Connecting with people on LinkedIn is a great way to expand your professional network and make valuable connections. However, sending an invitation to connect can feel awkward if you don’t know the person well or aren’t sure what to write. The key is to craft a friendly, professional message that provides value to the recipient and makes them want to connect with you.
Why Send LinkedIn Invitations?
Here are some of the top reasons to send LinkedIn connection requests:
- Expand your network – Connecting with more professionals in your industry gives you a larger pool of contacts to interact with.
- Get introduced – A connection may be able to introduce you to someone you want to know but don’t have access to yet.
- Learn – By connecting with knowledgeable people in your field, you can gain exposure to new ideas, skills, and opportunities.
- Share knowledge – You can also pay it forward by sharing your own expertise once connected.
- Find job opportunities – Connections may know of open positions or be able to refer you for roles in their organizations.
- Gain endorsements – Connections can endorse you for skills, giving you credibility in the eyes of others.
- It’s personal – A personalized invitation shows you made the effort versus just clicking “Connect.”
How to Write a LinkedIn Connection Request
Follow these tips for creating winning LinkedIn connection invitations:
1. Personalize the Message
When inviting someone to connect on LinkedIn, avoid generic invitations like “I’d like to add you to my professional network.” Instead, personalize the message with details specific to them, such as:
- How you found their profile
- What you have in common
- Why you want to connect with them specifically
- A compliment on their experience or work
Personalized messages show extra effort and are more likely to get accepted. Do your research beforehand by looking at their profile so you can reference details that resonate with them.
2. Provide Value
When reaching out to connect with someone, think about how you can provide value to them. Offer something beneficial like:
- An industry perspective or insight you can share
- Help or advice in their field of expertise
- To introduce them to someone who could be useful
- Your unique skillset, experience or resources
This establishes that the relationship will be mutually beneficial, not just about what they can do for you.
3. Keep it Short
LinkedIn connection messages should be short and to the point. Long blocks of texts can be off-putting. Get straight to the point in 2-3 sentences covering:
- A personal greeting with their name
- How you found/know them or something you admire
- A specific reason you want to connect
Get your key points across succinctly while being friendly and thoughtful. You can always follow up with more details once connected.
4. Watch Your Tone
The tone of your invitation to connect matters. Keep it professional but friendly by:
- Being warm and inviting, not formal or stiff
- Showing interest in them and their work
- Speaking positively about how they could add value
- Avoiding sounding like you need something from them
This maintains professionalism while building a genuine human connection.
LinkedIn Invitation Message Examples
Review these examples of effective LinkedIn connection requests:
Someone you know
Hi [name], I hope you’ve been well! It was great catching up at [event or location]. I’d love to stay connected on LinkedIn since it’s been so long.
Someone you share a connection with
Hi [name], [mutual connection] suggested I connect with you here on LinkedIn. I enjoyed reading about your background in [industry] and [skill] – I work in [industry] as well and would enjoy exchanging ideas and insights.
Someone you don’t know but found their profile
Hi [name], I came across your LinkedIn profile while researching other [job title/field experts] in the area. Your experience with [topic] stood out to me. I would appreciate connecting to continue learning from your expertise in the field.
After meeting someone in person
It was a pleasure meeting you at [event] last week. The work your team is doing around [topic] sounds very interesting. I’d love to stay in touch via LinkedIn to hear more about your projects and share ideas.
Wanting to learn from their expertise
Hi [name], I have followed your work at [company] for some time and am thoroughly impressed with your expertise in [field]. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to connect here on LinkedIn to learn more about best practices from someone as experienced as yourself.
To mutually support one another
Hello [name], I’m looking to expand my network of [industry professionals] here in [location]. Your profile stood out given your work at [company] and knowledge of [topic]. I would love to connect to mutually support one another as colleagues in the field.
Following Up After Connecting
Once your invitation is accepted, be sure to follow up:
- Thank them for connecting
- Start a dialogue by commenting on something from their profile
- Offer to assist them in any way as a new connection
- Introduce them to people from your own network when relevant
Nurturing new connections leads to better professional relationships long-term.
Tips for a Better LinkedIn Network
Here are additional tips for improving the quality of your LinkedIn network:
Connect with who you know first
Build a strong base by connecting with people you have existing relationships with like:
- Coworkers and colleagues
- Clients or customers
- Friends from school or past jobs
- Acquaintances from networking events
These more familiar contacts make ideal early connections.
Target relevant connections
Look to connect with people who work in your industry or related ones where you can support each other’s professional goals. Avoid spamming invitations to every person you can.
Join industry groups
Groups allow you to connect and engage with fellow professionals in your specific field. You can join up to 100 groups.
Publish your own content
Posting regular updates, articles, and media allows you to share value and get on the radar of prospective contacts.
Follow companies you’re interested in
By following companies, you get notified when their employees post content, giving you an “in” to connect.
Use advanced search
Search for contacts using filters like location, company, job title, skills, and more to find those most relevant to connect with.
Request recommendations
Ask current connections to write recommendations for you to showcase the value you offer.
Keep your profile updated
A complete, up-to-date profile encourages connections since it lets people learn about you and see your qualifications.
Conclusion
Sending thoughtful, personalized invitations is the key to building relationships with targeted connections on LinkedIn. Avoid spamming by crafting value-focused messages that get you noticed. Maintain these relationships by actively supporting your connections after connecting. With a robust professional network, you gain access to career opportunities, knowledge, and visibility in your industry.