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An automated message is sent from LinkedIn to a new connection. It is a quick way of showing that you have received their connection request and letting them know you will be in touch shortly. Automated messages are not sent to your existing connections as this would seem oddly cold and impersonal. The automated message allows you to state your intentions. If a connection request is sent from a profile you have not viewed in some time it can be easy to forget it or mistake it for spam. An automated message will tell you who sent the request and remind you that you have seen their profile, perhaps even letting them know that you are a digital marketing agency or specialist.
How long should my automated message be?
It is not necessary to write a long letter in your response. A quick sentence or two is all that is needed, as the purpose of an automated message LinkedIn is simply just to avoid someone feeling ignored or being left hanging. As mentioned above, you should suggest that they continue their request by sending you an email as it will allow more detail and time for you both to decide if there are any benefits in establishing contact through LinkedIn.
What is a ‘message’ on LinkedIn?
Information on LinkedIn is updated in a series of transactions called messages, and there are two types of messages; one which you can view as your main contact page, and another which you can only see if you need to send an e-mail. The messages page allows you to see who has recently joined LinkedIn, who has sent you a connection request or removed an existing connection relationship, who has viewed the info on your profile, when people have added someone as a friend or connected through your company’s Page.
There is no way to edit important information like the e-mail address used for connection requests and removal requests. Connections are made slightly less personal as you can no longer see when someone has visited your profile or how many times they have visited. You can still see if someone has viewed your profile and the number of times this has happened, however. Finally, it’s worth noting that some people do use the ‘message’ page to write social networking messages (like on Facebook) to people who aren’t LinkedIn members.
What is an automated response?
An automated response is a short message which is sent automatically to a connection request on LinkedIn’s behalf when someone receives too many connection requests, or if LinkedIn is unable to verify their identity. The same message is sent to all connections.
How can I send an automated response?
There is no way for you to make LinkedIn send an automated response, however, as this would break the rules as outlined above it would be against LinkedIn’s word. Therefore, if you receive too many connection requests you need to ignore the request by blocking the sender. By Blocking them you ensure that they will not get further requests from LinkedIn through your profile and that their requests will be relayed straight back to them. It’s worth noting that it may take someone a while to realize they have been blocked and then ask LinkedIn to unblock them, which may help explain why they continually request a connection with you when they are blocked.
What are the rules for an auto response on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn users who have chosen to restrict their profile from receiving connection requests have a way of filtering out potential connection requests via an automated response. This can be done in one of two ways: either by adding the words ‘Hey, use my email’ to their profile, or by adding a personal message as part of their restricted contact page. This ensures that only genuine connection requestors reach out to them via LinkedIn’s messaging system. However, it is important to note that there is no way of getting around this filter and sending someone an automated message through LinkedIn.
Conclusion
LinkedIn has two types of messages; message which you can see on the page, and message from LinkedIn. You can reply to a message from LinkedIn by using the ‘reply’ button or by sending them an email. You will not be able to send a ‘message’ back to someone who has sent you a connection request, as this would not be in compliance with the rules stated above. If you receive too many connection requests from people whom you do not know personally you should ignore them, by blocking them.