LinkedIn Connection Requests

There are three reasons why you could be required to use an email address when sending LinkedIn connection requests

The LinkedIn member you are trying to connect with requires this
You have exceeded the number of LinkedIn connection requests you are allowed to use with the relationship option of “Friend”
A number of LinkedIn members have clicked “I don’t know this person” when they received your LinkedIn connection request.

Few LinkedIn members set their profiles to connect with Email address only, therefore most of the time this requirement stems from using the Friend option to often and worse yet, when Friend is not the most relevant relationship option to use.

There is a way to withdraw a LinkedIn connection request; however it does not necessarily resolve the requirement for email address when sending “Friend” connection requests.

Additionally, if LinkedIn imposes a restriction because you have not been sending appropriate connection requests, you can ask for Forgiveness. It may work; however I have heard where it takes numerous attempts at begging for forgiveness before the restriction gets lifted.

Best Practices for LinkedIn connection requests

For these reasons I recommend the following:

Never use the relationship option of “Friend” unless you have met face to face and giggled about something. Likely you are really friends if you have giggled together.
If you know the LinkedIn member’s email address, always use “Other” and the email address. This is the most specific option and likely the most relevant.
Only use “Classmate” if you knew the LinkedIn member when you both were in the school you selected, or if you can write a very specific personal note for the LinkedIn member you are trying to connect with.
Only use “Colleague” if you knew the LinkedIn member when you both worked at the company you select, or again, if you can write a compelling personal note.
Only use “We’ve done business together” if the LinkedIn member you are trying to connect with was involved in the project you worked on.
Only use “Group” if the other five options are not more relevant.

Make your LinkedIn connection requests work for you

If you are deliberate about your connection request activity you will not be blacklisted by LinkedIn and forced to use an email address for all “Friend” connection requests.

Make connecting beneficial, relevant, transparent and easy.

If you want more information about how to connect on LinkedIn, read this article – How to Make LinkedIn connections