How often does this happen to you? The day after you attend a business networking event, you get a few generic email requests to Link In with people you chatted with for two minutes. They say ‘I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn’. Or, even worse, ‘Because you’re a friend … or … someone I trust … ‘.
I get several of these unsolicited requests a week from 2nd level connections I don’t know, people I met very briefly or who were in the audience for one of my presentations.
LinkedIn is increasing in popularity and use, especially with all the buzz about its IPO. But, don’t be a ‘LinkedIn Loser’. When you do invite someone to link with you, avoid the system-generated generic ‘I’d like to add you to my professional network … ‘ Comes off like junk mail sent to ‘Occupant’.
Instead, take the extra minute to craft a two-line personalized note indicating why you want to connect with them and what you hope to accomplish. When you accept invitations from others, reply with a short note thanking them and suggesting some ways you might help each other.
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