Most professionals accept connection requests on LinkedIn with the assumption that the other person wants to build a relationship, share insights, or at the very least, get to know them. It’s a professional handshake, an open door to a potential conversation. But when the next message is a cold pitch, it feels like a bait and switch. You're not showing up to connect. You're showing up to convert. Here’s what actually happens when you lead with a pitch right after someone accepts your connection:
