Sending networking notes on LinkedIn is a great way to connect with new people, strengthen existing relationships, and further your career. But it can be tricky to craft an effective networking note that makes a good impression. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing networking notes that get results.
Why Send Networking Notes on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn’s messaging system provides a professional platform for reaching out to your connections. Sending notes serves several key purposes:
- Introduce yourself to someone new
- Follow up after meeting someone at an event
- Stay top of mind with existing connections
- Request informational interviews to learn about companies or roles
- Ask for career advice and referrals
- Give endorsements or recommendations
- Share interesting articles or other helpful resources
In short, networking notes help you build relationships, share knowledge, and further your career objectives. When done right, they can lead to job opportunities, valuable connections, and increased visibility.
How to Format a LinkedIn Networking Note
Take a professional approach with your formatting:
- Use a descriptive subject line, like “Following Up from [Event]” or “Article Share”
- Address the recipient by name in the opening greeting
- Keep sentences concise and adopt a friendly tone
- Use paragraph breaks to improve readability
- Close with a simple sign-off like “Best” or “Sincerely”
This clean formatting ensures your note is easy to read and makes a polished impression.
What to Include in the Body of Your Note
The body of your networking note should cover several key points:
- Opening: Refer to where/when you met or why you are contacting them.
- Personalized Details: Demonstrate you did your research on their background and interests.
- Purpose: Explain the specific reason for reaching out.
- Call to Action: Make a request, pose a question, or propose meeting up.
- Expression of Thanks: Show gratitude for their time and consideration.
Expanding on each section…
Opening
Kick off your note by jogging the recipient’s memory of who you are and where you met, if applicable. This context helps them understand why you are contacting them. For instance:
“It was great meeting you at the Recent College Alumni Happy Hour last week…”
“I came across your profile after the XYZ Conference and wanted to connect…”
“Hope you’ve been well since we met at Acme Company a few years back!”
If this is your first outreach, explain who you are and why you wanted to establish a connection, like through shared connections/interests or their professional background.
Personalized Details
Show you did your homework by highlighting details that indicate you reviewed their LinkedIn profile and have commonalities:
- Comment on shared alma mater or companies
- Mention interesting projects or volunteer work they are involved in
- Reference shared connections, groups, or interests
This personal touch makes it clear you are genuinely interested in them, not just spamming your network.
Purpose of Your Outreach
Succinctly explain why you are reaching out. Be upfront about the purpose so they know how (or if) to respond. Some examples include:
- “I’m interested in learning more about your career path in [industry].”
- “Are you open to mentoring recent graduates looking to break into [field]?”
- “I’d love to take you up on your offer to connect anyone interested in [topic] with people at your company.”
- “Do you have availability this month for a quick informational interview about your background in [role]?”
- “I’m looking for new roles in [field] and would appreciate any contacts you can share.”
Being direct about the type of help, information, or connections you seek improves your chances of getting a response.
Call to Action
Close your note by posing a question, request, or call to action that provides a clear next step. This gives the recipient direction on how to engage with your outreach and continue the conversation. Some examples:
- “Let me know if you might have time to meet up over coffee next week.”
- “Would you be open to an informational interview about your career path at some point?”
- “Please share any contacts you think could be helpful to my job search.”
- “I’d appreciate any advice you have for breaking into this industry as a recent graduate.”
- “Let’s connect on setting up a 30 minute phone call to discuss further. What days/times tend to work best for you?”
Giving them an easy next action makes it more likely you will get a response.
Expression of Thanks
Wrap up by thanking them for their time, consideration, helpful resources, or whatever fits based on your outreach purpose and request. For example:
- “Thank you so much for your willingness to share your experience and advice!”
- “I really appreciate you connecting me to people in your network.”
- “Thanks for considering my request – I know you have a busy schedule.”
This gratitude shows respect for their time and help.
Sample LinkedIn Networking Note Template
Here is a template demonstrating how to tie all the components together into an effective networking note:
Hi [Name],
It was great chatting with you at [event or where we met] about [topic discussed]. I really enjoyed hearing about your impressive background in [field]. Given our shared interest in [common ground], I wanted to connect on LinkedIn and continue the conversation.
I’m currently exploring career options in [industry] and would love to learn more about your experiences at [company]. Would you have time in the next few weeks to meet for a quick coffee chat? I’d be interested in hearing your insight on breaking into the field as a recent graduate. Please let me know if you might have availability to connect further.
Thanks so much for considering! I look forward to staying in touch.
Best,
[Your name]
This provides a template you can tailor to your specific situation and relationship. Tweak the details to reflect how you met, personalized tidbits, your outreach purpose, and request/next steps.
Best Practices
Keep these best practices in mind when writing effective LinkedIn networking notes:
- Personalize: Include unique details and don’t send generic copy-paste messages.
- Add Value: Share helpful resources and useful information without overly promoting yourself.
- Be Direct: Clearly state the purpose of your outreach and what you are asking for.
- Follow Professional Etiquette: Use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
- Be Concise: Respect their time and keep messages focused.
- Follow Up: Circle back if they connect you with contacts or agree to further discussions.
- Stay Organized: Track your outreach efforts and maintain an orderly inbox.
With these best practices in mind, your networking notes are much more likely to get responses and build fruitful connections.
What Not to Do
There are also some key pitfalls to avoid when reaching out:
- Don’t be pushy, aggressive or overly salesy in tone
- Don’t mass spam your entire network with generic notes
- Don’t make it all about yourself without expressing interest in them
- Don’t use abbreviations, emojis or overly informal language
- Don’t overshare or get too personal
- Don’t ask for jobs or endorsements from people you barely know
Displaying proper online etiquette makes a good impression.
Following Up After Connecting
The conversation doesn’t end once they respond. To build an ongoing relationship:
- Thank them for accepting your invite and welcoming a connection
- Schedule follow-up conversations if they offered their time or advice
- Share relevant articles or other helpful resources
- Comment on their updates and engage with their content
- Endorse their skills or offer recommendations if appropriate
- Introduce them to other contacts that could provide mutual benefit
Continue networking over time, not just a one-off interaction. Cultivating your relationships leads to more opportunities.
Tools to Manage Outreach
When networking with many connections, use tools to stay organized:
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Pay version offers advanced search/filtering of contacts.
- CRM software: Track details on outreach and relationships. Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho are popular options.
- Excel: Record details on messages sent, responses, and follow-ups.
- Email templates: Craft generic templates you can customize as needed.
- Calendaring: Schedule reminders for following up with new contacts.
Leveraging tools helps you manage high-volume outreach at scale while personalizing messages.
Email Template Example
Here is an example template you can adapt in your CRM or email system:
Subject: Following up from [event/context]
Hi [name],
[Sentence recapping where we met/why I’m reaching out.]
It was great [meeting/connecting with] you at [event or context]. I really enjoyed learning about [detail showing personalized research on their background].
[One-two sentences on shared connection or interest]
I’m reaching out because [purpose of networking ask]. Would you have time to [request for meeting, advice, referrals, etc]?
I’d appreciate any insight you can share about [topic seeking input on]. Please let me know if you might have some time in the next few weeks to [meet for coffee, have a quick phone chat, etc.].
Thanks so much for considering. I look forward to staying in touch and learning from your experiences!
Best,
[Your name]
This template allows you to quickly customize messaging while preserving a professional tone.
Pro Tips
Use these pro tips when writing networking notes:
- Proofread: Double check for typos, grammatical errors, unclear language.
- Check Previous Communication: Lookup your email history if following up to continue a conversation organically.
- Adjust Based on Relationship: Take a more casual or formal tone depending on how well you know them.
- Research Before Reaching Out: Review their profile and any other information available online.
- When In Doubt, Ask for Advice: Most people enjoy sharing career tips and industry knowledge.
Put your best foot forward with polished, personalized communication tailored to the recipient.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key tips to remember when sending LinkedIn networking notes:
- Personalize each note with specific details about the recipient.
- Clearly state your purpose for connecting.
- Make a specific request or call to action.
- Use a professional but friendly tone.
- Proofread carefully.
- Follow up over time to build the relationship.
Crafting thoughtful, tailored networking notes strengthens your professional relationships and furthers your career goals.
Conclusion
Networking notes allow you to introduce yourself, share knowledge, request career help, and build relationships through LinkedIn messaging. By personalizing your outreach, clearly communicating your goals, and following etiquette tips, you can write effective notes that make powerful connections. Use LinkedIn as a valuable tool to expand your network and take the next step in your career journey.