LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 722 million members. Making connections is a core part of the LinkedIn experience. However, sending connection requests to strangers or indirect contacts can sometimes be seen as intrusive or inappropriate. In this article, we’ll explore when it is and isn’t okay to send LinkedIn connection requests.
What are the benefits of sending connection requests?
Here are some potential benefits of sending LinkedIn connection requests:
Expand your network
Sending connection requests allows you to expand your professional network on LinkedIn. Having a large network increases your visibility and provides access to more opportunities.
Stay in touch with connections
You can send requests to reconnect with old colleagues, classmates, and other contacts you’ve lost touch with over the years. Reconnecting helps maintain valuable relationships.
Meet new people in your industry
Connecting with professionals in your industry, even if you don’t know them directly, can help you gain exposure, learn about job openings, and more.
Get introduced through mutual connections
If you share a mutual connection, asking for an introduction through your shared contact is often an effective way to connect professionally.
Express interest in someone’s company
Sending a request to employees at a company you’re interested in working for is a way to get your foot in the door and learn more about the company.
When is it appropriate to send a connection request?
In general, it is appropriate to send a LinkedIn connection request when:
You know the person directly
Connecting with people you know and have interacted with, either professionally or personally, is almost always acceptable. This includes current or former colleagues, classmates, clients, vendors, friends, etc.
You share mutual connections
If you don’t know someone directly but share several connections, it is often okay to request to connect, especially if you share a connection who can introduce you.
You have interacted indirectly
Connecting with people you’ve interacted with indirectly, such as networking at an industry event or commenting on the same post, can be appropriate in moderation.
You want to learn about their company
Requesting to connect with employees at a company you’re interested in or applying to work for can help expand your network.
You have a specific professional reason
If you have a legitimate professional reason for wanting to connect with someone, such as discussing potential consulting projects or collaborations, a request is generally fine.
When is it best to avoid sending a request?
Here are some situations where it may be better to hold off on sending a LinkedIn request:
You have no shared connections or interactions
Without any mutual connections or prior interactions, an unprompted request can come across as spammy.
You are targeting someone because of their job title
Mass requesting connections from those in senior roles at desirable companies can be perceived negatively.
You are selling a product or service
While you can connect with potential clients, directly pitching your business unsolicited is usually not welcome.
You are connecting too frequently
Flooding people’s inboxes with requests can make you seem overly aggressive in expanding your network.
You are connecting from a personal profile
Most prefer connecting professionally on LinkedIn rather than personally from a dating app profile, for example.
You have no personalized message
Generic connection requests are less likely to get accepted compared to personalized ones.
How to send appropriate and effective connection requests
Here are some tips for sending polite, professional, and well-received connection requests on LinkedIn:
Personalize your request
Always customize your connection invitation with a polite greeting and brief note explaining your reason for connecting.
Highlight common ground
Mentioning mutual connections, shared groups, similar interests, or professional background helps give context.
Make your message specific
Rather than a generic message, explain exactly why you want to connect with this particular individual.
Follow up after connecting
Send a message thanking them for accepting and follow up on any particular reason you connected.
Connect using desktop LinkedIn
The desktop site enables more customization options compared to mobile.
Use a professional profile photo
An appropriate, high-quality headshot helps convey you are serious about connecting professionally.
Focus on quality over quantity
Curate a network of genuinely valuable connections, not just the highest number possible.
Personalize your profile
A complete, detailed profile encourages recipients to connect with you in return.
How to respond to LinkedIn connection requests
When you receive a LinkedIn request, here are some things to keep in mind:
Check for any mutual connections
Seeing you have shared connections makes accepting more worthwhile andbuilding rapport easier.
Review the requester’s profile and message
Assess whether you have common interests and goals and look for a polite, personalized note.
Politely ask for more context if needed
If you’re unsure about the person or reason for connecting, kindly ask for more details before accepting.
It’s okay to ignore generic requests
Feel free to disregard mass connection attempts with no explanation or personalization.
You can also send a private inMail response
Replying directly and privately can be preferable if you want to maintain discretion.
Add a personalized note when accepting
Include a friendly message when accepting to start the relationship on a positive note.
It’s okay to decline requests
If the request seems inappropriate or spammy, declining or just ignoring it is perfectly fine.
You can also report suspicious behavior
Use LinkedIn’s reporting options if a user seems predatory, harassing, or otherwise problematic.
Best practices for managing your connections
Here are some recommended strategies and etiquette for managing LinkedIn connections:
Proactively update your connections
Remove contacts you no longer want to be connected to and rearrange connections into appropriate groups.
Be selective about who you choose to connect with
There is no need to connect with everyone. Curate connections intentionally.
Periodically remove inactive connections
Prune connections you no longer interact with to maintain an engaged network.
Be careful about what you share and who can see it
Use privacy settings to control what connections see about you and your activities.
Don’t overwhelm your network with invites
Space out connection requests rather than blasting them all at once.
Follow up with new connections
Build relationships with new connections by engaging, sharing content, and offering help.
Disable notifications if requests become bothersome
If connection requests become annoying, disable notifications to control the flow.
Don’t take declines personally
Understand if others choose not to connect, it’s likely not personal but just maintaining discretion.
Conclusion
Sending LinkedIn connection requests can be beneficial but should be done professionally and selectively. Personalize requests, connect intentionally, and focus on building relationships, not just expanding your network. With good judgment and etiquette, LinkedIn can provide valuable connections. What are your best practices for connecting professionally on LinkedIn?