We live in a click-happy world. We easily click "Yes" to accept an online money transfer, click "No" to deny a bad date request; then we move on to the next pressing detail of the day. But there's one time when the quick click of the "Accept" button might not be all you should do to say, "I do."
For a LinkedIn invitation with potential for professional opportunity, send a personal email of acceptance.
Here's how to turn your LinkedIn acceptance into an active connection, unlike so many others lying dormant on your LinkedIn contact list.
1. Click Accept in the email invitation to you.
2. Write notes about the person. Go to your LinkedIn Contacts page and find the person's name in your list of contacts. Click on "View & edit details" to bring up a window of your new contact's information. Scroll down and click "Add contact notes" next to the "Contact Notes" heading, which opens a text box. Write notes about how you know this person, what important connections you and he share, ideas for how you might interact with him. and any other points that strike you as relevant. This note section is private -- you are the only one who can read it -- so be liberal with your descriptions and ideas.
3. Check out the person's profile to see how he presents himself. You're bound to learn something factual and get a sense of his personality. On his profile, notice your "Contact Notes" box, containing your comments. Don't worry, no one but you can see this box. While on his profile page, make more notes if you like.
4. Get his direct email and write an email of acceptance. Your email should be short and to the point. You might include an idea for a next step such as sharing thoughts on a common topic, asking if you may quote him in your next blog post, or inviting him to join a LinkedIn group you belong to. Here are some sample acceptance emails to give you the idea:
Example #1:
Hello Susan,
Thank you for sending me a LinkedIn invitation. After reading your blog posts all these years, I feel I already know you. I look forward to sharing an occasional comment or message on a topic we're both concerned about: job search in this recession.
Best,
Sarah
Example #2:
Hello Susan,
I see that you just started following me on Twitter; I immediately became one of your followers. Between our new LinkedIn and Twitter connections, we're going to learn more about our shared advocacy for resume training for the underemployed.
Thank you!
Peter
Example #3:
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sending the LI invitation. Hopefully this will give us an easy way to stay up to date on each other's activities. If I can lend a hand with your job search webinars, let me know.
Best,
Tina
Example #4:
Hello Susan,
I appreciate your inviting me to join your LinkedIn network. I have accepted. Please let me know if you'd like to participate in my job search group. Your voice on resume writing will be welcomed.
See you in the jobs LI groups!
Fred
Writing an email acceptance isn't as quick as clicking a button for an online money transfer or rejecting a bad date request, but it's a relatively small investment of time that could pay off in big network dividends.
Here's what Job Search expert Patricia Frame says about how she accepts LinkedIn invitations:
I rarely accept invitations from those who use the standard email format (except for a few old friends). But when I do accept an invite, I often ask the person if there is something specific I can do to help them. I think this helps personalize the response and it can deepen the relationship that already exists.
Some folks take me up on my offer immediately, others don't. But I get comments about how nice it was of me to offer.
More on LinkedIn etiquette:
Your LinkedIn Profile *STATUS BAR* – Tips for Job Seekers by Brenda Bernstein
LinkedIn Recommendations – Give One Today by Jason Alba
2 Lazy LinkedIn Invitations That Can Burn Bridges by Susan Ireland
