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Health & Fitness

The LinkedIn Invitation

This post looks at crafting the LinkedIn invitation to connect.

The other day I received a LinkedIn connection from “Someone in the Accounting function”.  Why would anyone want to connect with a nameless connection? The only thing that I could think of (as I deleted the invitation) is that “Someone” needed to update his or her Settings.  I should have let him know that to do that, he should:

  1. Go to his name
  2. Go to Settings
  3. Choose the section that says, “Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile” and change it to the first option, the one that says “Recommended name and headline”.

 

If you want to grow your LinkedIn network and connect with people, you obviously need to include your name.  You also should customize your invitation by letting the person know how you are connected. If you don't know the person, tailor your invitation with a statement such as, "We share the NJ Networking Group and I've found your responses to the questions very helpful." Another suggestion is to mention a common connection or interest. I’d bet that most customized invitations are accepted but few of the general LinkedIn are. It doesn't take long to personalize an invitation and it will make a world of difference.

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