A deluge of requests to connect on Linkedin compels me to explain why we may not be connected.
#1. I don’t know you
Never heard of you… have no clue why I should add you to my network. I googled you and didn’t find much and what I did find was vague.
Or maybe we met at a meetup. That could be enough if googling shows you’re an experienced professional and not a direct competitor of someone already in my network.
#2. You use the “default” Linkedin profile photo
DUH! We’d be Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Dumber if I connected. Guess who’d be dumber?
#3. You compete with one of my connections
First-degree connections on Linkedin can lead to partnerships, sales, and startup funding. If I already have one or two connections in your area of expertise, I’m probably not going to add another.
That goes double for startups. I mentor and advise more than a dozen startups. Others are clients and there’s a bunch I like just because. I am not going to connect with a direct competitor to any of them.
#4. My Linkedin network is curated
I maintain a policy of connecting with people I really know… and “really know” is defined as:
- we’ve interacted professionally… client, colleague, business associate, trusted vendor.
- we had a very memorable conversation.
- someone in my network says you’re great and I trust what she or he says because I know her or his standards.
- I read your profile and I think you’re really cool.
- You’re famous and I’m flattered you want to connect with me!
The quality of my connections is important when it’s time to make introductions and provide a recommendation or referral.
I have a small Linkedin network of people I know, instead of a large network of people I barely know. This policy serves my connections best when they need help and it creates more meaningful relationships for everyone.
So how can we connect?
- Join Brooklyn startups so we can get to know each other.
- Actively support women in startups!
- Network in NYC’s entrepreneur community and we’ll meet sooner or later.
Find a way to enter my small slice of the world… or do something meaningful that gets you on my “really know” list.
Leave a Reply