When a 12-second introduction becomes a debate about motives, perhaps we’ve forgotten how to communicate like human beings.

I’ve been on LinkedIn for years. I’ve built relationships, interviewed interesting people, sold books, gained clients, and encountered more than my fair share of people who make me question why I accepted their connection requests in the first place.

But one thing I’ve consistently done is personally welcome new connections.

Not with some automated sales funnel.

Not with a pitch disguised as a friendly greeting.

Not with a calendar link asking someone to schedule a discovery call.

With a short video.

In 2021, my introduction was 15 seconds long.

In 2024, I shortened it to 14 seconds.

And in 2026, I managed to get it down to 12 seconds.

Apparently, I’m becoming more efficient with age.

Twelve Seconds of Human Interaction

The message is ridiculously simple:

“Hi, this is Rob Anspach and I want to say thanks for the connection. I appreciate you and look forward to having an awesome conversation with you. Have a great day.”

That’s it.

No pitch. No offer. No hidden agenda.

Just a genuine thank-you for connecting.

And because I understand that not everyone wants to click on a video, I include the complete transcript with the message.

Watch it. Read it. Ignore it.

Your choice.

I’ve shared variations of these videos and transcripts with approximately 9,000 LinkedIn connections.

My informal assessment of the reactions?

About 90% appreciate it.

Another 5% question why I bother.

And the remaining 5% seem downright offended that I dared introduce myself.

Which brings me to a recent exchange.

When Hello Becomes an Interrogation

I sent my usual friendly introduction to a new connection.

Twelve seconds of video, accompanied by the complete transcript.

The response?

“Couldn’t you have just written it then? Sorry can’t watch.”

Interesting.

Because I DID write it.

The transcript was sitting right there.

But rather than explain something that should have been painfully obvious, I responded with a little sarcasm.

“Heck, I could have just let AI do it.”

Now, here’s where things got entertaining.

The person responded:

“Why? Just to write what you wrote above?”

Seriously?

We’ve somehow turned a friendly 12-second introduction into a debate about whether I should have recorded a video, written a message, or used artificial intelligence.

All because I said hello.

Not Every Interaction Needs a Hidden Motive

Somewhere along the way, we’ve become so accustomed to being pitched, manipulated, automated, and sold to that we’ve started treating ordinary human interaction with suspicion.

Someone sends a friendly message?

What’s the catch?

Someone offers a compliment?

What are they selling?

Someone records a short video thanking you for connecting?

Why would they waste their time doing that?

I understand the skepticism.

LinkedIn is overflowing with automated outreach, fake personalization, unsolicited offers, and people who pretend to care about your business just long enough to shove their services down your throat.

I’ve written extensively about those tactics.

I dislike them as much as anyone.

But here’s a thought.

Not everyone who introduces themselves wants something from you.

Sometimes a simple hello is just a hello.

The Difference Between Personalization and Automation

Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to manufacture communication.

We can generate messages, automate follow-ups, personalize introductions, and create entire conversations without ever personally engaging with another human being.

And yet, when someone takes 12 seconds to record an actual video, showing their actual face and using their actual voice, that somehow becomes a problem.

I’m not suggesting everyone needs to love video.

Some people prefer reading.

Some have accessibility considerations.

Others simply don’t have the time or interest.

That’s perfectly fine.

Which is precisely why I include the transcript.

The recipient gets to choose how, or whether, to engage.

But there’s a difference between expressing a communication preference and interrogating someone for making an effort.

Nine Thousand Introductions Later

I currently have more than 12,000 LinkedIn connections, plus hundreds of additional followers.

And over the years, those connections have produced all kinds of outcomes.

Some people have appeared on my E-Heroes podcast.

Some have purchased my books.

Some have become clients.

Others have developed into meaningful professional relationships.

A few have provided inspiration for articles like this one.

And yes, there are some connections I wish I’d never made.

Less than 1% have become paying clients.

And you know what?

That’s perfectly fine.

Because I never believed every connection needed to become a transaction.

A network isn’t valuable simply because of how many people you can sell something to.

It’s valuable because of the conversations, relationships, opportunities, experiences, and perspectives that emerge from it.

Not every interaction needs an ROI calculation.

Not every introduction needs a call to action.

And not every person who says hello is trying to get into your wallet.

You Don’t Have to Like My Approach

Here’s something I’ve learned after decades in business.

You cannot please everyone.

Make a video, and someone wants text.

Write a message, and someone wants video.

Use AI, and someone complains it’s impersonal.

Don’t use AI, and someone questions why you didn’t.

Make your introduction 15 seconds, and it’s too long.

Shorten it to 12 seconds, and apparently it’s still too much.

There’s no winning when someone is determined to find something wrong with how you communicate.

And frankly, I’m not interested in winning that argument.

I’m interested in connecting with people who appreciate genuine interaction.

The Real Lesson

Marketing has become obsessed with efficiency, automation, conversion rates, and scaling every interaction.

And while those things have their place, we sometimes forget the simplest ingredient in building relationships.

Being human.

I didn’t record a 12-second video because I expected someone to hire me.

I didn’t include the transcript because I wanted to manipulate someone into responding.

I did it because I appreciate people taking the time to connect.

That’s all.

And if someone wants to turn that into a philosophical debate about my motives, they’re welcome to do so.

But they’ll probably be having that debate without me.

Because sometimes a simple hello is just a hello.

And if that requires further explanation, perhaps the problem isn’t the message.

Perhaps we’ve simply forgotten how to receive one.