LinkedIn: Building Meaningful Connections and Dodging Annoying Pitches...

2024 marks my 15th year on LinkedIn, and I've seen it all—the good, the bad, and the ugly. I must admit,  when I first joined LinkedIn I did it with the intent of connecting with prospective clients so I could pitch my product. I quickly realized by the radio silence I was getting, that my annoying pitches were losing connection quicker than I was getting them.  I basically crashed and burned as I made all the rookie mistakes.   I actually dove into the LinkedIn pool thinking I’d make a splash, but I belly-flopped so hard, I left s dent in the algorithm.

They say failure is success if you learn from it.  Lesson learned: LinkedIn wasn’t going to be my platform to “quickly” build my book of business. 

Avoid Annoying Pitches 

In some cases, when I get a new connection request, it feels as the second I hit "accept," then bam, I'm hit with a sales pitch.  What's even more annoying is when I don't respond, they tend to send the relentless follow-up messages asking my why I haven’t replied yet.  It’s like a bad case of déjà vu.  I’m sure most of you have accepted a connection request from someone only to be bombarded with a sales pitch before you can even say "hello"? In a way, it’s kind of like inviting someone into your office for a coffee and having them try to sell you a vacuum cleaner (actually, my very first sale job when I was 18) before you've even offered them a seat. Pretty annoying, isn’t it? 

Occasionally, when I get an immediate pitch from connection that looks like they are new to sales, I've tried to offer some friendly “LinkedIn 101”.  I’ve learned some great tips by following a LinkedIn expert like Melonie Dodaro  (author of the LinkedIn Code, LinkedIn Unlocked and Navigating LinkedIn for Sales. YOu can also follow Melonie Dodaro on Youtube). If they show any interest, I may even pass on some of my favorite sales gurus like Jeffrey Gitomer or Grant Cardone .  Some of them seem to appreciate the help and adjust their approach. Others? Well, let's just say they're not exactly open to feedback.

What also bugs me is when someone only uses LinkedIn as a 24/7 infomercial marathon.   Although the occasional ad or promotion of your product or service is fine, if you want to gain real followers, do less pitch, share value content that educates,  or a juicy tip or funny story about business that makes us think. Doing so will help build your followers and you will have fewer contacts unfollow you.

The following are a few tips that may help newcomers navigate LinkedIn.

1. Connect like a pro:  Quality over quantity and make sure you personalize those connection requests. Very few like the generic "I'd like to add you to my professional network" message. Yawn.

2. Be a giver, not a taker: Share useful content, not just shameless plugs for your latest product. Think of it as the LinkedIn version of "give a little, get a little." Except without the awkward handshake.

3.Engage, engage, engage:  Don’t just post.  Like, comment, share—do it all. And don't be that person who likes their own posts. That's like laughing at your own jokes. Awkward.

4. Know when to hold them and when to fold them.  Back off if someone doesn't respond to your message, take the hint. Sending a dozen follow-ups won't change their mind. It'll just earn you a one-way ticket to the LinkedIn blacklist.

5. Keep it fresh:  Mix up your content. Nobody wants to see the same posts, day in and day out. It's like watching reruns of a bad sitcom without the laugh track.

6. Spruce up your profile.   It’s like what my dear mother always used to say.  First impressions matter. So, dust off that old headshot, update your bio to make it more interesting and leave out the selfie from your last vacation. Unless of course that you're a travel blogger…then carry on.

7. Get social: Join groups, engage in discussions, and network like a pro. But remember, it's not just about dropping your promo piece and disappearing. Be a real human being, not a LinkedIn-bot.

Bonus tip. Stay in the loop:  Keep up with the latest LinkedIn trends and features. Because nothing screams "I'm stuck in 2005" like using outdated LinkedIn tactics.  

So that’s my rant for today. If you agree with anything I've said, pick a few tips that you want to apply, and start building meaningful connections and you'll be dodging pitches like a seasoned pro in no time.