How To Reply To LinkedIn Connection Requests From Strangers

Have you ever noticed that LinkedIn specifically encourages us to “Only invite people you know well and who know you”?

Why? LinkedIn states it’s because those connections will:

• have access to people you know
• others may ask you about them and vice versa
• you’ll get updates on their activity

And yet, LinkedIn’s infrastructure to vet your connections is complicated and frustrating.

I believe that QUALITY connections always trump quantity. (You can read more about my rant here)
One way to ensure you deepen relationships and only allow quality connections into your “online Rolodex” is to reply without accepting connection requests.

Here’s the 4 step process to reply without accepting connection requests:

Step #1: Mouse over the shadowed image in the top right hand corner of your screen and click on “Pending Invitations”.

Step #2: Click on (or just mouse over) the blue quotation image.
Step #3: Click on the white “reply” arrow.

This will take you to the Messages area.

Step #4: Reply to your connection.

I typically respond with “Thank you (name), for your invitation to connect. Can you please refresh my memory as to how we know each other?”

This way, it helps get the conversation going and I can discover if we have met before.

If the connection doesn’t reply, I won’t accept the connection request.

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And, be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter at punchmedia.ca where I share useful LinkedIn tips & keep you posted about my upcoming LinkedIn training sessions.

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Leslie Hughes is a LinkedIn Optimization Specialist, Professor of Social Media, Corporate Trainer and Principal of PUNCH!media

Leslie was called a “Social Media Guru” by CBC Radio and has been working in digital marketing since 1997 and founded PUNCH!media in 2009. PUNCH!media clients include The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and TVO.

PUNCH!media’s goal is to empower through education and help executives gain confidence in their online presence so you convert higher-paying clients.