When someone accepts your connection request on LinkedIn, it’s thoughtful to send them a message thanking them for connecting. A brief, polite note lets them know you appreciate them taking the time to grow your network. However, with many connections happening daily on the platform, it can be tricky to come up with fresh ways to say thanks each time. This article will provide tips and examples for thanking new LinkedIn connections in a meaningful yet efficient way.
Why You Should Thank New Connections
Here are some key reasons to send a message thanking new LinkedIn connections:
– It’s good manners. Saying thank you shows you’re grateful they accepted your request and makes a positive first impression.
– It personalizes the interaction. Sending a quick thank you note establishes a warmer tone to your new connection instead of just silently adding them to your network.
– It keeps communication open. Your message invites them to respond and helps transition to further conversations down the road.
– It helps build relationships. Expressing gratitude can strengthen bonds and lead to mutually beneficial interactions with your new contacts.
– It takes little time. A simple 2-3 sentence thank you requires minimal effort but goes a long way.
Overall, a short but sincere thank you message has many upsides and no real downsides for connecting on LinkedIn.
When to Send the Thank You Note
It’s best to send your message as soon as possible after connecting so the interaction stays top of mind. I recommend sending a thank you note within the first 1-3 days of connecting for best effect. Avoid waiting weeks or months to express gratitude as that window may have passed.
Some optimal times to send your thanks include:
– Right after receiving the acceptance notification. This allows you to strike when the iron is hot.
– At the start of your workday when you’re catching up on LinkedIn messages and notifications. Morning is often less hectic than other times.
– On your commute or during a break when you have spare moments to craft notes. Small windows of free time here and there add up.
– At the end of the week when you look back on all new connections made. Summarize your appreciation in one batch.
Finding a cadence that works for your schedule makes it easier to consistently thank all your new LinkedIn connections in a timely manner.
How to Format the Thank You Message
In terms of structure, here are some tips for formatting your thank you note:
– Keep it short and sweet. A lengthy message is not required. Just 2-3 sentences is perfect.
– Address them by name for a personalized touch. e.g. “Hi John,”
– Note how you are connected, if needed for context. e.g. “We met at last month’s industry conference.”
– Express your gratitude clearly and enthusiastically. e.g. “Thank you for connecting on LinkedIn!”
– Include a relevant next step, if desired. e.g. “I look forward to staying in touch and networking more in the future.”
– Close politely with a simple statement like “Best regards” and your name.
– Check spelling and grammar to avoid errors before sending.
This straightforward framework keeps your message focused and friendly without taking up too much of your time or their attention.
Thank You Message Templates
To help craft your own thank you notes, here are some message templates you can customize:
Basic Template
Hi [Name],
Thank you for connecting on LinkedIn! I look forward to staying in touch.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Common Connection Template
Hi [Name],
Great to connect here on LinkedIn. Thank you for adding me to your network! As [common connection], I look forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future.
Best,
[Your Name]
After Meeting Template
Hi [Name],
It was a pleasure meeting you at [event] last week. Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn – I really enjoyed our conversation and hope we can stay in touch going forward.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Industry Peer Template
Hi [Name],
With our shared background in [industry], I’m so glad we connected here. Thank you for expanding my professional network – I appreciate you making the introduction.
Best,
[Your Name]
Alumni Template
Hi [Name],
As a fellow [university] alum, it’s great to link up on LinkedIn. Thank you for connecting – look forward to more [university] networking opportunities.
Best,
[Your Name]
Sample Thank You Messages
To further inspire your own thank you notes, here are some good sample LinkedIn messages to accept a connection request:
Hi Jane,
Thank you for connecting! I enjoyed learning more about your background in financial analysis at the networking event last month. I hope we can stay in touch and meet up again soon.
Best,
John
Hi Michael,
Great to connect here on LinkedIn. Thank you for expanding my professional network – I really appreciate it. Looking forward to more opportunities to collaborate in the future.
Best regards,
Mary
Hi Sarah,
It’s wonderful to connect with a fellow Cornell alum here on LinkedIn! Thank you for reaching out and adding me to your network.hope to cross paths again at more Cornell events.
Best,
Sam
Hi James,
With our shared interest in leveraging data analytics in marketing, I’m excited we connected on LinkedIn. Thank you for the introduction – I look forward to staying in touch and learning more about your work.
Regards,
Jennifer
Hi Olivia,
As a mentor in the tech space, I truly appreciate you connecting with me here. Thank you for sharing your insights – I know I have much to learn from your experience and look forward to the conversations ahead.
Sincerely,
Noah
Creative Ways to Say Thank You
If you want to change up your gratitude wording, here are some creative ways to say thanks for a new LinkedIn connection beyond just “thank you”:
– I truly appreciate you accepting my invite!
– How kind of you to connect with me.
– I’m so glad we’re now linked on LinkedIn!
– Thanks a million for connecting!
– So grateful you joined my network.
– How wonderful to have you in my community.
– I’m thankful for the new connection.
– What a nice surprise to get your acceptance.
– I’m excited to have you onboard!
– It’s an honor to connect with you.
– You made my day by accepting!
– I’m thrilled you joined my network!
Pitfalls to Avoid
When reaching out to thank a new LinkedIn connection, there are some pitfalls to avoid:
– Don’t make it all about yourself and what they can do for you. Keep the focus on expressing gratitude.
– Don’t overshare personal details about yourself or ask sensitive questions about them. Keep it professional.
– Don’t copy and paste the exact same message for every person. Add a customized touch.
– Don’t let too much time pass before sending a note. 1-3 days is ideal.
– Don’t make any spelling or grammar errors that could reflect poorly on you. Proofread.
– Don’t use overly casual language like text speak. Maintain a polite tone.
– Don’t ask for favors or make requests too soon after connecting. Build rapport slowly.
Staying mindful of these missteps will ensure your thank you message comes across positively.
Following Up After Thanking Them
Once you’ve sent your new connection a thank you message, the next step is to follow up and continue conversations organically. Here are some ways to engage after expressing your initial gratitude:
– Like and comment on their new posts to maintain visibility.
– Share relevant articles or opportunities that align with their interests.
– Congratulate them on work milestones like promotions or new jobs.
– Respond thoughtfully if they comment or like any of your content.
– Answer any questions or requests they may have.
– Comment again if the original message leads to an ongoing dialogue.
– Connect in person at relevant industry events or networking meetups.
– Set up informational interviews to learn more about their career journey.
– Coordinate calls, video chats or coffee meetings to get to know them better.
– Introduce them to other contacts who may be beneficial connections.
Continuing communication after thanking them initially helps nurture the fledgling relationship and leads to substantive professional interactions.
Thank You Etiquette If They Don’t Respond
If you thank a new connection but don’t get any response, don’t take it personally. They likely appreciated the gesture but are just busy and don’t have time for ongoing exchanges.
Here are some tips for thank you etiquette if a new connection doesn’t reply:
– Don’t repeatedly message them if they don’t respond. Move on gracefully.
– Continue posting regular updates they can stay updated on passively.
– Follow up in a few months to share an update and re-engage.
– If they engage with your content, use that as a cue to try conversing again.
– Keep the door open for future interactions if the timing is better.
– Focus energy on nurturing connections with others more responsive now.
– Accept that not every new connection will be a talkative contact. And that’s ok.
The lack of response likely indicates limited bandwidth on their end more than anything you did wrong. Have patience and stay open to reconnecting down the road.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind for how to thank new LinkedIn connections:
– Expressing gratitude makes a positive impression and nurtures relationships.
– Send the thank you note within 1-3 days of connecting for best impact.
– Keep the message brief at 2-3 sentences and customize it with their name.
– Share any context about how you’re connected or future plans to collaborate.
– Follow up after with likes, comments, shares and 1:1 conversations.
– If they don’t respond, focus on other active connections and try circling back later.
With these tips, you can easily craft warm yet professional thank you messages for all your new LinkedIn connections. Just taking a moment to say thanks can go a long way in building meaningful bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common FAQs about thanking LinkedIn connections:
Should I thank someone for accepting my invite if we already know each other?
Yes, it’s still thoughtful to thank them even if you have an existing relationship. The note reinforces that you value being connected on LinkedIn specifically.
Is it ok to only send a LinkedIn message and not follow up?
It’s fine to only send a thank you message if you don’t foresee any opportunities for further exchanges. The note itself shows appreciation. But follow-up engagement strengthens the relationship, so try to interact more if possible.
What if I have lots of new connections in a given week?
If your network expands quickly, don’t get overwhelmed trying to craft unique messages for each person. Use a template and fill in personal details to efficiently say thanks to all new connections.
Should I still thank a new contact if it’s been weeks or months since connecting?
It’s better late than never. Thanking a new connection, even if time has passed, is still a nice gesture to build rapport. Just acknowledge the delay and explain you still wanted to express gratitude.
What if I realized I forgot to thank someone? Should I still reach out?
Yes, follow up and send a note thanking them for connecting, even if it’s well after the fact. Admit you’re late in saying it, but that you still appreciate them joining your network. Most people will not mind the belated gesture.
How often should I engage with new connections after the initial thank you?
Aim to interact with new connections about once a month after thanking them, either through likes, comments, shares or 1:1 messages. Stay present but avoid bombarding them. Gauge their level of responsiveness and reciprocate accordingly.
If someone thanks me when I accept their invite, do I need to respond?
You don’t have to reply, but it builds goodwill to acknowledge their thank you note with a simple “You’re welcome, great to connect!” or similar sentiment confirming you received their message. This closes the loop on the interaction.
Conclusion
Saying thank you for a new connection on LinkedIn only takes a minute but can go a long way in forming meaningful professional relationships. Even a brief, thoughtful note expresses gratitude and paves the way for ongoing exchanges. Follow the templates and tips provided above to efficiently craft warm, personalized messages that show your appreciation. Just a few sentences can make someone’s day while growing your network. The small effort to say thanks will be well worth it.