Why Accept Invites to Connect on Linkedin?

Over the last several months I have seen a wide variety of people make comments on “invites to connect” or “join my network” on Linkedin. If we are to deliver a verdict on receiving invites to connect as whether good or bad. We should at least understand the power of a connection as it pertains to Linkedins design for the business professional.

When someone accepts an invitation to connect the first thing to bring to our attention is the opportunity to accept that invite and more importantly “respond” to the invite after accepting. I have developed a short 3 bullet response that I have made as personal as I can that drives the person to view me and my brand. This aspect alone has yielded me business.

Next, when you accept an invitation to connect you not only gain that connection you also have the potential reach now to your connections connections. (no, your eyes are not crossed). Let me explain, in my current role at Centimark one thing I do is Business Development. I basically find key contacts/ decision makers of Fortune 500 companies and introduce Centimark. More specifically the people I am looking for are in strategic sourcing & enterprise procurement to name a few. When I want to find the key “strategic sourcing manager” at XYZ company one thing I do is search Linkedin on the search bar for “Strategic Sourcing XYZ company” or whatever other keywords I may use. My search will return with the results. Most of the time those people are in my extended network of my connections.

“In other words my search is actually powered by the size of my network of connections.”

Of which I am allowed to see their name since they are in my extended network.  Where otherwise they could be on Linkedin and I would not be able to see them unless I subscribe to the Linkedin “premium” service.  This allows me to develop a strategy to contact that person. Where as before I did not have the persons name, now I do. If it goes no further on Linkedin that’s okay, but it could as my connections may be able to introduce me.  If not I can then move to other third party resources such as www.jigsaw.com to maybe get the other contact info. While my search strategy is “specific” to me, yours could be for other target specific people.  If you are ever in the job market and search the jobs on Linkedin wouldn’t it be nice to have some people in your network who work at the companies you may be applying for?  Today more than ever companies view your online presence as a plus for your resume as well.  I often say “Your Profile is Your Resume”, but thats another article.  Almost 50% of Linkedin is made up of business professionals who are considered decision makers. Nearly 7% are considered to be either Presidents, EVP’s, or VP’s.

The power of connections is truly remarkable. While we may think we have nothing in common with a potential direct connection. I hope this sheds some light on the subject. Take time to consider the potential reach that connection may have for you no matter how indirectly it may be.

If you find yourself with more questions and not sure how to be successful with Linkedin join the “Success With Linked n” Group here   We collaborate together on how to be successful using Linkedin.

Randy Schrum
www.twitter.com/randyschrum

*Now available Randy’s “Fast Start Guide to Linkedin Success” eBook click here to learn more