When reaching out to connect with someone on LinkedIn, the message you send can make or break the interaction. A thoughtful, personalized note shows you’re serious about building a relationship, while a generic message may be ignored or even offend the recipient. Here are some tips for crafting an effective LinkedIn connection request message:
1. Start with a personal greeting
Always address the person by name rather than using a generic greeting like “Hello” or “Hi there.” This personalizes the message and catches their attention. For example: “Hi [first name],” or “Dear [Mr./Ms. last name].”
2. Say where you know them from
Context is key. Remind them where you met or explain how you’re connected. Maybe you’re colleagues at the same company, went to the same school, met at a conference, or have a mutual connection. This helps them place you.
3. Keep it brief
Get right to the point. A LinkedIn connection request message shouldn’t be overly long. Take 1-2 sentences to jog their memory, explain why you want to connect, and make your request. Walls of text can be overwhelming.
4. Explain why you want to connect
Give a specific, professional reason for connecting, rather than a vague “I’d like to add you to my network.” Are you interested in their work? Hoping to collaborate? Looking to learn from their expertise? State your intent clearly.
5. Make it personal
When possible, customize the message to the person rather than blast a generic note. Reference their background, company, interests, or something you have in common. This shows you took the time to view their profile.
6. Ask to connect, don’t demand it
Politely ask to connect, don’t tell them to connect with you. Keep it casual and conversational, not pushy. “I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn” is better than “Add me to your network.” Give them the option to accept or ignore your request.
7. Proofread for typos
Double check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation before sending. Little mistakes undermine professionalism. Use a respectful tone and language, like you would for any business communication.
8. Follow up if needed
If they don’t respond after a week or two, consider sending a brief, polite follow-up expressing continued interest in connecting. But don’t harass them if they never respond.
9. Add value, don’t just ask for favors
Unless you’re specifically asking for their advice or help, avoid giving the impression you only want to connect to pick their brain or get something from them. Offer to mutually share insights and information once connected.
10. Express appreciation
Thank them in advance for considering your request and for any time they take to respond. People like feeling appreciated.
With the right approach, many LinkedIn users are happy to grow their networks and make new connections. A thoughtful, personalized note can go a long way. Focus on how you might mutually benefit from connecting and communicate your sincerity.
Sample LinkedIn Connection Request Messages
If you have met in person:
“Hi [name], it was great meeting you at [event/location] last week. I really enjoyed learning about your work at [company]. I’d love to connect with you here on LinkedIn to continue the conversation. Would you be open to connecting?”
If you have a mutual connection:
“Hello [name], [mutual connection] suggested I reach out and connect with you here on LinkedIn. As a [their profession] at [your company], I’m very interested to learn more about [their area of expertise]. I hope we can support each other’s professional goals through this platform. Would you be up for connecting?”
If you have an introduction from someone:
“Hi [name], [mutual connection] mentioned that I should connect with you on LinkedIn. I really admire the work you’re doing at [their company] and would love to stay updated on [their focus area]. I’m [your role] at [your company] and am working on [something relevant they’d care about]. I’d appreciate the chance to connect and learn from your experiences.”
If you have common interests/background:
“Hello [name], I noticed we’re both [university] alumni focused on [industry]. As a fellow [mascot], I’d love to connect here on LinkedIn to exchange ideas and insights around [topic of interest]. Are you open to connecting? I’m looking forward to supporting fellow [university] graduates in our field.”
Following Up After Connecting
Getting connected is just the first step. To build a mutually beneficial relationship, follow up your initial outreach with further communication:
- Thank them for accepting your invitation and express your enthusiasm for connecting.
- Share an article, resource, or update you think would interest them based on their background.
- Comment thoughtfully on their posts to continue the dialogue.
- Congratulate them on new jobs, promotions, projects, etc.
- Request to meet up at relevant events, conferences, or informational interviews.
- Collaborate on groups, discussions, and other networking activities.
Nurturing your LinkedIn connections with ongoing engagement helps transform contacts into productive professional relationships over time.
Things to Avoid in LinkedIn Messages
While a thoughtful personalized note is key, there are some approaches that can backfire or annoy recipients:
- Generic, mass messages blasted out to hundreds of people.
- Overly long notes that ramble on.
- Aggressive demands to connect or accept your invitation.
- Vague messaging with no context about who you are.
- Spammy invitations from people outside your profession or network.
- Pushy sales pitches for products, services, multi-level marketing schemes.
- Requesting confidential information like email addresses or phone numbers.
- Asking for favors without offering value in return.
Avoid these messaging faux pas that can damage your brand and turn off recipients. Take the time to craft each request professionally and personally.
In Summary
An effective LinkedIn connection message clearly explains who you are, how you know them, and why you want to connect. It’s personalized yet concise, conversational but professional. You’re not demanding they accept, simply requesting the opportunity to build a relationship. With care and respect, you can craft messages that expand your network rather than annoy strangers. Focus on quality over quantity connections.
