Here at Creative Content Company we spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. For us, it is a brilliant business networking platform. We have a LinkedIn connection approach that works for us and we use it. There are a lot of different LinkedIn connection approaches out there. Some I can see work really well.
However every now again I will see a LinkedIn connection approach and I can’t figure out how this will work. I have shared an example below. This is a real example of an actually conversation on Linkedin. I’m sure we can agree I put too much time into this. I did use the suggested replies from LinkedIn in fairness! But, I do wonder if you can figure out how this LinkedIn connection approach is meant to work or what it is meant to achieve.
So, Tuesday Afternoon was when this all began. I received a connection request from Moloud and sent the following response.
Hazel: Good Afternoon, How are you? I’m just relaxing in the hairdressers – a lovely feeling of normality, but I am in full mask and plastic cover. Any normality at your end? What was it made you chose to connect with me? What kind of posts do you find interesting so I can make sure I post more of those. Hazel. www.creativecontent.company
Mouloud: Hello Hazel, Good evening, I am happy to know each other
Hazel: Thank you
Mouloud: How are you first of all?
Hazel: I’m good. How about you?
Mouloud: I’m fine
Hazel: That’s good to hear
Mouloud: We are new respectable friends
Hazel: Okay
Mouloud: I am glad to know each other well
Hazel: Sure
Mouloud: Thank you. I know you by my name Mouloud B****. Nice to meet you
Hazel: Hi
Mouloud: Yes. I live in Algeria. And you?
Hazel: See profile 🙂
Mouloud: We get to know each other
Hazel Cottrell: Yes
Mouloud: To be respectful friends, we get to know each other, we talk
Hazel: That’s nice
Mouloud: Thanks. What country are you from?
Hazel: UK
Mouloud: good. I am 42 years old
Hazel: Okay
Mouloud: And you?
Hazel: I don‘t want to answer.
Mouloud: How old are you?
Hazel: No thanks
Mouloud: As you like. Excuse me if I embarrass you.
Hazel: I don’t know why you need to know my age?
Mouloud: I told you from the first, we are good friends; we get to know each other well.
Hazel: You don’t need to know my age to be my friend
Mouloud: It is just an exchange of conversation between us
Hazel: I’m going to go. I’m not comfortable.
Mouloud: Did I bother you with a question?
Hazel: Yes
Mouloud: Excuse me, my respectable friend
Hazel: No thank you
Mouloud: It is just a question. We are new friends, respected acquaintance.
Hazel: It’s a rude question. We are not respected friends. You are showing me no respect by asking my age
Mouloud: I’m sorry
Hazel: Good
Mouloud: Excuse me
Hazel: Why?
Mouloud: Excuse me, we at dinner time, continue talking again
Hazel: No thanks
The next morning Mouloud contacts me again. By this time I have deleted him as a connection on my LinkedIn account.
Mouloud: Hello good morning Hazel
Hazel: No thank you to further conversation
That evening he continues
Mouloud: Hello good evening Hazel
I ignore the message. 4 days later, on a Sunday morning at 8.37am he sends me another message
Moloud: Hello good morning Hazel
Hazel: Gosh, are we doing this again?
Mouloud: How are you?
Hazel: Fine
Mouloud: Good. I’m glad you’re okay
Hazel: Thanks
Mouloud: You are my wonderful friend
Hazel: Thanks.
Mouloud: How is your family?
Hazel: Fine
Mouloud: Very good. Have a nice and enjoyable day.
Hazel: Same to you
Mouloud: Thank you
Hazel: You’re welcome
Mouloud: Thanks, me too
And that evening at 8.55pm, it starts again.
Mouloud: Hello good evening
Hazel: Gosh, are we doing this again???
There is no reply until Monday after at 2.15pm when I get the following message.
Mouloud: Hello Hazel how are you?
Hazel: Surely not again?
Mouloud: I am glad you are fine
Hazel: How many times will we do this?
Mouloud: As you like
And that was the decision made for me. Mouloud and I had finished our journey together. There was only so many times I could respond with the LinkedIn suggestions. The time had come to say goodbye. So I did, and blocked him shortly after.
Now, firstly I need to clarify something. I don’t usually answer with such abrupt responses. Sometimes you just know the discussion is not going to go well. You can sense early on that the connection request will be a time waster.
This is why I am always talking about the importance of checking who you connect with. If you never engage with those that send you connection requests how do you how they will benefit your network?
But finally – how does this LinkedIn connection approach work and what is it supposed to achieve?
