In this post we are going discuss the etiquette surrounding LinkedIn.
With approximately 467 million registered users on LinkedIn it is now the most popular social media for the business world. While many people use LinkedIn to build their corporate networks, most people don’t know what the levels of etiquette are around this very useful tool.
The first thing you have to decide is, why am on LinkedIn? What do you want to active from it?
When you ask this question, most people cannot answer it. They are on LinkedIn because everyone else is.That’s like saying I bought a Chainsaw because everyone else has one.
We have categorised users into 4 main categories of LinkedIn.
- The business developer
- The networker
- The serial pest
- The recruiter
1. The business developer is using LinkedIn to broaden their client base. They are focused on building relationships on a certain demographic. This is where LinkedIn comes into its own. Years ago we used to use a Who’s Who list or a database from Dunn & Bradstreet that cost $20,000. Today, if you know how to use LinkedIn, you can find anyone you want. Even advertising on LinkedIn can be targeted at a specific target market.
2. The networker is someone who is building their network for whatever reason. That may include, trying to expand their client base, or they are looking for someone to help them or the most common case, they are playing the “mine is bigger than your’s” game (I have more LinkedIn connections than you, therefore I am more important that you). I am not sure what the out outcome of this game is but there are a lot out there who are much bigger than mine.
3. The Serial Pest are people who are the best at the mine is bigger than your’s game. They pop up everywhere. They find someone and invite you. You know you have never met them and are probably never going to meet them or talk to them or do any business with them, so why accept their invite?
4. The recruiter we all know these people they are the best of the lot…….right! However, unfortunately, LinkedIn is now polluted with recruiters who think you just send off some connection requests and everyone will connect with them. This is not the case.
When should I invite someone to connect?
The answer to this question really lies within the reason you are using LinkedIn. Think of it like a date. We have all been in a situation where we wanted to get to know someone. So we have coffee, lunch, dinner etc. So with LinkedIn, before you invite someone, think about the reason you want to get to know them. If there is no good reason, then don’t invite them.
How should I invite someone to connect?
When you go to invite someone, there is a pop-up box that allows you to write your message. It has the following default message – “George, I would like to add you to my professional network – Steven Begg”. I am pretty sure we all agree that message is the least attractive message one could come up with, but the number of people who use that message is unbelievable. After all, it is quick.
Lately, I ran a test where I invited 20 people I don’t know to connect. 10 of them I used the default message, 10 of them I personalised the message. In the personalised message, I told them who I was and the reason for connecting. The results, 58% of the default messages accepted the connection and 100% of the personalised message accepted.
When should I accept an invitation to connect?
This is your call and once again comes back to your reason for using LinkedIn. My advice, accept invites from people who you either know, have had dealings with, or people who are likely to help you on your journey. Remember, when you are connected the person you are connected to can see your connections, so be sure that person is someone you want to connect with
How to make the Most out of LinkedIn
Too many people use LinkedIn the wrong way, e.g., when someone sends you a request to connect, and you accept, send them a message. Every time someone sends me a request to connect, I send them a message saying
“Hi Jack, thank you for the invitation to connect. Jack, I am pretty sure our paths haven’t crossed before, but, now that we are connected, let me explain what we do ……… blah blah blah”
The outcome of this is a conversation starts, and in more cases than not, I end up with business from this action.
The same applies to people who have accepted my invite. Except in this one, I explain to them what we do and the benefits of connecting to our LinkedIn page, Facebook Page, Twitter etc. Why is this important? The more times they hear/see Recruitment School or Steve Begg, the more they will remember who we are.
Remember, make sure there is a purpose to your LinkedIn activity. Don’t be a pest and please be considerate of other people’s time.
Recruitment School is Australia’s leading Online Recruitment Training facility. Our aim is to provide brilliant training, at a realistic price, with added flexibility. To find out more click here to be taken to our courses page
