Sending connection requests and invitations on LinkedIn can be tricky. You want to come across as friendly and interested in connecting, without being too salesy or pushy. A well-crafted message introduces yourself, explains why you want to connect, and makes it easy for the recipient to accept or decline your request. Here are some tips for writing effective LinkedIn connection messages that will get accepted.
Keep it Personalized
A generic “I’d like to add you to my professional network” message will likely get ignored or rejected. Take a few minutes to personalize your request with details about why you want to connect with this particular person. Reference their work history, education, skills, or interests that stood out to you. Let them know you visited their profile and didn’t randomly invite strangers to connect. Something like “Hello Jane, I noticed you worked at Company XYZ. I also used to work there and would love to connect with other XYZ alumni” shows you share a common bond.
Introduce Yourself
Since you are asking to be added to someone’s network, start by introducing yourself. Share your name, where you work/go to school, and provide a brief background on your current role and industry. This gives context around who you are and why you want to connect. For example, “Hi, I’m John Smith, a financial analyst at ABC Company. I’m looking to expand my network of finance professionals which is why I thought it would be great to connect.”
Explain Why You Want to Connect
Articulate the purpose for connecting and what you hope to gain. Are you looking to build your professional network in a certain industry? Hoping to get career advice from someone with more experience? Looking to exchange ideas and perspectives with like-minded individuals? Let them know upfront what value you expect from the connection. Some examples are “As a fellow marketing professional, I would appreciate being able to bounce ideas off you and get your take on industry trends” or “I am new to the software engineering field and would love to connect with experienced developers like yourself to gain knowledge and insight into best practices.”
Keep it Short
Long connection requests come across as demanding and often go unread. Keep your message concise – 3-4 sentences at most. You want to provide enough context in your introduction, but not have a huge block of text. The recipient should be able to quickly glance at your message and see who you are and why you want to connect.
Mention Common Connections
If you share any 1st degree connections, point that out in your message. This establishes legitimacy and shows you have trusted connections in common. It also gives the recipient someone to verify you with. For example, “I see we are both connected with Jane Smith at Company ABC. Jane and I used to work together and she mentioned you are the top marketing talent in the industry.” Namedropping shared connections makes the invitation to connect less out of the blue.
Follow Up Professionally If Needed
If your initial connection request goes unanswered after a week or so, consider a polite follow up. Send them a brief message referencing your original request and reiterating your interest in connecting. For example, “Hi John, I recently sent you a connection request but wanted to follow up in case you missed it. I think there is great potential for us to collaborate and learn from each other’s experience in the construction industry. I’d be honored to add you to my professional network.” This shows persistence while still being professional.
Proofread Before Sending
Double check your message for any spelling or grammar errors before sending. Also confirm you are sending the request to the correct recipient. Getting someone’s name wrong or misspelling words gives a bad first impression and implies you didn’t put much thought into personalizing your request. Putting some extra effort into the details ensures your message looks polished.
Avoid Hard Sells or Pushy Language
Aggressive language demanding someone accept your request or speaking solely about your own goals will most likely backfire. Avoid phrases that sound forceful or self-serving. You want to initiate a two-way connection, not just use someone’s network for your own personal gain. Keep the focus on shared interests and potential mutual benefits.
Highlight Ways You Can Help Each Other
Rather than only stating what you hope to get out of the connection, suggest ways you could collaborate and help each other if connected. Offer up what you have to bring to the table too and convey that you value a mutually beneficial relationship. For example, “I’d be happy to offer insights on social media marketing strategies that I’ve developed in my current role. I also have connections at several leading advertising firms I’d be happy to introduce you to. I’m confident we could both benefit from sharing our expertise and experiences.”
Use a Warm, Friendly Tone
In both your language and punctuation, aim for a warm and friendly tone. Use exclamation points and phrases like “I’d love to…” or “It’d be great to…” to sound eager yet not overbearing. You want to come across as approachable, genuine and interested in getting to know them better. Save more formal language for later – this first request is about making a personal connection.
Follow Up With Something Specific If Accepted
If your request is accepted, follow up with a message about how you’d specifically like to get started collaborating. Offer to set up a phone call to get acquainted or ask if they’d be open to mentoring you. Suggest working together on an industry whitepaper or co-hosting a local networking event. Have something tangible in mind so the connection leads to actual interaction and mutual benefit.
Don’t Take Rejection Personally
Not everyone will accept connection invitations, even when personalized and professional. Don’t make assumptions about their reasons. Maybe they limit connections to people they know well, got too many invites that week, or are not active users of LinkedIn. If someone declines your request, follow up politely asking if they’d reconsider. But avoid badgering them if they decline again. Simply move on and know it’s not a personal slight – they likely just exercise selectivity in building their network.
Example Invitation Messages
Here are some example templates of effective LinkedIn connection request messages:
Shared Work Experience
Hi [name], I saw that you worked at [company] as a [position]. I actually worked there too as a [your position] back in [year(s)]. I’d love to reconnect with fellow [company] alumni. Please let me know if you’d be open to connecting!
Common Connections
Hi [name], I noticed we are both connected to [shared connection name]. [Optional detail about how you know the shared connection]. I am interested in growing my professional network in the [industry] space and would appreciate if we connected as well.
Admiration of Work
Hello [name], Your experience as [position] at [company] really impressed me. The way you [accomplishment] and [another accomplishment] during your time there is the type of leadership I aspire to. I would be honored if you would accept my invitation to connect on LinkedIn.
Offering Expertise
Hi [name], I stumbled upon your LinkedIn profile and think we could have some great synergies. I specialize in [area of expertise] and have helped numerous [type of companies] optimize their [key processes]. I’d welcome the chance to connect and see if I could offer any valuable insights or advice to you as well based on the work you do at [their company].
Seeking Career Advice
Hello [name], As someone who has built an accomplished career in [their industry], I would greatly appreciate if we connected on LinkedIn. I am early in my [same industry] career and would love any wisdom or guidance you could offer on excelling in this field. Please let me know if you’d be open to an informational interview sometime.
Common Interests
Hi [name], I couldn’t help but notice we share a passion for [common interest]. I [detail how you pursue that interest] and love seeing others who enjoy it too. It would be great to connect so we can discuss [interest] and exchange ideas on how we each stay involved.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here’s a quick recap of do’s and don’ts for sending effective LinkedIn connection requests:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Keep it short (3-4 sentences) | Write overly long messages |
| Personalize with specifics about them | Send generic invitations |
| Mention common connections | Reach out randomly without context |
| Highlight shared experiences/interests | Push your own agenda too strongly |
| Use a warm, friendly tone | Be too stiff or formal |
| Follow up if needed | Badger someone who declines |
| Proofread before sending | Have typos and errors |
| Suggest mutual benefits | Only talk about what you want |
Conclusion
Sending customized connection requests is crucial for building relationships on LinkedIn. Avoid mass invites by personalizing each message with details showing you took time to get to know who you are reaching out to. Articulate commonalities you share, express admiration for their work, and suggest potential ways to collaborate. With a thoughtful, friendly approach, your acceptance rate will improve. Just remember to keep it short, be professional, highlight shared experiences and interests, and avoid coming across as pushy or self-serving. Put care into your LinkedIn outreach and you’ll be establishing quality connections in no time.