LinkedIn and the Unsolicited Introduction Message

I have noticed lately that I’ve been getting a lot of “unsolicited” introductions (messages). I can’t tell if these are “InMails” or simply messages sent through the “send a message” link on my profile. I think they’re the latter.

Personally, I don’t think these are a good idea in there most common form, which tends to be asking for something instead of giving. If you don’t have a relationship or know the recipient, and you’re not offering something of value, you’re really taking your chances of making a negative impression.

I don’t know that you will get marked as a spammer, though you are certainly setting yourself up for the possibility. More importantly I have the feeling that others will react to these in a more negative than positive vain.

Here are two key things I think you have to be careful of doing in first time communications with a person that don’t know you.

Inviting them to connect – as you know you can easily get IDKed doing this. And this is not to say that you cannot successfully invite someone you don’t know, you can, you just have to do it correctly.

Selling your dreams – Sending a note to someone that doesn’t know you and telling them about the exciting opportunity or activity in which you’re involved will more often than not meet with deaf ears and maybe negative ones.

The first thing that happens is people think MLM or network marketing. Though network marketing is a fine way to go, most people are skeptical and have be approached many times – to be effective on this line you need a more personal touch and that requires some sort of a relationship or pre engagement with the person.

Additionally, you must be very careful in choosing your words as it is really easy to come across in a way that sounds phony or contrived. This sentence is one that can give that impression: “I hope this message finds you doing well.”

One sort of unsuspecting reason this sentence is bad is that it is very frequently used in the email scams where they tell you they want a partner to transfer millions out of their country and you get to keep a bunch for yourself for helping out.

If you read my August 5^th post on the marketing formula, you know that the first step in that formula is to get the prospect’s attention. This is very hard to do if you are asking for something. These introductions violate that formula which should always be used in your networking communications.

Summary

I would suggest that if you’re going to send unsolicited messages to people on LinkedIn that you do so with one of two purposes – to ask for advice because they are an expert. For example when I started I asked many of the big open networkers for ideas that would help me succeed on LinkedIn.

Or, the other tact I would say is worth while is where you offer value. If you send a message to someone telling them you will help or do something for them you will not very likely get a negative response – they may ignore you, but you won’t likely ever get beat up or receive a complaint.

Picking your words and actions must always be measured through the lens of “will this make me more valuable to others.” If not, a second thought about the action should be considered.

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