Posts tagged "LinkedIn"
April 6, 2021
I love making connections on LinkedIn. I’ve learned and shared so much on the platform that checking in has become a valuable part of my routine. What I do not find valuable is when someone messages me with an unsolicited pitch on LinkedIn.
It seems that recently whenever I check my LinkedIn message inbox, I am almost guaranteed to receive an unsolicited pitch — and sometimes, the person will not go away. Just a few weeks ago, a person I did not know invaded my inbox with a solicitation I did not want. As always, I was firm but polite in explaining that I was not interested.
He didn’t get the hint. He steamrolled over my objections and tried again. When I told him I didn’t appreciate his tactics, he ignored me and tried yet again. It was at that point that I asked him not to contact me.
If this were a one-off situation it wouldn’t be particularly notable. But these kinds of pitches seem to be infecting LinkedIn and bringing down the quality of connections the platform is so famous for.
There is a right way to pitch, and it does take time, just like an in-person relationship. But do it correctly and you will reap the rewards.
Ask yourself: Is this potential connection a candidate for my pitch on LinkedIn?
Spend some time reading their profile, their posts and comments. Ask yourself if this is someone that can benefit from your products and expertise before you go down the sales path.
Start slowly.
Start by asking if you can connect with the person. Message them, introduce yourself, and give a quick explanation of why you’re following. Maybe you have a connection or subject matter in common.
Build rapport.
After you connect, take the time to like the person’s posts and comment thoughtfully on them. In the end, the number of connections you have isn’t as important as what you do with them.
Broach the subject in a considerate way.
Send an InMail message and offer your services or product in a polite, respectful manner that shows you’ve been paying attention to the person you’re pitching and the needs of their business.
Know when to drop the subject.
If the person you’re pitching says no, be understanding. Ending the conversation on good terms leaves the door open — pushing the subject will close it.
LinkedIn offers amazing opportunities, but the nature of the platform means you have to work smarter — not more forcefully — to develop relationships. Stay polite, be thoughtful, and your pitch on Linkedin may pay off in ways you did not expect.
What has been your experience with pitching on LinkedIn? Please share and let me know!
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Posted by Margaret Page in Entrepreneur, StartUp, Business, Business Etiquette and tagged LinkedIn Connections, LinkedIn, Pitch on LinkedIn, social media, LinkedIn communication, LinkedIn Messaging, selling on LinkedIn, Building rapport on LinkedIn
December 4, 2012
I have a friend who shared with me recently that one of the ways she keeps up with what’s going on in the lives of her four grown children is by checking their Facebook and Twitter profiles. She knows where her son—who is away at college—is spending his time most days because she sees his Foursquare check-ins pop up on his Facebook page! My friend feels more at ease by having a little glimpse into their daily lives (even though her children would probably say she was stalking them!).
Social media has definitely changed the way we interact with people—both personally and professionally. But one of the biggest changes social media has brought about is how we network.
In my book “The Power of Polite,” I site this example: When meeting new people, would you jump into a conversation without introducing yourself? Would you consistently talk about yourself without any regard for others around you? Of course, you wouldn’t – and the same rules apply when connecting with people through social media as they would when connecting in person.
When connecting with people online, keep these five business etiquette tips in mind:
Have a professional presence. If you’re on Twitter, you’ve seen the “egg.” Those profiles that haven’t put a professional photo in their profile are left with the default “egg” to identify them on Twitter. Whether you’re on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, update your profile to include a professional photo and up-to-date bio that demonstrates your passion and area of expertise. On LinkedIn, your professional headline is important, so make sure it shares more than just your job title—express your full competency.
Introduce yourself. One of the best ways to introduce yourself on social media is by sharing useful content. This is a great way to grab the attention of those you want to reach. On Twitter, retweeting other people’s updates is a form of acknowledgement. Simply by being social (on social media) will get you noticed and you will begin to make connections.
Be real. LinkedIn is a great place to connect with business professionals, but one of the biggest mistakes I see people make is connecting with people by sending out the default message LinkedIn provides. When inviting a business connection, add a personal message with the invitation. Something like, “Hello George. It enjoyed meeting you at the business luncheon at Ted’s Restaurant last week. I’d love to add you as a professional connection here on LinkedIn.”
Listen. Whether it’s real life, or online, building connections has more to do with listening and engaging than it does with talking about you, you, and you. Choose key people you want to connect with and listen to what interests them and jump in where there is an opportunity to provide value.
Show your gratitude. When someone shares your content, or provides feedback on one of your social networks, always say “thank you.” Not only is this good etiquette, it is a great way to connect with a fan or follower and engage in a further discussion.
Whether you’re connecting with people online or in person, knowing how to present yourself in a way that sets you apart from your competition is key to success.
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged social media etiquette, LinkedIn, business communication
July 30, 2012
Creating a LinkedIn profile, and knowing how to interact with your connections, isn’t always as simple as it seems. The information you include—or exclude—could affect your career growth, as well as your overall professional identity online.
The social network is a great place to showcase your achievements and build a network of professional contacts, but there are definitely some etiquette dos and don’ts to follow to ensure you are presenting yourself in the most positive light.
Follow these tips to avoid LinkedIn etiquette blunders!
DO:
- Include a profile picture. Investing in a photographer to take professional headshots is worth the investment. It’s the first thing people notice when they visit your LinkedIn profile.
- Complete your profile. Add your professional info, website address, honors and awards, interests, groups, etc. Also include widgets to pull in content such as your reading list, events, and your business blog.
- Give and receive recommendations. Utilize the recommendations feature to request endorsements from business contacts. While it’s great to be recognized, it’s important that you also recommend others. In good LinkedIn etiquette: what goes around—comes around.
- Join groups. LinkedIn allows you to connect with people who are in the same group as you are. But don’t just join: contribute and add value.
- Post regular status updates. Updating your LinkedIn status is a great way to stay on your network’s radar.
- Tailor your messages. When inviting someone to your network, take the time to personalize your message. Within a few seconds you can include a personal note to a contact that replaces the auto-generated “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn).
Don’t:
- Don’t add people you don’t know. While it’s great to have a large professional network, requesting a connection to a stranger will devalue the real connections you have. Add only the people you truly have a real connection with—whether you’ve been introduced in person or online.
- Don’t post an inappropriate photo. LinkedIn is not Facebook and humorous photos are not appropriate in your profile. Keep it professional.
- Don’t overlook grammar and spelling. LinkedIn is a great place to promote yourself and misspelled words are not going to make your personal brand shine.
- Don’t use automated invites. Add a personal message to the invitation.
- Don’t be spammy. This should go without saying, but avoid posting over-promotional comments on your LinkedIn page. LinkedIn is not the venue for peddling your latest product.
- Don’t ask for LinkedIn endorsements from people you don’t know. In real life, it would be a strange networking move to ask for a testimonial from a stranger. The same applies here.
From “The Power of Polite: A Guide to Etiquette in Business.”
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Posted by Margaret in Business Etiquette and tagged business etiquette, networking, social media etiquette, LinkedIn
