When someone thanks you for connecting with them on LinkedIn or another professional network, there are many ways you can respond politely and positively to continue building the relationship. Having a template response ready will make replying quick and easy. The way you respond also presents an opportunity to showcase your communication skills.
Why Do People Say “Thanks for Connecting”?
On many professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, connections need to approve each other before being linked. By sending a connection request, you are asking someone to add you to their network.
If they accept, it means they see value in connecting with you. The “thanks for connecting” message shows appreciation for you accepting the request and expanding their network.
It’s similar to saying “thanks for adding me” or “thanks for connecting with me.” The person is thanking you for agreeing to link profiles and open up networking opportunities.
How to Respond to “Thanks for Connecting”
When someone says “thanks for connecting,” you want your response to be friendly and open-ended. This continues the conversation rather than ending it.
Here are some examples of good responses:
1. Reciprocate the Appreciation
“Thank you for connecting as well! I’m looking forward to keeping in touch.”
This returns the appreciation and expresses interest in maintaining the connection. It’s warm and welcoming.
2. Reference Shared Interests or Contacts
“I’m excited we’re connected too. Seeing we both know John Doe and are interested in digital marketing, I think we’ll have some great synergies.”
When you can point to specific shared contacts or interests, it personalizes the response. This shows the connection is more than just generic networking.
3. Share Your Goals for Connecting
“Thanks for connecting! I’m hoping to expand my network in the nonprofit sector. Let me know if you have any colleagues it would be beneficial for me to connect with.”
Sharing your motivations and goals makes the response more meaningful. It gives the person context for understanding the value you see in connecting.
4. Inquire About Potential Opportunities
“I appreciate you accepting my invite! I’d love to learn more about opportunities to collaborate between our companies/teams.”
Asking about potential opportunities shows you’re interested in an active business relationship, not just a passive connection. This can lead to further substantive conversations.
5. Express Positivity
“So glad we’re connected now! Looking forward to great things.”
A short, enthusiastic response like this conveys a positive tone. It will make the person feel good about having connected with you.
Key Takeaways for Replying to “Thanks for Connecting”
– Show appreciation for the new connection
– Highlight shared contacts, interests, or goals
– Open the door for further conversations
– Use enthusiastic yet professional language
– Keep it friendly but substantial
The way you respond provides an opportunity to make a good first impression. A warm, thoughtful response lays the groundwork for a mutually beneficial professional relationship.
Examples of Great Responses
To see the principles in action, here are some specific template responses you can use or adapt when someone thanks you for connecting:
1. Focus on Shared Contacts
“Thanks for connecting, Jane! Good to see we both know John Doe through the Association of Fundraising Professionals. I’m looking forward to supporting each other’s networking goals.”
2. Compliment Their Work
“My pleasure, Ricardo. I’ve been impressed with the social media strategies you’re implementing for ABC Company. Thanks for adding me to your network – I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.”
3. Express Enthusiasm
“So great to connect, Robin! I’m thrilled to have you in my network.”
4. Reference Common Interests
“Thanks for connecting, Ray! Given our shared background in IT project management, I think we’ll have lots of great knowledge to exchange.”
5. Highlight Mutual Benefits
“I appreciate you accepting my invite. Expanding connections across our industries can open up possibilities for future partnerships and collaborations.”
Things to Avoid When Replying
While you want to be warm and engaging, there are some responses to avoid:
– “No problem.” This sounds unenthusiastic about connecting.
– “Thanks.” This ends the conversation abruptly.
– Overly sales-y language. You want to build a relationship first.
– Requesting favors right away. Wait for an established connection.
– Sharing overly personal information. Keep it focused on professional interests.
Connecting on Other Platforms
The same principles apply when someone thanks you for following them on Twitter or connecting through another platform.
Examples include:
– “Great to be connected here as well! I’m looking forward to seeing your innovative social media ideas.”
– “Appreciate the follow! I’ll be sure to keep sharing blockchain industry updates.”
– “Thanks for the add! Excited to support each other’s entrepreneurial journeys.”
Key Principles for Responding
To summarize, here are some key principles for responding when someone thanks you for connecting or following:
– Express appreciation
– Note shared goals, interests, contacts
– Share your own goals for connecting
– Ask about potential opportunities to collaborate
– Use positive, enthusiastic language
– Avoid sales pitches or favors
– Keep it focused on professional interests
With these strategies, you can craft warm replies that make new connections feel valued while strengthening your professional network.
Sample Follow-Up Messages After Connecting
The conversation doesn’t need to end after the initial exchange. Following up further develops the relationship.
Here are examples of messages you can send later:
1. Share a Relevant Resource
“Hope you’re doing well! When we connected, you mentioned you were interested in learning more about blockchain applications. Here’s a great article I thought you would find interesting.”
2. Make Plans to Meet Up
“Hi Juan, I enjoyed chatting with you at last week’s trade show. We should meet up for coffee sometime in the next few weeks to continue the conversation.”
3. Partner on Content Creation
“Hey Mary, I had a thought – since we’re both content creators in the home improvement space, maybe we could collaborate on an article or video. Let me know if you’d be interested in brainstorming ideas together.”
4. Wish Them Well
“Hi Jessica, just wanted to say congratulations on your new role at Smith & Co! Wishing you tremendous success.”
5. Introduce Them to Someone
“Morning Samuel! There’s someone I think you should connect with who could be helpful for your software startup. His name is…”
Proactively reaching out after connecting strengthens those new professional bonds.
How to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Networking
To maximize the results when connecting with new contacts, make sure your own LinkedIn profile is optimized for networking.
Here are some tips:
– Have a professional headshot photo
– Write an informative summary highlighting your background, skills, and goals
– Include experience descriptions that focus on achievements vs just duties
– Showcase credentials, certifications, licenses, and awards
– Get recommendations from managers, colleagues, clients, or partners
– Join relevant industry groups and follow companies to stay updated
– Share content like articles and blog posts
– Engage regularly by commenting, liking, and posting
– List skills to be discoverable for opportunities
– Link to your website or online portfolio
An optimized profile signals professionalism. It gives people more context on your background and interests so networking connections become more meaningful.
Expanding Your Network Thoughtfully
While connecting with many people expands your networking circle, focus on quality over quantity. Connect thoughtfully with those you can build mutually beneficial relationships with.
Research contacts before connecting to identify shared goals and experiences. Personalize invitation messages to show the connection is meaningful, not just a numbers game.
Connecting with the right people lays the groundwork for substantive interactions. With a thoughtful networking strategy, the “thanks for connecting” message is just the start of the relationship.
Conclusion
When someone thanks you for connecting on a professional or social platform, it presents a valuable opportunity to continue cultivating the relationship. Respond warmly and thoughtfully to show appreciation and interest in interacting further.
Reference common experiences, goals, or contacts to make the connection feel meaningful, not just generic. Share your own motivations and open the door to future opportunities to engage.
With an enthusiastic yet professional response, you can make a great first impression that leads to mutually beneficial networking. The connection is just the starting point – solid relationships are built through ongoing, thoughtful interactions.
