Periodically I get a LinkedIn connection request or an email with these words in the message, “Please connect with me so I can expand my connections.”
This is far worse than what I refer to as the Naked LinkedIn connection requests that simply say, “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”
Why should I help anyone simply expand their connections on LinkedIn?
I won’t and let me tell you why:
LinkedIn is a place for us to learn about interesting and relevant ideas, products, solutions, trends, businesses and individuals. When we share relevant and useful information thru LinkedIn, we show our authority and expertise to others. Doing this creates a desire for others to want to connect with us, hopefully for relevant and mutually beneficial reasons.
It is not for people whose only desire is to build a virtual stack of business cards so that they can then troll for more connections as they selfishly seek to only better themselves in some way or another thru selfish postings, messages and in some cases spam marketing.
I am a big proponent of making introductions IRL (in real life) as well as virtually thru LinkedIn. However, I require that the introduction requests be honest, transparent and relevant. Not just for those who want to “expand their connections.”
Who can I introduce you to (& why)?
This is a great tip for people, as so many tend to use Linkedin to, just as you said, build a virtual stack of business cards. A few people I’ve made the mistake of connecting with when receiving this type of request have mined my contacts, sending them requests or solicitations for services. In one case they even told my contacts that I recommended them, abusing my relationship with the contacts to better their chances of making sales. I was able to straighten it out, but it was unfortunate.
As you’ve pointed out before, it’s really important for a person to be specific when sending a connect request as far as why they want to connect and how it benefits both parties – or at the very least how they heard about you.
This is a real thought-provoker. I have over 500 LinkedIn connections, but how many of these have I gotten to know? Why would I want to get to know them? Why haven’t I already? Why did I link with them in the first place?
At this time, I can see that my LI connections form a vast—untapped—network that is rich in knowledge, support and potential referrals and opportunities.
The other amazing thing is that Teddy Burriss knows how to methodically develop this LI network I already have. (Thanks Professor Burriss.)