To Connect or Not to Connect? That is the question…

In LinkedIn Search is a function of your network and Search results are constrained by the size of your network. Arbitrarily adding connections and sending invites may not serve your needs.

To ensure that you have a delightful LinkedIn experience it is critical that you ask yourself why you want to be in LinkedIn and take time to articulate your needs? Your LinkedIn profile must clearly capture your needs. The strategy to nurture your network must be therefore synchronized with your needs.

This document examines the rationale behind sending and accepting invites in LinkedIn, a critical factor which will affect the quality of your network and therefore the quality of your LinkedIn experience.

Are you spending the same amount of

1. Time in Analyzing a LinkedIn profile
2. Performing the necessary due diligence

In trying to understand

1. The credibility of the LinkedIn profile
2. Adequacy for your needs

Before

1. Sending an Invite
2. Deciding to Accept an invite

Checklist before deciding to accept a connection

1. Ask yourself if the person who has sent the invite will make a difference to your Network?
2. Do you know him from the past? Is he a member of the family, alumni or any of your previous organizations?
3. Has the person sent a note explaining why he wants to network with you? This could have an impact of the quality of the relation.
4. Check if the profile(LinkedIn) is complete
5. Check the quality of the profile(LinkedIn). Does it reflect a basic level of professionalism and thoughtfulness?
6. If the profile(LinkedIn) is not complete, seek clarifications and inputs from the person who has sent you an invite
7. Check the shared connections. Check with the known connections if they have more details about the person or how well you know him?
8. Does he have similar and/or converging interests?
9. Will connecting to him lead you to important people and organizations that you want to connect with?
10. What is the size of his network? Will it make a significant difference to your network size?
11. Has the person driven traffic to his company website? Check if the company he is working in and the website where the traffic is being driven are one and the same?
12. Check the company link in LinkedIn and the website link in LinkedIn company page. Where is the traffic being directed?

Before you accept or decide to send an invite, Think !!!

1. Will the contact make a good connection. Will the contact be absolutely necessary for your needs?
2. Will this result into a mutually beneficial relationship. It is important that you add value to that contact as well!!
3. Is the LinkedIn profile credible? Take enough care to ascertain the details in the profile and ensure it is a genuine profile