Connecting with everyone in your room on LinkedIn can be a great way to expand your professional network and create opportunities for future collaboration. However, it does require some strategic thinking and preparation to connect in an authentic and mutually beneficial way.
Why Connect on LinkedIn?
Here are some of the key benefits of connecting with your room attendees on LinkedIn:
- Expand your network – Connecting opens up access to each person’s connections, widening your overall reach.
- Stay top of mind – Maintaining a connection makes it easier to stay in touch after the room ends.
- Enable future collaborations – You never know when a connection might lead to a partnership down the road.
- Show you’re proactive – Reaching out first demonstrates initiative and interest in others.
- Gain insights – You can learn a lot from someone’s LinkedIn profile that might help you better understand their perspective.
How to Send Connection Requests
When sending connection requests, focus on personalization, thoughtfulness, and showing genuine interest in the other person.
1. Personalize each request
Generic connection requests are easy to ignore. Tailor each request to the individual by:
- Mentioning where you met or what you have in common
- Asking about something specific from their background or interests
- Following up on a previous conversation
2. Keep it brief but thoughtful
You don’t need to write a novel, but take the time to craft a meaningful note. Aim for 2-3 sentences highlighting why you want to connect and how you might mutually support each other.
3. Focus on how you can help
Say what you find interesting or impressive about their work and how you might be able to contribute to their goals or projects.
When to Send the Requests
Timing your connection requests right can make a big difference in the response rate.
Right after meeting
If there was a meaningful interaction, send a request soon after your conversation while it’s still fresh.
Within 24 hours
Follow up within a day or two after the room while names and conversations are still top of mind.
A week later
Wait about a week to prevent feeling overly aggressive. This shows you took time to reflect on the connections.
How to Customize Your Profile
Before requesting connections, optimize your own LinkedIn profile to provide context on who you are and strengthen your professional brand.
Profile photo
Add a high quality, professional headshot so you’re easily recognizable.
Headline
Summarize your experience and value proposition in your headline.
About section
Share your background, skills, passions, and what makes you unique.
Work experience
Detail your roles and achievements at each company to showcase your capabilities.
Education
List your degrees and certifications to validate your expertise.
Skills
Include keywords and technical skills that describe your offering.
Recommendations
Ask colleagues for recommendations to provide third-party endorsements.
Best Practices for Relationship Building
Connecting is just the first step. To build strong relationships:
- Personalize outreach and communication
- Provide value through helpful content and advice
- Respond promptly to messages
- Follow up to continue the conversation
- Share or comment on their posts and updates
- Congratulate them on work milestones
- Offer to connect them with relevant contacts
Following Up After Connecting
To gain the most from new connections, be proactive about following up:
Send a message post-connection
Send a note thanking them for connecting and bring up a topic for further discussion.
Engage with their content
Like and comment on their posts to continue the dialogue.
Respond to updates
When they share news, send congratulations or ask related questions to show interest.
Share relevant articles or resources
If you stumble upon something you think may interest them, forward it along.
Avoiding Missteps
A few things to keep in mind to prevent damaging new relationships:
Don’t over message
After connecting, give the relationship time to marinate before intensive outreach.
Respect boundaries
If someone doesn’t seem responsive, avoid being overly aggressive in your follow up.
Provide value
Make sure to offer meaningful information, advice and help, not just ask for things.
Be authentic
Keep conversations genuine. Don’t just send template messages.
Tracking Your Outreach
To stay organized and strategic with your outreach, track your connections in a spreadsheet with columns for:
| Date Requested | Name | Company | Message Sent | Date Connected | Follow Up Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/1/23 | John Smith | ABC Corp | Hi John, enjoyed our chat… | 10/2/23 | Send article on XYZ |
Conclusion
Connecting in-person events and LinkedIn can be a powerful combination for building meaningful relationships. Be personal, thoughtful, and proactive in your outreach. Provide ongoing value to nurture trust and collaboration opportunities. Maintain genuine interest in each connection over time. With a strategic, long-term approach, you can effectively leverage room experiences to grow your network and unlock the possibilities within your extended community.
