Customize LinkedIn invitations for maximum results

June 24, 6:48 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

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I’ve seen a disturbing trend of late—requests to connect on LinkedIn that contain nothing more than the default message. I receive a lot of connection requests, most of which I accept eventually after researching who exactly the person is. But, many people have a personal policy not to accept such “cookie cutter” invitations.

So, what exactly are the best practices to invite someone into your network on LinkedIn? In a recent interview with Jason Alba, author of “I’m on LinkedIn – Now What???” and creator of the LinkedIn for Job Seekers DVD, he outlined what you should write to a potential connection.

1. Customize the invitation. Sending a canned invitation looks unprofessional, and you have enough issues to overcome without starting off on the wrong foot. Start by putting the relationship into perspective from the beginning (even if you already know the person).

2. Tell the person where you know them from. Whether you know them from a networking meeting, just heard their name mentioned or found them while searching on LinkedIn, it is helpful to someone who is wondering if you are a spammer or not—this needs to go in the invitation text.

3. Tell the person why you want to connect. As the recipient of invitations, just saying why you want to connect lets me know that you are a real person and there is a reason we should connect. The canned invitation doesn’t say this, and connecting “just because” doesn’t give me confidence that our LinkedIn relationship would be a mutually beneficial thing.

4. No strings attached. You are asking someone to connect to you and shouldn’t have any strings attached. If they connect, great. If they don’t, no problem. You shouldn’t use this request as an invitation to give an unwarranted recommendation, etc.

I would like to add to Alba’s list: Say thank you when appropriate. If the individual with whom you would like to connect has helped you in some way, say so! I know nothing makes me want to connect with someone more than them thanking me for the help I’ve already provided. Perhaps also include that you looko forward to returning the favor (an extension of Alba’s third point).