You would likely not ignore an email from a new business connection and certainly, would not shun them face to face. So why are you always doing it on LinkedIn?
You, or they, have gone to the trouble of wanting to connect it only makes sense to start to build the relationship. With the platforms enhanced messaging system there really is no excuse. Whenever you accept a new connection or someone you have invited to connect accepts, a message is generated in your Linkedin account to tell you and show you the content of the original message.
This is the perfect time to start building the relationship with this new connection. Here are 5 steps to saying hello and getting off on the right foot;
- Plan the time to check your LinkedIn messages on a regular basis, every work day or at least weekly.
- Go to the profile of each connection and go through it to look for areas of mutual interest, shared connections or look for something that you would like to know more about.
- Send a follow-up message thanking the person for connecting and commenting on the area of their profile you found most engaging and relevant.
- Be sure to ask them how you can help them.
- Look for a response and maintain the engagement.
You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you. – Dale Carnegie
Regardless of the reason for wanting to network with this person don’t be the person who immediately looks for help, business or an introduction. Like this guy
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