Why You Should Comment, Not Just Send a Connection Request on LinkedIn

I get a lot of connection requests in a number of different places. Unlike most people, I actually like to connect with sales professionals, sales managers, sales leaders, founders, CX professionals and marketers. This is my industry - it isn't because I am an easy prospect for sellers and company leaders. Here is my screen shot from today:

If you look at my current invites, you'll see there are 70 people connection invites - because I just went through them about a week ago. You will also see invites for events, pages and newsletters.

Your best strategy to connect to someone with a lot going on is to do what Michelle did (above) and not do what the fractional COO did. Michelle knows I was a teacher before I got into sales, because I talk about it. She mentioned it in the connection request. I will immediately ACCEPT. She made it easy for me.

Fractional COO guy made it easy for me too - he knows nothing - just saw my profile and would like to connect. When someone writes, "I'm very impressed with your profile...." he probably says that to everyone he connects to. That is not personal to me. It is an attempt at flattery, which I don't care about. He will be IGNORED.

The guy at the top of the list I have no opinion about. He made no effort to send me a note, he is a CEO and a keynote speaker. Probably will IGNORE, but not because I think it is a bad use of time to connect - I just don't know enough, so for now it is a NO.

You see, I don't need to accept all of my requests. We have a solid business, I am a huge connector, and work with many companies and organizations. I zip through invites in minutes - that list of 70 will be dispositioned in moments. I want to accept people I have something in common with (sales / marketing / founder / tech / DEI / manufacturing / distribution / financial services) and if someone takes the time to customize the invite, I'm likely to accept.

Who don't I want to connect with? People who coach "high performing female entrepreneurs", financial services professionals in my region (I'm not a prospect), anyone wanting me to "get more leads" (I teach this, yo) men with few connections who "like my smile", and anyone who is small minded.

The smart person who sees my profile and wants to grow their sales should look at me as a strategic referrer rather than a prospect. I am writing this because I go crazy seeing people miss the mark, waste their time, and now people do it in an automated, spammy manner which is even WORSE.

I could say even more but I don't want to pigeonhole myself and attract attention from those I really don't want to interact with.

LinkedIn is an amazing tool. I'm one of the people on LinkedIn who has been on longer than all but about 30,000 people. I have a massive network outside of LinkedIn. I want to help, and I value my time (and others' time.)

Probably if you want me to like your page or accept your newsletter I won't, unless we're friends, clients, future clients, or strategic partners. I still have a couple hundred invites for them.

Be targeted. Be smart. Connect with purpose. If you are in sales and your manager just told you to "spray and pray" - reaching out to nearly anyone with a certain title or without a solid plan, you may be working for the wrong company.

If you really want to know more, I post three podcast episodes every month here. The podcast is an award-winning podcast called, "Conversations with Women in Sales" so most men are not good potential guests since I interview women in sales and sales leadership or who have written a book relating to B2B sales. I have interviewed some male allies, though. If you are here looking to pitch a podcast guest, we are booked through Q1 2023 for now.

I fundraise to help get women in college and university sales programs scholarships. I sometimes exchange content for donations to the Barbara Giamanco Memorial Scholarship Fund. One of the best ways to build a relationship is the "giver's gain" approach. Make a donation, and I'm probably going to be happy to chat briefly.

I have revealed enough. Do better at reaching people like me on LinkedIn - make an effort, show me you didn't use an automated 'bot. Say something that means something. I'm not unlike tens of thousands of others on Linkedin who don't want leads, and don't want to chat because we are busy growing revenues.

Hope this helps. Wishing you continued success in identifying potential buyers and strategic referrers. This post is meant for all of the seller colleagues and seller leaders scouring LinkedIn today.