I don’t know you. Why would I want to connect to you?

Has that thought occurred to you? If so, you’re not alone. Every single day we get connection requests from complete strangers and we’re faced with the decision of whether or not to connect.

f you don’t know whether you want to connect with that person, the best way to test the waters is to follow him or her.

If that’s an option. Some people don’t have the “follow” option. If there’s any doubt in your mind, don’t connect.

If you want to connect with someone you don’t know, the best way to get that connection request approved, is to PERSONALIZE the connection request.

That means, find something in that person’s profile that you can relate to. Did you go to the same school? Do you both work in marketing? Was there something in that person’s headline or About that sparked your interest?

TELL THEM! Start the conversation!!! Send that personalized connection request because we’re here to start conversations and build relationships!

Have a question about something in that person’s profile to spark the conversation? ASK THEM THE QUESTION!

Now, there are a LOT of fake profiles here so here’s a way to see if that person who’s sending you the connection request is a REAL, LIVE HUMAN BEING.

Here’s a few ways to tell if the person sending you a LinkedIn connection request is a FAKE:

1. The person has what looks like a stock photo (or no photo at all)
2. The person has 1, 5, 10, or 20 connections (not hundreds)
3. The person has in incomplete profile (all the sections are not filled in)
4. You have questions on whether it’s real or fake…chances are it’s probably fake.