Quick Answer
It is generally not considered unprofessional to connect with a client on LinkedIn, as long as you use good judgement. LinkedIn is designed for professional networking and can be a valuable way to strengthen your business relationships. However, it’s best to wait for the client to initiate the connection request first rather than sending an unsolicited invite. It’s also wise to customize your connection requests and avoid mass invites. Overall, connecting on LinkedIn is fine as long as you maintain professionalism and respect the client’s boundaries.
Should You Connect with Clients on LinkedIn?
Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to connect with clients on LinkedIn:
The Benefits
– Strengthens your business relationship by expanding channels of communication
– Shows you are invested in maintaining the relationship beyond the current deal
– Keeps you top of mind for future opportunities or referrals
– Allows you to easily share content and updates that may interest them
– Provides a way to give recommendations to build credibility
The Potential Drawbacks
– The client may see it as too pushy if you request too soon
– They may prefer to keep the relationship purely professional
– It creates an expectation that you will interact on the platform
– Blurs the line between personal and professional relationships
– Gives access to your entire network if you’re connected
Tips for Making the Connections
– Wait for the client to initiate the request first
– Customize the request with a note rather than just clicking “Connect”
– Avoid mass connection requests to those you do business with
– Respect it if the client ignores or declines the request
– Don’t over-message once connected or be too promotional
Should You Accept a Client’s Request?
If a client sends you a connection request on LinkedIn, it is generally recommended that you accept it. Here are some tips on responding appropriately:
– Accept the request in a timely manner, within a few days at most. Leaving it pending too long could offend them.
– Customize the acceptance with a quick note, thanking them for connecting.
– Consider adding them to your closest network on LinkedIn to prioritize their updates.
– Engage moderately with their content by liking and commenting occasionally. Avoid overdoing it.
– Wait for them to message you first rather than immediately pitching them. Let the relationship develop organically.
– Adjust your profile content to be professional if needed. Remove anything too personal.
– Review your own network connections and clean things up if needed.
– Use the connection to provide value – share content, make thoughtful introductions, or provide recommendations.
How to Send a Professional LinkedIn Request to a Client
When sending a LinkedIn connection request to a client or other business contact, follow these best practices:
– Only request after you have had substantive interactions and built rapport. Don’t request too soon.
– Personalize the request with a customized message, not just the default text.
– Remind them briefly who you are and where/how you met if it’s not obvious.
– Say you enjoyed meeting them or working with them and would like to connect.
– Suggest exchanging ideas and information on LinkedIn that may be of interest.
– Use a professional but friendly tone. Avoid sounding too formal or overly promotional.
– Only request to connect with one of their profiles, avoid spamming all employees.
– If they don’t respond after a couple weeks, don’t repeat the request. Respect their preference.
– Avoid mass connection requests. Take the time to customize each one.
– Once connected, engage thoughtfully by liking and commenting on updates, not just pitching.
Connecting on LinkedIn can be very beneficial for business relationships, when done tactfully. With the right approach, most clients will likely appreciate and accept requests.
Should You Add Current Clients on Social Media?
When it comes to adding current clients on personal social media accounts, the general recommendation is to exercise caution and restraint. Here are some factors to consider:
The Risks
– Clients may gain access to personal information, photos or posts you’d rather keep private from them.
– It could erode perceptions of professionalism if accounts contain unprofessional content.
– Interacting casually on social media can blur professional boundaries.
– Clients may make incorrect assumptions about your services based on personal posts.
– If the connection on social media goes poorly, it could jeopardize the business relationship.
The Benefits
– Strengthens rapport and makes the client feel valued by connecting more personally.
– Allows you to humanize your brand and build authenticity.
– Provides a channel to share casual updates, news and content.
– Can lead to new engagement, referrals and word-of-mouth marketing.
Best Practices
– Review privacy settings and content before accepting requests. Remove anything questionable.
– Create separate professional accounts if desired to maintain some distance.
– Limit personal sharing and be very thoughtful about what you post after connecting.
– Don’t “over-friend” and connect with every associate. Maintain some professional boundaries.
– Avoid discussing business on personal channels to keep them distinct.
– Disconnect gracefully if the social relationship ever becomes awkward or inappropriate.
Should You Add Former Clients on LinkedIn?
Here are some tips on connecting with former clients on LinkedIn:
– Wait at least a few months after the working relationship ends before requesting to connect. Don’t rush it.
– Make the request personal and remind them of your positive working relationship in the past.
– Unless inappropriate, accept connection requests from former clients when received.
– Avoid promotions or soliciting new business in your request message. Keep it relationship focused.
– Post occasional updates on your work and company news that would interest them.
– Share general industry articles or connections that could benefit former clients.
– Congratulate former clients if you see they have received promotions, new jobs, or awards.
– Quickly respond if a former client reaches out to you via LinkedIn messaging.
– Always remain professional in your interactions. Don’t overshare personal opinions.
– Never speak poorly of a former client when posting content. Keep it positive.
Maintaining LinkedIn connections with former clients can lead to repeat business if you handled the past relationship well. It keeps you on their radar for the future.
Should You Add Former Clients on Social Media Sites?
When considering connecting with former clients on personal social media sites, proceed with caution. Here are some recommendations:
– Don’t request to connect right away after the working relationship ends. Give it some time.
– Carefully review any past interactions to ensure there were no problems or ill feelings.
– Ask yourself if you would want ongoing casual contact with this person as a friend. If not, don’t connect.
– Review your privacy settings and content before accepting requests from former clients.
– Be very thoughtful about what you discuss or post after connecting on social channels.
– Unconnect immediately if they ever act inappropriately or make you uncomfortable online.
– Avoid discussing your current work and clients on personal accounts. Keep it casual.
– Do not post criticisms or negative comments about any former clients.
– Do not use social connections with former clients to solicit business.
Maintaining professional boundaries on social media with former clients is crucial. Make sure you present yourself appropriately at all times if you connect. Proceed cautiously.
Best Practices for Client Communications on LinkedIn
When communicating with current or former clients on LinkedIn, follow these best practices:
– Maintain professional language in messages, similar to email communications. Avoid using informal textspeak.
– Respond to client messages and comments in a timely manner, usually within 24 hours during the workweek if possible.
– Be helpful by providing resources, articles, and connections without an expectation of getting business in return.
– Avoid overt self-promotion in your posts and interactions. Focus on value for your connections.
– Respect clients’ privacy. Never share or discuss confidential business details publicly.
– Send individual messages to clients instead of group messages when possible.
– Proofread all posts and messages before sending to check for errors, inappropriate content, or an unintended tone.
– Wish clients a happy birthday or congratulate work milestones to build rapport. But keep it professional, not too personal.
– When in doubt about the appropriateness of discussing certain topics, keep the conversation focused on general industry trends.
– Disclose your affiliation if recommending your own company’s services or content.
With the right approach, LinkedIn can be a great tool for strengthening client relationships through ongoing professional communication.
Conclusion
In summary, it is generally acceptable to connect with clients on LinkedIn, provided you exercise good judgement and maintain professionalism. The risks are minimal if you follow best practices like customizing connection requests, not being overly promotional, and respecting boundaries. Social media sites require more caution around current clients, but connecting with former ones is fine as long as your accounts showcase you positively. Approach online interactions with clients similarly to in-person ones by being helpful, thoughtful and advancing the relationship. With the proper etiquette, LinkedIn can become an invaluable channel for deepening business relationships over the long term.
| Benefits of Connecting with Clients on LinkedIn | Potential Drawbacks of Connecting with Clients on LinkedIn |
|---|---|
|
– Strengthens business relationships – Provides a channel for sharing valuable content – Allows giving and receiving recommendations – Keeps you top of mind for future opportunities – Shows you are invested in the relationship |
– Client may feel like it’s too pushy/salesy – Blurs personal and professional relationship boundaries – Creates obligation to interact on the platform – Gives access to your entire network – Client may prefer to keep relationship purely professional |
| DOs of Client Communication on LinkedIn | DON’Ts of Client Communication on LinkedIn |
|---|---|
|
– Maintain professional language – Respond promptly to messages and comments – Focus on providing value, not promotions – Respect client privacy and confidentiality – Send individualized messages when possible – Proofread content before posting – Build rapport with birthday wishes and congratulations |
– Don’t use informal textspeak – Don’t overtly self-promote – Don’t share or discuss confidential business details – Don’t send mass group messages – Don’t post inappropriate or error-ridden content – Don’t get too personal or casual |