You can access your connections, inbox, edit your profile, and more using LinkedIn’s mobile app. You can even customize your connection invitations from your SMART phone. In addition, in this connection request you can add hyperlinks to blog posts, email addresses and so much more, unlike the typical desktop connection request. Like the Backdoor to Connections, you will also avoid having to say how you know them, that is a real bonus.

 
Here is how you do it:

1. From the member’s profile go to the right of the search box, tap the More icon (looks like 3 dots).
2. Tap Customize Invite.
3. Write your message and Send.

Some older applications may not have the …, in this case, when you are on the members profile, tap               the box with the up arrow to send a customized invitations.

“Creating Shortcuts for LinkedIn’s Mobile App Makes Messaging Quick and Simple.”

The challenge when using the mobile app for messaging is that typing substantial content is difficult and takes up a lot of time. However, there is good news, most SMART phones have keyboard shortcuts that allow you to store your message templates. By typing a short code, your message will auto-populate, making engaging your connections on the LinkedIn Mobile App easy. Here is how:

On an Android phone:

• Tap Settings, Language & Input, then “Personal dictionary.” (Note: the settings may vary depending on the model of your Android phone.)
• Tap the “+” sign in the top-right corner of the screen, then type the word, phrase or message like “It was very nice meeting you today. I would like to invite you to connect and then set a brief call so we can continue to explore how we might be able to work together. Brynne Tillman – Brynne.Tillman@SocialSalesLink.com
• Type your shortcut that’s easy to remember; for example, “NTMY” for “nice to meet you”
• Tap the Back key, and you’ll see an entry for the shortcut you just added. Want to add more shortcuts? Tap the “+” sign again.
• Give it a try. Go to the Messaging app, compose a new message, and tap one of your new shortcuts—and when you do, the phrase you entered will appear in the row of auto-correct options just above the keyboard. Tap the phrase to add it to your message.

On an iPhone:

• Tap Settings, General, then Keyboard.
• Scroll down to the Shortcuts section, then tap “Add New Shortcut.”
• In the blank next to then type the word, phrase or message like “It was very nice meeting you today. I would like to invite you to connect and then set a brief call so we can continue to explore how we might be able to work together. Brynne Tillman – Brynne.Tillman@SocialSalesLink.com ”
• Type a your shortcut that’s easy to remember; for example, “NTMY” for “nice to meet you”
• Tap the “Save” button. All done!
• Give it a try. Go to Messages, compose a new message, and tap “NTMY.” A bubble should appear right above the text, with our new message. Press the space bar or a punctuation and mark to accept.

The ability to use the LinkedIn Mobile App to connect to new members with customized messages makes personal engagement very easy.

BONUS: Consider customizing “Happy Birthday”, “Congrats on Your New Job”, “Happy Anniversary” and more templates to make all your communication via the LinkedIn App seamless.