from AskMyDaddy

Business Introductions

You asked

People send short messages all the time. Why did you reject my Introduction?

MyLinkDaddy writes

There are multiple reasons to write Professional Introductions that are not short and informal.

Business

LinkedIn is a Business network. It's not MySpace or Facebook. Would you call an executive you don't know at his office and just say "Please connect to me?" It is not unreasonable to show courtesy and respect to other executives and professionals, and to expect it in return.

There is no reason not to

Some people invoke confidentiality. We're not buying that. You can still introduce yourself and describe the general nature of your request without breaking confidentiality.

That's now how Introductions are supposed to work

The recipient, not the sender, is in control. You're asking a favor of the recipient who does not know you. Part of the purpose of the Introduction is to provide sufficient information in the request to the recipient so he can make an informed decision about whether to accept it.

It's just me

While many people will forward anything, I am a consultant, instructor, and speaker in online networking. I have to maintain a higher standard than others.

It's precisely because you don't know the other party.

If I have a close relationship with both parties, I'm happy to be flexible. But 99% of the time that is NOT the case. I am connected to a number of people, including CEOs, who are conservative in their use of LinkedIn. They are insulted by short or informal inquiries, which reflects on me as the forwarder. Some refuse to even accept or forward messages from people two levels away. Furthermore requests can come from or be sent two levels away from me. The example we set can ripple down the network.

It's effective

You don’t throw business cards at people and say call me, or mail a letter that says "Please buy my product." You first establish credibility and set up a framework where a relationship can succeed. So it is with Introductions. A short or informal message will not receive as strong a response as a professional one.

Just do it.

So do write an appropriate and effective introduction. I have more info at http://dallasblue.com/linkedin-tips-formality.htm .