Coloring Inside the Lines on Linkedin.com

I am linked to god and all creation on Linkedin.com, many of the latter I don't have a personal experience of, as in I really don't know them nor "trust" them in the linkedin definition of that term. I have gathered lot's of connections, over 2000, in order to give my clients better access to the database.

That said, I suggest using the linkedin.com structure. I have had a number of colleagues take a linkedin.com request to me outside of linkedin.com sending it directly by email to my inbox. They were not giving me the option to refuse the request as the person was also copied on the email. I was happy to oblige but at the same time the situation seemed to a cornering tactic that limits my inablity to refuse. Their actions were not intended to be anything other than a genuine effort to help another person. But they weren't playing by the rules and took unfair advantage of our personal relationship. I suggest you not color outside the lines, but rather use the linkedin structure.You would have the best success in the longrun.

On another point, when you make a request, realize that everything you write, including your note to me will be seen by those who pass it on. Therefore, in writing a request to me don't give me a brief one liner rather give me a rationale of why I should introduce you (talk to me as a colleague not a career coach ). Its a bit of a sell job in a way but it just adds more credibilty and increases interest on the part of the recipient and then it makes it easy for me to introduce and endorse you