Writing an email to connect with someone on LinkedIn can seem daunting. You want to make a good first impression and stand out from the countless other connection requests they likely receive. The key is to craft a personalized, thoughtful email that provides value to the recipient. Here are some tips on how to write an effective LinkedIn connection email.
Why Connect on LinkedIn?
Before writing your email, consider why you want to connect with this person in the first place. Typical reasons include:
- You’d like to build your professional network in a certain industry or with people at certain companies.
- You share similar interests or went to the same school and would like to strengthen your alumni network.
- You’d like to learn more about their career path, company, or industry.
- You admire their work and would like to connect with them.
- You’d like to discuss potential job opportunities, business deals, or partnerships.
- You’d like to expand your brand and connections as an influencer, recruiter, or salesperson.
Having a clear goal in mind will help shape the tone and content of your message.
Personalize the Message
A generic outreach email may be ignored or even perceived as spam. Personalizing your message shows you made the effort to learn about them as an individual. Mention common ground you share, like:
- A mutual connection who referred you to connect with them.
- A company, school, or organization you both belong to.
- Shared interests, experiences, or goals gleaned from their profile.
- Specific work of theirs that impressed you.
This personal touch helps form an immediate bond.
Keep It Short Yet Informative
Get right to the point in 2-3 brief paragraphs. Be clear on why you want to connect but don’t give your whole life story. Provide just enough context to peak their interest and continue the conversation.
Sample LinkedIn Connection Email Template
[Recipient’s Name],
I hope you’re doing well! [optional: It was great running into you at [event] / My name is [name] and I’m a [connection in common] of yours.]
I wanted to connect because [reason for connecting]. I really admired [work of theirs that impressed you] and your experience in [their industry].
I’m currently working at [your company] as a [your position], focusing on [your work and goals]. I’d love to connect and learn more about your background and any advice you may have for someone new to the field.
Let me know if you’d be open to connecting!
Best,
[Your Name]
Key Things to Avoid
While personalizing your email, there are some things you’ll want to avoid:
- Oversharing – Don’t provide your whole resume or gush extensively about yourself.
- Misrepresentation – Be honest about who you are and your intentions for connecting.
- Inappropriate tone – Don’t be too informal or use slang/emojis unless you know them well.
- Sales pitches – Don’t make it solely about promoting your company, product, or services.
- Requests right away – Don’t ask for favors or information immediately.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes – Proofread! Errors give the impression you lack professionalism or attention to detail.
Following Up After Connecting
Don’t let the relationship end after sending your initial connection request. Follow up within a week or two with:
- A simple thank you for accepting your invite.
- An article, resource, or introduction relevant to something you discussed.
- A brief question or comment to keep dialogue open.
Ongoing engagement helps transition from strangers to trusted contacts.
LinkedIn Etiquette Summary
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when messaging new LinkedIn connections:
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Personalize each request | Send generic mass messages |
Be clear on your purpose | Provide vague reasons for connecting |
Keep it short and focused | Write excessively long notes |
Follow up after connecting | Only connect once without further engagement |
Tools to Craft Better Messages
Utilize tools that can help you personalize and streamline your outreach:
- Connection insights – See shared interests, experiences, and contacts.
- Saved message templates – Create templates you can customize for each recipient.
- Mentions – Know when someone interacts with your profile or content.
- Search filters – Discover contacts by company, title, school, etc.
Investing thought and time into your requests shows your respect for the recipient. With practice, connecting on LinkedIn can lead to fruitful professional relationships.
Conclusion
Connecting with people on LinkedIn provides invaluable opportunities to grow your network and access new career or business prospects. However, thoughtless connection requests are often ignored or rejected. Crafting personalized, valuable messages demonstrates your shared interests and professionalism. Focus on how requesting connections can benefit both parties, rather than just yourself. Relationship-building takes effort but pays dividends for your future success.