5 mistakes to avoid when sending LinkedIn requests
PR pros know the importance of networking, but these common missteps when connecting online can doom a relationship before it begins.
Still, there are reasons why you might not be making the connections you are hoping for:
1. You’re not sending a personalized message
If someone walked up to you at a networking event and said, “I’d like to add you to my professional network,” you would probably give him a confused look. Sending a generic LinkedIn invitation to a stranger without introducing yourself is a big mistake.
Instead, check their profile and find a meaningful interest that you share. Start by introducing yourself, and then mention the thing you have in common. Your potential connection needs to understand who you are. It is also crucial that they see how they, too, can benefit from this professional connection.
2. Your profile is lacking significant information
If you don’t have a headline or a professional profile photo, chances are your connection requests are going to be ignored. Having a complete LinkedIn profile and optimizing it for search help potential connections to know that you are legit.
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