Why Me? (My #1 LinkedIn Pet Peeve)

If you’re like me, a fairly active LinkedIn member, you receive a few link requests a week, often from people you don’t know. Most likely, those requests are accompanied my LinkedIn’s generic “I would like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”

That’s nice. But why?

I don’t know about you, but I love business and businesspeople of any kind. That’s why I do what I do at The Power Lunch Project - connecting people with others to network - and, as such, I like to know what people do, maybe even why they do it, and how I can help them. That’s why they must be trying to link with me in the first place, right? And besides, if you give me a little more info then the uncreative and uninspiring “I want to add you to my professionals network on LinkedIn”, I am more likely to remember you and be able to connect you with people!

I imagine it’s that way for most other people that you try to connect with on LinkedIn.

So having said that, here are my suggestions for a memorable LinkedIn request:

• Tell ‘em what you do (and maybe toot your horn a little) – “Hey Sara! I’m the best widget salesman this side of the Mississippi! Let’s link!”

• Tell ‘em you think they’re cool – “Sara – I read your article about ‘Desperate Networking.’ I thought it was great! Let’s connect.”

• Tell ‘em what you need – “Hi Sara! I’m starting a new business and am just getting into the networking game. Can you give me some suggestions on effective networking?”

• Tell ‘em what a small world it is – “ Sara! I grew up in Harrisburg too – good times! Will you add me – perhaps we have some mutual acquaintances!”

• Do any combination of the above, but please – no more “I would like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn”! Ugh!

Obviously, the point in all of this – and even linking at all – is to get a conversation going, find some common ground and well….NETWORK! (In my humble opinion, anyway.) It doesn’t have to be a whole mission statement– 3 or 4 sentences usually suffice! You can also use it over and over again, tweaking it as needed, depending upon the connection you are requesting.

And trust me – 90% of the users on LinkedIn are using the generic line – you WILL be noticed if you do something a little more creative!

Tell us your LinkedIn request line below to inspire others – and maybe you’ll find some great networking partners, too!



~The Power Lunch Project
Eat. Drink. NETWORK!
http://www.ThePowerLunchProject.com