LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 850 million members. It allows people to connect with each other and build their professional networks. One of the key features of LinkedIn is the ability to send connection requests to other members and customize the request by adding a note. This note allows you to introduce yourself or provide context for your connection request.
When you send a connection request on LinkedIn, the recipient has the option to accept or ignore it. Adding a customized message with your request makes it more likely that the recipient will accept it, as you are taking the time to personalize the request. A thoughtful note shows that you are genuinely interested in connecting with the person, rather than just trying to grow your network.
In this article, we will look at how to connect with a message on the LinkedIn mobile app for iOS and Android devices. We will cover:
Finding people to connect with
The first step is identifying the right people to connect with on LinkedIn. You can find relevant contacts by:
– Searching for people by name, company, job title, school, etc.
– Going through your contacts and connections to see if anyone is connected to the person. You can then ask your mutual connection for an introduction.
– Looking at the profiles of people who work at companies you are interested in.
– Checking out who works in your industry or alumni groups of your university.
– Seeing who views your profile as these people are likely interested in connecting.
– Viewing suggestions provided by LinkedIn based on your profile and activity.
The key is to find people you have something in common with or a genuine reason to connect with. Avoid spamming connection requests.
Crafting your connection message
Once you have identified your targets, it’s time to write an effective customized message. Here are some tips:
– Keep it short but personalized. 2-3 sentences is ideal.
– Mention how you found them or your common background. This gives context.
– Share why you want to connect and how it can benefit both parties. Focus on value.
– Use a warm and friendly tone. This will increase open rates.
– Proofread before sending to avoid typos and mistakes.
– Follow up if you don’t hear back. But don’t harass people who aren’t interested.
Here are some sample messages:
“Hi John, I came across your profile while researching digital marketing trends in the financial industry. I’m an inbound marketing manager at XYZ and have been working in fintech for 5 years. I would love to connect and compare notes on lead generation strategies sometime.”
“Hi Mary, I see we both graduated from ABC University in 2015. I would love to connect with fellow alumni working in the media industry. Let me know if you would ever like to meet up for coffee and networking.”
The goal is to make your request genuine. People accept connections when they feel it would benefit them too.
Sending a connection request on mobile
Now let’s go through the steps to send a connection request with a customized message on LinkedIn’s mobile app:
1. Open the LinkedIn app on your iOS or Android device.
2. Search for the profile of the person you want to connect with. You can search by name, company, title, school etc.
3. Open their profile and tap the “Connect” button.
4. On the next screen, select the option “Add a note”. This allows you to customize your request.
5. Type your message in the text box. Write a friendly, personalized note as discussed earlier.
6. Once you have written your message, tap the blue “Send” button.
7. The request will now be sent and pending the recipient accepting your connection.
8. If they accept, you will get notified and can then message them directly on LinkedIn.
And that’s it! The key things to remember are personalizing your message, communicating shared interests/experiences, and conveying the value of connecting.
Benefits of sending connection messages
Sending customized connection requests is beneficial both for you and the recipient:
Benefits for you
– Higher acceptance rate – A tailored message makes people more inclined to accept your request.
– Starts the relationship – The note allows you to break the ice and initiate the relationship.
– Shows extra effort – Taking the time shows you genuinely want to connect.
– Allows conveying your intentions – The message lets you explain why you want to connect.
– Can reference common experiences and interests. This gives an immediate connection.
– Lets you showcase soft skills like friendliness and gratitude.
Benefits for your connection
– Understands who you are – The note gives them context about you.
– Knows your intentions – They understand why you want to connect and how it benefits them.
– Feels valued – A personalized request makes them feel special, not just a random add.
– Can see common ground – Your note can highlight shared backgrounds or interests.
– Opens the door to networking – Your message starts the networking relationship.
Overall, a customized connection request kickstarts the relationship building process and makes the invitation to connect feel more human. It’s a small but powerful step in establishing an authentic connection on LinkedIn.
Tips for great connection messages
Here are some additional tips to write effective LinkedIn connection notes:
Keep it short
Be concise in your message. 2-3 sentences is ideal. People don’t have time to read long notes. Go straight to the point.
Be personalized
Include details specific to the person like their company, job title, school, etc. Generic messages are less likely to get accepted.
Focus on common ground
Highlighting shared backgrounds, interests, connections makes the recipient relate to you.
Communicate your intentions
Articulate why you want to connect and how you can help each other. Don’t make it one-sided.
Use a warm, friendly tone
A chill, casual tone makes people comfortable. Avoid sounding overly eager or robotic.
Reference connections in common
Namedrop mutual connections to establish legitimacy. But don’t overdo it either.
Follow up if needed
If they don’t respond after a week, follow up saying you are still interested in connecting.
Accept rejections gracefully
If they ignore your request, move on. Don’t harass them to accept. Accept their decision.
Mistakes to avoid
Here are some common mistakes people make that you should avoid:
Sending default invites
Always personalize and write a unique note for each connection request. Mass invites will be ignored.
Using informal language
Maintain a professional tone even if trying to be friendly. Don’t use slang or informal language.
Making it all about yourself
Focus the message on their needs and the value they will get, not just what you want.
Being too eager/pushy
Avoid sounding desperate to connect. Keep it casual.
Not proofreading
Grammatical errors or typos give a bad impression. Always proofread.
Trying too hard to sell
The message should build a relationship, not just make an aggressive sales pitch.
Sending a connection request too soon
Wait until you have something substantive to say before connecting. Don’t force it.
Getting discouraged by rejections
Some people won’t accept requests. Don’t take it personally. Move on.
Following up after connecting
Once your connection request is accepted, that’s just the start. To continue fostering the relationship:
– Thank them for accepting your invite. Reiterate your interest in connecting.
– After a few days, follow up to schedule a phone or video chat. This allows you to get to know them better.
– Connect on other social platforms if it makes sense. This strengthens the relationship.
– Engage with their content by liking and commenting. This shows you care.
– Share relevant articles or opportunities that might interest them. Add value.
– Congratulate them on work milestones and achievements. Recognize their wins.
– Introduce them to people in your network who could help them. Make warm introductions.
– Follow up periodically to grow and sustain the relationship. But don’t be overbearing.
– If appropriate, meet in person for coffee or events. Take it offline.
Nurturing connections beyond the initial outreach is key to building an impactful professional network on LinkedIn.
Conclusion
Sending customized connection requests is an effective strategy to grow your LinkedIn network. A personalized note makes people more receptive to connecting with you, as opposed to default invites. Crafting thoughtful messages that highlight common ground and communicate your intentions is key. Avoid sounding generic, pushy or self-promotional. With practice, you can write engaging connection notes that get results. Nurture relationships after connecting to build a strong professional network that serves your career goals.
