus on quality connections, not quantity.
- Personalize connection requests to increase acceptance.
- Only connect with those you have an established professional relationship with.
- Avoid spamming strangers or casual contacts.
- Follow up once on ignored requests, but don’t harass those who decline.
Building your LinkedIn network thoughtfully is crucial for maximizing its value. Prioritize meaningful, professional connections over random invites. With a strategy tailored to your career needs, you can create a thriving LinkedIn community.