Accept, Ignore or Say Something?
I just opened my LinkedIn inbox and as always I am delighted to see that there were two invitations sitting there – one from Jim and the other from John. I don’t think I know either of them but that’s not too unusual with connection requests.
For me the big issue isn’t whether I “Accept” or “Ignore” the request but it is what am I going to do with that opportunity that presents itself?
Click, click and I have accepted both these invitations, two more onto my LinkedIn Connections scorecard! – another job well done?
If I do that I have just blown my opportunity to connect ..
If you are serious about using LinkedIn as a platform for boosting awareness and generating meaningful connections then you need to start using the opportunity properly.
There is lots that you can do on LinkedIn but the first way that you can really start making a difference is by “saying something” when someone connects with you.
How about after you hit that accept button you send a simple message… “Thanks for connecting, how is business with you?”
I always thank whoever has gone to the bother of connecting with me and I always ask them some sort of question. I find 99% of the time they come back with a response and before you know it, you are actually building a “connection” – do this right and you get to learn something about them and you get a chance to tell them something about you and your business.
Last week I connected with over 100 new contacts that I had on my email database that were using LinkedIn – nearly everyone accepted the connection request.
Just one took the time to say something.
Are you collecting numbers or making connections?
Go on.. say something
(for those readers that are not using LinkedIn it is a great way to make connections and generate awareness for you and your business – jump in!)
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion
Fuzion are a Marketing and PR firm with offices in Dublin and Cork
Tags: Fuzion, Fuzion PR, Greg Canty, linkedin
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
July 29, 2012 at 7:07 pm |
Nice to see another accountant doing something different. Who says we aren’t creative. I came across your blog post as someone had ‘liked’ it on LinkedIn.
July 30, 2012 at 8:03 am |
A reformed accountant !!
July 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm |
Very interesting and a very valid point Greg. I have just connected to 4 people and will see how many respond to my thank yous! I have kept it basic, but still, it will be interesting.
July 30, 2012 at 8:02 am |
Thanks for the feedback Caroline – let me know how it works for you !
August 8, 2012 at 3:12 pm
Hi Greg, nearly two weeks later and only one person wrote back. Still going to be my new things from here on in!
August 8, 2012 at 7:23 pm
Hi Caroline – I nearly always get a response to my questions ..keep at it!
July 30, 2012 at 7:08 am |
It’s interesting to see that it has been shared 22 times on LinkedIn and twice on twitter with not one FB share.
July 30, 2012 at 8:01 am |
It’s not really weekend fodder for Facebook – I’ll be putting it out this week. Let’s see !
July 30, 2012 at 7:43 am |
Good article Greg.
July 30, 2012 at 8:00 am |
Thanks for the positive feedback John, have a great week!
July 30, 2012 at 11:51 am |
Hi Greg
that is a very good point. I have always just accepted.
July 30, 2012 at 11:54 am |
thanks John – try it out next time !
August 8, 2012 at 9:25 am |
Spot on,i always make an effort to connect like this.
August 14, 2012 at 10:42 pm |
Greg,
I think you hit the nail on the head in relation to the opportunity an invitation to connect has for you but also isn’t it just good manners to reply to an invitation you receive or am I old fashioned in my outlook?
August 15, 2012 at 5:45 pm |
Hi John – you make a great point. Most people are mannerly but I feel on LinkedIn in particular people just don’t think! Because it is “online” often people just behave differently … When I ask a question I always get a response, which I guess makes most people quite polite.
April 9, 2013 at 8:41 am |
Great post as usual Greg
We all love making new connections on LinkedIn 🙂
It is important to make an effort and personalise every message !!!
Even a simple – HI Thank You for connecting like you said in your post it works wonders for starting conversation and building Relationships !
April 9, 2013 at 4:26 pm |
thanks for reading Leigh Ann ..in fairness you are going to do so well because you take everything on board