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As your network grows on social networking sites, you will no doubt find that your time online will increase if for no other reason than responding to the requests to connect and answering questions from people in your network.
Within LinkedIn one of the requests you may find is that people ask you to connect them to people in your network or even people one or two degrees of separation away from you.
In my LinkedIn for Business workshops we discuss case studies of what makes for an effective connection and referral request.
I am noticing however that I have had an increase in the number of situations where I have declined the request to refer someone to another person in my network.
Here are three situations where I have declined to connect someone – each time I have sent the person a note to explain why I have declined:
1. There is a lack of information explaining why the person wants to connect and what the benefit will be to the person they want to connect to
2. The person connecting (who was two degrees of separation from me) was a recruiter and wanted to connect to someone in my network – as a matter of principle I won’t connect someone to a recruiter unless their profile said they were open to such connections or I know they are looking for a new role
3. The request to connect did not look relevant to the person I was being asked to connect someone to.
This got me thinking about my connection policy for referrals on LinkedIn – it’s not something I have documented but it is something I do consider each time I am asked to connect to someone in my network.
Do you have a ‘connection policy’ for referrals in LinkedIn?
What guidance formal or informal do you follow?
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June 22nd, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Krishna,
I think your criteria for declining a request for an introduction in LinkedIn is spot on. Just as I don’t accept generic LinkedIn invitations, I wouldn’t pass along an introduction unless the requester explained why they are a good contact for my connection.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable about outright refusing and you have the time, you could consider sending a message to your contact asking if they mind the introduction. Then you can be sure you’re being helpful to your network without stepping on any toes.
Andrea
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Krishna,
Thanks for an interesting topic.
I’ve spoken with many about this subject and there are clearly two schools of thought regarding initial connections:
1) Connect with Everyone. Filter referral requests when and if they occur.
2) Only connect with those with whom of which you have significant knowledge. Referral requests can then be made when requested.
Regarding referrals, I feel that you are judicious in your administration of requests and I handle them similarly. Ideally, I’d like to save myself time and still make introductions that both parties may find valuable.
Thanks again.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 am
LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect … http://bit.ly/1Ksr5
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:09 am
RT @Coach_Colette RT @euneakme: LinkedIn Referrals:When Do You Reject A Request To Connect: http://tr.im/po9n
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 am
LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect …: This got me thinking about my connection policy.. http://tinyurl.com/kk5l6z
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:23 am
LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect …: This got me thinking about my connection policy.. http://tinyurl.com/kk5l6z
June 23rd, 2009 at 6:50 am
IIA Member Blogs: LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect?: As your network.. http://short.ie/0qrco5
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 am
Thanks Andrea and Bill for your thoughts and adding to the conversation.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:36 am
LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect? – Krishna De http://bit.ly/PoiFq
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 am
Am not sure if one should be so selective in accepting invitations. There have been so many cases where people have connected to my profile just because of their interest in what I am doing and have ended up being good acquantainces now. Also, the basic purpose of LinkedIn is business and professional networking and one should be open to as many business contacts as possible.
By the way, if you are looking to make the most of your LinkedIn account, check out networking expert Jan Vermeiren’s new book “How to REALLY use LinkedIn”. You can find a free lite version at http://www.how-to-really-use-linkedin.com/. I found it pretty interesting!
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Krishna,
I agree on the 3 criteria you mentioned.
I’ve also noticed recently a similar situation with Twitter follows. If I don’t know or know of the person making the follow I block them for the same reasons you outlined.
Con
June 24th, 2009 at 6:11 am
LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect? http://bit.ly/CIXrr [I don't think I ever have]
June 24th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Nikhil – thanks for your thoughts – I think we need to define how we want to use our social networks – some people want to keep their LinkedIn or Twitter network very small for good reasons.
I personally don’t accept every introduction on LinkedIn – though it is rare that I refuse a connection once I understand the persons background and what they are looking for for the connection – though I have received more ’spam introductions’ from people in recent months where the people behind the profile have not understood how different LinkedIn and Facebook and Twitter are from each other.
Thanks also for the recommendation of the ebook.
Con – I have given up monitoring closely my Twitter followers – I did at the beginning but the number of new followers each day that find me (I am not actively adding people to my account and would probably add up to 5 people a week from new people I have connected with) leaves me no option but to accept and then check them later. I do block people who have spammed me – though thankfully that is only a few each month.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Just read: Untitled http://tinyurl.com/kk5l6z
July 7th, 2009 at 9:43 am
LinkedIn Referrals: When Do You Reject A Request To Connect? – http://is.gd/1pJNh @krishnade #HubForce