There are many ways to be gracious on LinkedIn, and people will truly appreciate you for doing so. These can range from the note you send to someone you hope to connect with to the comments you share.

By way of background, unlike some, I often connect with people I haven’t met in real life. So, these tips come from that context.

 

Getting Connected

  • By simply including a short note with your invitation to connect, you are being gracious. The recipient, especially if they are over 50, will be more receptive to connecting with you if you send a note.
  • Right after you connect, write a short message of appreciation, especially if you sent the invite. One colleague of mine, Cheryl Ilov, likes to thank people for connecting and sends them her warm wishes. Anything sent with sincerity and respect will work.
  • Avoid asking a new connection to use your services or follow your company page. Doing so is presumptuous. Plus, your new connection might remove you as a connection because you seem to want something from them.

 

Communicating Through LinkedIn Messaging

  • Check your LinkedIn messages at least weekly. Ideally, check them every couple of days so you can respond in a timely manner.
  • Take time to compose succinct, yet thorough messages. Sending a series of short messages can feel annoying to the recipient.
  • Be careful not to get too personal. I’ve got a new connection who asked me about my plans are for an upcoming holiday. Him doing that felt a bit personal to me.
  • Once you’ve talked by phone with a relatively new connection, it might be OK to get a bit more personal. But I’d still be judicious in this area.

 

Commenting on a Post or Comment

  • Choose your words carefully. It’s fine to share your opinions and perspectives. However, it’s best to avoid directly contradicting someone else’s assertions.
  • Avoid being self-serving. Ask yourself how your comment adds value to the point that’s been raised. If you aren’t adding value or are rehashing what’s already been shared, then it may be better not to comment.
  • Mentioning (i.e. tagging) someone else in a comment is a great way to draw that person’s attention to the comment. Yet, not everyone appreciates this. Again, use your judgment when you mention someone, especially a new connection.

 

How About You?

Do you think you come across in a gracious manner on LinkedIn? If so, what are some tips you suggest? What are some examples you have seen of people not being gracious? How do you handle it when others are less than gracious?

 

About Joyce

Joyce Feustel helps people, especially those age 50 and up, to become more effective using social media, especially Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter. She works with business owners, nonprofit organizations, consultants, and many others. Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com.