LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform with over 740 million members worldwide. Making connections beyond your existing network is one of the main benefits of using LinkedIn. However, sending connection requests to complete strangers comes with some etiquette guidelines.
Should you connect with someone you don’t know on LinkedIn?
Yes, you can and should connect with professionals outside of your existing network on LinkedIn. The platform is designed to help you expand your network and make new professional connections. Here are some best practices for connecting with strangers on LinkedIn:
- Only connect with people you would potentially want to network or do business with based on shared interests, industries, experiences, etc.
- Personalize your connection request with a note explaining who you are and why you’d like to connect.
- Review the person’s profile before connecting to find common ground and make the request relevant.
- Focus on quality over quantity – only connect with those you’d truly benefit from knowing.
- Be selective – mass connection requests come across as spammy.
Connecting with the right strangers can lead to career opportunities, business deals, expertise sharing, advice, and more. But thoughtlessly blasting connection invites will not yield meaningful relationships. Be strategic and intentional with your outreach.
How to craft a great connection request
Personalized connection requests have up to a 33% higher acceptance rate on LinkedIn. Here are some tips for writing effective requests when connecting with people you don’t know:
- Mention where you know them from – Did you see them speak at an event? Have a mutual connection? Explain the context upfront.
- Note shared experiences – Did you attend the same university or work at competing companies? Highlight common ground.
- Explain why you want to connect – Do you admire their work? Want to learn from their career path? State your motivation.
- Keep it short but specific – Personalized messages get better results than generic invites. But get to the point in 2-3 sentences.
- Use proper grammar and spelling – Typos or shorthand can give an unprofessional impression.
Avoid vagueness and make it about them, not just about you wanting to grow your network. With a thoughtful note tailored to the individual, they will be more inclined to accept and engage.
Connection request template
Try using this template structure when reaching out to connect with someone on LinkedIn:
Hi [name],
I saw on your LinkedIn profile that you work at [company] and have experience in [industry]. I also [something you have in common with them].
I’m hoping to connect so that I can [why you want to connect with them].
I appreciate you considering my invitation. I look forward to networking.
Best,
[your name]
Fill in the blanks to create a warm, personalized request focused on your commonalities and objectives for the relationship.
Who to connect with on LinkedIn
Picking the right people to connect with is key to making meaningful connections versus random noise. Here are some strategies for finding relevant connections beyond your existing network on LinkedIn:
Connections of Connections
Navigate to the connections of people in your network and review their profiles to identify those you may want to connect with yourself. You can discover 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections this way.
Company Pages
Follow company pages related to your industry or interests. Engage with employee posts and profiles to find potential contacts at those organizations.
Alumni Groups
Join alumni groups for schools you attended. Message fellow alumni directly or engage in group discussions to surface networking prospects.
Industry Hashtags
Search hashtags like #accounting or #SaaS to find people talking about topics relevant to you. Connect with those sharing valuable insights and knowledge.
Event Pages
If you attend a conference or seminar, follow the LinkedIn event page to network with other attendees before, during and after.
LinkedIn Groups
Join LinkedIn Groups centered on your professional interests to connect with like-minded members. Engage in discussions and share advice.
Search Filters
Use LinkedIn’s advanced search to find people according to location, job title, skills, education, and more filters. Reach out directly about shared experiences.
Focus on quality over quantity and seek those who will add value to your network based on aligning interests and opportunities to mutually benefit one another.
Following up after connecting
Don’t let your new connections remain dormant. Following up thoughtfully can turn them into fruitful professional relationships. Here are some tips for engaging your new contacts:
- Thank them for accepting your invite and reiterate your interest in connecting.
- Comment on their recent content and activity to start meaningful discussions.
- Share an article or post you think would interest them based on common goals or challenges.
- Congratulate them on career updates or milestones they share.
- Reply to their comments on your posts to reciprocate engagement.
- Endorse their skills or ask for endorsements of your own skills to establish credibility.
- Like and react to their posts to spark ongoing participation.
Proactively engaging shows you want more than just another name in your network. Nurture relationships with those who respond by continuing to share, discuss, and support mutually beneficial goals.
Don’t go overboard with invitations
Patience is a virtue when connecting beyond your existing network on LinkedIn. Here are some volume and frequency limits to keep in mind:
- Maximum 50-100 invites per week
- Maximum 20-30 invites per day
- Maximum 5 invites to the same company per week
- Maximum 2 invitations if they already ignored you
- Maximum 3 InMail messages per week (use sparingly)
If you go overboard, LinkedIn may flag you for spamming behavior and restrict your account. Take a targeted approach instead of mass blasting connection requests.
Avoid getting flagged as spam
You want to avoid any activity on LinkedIn that may come across as manipulative. Here are some best practices to employ:
- No automated connection requests using bots or automation software.
- No replicated copy-paste messages; personalize each invite.
- No purchasing lists of LinkedIn accounts or email addresses.
- No targeting individuals who aren’t actively using LinkedIn.
Read LinkedIn’s User Agreement to understand what behaviors could risk suspension or termination. Maintain transparency and use common sense judgment.
Managing incoming requests
As you expand your LinkedIn presence, you will also start getting more connection requests. Here are some tips for managing them:
- Review each profile before accepting to ensure it’s someone you want to network with.
- Politely decline unwanted requests rather than ignoring them.
- Always personalize acceptances with a note back thanking them.
- Flag and report suspicious activity like bot or spam requests.
Consider your goals and criteria for making connections. It’s flattering to get invites, but be selective in who you allow into your inner circle.
Getting the most value from new connections
Each new connection represents an opportunity to mutually benefit one another. Here are some ways to maximize the value:
- Ask for advice and brainstorm ideas with your new contacts.
- Offer your expertise on topics they are interested in.
- Collaborate on projects or content campaigns.
- Make warm introductions to each others’ networks.
- Exchange job opportunities or qualified referrals.
- Give meaningful endorsements and recommendations.
Focus on developing win-win relationships versus treating people like resources or headcount. Nurture real rapport and the opportunities will follow.
Mistakes to avoid when connecting
Don’t let over-eagerness undermine your outreach efforts. Steer clear of these common missteps:
- Using default connection invite messages. Take the time to personalize.
- Mass blasting invites without targeting. This comes across as spam.
- Connecting and then never engaging. Follow up and nurture relationships.
- Making it all about you and your needs versus mutually beneficial value.
- Inappropriate humor or overly casual language. Keep it professional.
- Requesting connections from those clearly at a higher seniority level unless you can justify relevance.
Apply common sense filters to your activity. Quality relationships require care and commitment from both parties.
Tools to manage LinkedIn outreach
Doing all your LinkedIn relationship-building manually can be time consuming. Here are some tools to help:
Tool | Key Features |
---|---|
Dux-Soup | LinkedIn lead and contact finder, automated messaging and connection requests. |
Nectar | Tracks opens and clicks for InMail messages. |
Sendible | Post scheduling, following target accounts, auto messaging. |
Buzzstream | Keyword searches to build custom prospect lists. |
Yesware | Connection request and email templates and tracking. |
Make sure to learn each tool’s guidelines to avoid spam risks. More automation means less personalization, so find the right balance.
Conclusion
Connecting beyond your existing network is one of the most valuable uses of LinkedIn. You can unlock new opportunities and relationships with the right approach. Be targeted in who you connect with, personalize your outreach, follow up thoughtfully, and focus on mutually beneficial goals. Apply these best practices to grow your network authentically while avoiding spam pitfalls.