LinkedIn now boasts over 850 million members. With nearly 70% of the workforce leveraging the #1 professional networking platform, simply attempting mass connection invites fails converting contacts into leads.
Thoughtful connection messaging wins over recipients through relevance conveying shared affinities while positioning helpfulness expanding advisory relationships.
This guide details connection request best practices covering ideal prospect identification, effective personalization, proven templates for critical segments and cadence/frequency optimization principles explained through examples. Let’s equip sales development representatives to build trust and response rates cultivating quality connections informing high lifetime value prospects.
Cold form letter invites often trigger ignorance or annoyance given perception sales individuals seek only to pitch later vs. enrich relationships. However, sincere outreach identifying common ground with tailored notes yields acceptance planting seeds for nurturing dialogues guiding buyers positively through decisions journey’s.
Buyers connect accepting sales representatives embracing advisor mindsets who educate through insights vs. seeking to extract value only for themselves through future sales conversations. Demonstrating selfless intent makes corporate access earning easier.
Let’s examine how to identify ideal prospects and compose resonant messaging.
While some organizations allow reps to connect freely, best practice orbits cultivating ideal buyer profiles through relevance optimization.
Consider profiling based on:
Industry - Target roles within sectors where product solves pressing pains
Company Size - Pursue organizations with complexity your solution scales to address
Title - Engage functions and seniorities grappling with issues you conquer
Geography - Prioritize regions with sales team presence enabling meetings
Group Memberships - Notice shared association clues indicating interest alignment
While some scattershot invites hoping for any acceptance, thoughtful identification concentrates invite success rates maturing members with highest revenue potential.
Next let’s outline framework to compose compelling invites.
Winning messaging incorporates:
1. Personalization - Note profile specifics illustrating awareness
2. Common Ground - Identify employer, school, association or interest relevance
3. Helpfulness - Highlights how connecting benefits them receiving insights
4. Next Steps - Positions accepting as gateway to future strategic dialogues
Now let’s see templates exemplifying these principles in action across common scenarios.
Impactful messaging matches cadence to recipient mindset and context.
Let’s explore templates proven effective for:
Recent Content Engagers - Viewers of profile posts
Industry Colleagues - Category and function peers
E-reference Introductions - Warm referrals from networks
Former Prospects - Previously engaged contacts
Event Attendees - Participants of talks, demos etc
Here are stellar examples covering these scenarios:
Subject: Thanks for Checking Out Recent [Post Type]
“Really appreciate you taking time reviewing my recent [content type] around [subject]. Given overlaps helping [buyer profiles] continual [relevant capability] improvements through [solution type], I’d enjoy connecting further discussing leadership approaches given our shared [industry/function] pursuits. Sincerest thanks again for your interest!”
This gratefully acknowledges their investment while proposing areas for mutual benefits exchanging peer perspectives.
Subject: Fellow [Industry] [Function] Seeking Your Perspective
"Really enjoyed discovering your profile and responsibilities leading [critical capability] enhancements for [company]! Given we share [industry] and [function] pursuits empowering teams through [solutions], I imagine we likely grapple with similar vision setting, leadership and decision catalyst duties daily. I'd sincerely appreciate connecting to exchange peer level perspectives on inspiring innovation given current B2B complexities if amenable."
Flattery and common ground identification builds bridges to share leadership experiences 1:1 between associates battling similar challenges.
Subject: [Connector Name] Passed Along Your Details
“Hope you are doing great! [Connector name] passed along your information given similar [ descriptor] roles where I imagine we likely navigate comparable [responsibilities] and team leadership complexities. Given [Connector’s] high praise of your operational insights, I would truly appreciate the chance connecting further to exchange peer level perspectives on this front. Please let me know if you’d be open to continuing introductions; any wisdom much appreciated in advance!”
Leverage existing referral source reputation citing insights sought from new contact because of escort’s endorsement. This transfers goodwill expediting acceptance.
Subject: Following Up Given Recent [Company] Changes
"I saw [Company] just completed their latest acquisition of [Company]! Given past conversations around [original need] pre-merger, I suspect priorities and technology restraints likely face new realities adapting to scale post-deal. Wanted to check in given my specialization helping leadership navigate [relevant category] change management and valuation guidance amidst shifts if helpful perspectives revisiting past needs or new directions could offer any assistance."
Thoughtfully re-engage former stagnated opportunities where updated advise matching revised business conditions may renew relevance.
Subject: Really Enjoyed Meeting You At [Event Name]
"Such a sincere pleasure getting the chance to meet you at [Event] discussing company directions around [topic area]. Given shared [area] modernization interests towards elevating [goal outcomes] for employees and candidates, I imagine ongoing conversations exploring leadership experiences would offer value trading ideas and lessons learned. Please connect if amenable to continuing dialogue or feel free reaching out directly!"
Swiftly cite event interactions to build familiarity while proposing topic dialogues offering mutual growth through future conversations.
As a next step, let’s discuss optimal invitation cadence and frequency considerations.
Balancing regularity while avoiding perceived desperation proves challenging.
Generally recommend touchpoints as follows:
Initial Connection Request
Send thoughtful customize invite seeking to begin relationship.
Day 10 Follow Up
If no accept after 10 days, send polite reminder with request to connect.
Day 30 Final Follow Up
One last attempt offering value before moving on and revisiting months later as needed if contact re-engages on content.
Adhering to principled Permission Marketing concepts ensures representatives behave as welcomed vs. predatory connections.
While each scenario requires tailored timing, this monthly cadence framework offers dependable results across channels.
Now that we have categorized templates and prospective sequencing let’s see complete examples in action:
The following end-to-end request sequences guide prospects through cultivating relationships on social media's most prominent professional platform:
“Lindsey, appreciated you reading my recent gender pay gap post on LinkedIn highlighting problematic lack of progression data transparency hindering female career mobility. Would welcome connecting further to exchange ideas helping leadership better support underrepresented talent if interested!”
“Quick reminder and resending connection invite in hopes valuable dialogue could emerge helping female talent identification and development engagements progress further at Cardinal Health given your HR oversight role and past interest shown engaging my content. Please accept invite when you have a moment!”
"Circling back one last time hoping to connect on LinkedIn if any interest still exists teaming up to push female advancement and mobility conversations further. Wishing you and Cardinal Health all the best either way moving forward with inclusion improvements!"
"Been a few months but given Unilever's expansion into additional DTC natural supplement lines through latest brand acquisition, I suspect reliable manufacturers proving sustainable capacities continues prioritizing. Would welcome reconnect given our plant just completed state-of-the-art organic certifications and capacity boosts in case helpful perspectives supply chain-wide if growth conversations progressing for your vertical!"
“Quick reminder and resending connection invite to explore newly upgraded production capabilities and safety controls given Unilever DTC supplement brand growth trajectories if helpful perspectives revisiting past partner needs!”
“One last attempt to continue past conversations around scaling natural supplement operations given latest market expansions if any interest exists revisiting capabilities aligning to revised vertical requirements!"
These full examples demonstrate engaging with context to enrich relationships through every interaction while adding value vs. pure prospecting tones.
While templates offer content foundations for success, proper personalization and research remains mandatory tailoring invitations to demonstrate authentic intent learning - not just selling. This earns trust progressing dialogues.
Now that we have outlined effective practices for cultivating quality connections, let's discuss content engagement optimization.
Beyond just inviting, profiles encouraging engagement through shares, likes and comments on updates increase inbound requests and visibility.
1. Share Industry News Links
Comment on trends and relevant announcements spreading awareness.
2. Create Short Form Thought Leadership Posts
Provide unique perspectives solving niche issues.
3. Ask Open-Ended Business Challenge Questions
Prompt discussions revealing pain points.
4. Poll Preferences on Concept Slide Content
Guide creation aligning to audience interests.
5. Give Praises or Recommend Connections
Spotlight standout profiles with remarks amplifying contributors.
Proactively distributing valued insights earns quality followers, accelerates content propagation through ecosystems and nurtures receptive prospects through helpfulness positioning sales in trusted advisor roles long term.
In summary, savvy sales teams evolve standard social selling into authentic relationship building through thoughtful engagement, relevant messaging and value adding exchanges cultivating buyers positive journeys toward revenue growth.
Just Think AI makes creating effective LinkedIn connection request messages easy. Here are tips:
With this information, Just Think AI can generate customized LinkedIn connection request templates tailored to your offering and buyers.
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