Yes, that’s a real voice mail message at a service business. Unbelievable, huh?
I was reminded of it by the spam email I just received: “I have a proposition for you, so contact me.”
These are just like the lame default language to ask someone to connect on LinkedIn.
I dislike them all, saying to myself, “Hey, wait a sec–you wanted me to do something for you so tell me what’s the reasoning? If that’s the best you can do, nope, I’ll surround myself with the un-lazy, spend my time and energy on better colleagues, and move beyond you if that’s your introductory effort. No. I am not looking back.”
To encourage someone to do something personal, like connecting with you on any level, demonstrate context, purpose, clarity. First choose the right communication method (among which why we text or email, depending on the simplicity or complexity and type of reply expected) and then craft the right message. The second is essential.
To be lazy, to miss a beat, or leave out all detail and lack benchmarking, is a waste.
Be purposeful and professional in all you do on LinkedIn. It’s your reputation at stake every second of the day.
