Truly Effective LinkedIn Invitation Templates

LinkedIn Keyboard

As you may or may not know, LinkedIn is an extremely effective and valuable social media channel for your business. LinkedIn can help your business in so many ways and it can absolutely help you to bring your business to the next level.

 LinkedIn connections serve many different purposes

If you are not used to LinkedIn and how to make connections with other people  on LinkedIn, it is time that you get used to it. The time and effort that you put into LinkedIn will be well worth your while and you will start to see results within a relatively short amount of time. It is important to note that it won’t happen overnight; however, patience will definitely be your friend in this situation and once you do start to see results, you will be very glad that you worked the tool properly and the connections that you have made (and those that you will make in the future) will help your business to grow and to succeed more than you might have imagined. Of course, your success on LinkedIn has everything to do with connections and the connections that you make can only start in one way. That is, they must start with an invitation to the people with whom you wish to connect. Once you have connected with those people, you can begin to build your relationships. Those relationships will hopefully last for a very long time and they will be resoundingly mutually beneficial.

The different approaches to inviting connections on LinkedIn

On your journey to building LinkedIn connections/relationships, you must identify or determine who you wish to count among your connections and go after them with invitations. As you are determining who those people are, you want to ensure that you send them an invitation that they will be inclined to answer (positively, of course). It is important to understand that not all LinkedIn invitations are appropriate (or appealing) to all people with whom you wish to connect. In fact, if you are considering sending the same invitation to everyone, please think again. You will not get what you are after. The following are  the different possible invitations that you may wish to consider.

  • Connecting with a colleague with whom you worked in the past: For this invitation, you should (of course) mention the company where you worked together and then mention the name of your current company. You should make it clear that you feel that you have a synergy with this person and that you feel that there may be an opportunity to work together as strategic partners. Maybe you could end the invitation by saying that you would be very interested in catching up with that person and that he or she should look at his or her schedule and let you know which day and time works.

  • Connecting with a prospect: For this invitation, you should mention something about how you understand the person’s particular challenges and that you have the ability to help him or her solve the problems that he or she is experiencing. You can then go into a little more detail (although you should be careful to avoid any kind of “hard sell”) to let that person know that you have the ability to help in some profound manner. Your invitation should wrap up by your saying that you would love to connect with him or her, if there in an interest on the part of the other person.

  • Connecting with an influencerIn this invitation, you should express how much of an impact that person had on you when you were interacting. You should also express that you would love to continue to build your relationship and ask if you can contact him or her (in a way that is preferable to that person).

  • Connecting with a person whom you met once a relatively short time ago: In this invitation, the first thing that you should do is to remind that person how and where you met. If you don’t do that, he or she may have absolutely no clue as to how you met. Maybe you have some interesting piece of information that will jog that person’s memory (humor is a good way to go). You will then want to make some sort of plan to meet (or at least to speak on the phone).

Conclusion

It is important to keep an open mind when it comes to your LinkedIn connections and your strategy for connecting with the right people. Using the appropriate (and most fitting) template will help you to control what you want and to achieve it in a timely manner. The more precise and well thought out your strategy, the better your results will be. If you can manage to integrate an emotional element into your LinkedIn invitation, you will have an extremely good chance of getting the other person to accept. Your invitation should be genuine, transparent, and exciting. If you can do all of that, your invitation will undoubtedly appeal to the other person and they will become one of your new LinkedIn connections.

We are pleased to provide you with the insightful comments contained herein. For a complimentary assessment of your online presence, let’s have coffee.

Author

  • Michael Cohn

    Michael Cohn is the founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of CompuKol Communications. He has decades of experience in IT and web technologies. Michael founded CompuKol Communications to help small businesses and entrepreneurs increase their visibility and reputation. CompuKol consults, creates, and implements communication strategies for small businesses to monopolize their markets with a unique business voice, vision, and visibility. Mr. Cohn earned a Master’s degree in project management from George Washington University in Washington, DC; and a Master’s degree in computer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ.

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13 Responses

  1. Carole Chrvala says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: Linked Business
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    Thank you for these helpful suggestions. I also make an effort to stay in touch with my connections by noting their posts, providing endorsements, offering congratulations on job changes and work anniversaries, etc. This is a helpful strategy to sustain a connection by periodic follow-up. A particular connection may not need my services when we initially connect but staying on their radar screen may bring me to mind when they do have a project that matches with my skills and experience.
    By Carole Chrvala, PhD

  2. Jim S. Hill says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: The Content Wrangler Community
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    A very good article, but I often think that many over-think LinkedIn and how to make connections. Some of the absolutely most remarkable and influential contacts I have made were from places that I never new were possible. Connect with others who want to connect with you and send a short reply of “thanks.” Not complicated. Trying to review who and when and how is very time consuming. To have a powerful LinkedIn profile, you need at least 2,000 connections, if not more. Many with 300 connections wonder why the platform does not work for them. You have to be open to the mysterious and the unexpected. I do a lot of writing in my field, and found totally out of the blue the best co-author in Pondicherry, India. I live in Dallas, Texas. What is the likelihood of that? I would have never thought that would be possible, but it did. You must be open to possibilities and not over think the process and where it might lead.
    By Jim S. Hill

  3. Peter Cronin says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: Small Business Accelerator
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    Michael
    I am selective about who I connect with. I have to have some kind of relationship with them be it real or virtual. If I find someone with whom I can perhaps do business that I don’t know I will seek an intro from a common connection a warm handshake if you like. With plenty of work it is possible to build a network of trusted partners upon whom I can rely (700+) and the hardest part is to actually stay in touch. My strategy: Real relationships of trust maintained with the help of LinkedIn
    By Peter Cronin

  4. William Harden says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: WritersWorld
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    I don’t have any strategy. I just try to make intelligent comments and people fire back with very interesting comments.
    I find it very exciting to hear from people engaged in historical fiction.
    By William Harden

  5. Maxine Simpson says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: Strategy, Marketing & Innovation Forum
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    Hello Michael! You raise an interesting question and I’ve come up with an answer for me. In February of this year, I decided to start “marketing myself”, after detouring my information technology (IT) career into full-time health care of a parent that required multiple surgeries; keeping her bedridden for quite some time. I have zero regrets for that decision.

    I decided to start by focusing on growing my professional network on LinkedIn. The people I chose were former colleagues, business and school associates, vendors, and people I began to get to know in groups on LinkedIn; quality connections. Though time consuming, with a lot of catching up to do, it went well.

    I enjoyed reading your article on effective LinkedIn invitations. It gave me a roadmap for continuing my journey. My ultimate goal: re-launch my career/passion for enabling people through information technology solutions and customer service.

    I find it very timely to have just read your article and feel more prepared now to take next steps towards reaching my goal. I’m keeping my eye on the prize! Thanks, Michael.
    By Maxine Simpson

  6. Kris Thrasher says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: Brand & Communications Management
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    These were some great ideas for putting together invitations for all sorts of contacts from prospects to influencers.
    By Kris Thrasher

  7. Luis Lopes says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: Social Media for Business
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    Only people I know or who already exchanged some comments with me and you?
    By Luis Lopes

  8. Orlando P Metcalf III says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: The Content Wrangler Community
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    @Michael – Interesting Article.

    First, let me describe how I accept an invitation. If I do not know you, I ask “Why me” or :How might I contribute to your success”. Generally, no one responds. Therefore, I probably offer no real value other than another number on the contact list. For the very few who do respond, we have a very productive relationship.

    “Hello Michael

    I am new to the ‘Content Wrangler’ discussion group. I have noticed your comments in many of the discussions I monitor and find your views very much in line with mine. I wish to extend an invitation for you to join my network of industry and business professionals. I look forward to future discussions.

    Respectfully,

    Orlando P Metcalf III”

    If all you can do is send the LinkedIn template to join your network, I most likely will ignore it. I personalize each invitation, indicate your value, and try to set my expectations for your presence in my network.
    By Orlando P Metcalf III

  9. Andrew Scharf says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: Brand & Communications Management
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    Instructive article for the entire LinkedIn crowd.
    By Andrew Scharf

  10. Sudhir Subudhi says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: The Content Wrangler Community
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    Nice topic. I get involved in the discussion threads. Consume knowledge and share knowledge. So people in the thread get to know my viewpoint and i know theirs. Then i send invite requests to people who can work with me or grow with me professionally, at any scale. Sometimes their presence only in my network matters a lot.
    By Sudhir Subudhi

  11. Monika Clausen Poulsgaard says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: The Content Wrangler Community
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    From people I’ve never met or had any contact with, I have never accepted an invite right away. Mostly because these persons send me the default message, or just add to that message that they think we will both benefit from linking. Not how or why, nothing indicating that they are interested in me as a person or as a professional. I mostly see these as spam. I often reply to them that I don’t know them and ask why they want to connect. Then they mention business opportunities – but still nothing substantial or even examples. Nothing to indicate that they even looked at my profile. What I see from their approach is that they are either figure hunting to get a high amount of connections, or they are simply sending the same invite to everyone who (barely) fit their search keywords. I really believe that you can get far with LinkedIn – if you have a plan. Mindless spamming will not get you anywhere.
    By Monika Clausen Poulsgaard

  12. Greta Goss says:

    Via LinkedIn Group
    Group: WritersWorld
    Discussion: How Do You Invite People to Connect With You on LinkedIn?

    I’d like more advice in this area myself as I’m in the process of changing careers. It’s not easy. People read quickly, click, and I keep getting endorsements for my previous career when I need them for my new one.

    Any suggestions on a template for this would be great. Thank you!
    By Greta Goss

    • Michael Cohn says:

      Greta,

      Here are some sample invitation scripts:

      Dear _________,

      I would like to invite you to join my LinkedIn network. I am building a vibrant network and am very happy to help you in any way I can. I would appreciate it, though, if you choose not to accept my invitation that you click on “Archive” instead of “I Don’t Know.”
      Thanks for your time and I look forward to connecting with you.

      Best Regards,

      Your Name

      If you are looking for a job you can use this script:
      Dear _________,

      I came across your profile on LinkedIn and was very impressed with the work you do. I have been working in (IT, marketing, operations, etc.) and at this time I am in a job search mode. As such I would really appreciate the opportunity to talk with you for 10 minutes or so to explore your insight as to a potential job in (IT, marketing, operations, etc at your organization or perhaps in other organizations where you have LinkedIn connections.

      I also am networking daily and meeting people who might be a strong addition to your network. I would be happy to make introductions and offer support to you in any way I can. Let me know when might be a convenient time to call for a quick chat.

      Best Regards,

      Your Name

      If you looking for a new introduction to be made by one of your connections, you can try this script:

      Dear Friend,

      I hope this note finds you well. As you may know, I am leveraging LinkedIn to grow my network and noticed that you are connected to XXX at XXX. I was wondering if you would kindly provide an introduction for me. If you could copy us both in an email or LinkedIn message I can take it from there.

      Also, please feel free to look through my connections, I am happy to make introductions for you as well.

      Thanks so much!

      Your name

      And here is the script that we reply with to someone who we do not know that ask to connect with us:

      Hi Greta,

      Thank you for inviting me to connect with you on LinkedIn. Usually I do not connect automatically with people I do not know. I like to know the people I connect with better so we both can understand how we can help each other. Before I accept your invitation, can you please tell me a little about yourself and why you would like to connect with me?

      If you would like to follow my work, please join our LinkedIn Company Page at (http://www.linkedin.com/company/compukol-communications), my fan page at (http://www.facebook.com/compukol.communications) or connect with me on Twitter (@compukol), where you will get plenty of info on social media and what we do.

      Again, I appreciate your reaching out to me.

      Best Regards,

      Michael Cohn
      https://www.compukol.com