Can you use LinkedIn’s connection request for sales outreach…
No…
and yes….
Please don’t do this:
- Compliment me to make a connection and then go for the hard close
- Use my alumni or connections to “just connect” only to follow up with a sales pitch
- Praise my post or article and offer to connect “as friends” only to start selling me something
These tricks break trust
Instead, anyone who wants a few suggestions for a better approach – read below
- Rule number one: be honest, ask for what you want
- Rule number two: don’t assume, provide freedom of choice
- Rule number three: ask for openness to talk (not 30 mins of time)
You’ve got 300 characters to make your case.
Here’s three examples that I don’t hate:
1. Hi Ted, not sure this is on your mind, but connecting to see if you’re open to a convo about [insert scenario]? Worst case, we connect networks and part as friends. Thanks, Ted
2. Hi Ted, I may be out in left field here, but connecting to see if you’re open to chatting (at some point) about [insert scenario]? No pressure. I’m happy to just connect networks, too. Thanks, Ted
3. Hi Ted, happy to get out of your hair, but I wouldn’t reach out if I didn’t think there was potential to help with [insert scenario]. Is this your experience, or am I off base? Glad to connect either way. Thanks, Ted
I hope this helps.
PS: Rule number four (bonus): LinkedIn should not be your only touchpoint – or even the first one. The phone works, and a good email with a short personalized video can go a long way. Also, consider LinkedIn’s voice message functionality.