Upload every database that includes any e-mail address that you have ever sent or received.
Each and everyone of those people want YOU to contact them if they are already on LinkedIn.
Many many of the people whom you know want to be invited. And when they join you will see them there.
Create your own invitation that reflects who you are and what you care about.
Let your personality shine.
Have a standard invitation that you copy and paste
I have one for colleagues I worked with.
One for people at my University (University Of Western Ontario).
One for people whom I am helping find a job.
One for recruiters.
One for family friends.
[Update]
The above was what I wrote about a year ago. Kind of good, kind of sad. It burns quickly through your 3,000 invitations if you actually upload all those databases.
I have become a little more sophisticated. Here are couple more up to date articles:
5 Ways To Use LinkedIn Networking Groups Effectively
Four Ways To Generate 100 LinkedIn Invitations A Week
This article is part of the Marketing Yourself skills taught in Success Through Balance. You can read more about becoming successful through a balanced life here. You can read more about the Marketing Yourself skills here.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
“Each and everyone of those people want YOU to contact them if they are already on LinkedIn.”
I agree with you about uploading everybody, but not about inviting them. Your statement above hasn’t been my experience – in fact, I think that’s a little over-zealous.
I’ve sent e-mails of inquiry for various reasons to numerous famous people: Steve Ballmer, Tony Robbins, Bill Clinton, Harvey Mackay, et al. Those people don’t want to receive LinkedIn invitations from me.
I’ve received e-mails via Yahoo Groups and listservs from hundreds, if not thousands of people who I have no more connection with than being in a same listserv together. Those people don’t want to receive invitations from me (or I from them).
I encourage people to upload everything and LinkedIn show you who’s already a member, but don’t just automatically invite everyone who’s a member. A single e-mail at some point in your history, perhaps via a group list, isn’t sufficient basis for a LinkedIn connection.
I think Scott’s comments are well stated.
Some form of discipline in sending invitation may be necessary.
But from a process point of view, I truly believe that an overwhelming number of LinkedIn people want to grow their networks.
I have seen very little evidence that people don’t want large networks.
However, a large network is only useful if you can help people, if its part of a larger plan, or you can provide something of use to them.
Those that don’t, they can decline or ignore the invitation. Its solves the problem and is an easy solution.
The only downside to trying to connect with everyone, is that you use up your 3,000 initial invitations.
Thank you Scott for your comments.
Zale