Sending an effective follow-up message after connecting with someone on LinkedIn is key to building relationships and growing your professional network. A good follow-up message continues the conversation from your initial outreach, provides value to the recipient, and aims to take the relationship to the next level. Here are some tips and examples for crafting successful LinkedIn follow-up messages.
Respond to Their Acceptance
If someone accepts your connection request, send them a message thanking them for connecting and referencing your initial outreach. For example:
“Hi [name], thanks for connecting! As we discussed, I’d love to learn more about your experiences working at [company]. Let me know if you’d be open to jumping on a quick phone call next week.”
This shows you care about building a relationship, not just expanding your network.
Reconnect After Meeting In-Person
If you met someone at an event, remind them of where you met and reiterate any conversations you had. For example:
“It was great chatting with you at the [event name] last week. The work your team is doing around [topic] sounds really impressive. I’d love to continue the conversation and hear more about your plans to [launch new product/expand to new market/etc].”
This references your previous in-person meeting and touches on topics you discussed.
Share Relevant Articles or Resources
Sharing articles, ebooks, or other resources relevant to their work demonstrates you’re interested in providing value. For example:
“I recently came across this article on [relevant topic] and thought of our conversation about [discussion topic]. There are some really interesting insights here I think could be useful for [project mentioned]. Enjoy!
[Link to article]”
This shows you remembered what they’re working on and want to help.
Follow Up After They View Your Profile
If someone you connected with views your LinkedIn profile, reach out to continue the relationship. For example:
“I noticed you checked out my LinkedIn profile recently. I’m flattered! I’m always looking to connect with smart professionals like yourself. If you have any questions about my background or are interested in [collaborating/connecting/etc], feel free to reach out anytime.”
This lets them know you’re open to strengthening the relationship.
Request an Intro After Being Referred
If someone refers you to one of their connections, request an introduction. For example:
“[Name] kindly referred me to connect with you about [topic relevant to their work]. Your experience in [their expertise] would provide great insight for the [project/role/event] I’m working on focused on [goal/purpose]. If you’re open to it, I’d love an introduction so we can connect directly.”
This shows why you’d value being connected beyond just expanding your network.
Follow Up After Applying to a Job Posting
If you apply for a job through someone’s LinkedIn post, follow up to reiterate your interest and qualifications. For example:
“Hi [name], I recently applied for the [position] role at [company] that you posted on LinkedIn. As outlined in my application, I believe my background in [relevant experience] makes me a strong fit for the position. I’m very interested in the opportunity and would welcome the chance to discuss it further. Please let me know if there are any additional materials I can provide or if you would like to schedule a call.”
This reminds them of your application and that you are eager for next steps.
Ask to Meet Up After Moving to a New City
If you notice someone you’re connected to lives in a city you recently moved to, reach out to ask about getting involved in the local community. For example:
“It’s great to see another [city] connection on LinkedIn! I recently relocated here for [new job/school/other reason] and would love to meet up to discuss the local job market/startup scene/alumni network/etc. I don’t know many people in town yet, so any introductions or recommendations you may have would be amazing.”
This is a natural way to grow your local network in a new city.
Share Job Opportunities
If you come across a job opening well-suited to someone’s background, send it their way. For example:
“Hope you’re doing well! I saw this opening for a [position] at [company] and immediately thought of you given your background in [their areas of expertise]. Your skills and experience seem like a perfect match for the role. Check it out and let me know if you end up applying!”
This shows you’re thinking about ways to help them progress professionally.
Congratulate on Work Anniversaries
Recognizing major work milestones like anniversaries or promotions helps strengthen the relationship. For example:
“Just saw on LinkedIn that you just celebrated [X] years at [company]! That’s seriously impressive. It’s clear they value you and all your contributions. Here’s to many more successful years ahead!”
People appreciate being recognized for their accomplishments and loyalty.
Follow Up After Initial Outreach
If someone doesn’t respond to your initial connection request, follow up by sending them a message. For example:
“Hi [name], I recently sent you a connection request on LinkedIn but wanted to also reach you directly here. I came across your profile while researching [topic relevant to their experience] and was very impressed by your background at [companies, roles, projects, etc]. I would value the opportunity to connect and learn more about [what you’re interested in discussing with them]. Please let me know if you’re open to chatting further.”
Following up shows you are genuinely interested in connecting with them specifically.
Ask for Feedback After an Interview
Following up with interviewers can help you improve for future interviews. For example:
“Hi [name], I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to interview me yesterday for the [position] role at [company]. I really enjoyed learning more about the role and your experiences at the company. Please let me know if you have any other feedback or advice that would help me in future interviews. I’m very interested in the opportunity and look forward to hearing from you regarding next steps.”
Interviewers will appreciate your eagerness to grow professionally.
Send a Quick Check-In
Touching base periodically helps maintain open communication channels. For example:
“Hi [name], I hope things have been going well for you! I wanted to check in and see if you might have some time in the next couple weeks for a quick call to catch up. Would love to hear more about [that new project we discussed/your team’s expansion plans/how your job search is progressing/etc]. Let me know what works for you!”
A quick check-in shows you care about maintaining the relationship long-term.
The key to an effective LinkedIn follow-up message is personalization. Referencing previous conversations and showing how you can add value makes recipients more likely to respond. With these tips and examples, you can craft engaging follow-up messages that expand your professional relationships.
