Manners That Sell

Your LinkedIn Network - How to Invite People to Join You

Is it me? Am I the only one who finds the standard invitation to join someone's LinkedIn network somewhat abrupt and cold?  LinkedIn has made it quick and simple to send invitations to anyone and everyone.  You just go to your profile, search, find a name and click "Connect."  Off goes a message that reads, "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn."  How impersonal is that? Of course you have the option to add a personal message, but very few people do.

While I do have friends who invite me to join them on their network, I frequently receive invitations from people whom I don't know and have never heard of.  Upon checking their profile, I can usually discover that these people have a product or service that they would like to promote.  Other times it is impossible to figure out the connection and the reason for the invitation. 

It occurs to me that if you want to invite someone to join you, you need to word your invitation carefully and courteously. Here are my thoughts on how to send an invitation and respond to one.

• Always, always, always, personalize your message. 
• If you don't have a history with these people, explain why you want them to join you.
• Perhaps you should remind them of how you met.
• Reference an article or post they have written.
• Comment on something about their profile.
• Mention the mutual benefit of being connected.
• In short, take the time to explain your invitation.

Now, how do you respond to invitations from seemingly total strangers?

• Be forth coming and acknowledge the invitation.
• Ask how you are connected.
• If it doesn't seem to be a good fit, send a courteous message when you decline the invitation. Leave a good impression. 

Finally, when someone agrees to join you on LinkedIn, be sure to send a thank you reply.

It is not about how many connections you have. It is about how many meaningful connections you have. It is not a numbers game. It is what you do with the numbers that count.

Happy connecting,

P.S. If you would like to help your employees get the most out of their business networking, invite me to present "Networking Magic".

About Lydia Ramsey

Lydia Ramsey is a Savannah-based business etiquette expert, executive etiquette coach, professional speaker and author of Manners That Sell™, offering keynotes and seminars to corporations, associations, colleges and universities. To learn more about Lydia, her services and products, go to her website, Manners That Sell.

If you would like to have Lydia speak at your next meeting or conference contact her online or call her at 912-598-9812.

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SOLDLab Features My Article: Top 12 Rules of Social Media Etiquette

SOLDLab is featuring my article "Top 12 Rules of Social Media Etiquette" in their May issue of SOLD.  This issue features a topic of social selling which is a topic I'm sure will interest many of my readers.  You can read the entire magazine at SOLDLab.  Click on the magazine and forward to page 37!

More Social Networking Tips

• Do pick a screen name that represents you and your company well.  Don't call yourself "loser1" unless you want to be know by that name.
• Don't send out requests for people's birthdays, invitations to play games or any other timewaster that is available for those using the site.
• Don't put anything on the internet that you don't want your future boss, current client or potential clients to read.  
• Check out the people who want to follow you or be your friend.  People will judge you by whom you associate with.
• Don't argue with someone who does not want to befriend you.  They have the right to make that decision and you have to accept that.
• Don't get embroiled in arguments and never post when you're overtired, jet lagged, intoxicated or upset.
• Compose your posts, updates or tweets in a word processing and check grammar and spelling before you send them.

Social Networking Etiquette Tips

• Do pick a screen name that represents you and your company well.  Don't call yourself "loser1" unless you want to be know by that name.
• Fill out your profiles completely with information about you and your business.  Use your real name and your real photo.
• Use a different profile or account for your personal connections.  Don't mix business with pleasure in this medium.
• Do create a section on your main profile detailing who you are seeking to befriend and ask that visitors abide by that information.
• Don't talk all about your self and your company.  Offer information of value.
• Don't approach strangers and ask them to be friends with you and then try to sell them something.

Stay tuned for more social networking tips!

Quick E-Mail Tips

1. When sending e-mail always fill out the subject line and make it meaningful.  You'll have a better chance at getting a reply.
2. Open your e-mail by using a greeting such as “Dear,” “Hello” or “Good Morning,” followed by the person’s name.
3. Always run outgoing e-mail through your spellchecker.  Be aware that it will catch misspelled words but not misused ones.
4. Your e-mail signature is very important.  Always close with your name and contact information such as your phone, fax and street address.

The Top Twelve Business Etiquette Tips for Social Media

There is no doubt about it—social networking, or social media if you prefer, is all the buzz. A report just out by Forrester’s Research indicates that 51% of online Americans have joined a social network. Another 73% are consuming some form of social content on a regular basis. People are connecting with, listening to, following and collaborating with each other online at an amazing rate.

Some people are using it for personal reasons. They are sharing their recipes, their photos and their ideas to stay up to date with their friends and family. Business people are using social networking sites to build their careers, promote their business and grow their reputations.

The most popular social networking sites are Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and Twitter. Each one of those sites is uniquely positioned and serves a particular population or purpose. There are other online networking sites, numbering in the thousands, so at this point, they shall remain nameless.

The purpose of this newsletter is not to provide information on which networking sites you should choose and why, but to provide you with tips on the etiquette of social networking. Once again, as with e-mail, cell phones, Blackberries and other technological devices or technologically driven communication, we got the technology up front and we have backed into the rules for using it with courtesy and consideration.

I am starting with a list of twelve tips on the etiquette of social networking for the polished professional. The list will, no doubt, grow with time.

#1. Fill out your online profiles completely with information about you and your business. Use your real name and your own photo. Your cat may be adorable, but unless you are a veterinarian specializing in the care and treatment of felines, don’t get cute.

#2. Use a different profile or account for your personal connections. Business and pleasure do not mix in this medium.

#3. Create a section on your main profile detailing who you are seeking to befriend and ask that visitors abide by that information. Everyone need not apply.

#4. Offer information of value. Don't talk just about yourself and your company.

#5. Don't approach strangers and ask them to be friends with you just so you can then try to sell them on your products or services. You will quickly lose credibility and your so-called “friends.”

#6. Pick a screen name that represents you and your company well. Don't call yourself "Loser1" unless you want to be known by that name.

#7. Don't send out requests for birthdays, invitations to play games or other timewasters for those using the site.

#8. Don't put anything on the Internet that you don't want your future boss, current client or potential clients to read.

#9. Check out the people who want to follow you or be your friend. Your mother was right when she said that people will judge you by the company you keep.

#10. If someone does not want to be your friend, accept their decision gracefully. They have the right to make that choice and you have to accept it.

#11. Never post when you're overly-tired, jet lagged, intoxicated, angry or upset.

#12. Compose your posts, updates or tweets in a word processing document so you can check grammar and spelling before you send them.

The world of online networking is new to most of us, but there is little difference in connecting with people online and offline. The same basic tenets hold true. Trust and authenticity remain high on the list.


Lydia is available to present keynotes and workshops at your next event.

Public Program In Savannah, GA I will be presenting “First Impressions – Seven Seconds to Sink or Swim” on October 21st from 3-4:30 PM at the Savannah Trade and Convention Center. This program is being sponsored by the Tourism Leadership Council of Savannah. Cost is $25 to members and $40.00 to non-members. To purchase tickets visit http://www.tourismleadershipcouncil.com/home.cfm?pid=12&id=349