The best introductory message on LinkedIn is one that is personalized, shows you did research on the recipient, and gives a specific reason for connecting. A strong introductory message should be short and sweet, establish common ground, and make it easy for the recipient to respond.
Do Your Research
Before reaching out to someone on LinkedIn, take the time to learn about them and what you have in common. Look at their profile and experience to find shared connections, employers, schools, interests, or volunteer work. Mentioning something specific like this in your introductory message shows you took the time to get to know them.
For example, if you see you both volunteered with the same organization, you could say “I noticed we both spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. I’d love to connect with fellow volunteers committed to affordable housing access.” Showcasing shared experiences makes it more likely the person will accept your invitation.
Keep It Short
LinkedIn introductory messages should be concise, no more than 2-3 sentences. People are busy and a long message can come across as overbearing. Get straight to the point on why you want to connect without overwhelming them.
An example of a short but effective introductory message is: “Hi John, I see you work in social media marketing at ABC Company. I’m building my marketing consulting business and would love to connect with fellow marketers in the area.” The key points are conveyed in just two sentences.
Personalize Each Message
Avoid generic introductions like “I’d like to add you to my professional network.” Personalized messages make it clear you researched the person and are interested in them specifically. Use details from their profile like current job, education, location and interests.
For example: “Hi Sarah, I see you also went to University of Michigan and now work at 123 Company. As a fellow Wolverine, I’d love to connect.” The shared college connection makes this message more meaningful.
Establish Common Ground
Look for experiences, interests or contacts you have in common and highlight those in your introductory message. This gives the recipient a sense of familiarity with you right away. Common ground might include:
- Same employer or industry
- Shared connections
- Same school or degree program
- Geographic location
- Participation in the same organizations or causes
For example: “Hi Matt, I see we’re both connected to John Smith and went to Stanford. As a fellow Stanford engineering grad, I’d love to connect.”
Explain Why You Want to Connect
Give a specific reason for wanting to connect to show you aren’t just blindly sending invites. Explain how you could help each other or why it would be mutually beneficial to connect.
For instance: “Hi Amy, I noticed you work in social media marketing at XYZ Company. I run a digital marketing agency and would love to connect to share best practices.” Be clear on your intent so they understand the value.
Make It Easy to Respond
Close your message with a simple call to action or question to make it easy for the recipient to respond. Ending with “I’d love to connect” or “Let me know if you’re open to connecting” gives a clear next step.
You can also pose a specific question like: “I’m interested in learning more about your experience with project management software. Would you be open to chatting about it sometime over coffee?” This gives them an obvious prompt to respond to.
Avoid Hard Sells or Promotions
It’s usually not a good idea to use an introductory message as a sales pitch or to promote your business. Wait until after you’ve connected to discuss business details. The first message should focus on relationship building.
For example, don’t say: “I see you work in finance. I wanted to connect to tell you about my financial planning business.” This comes across as pushy and self-serving, which can turn people off.
Use a Warm but Professional Tone
Your introductory message sets the tone for your ongoing communications. Use a warm yet polished tone that reflects your brand and personality.
For example: “Dear Ms. Garcia, I came across your profile and was thoroughly impressed with your stellar background in supply chain optimization. I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to build a worthwhile connection with someone of your caliber. Please let me know if you might be interested in further correspondence. Best regards, [Your name].”
This is formal but pleasant and complimentary. It encourages the recipient to respond in a similarly cordial, professional way.
Follow Up Politely
If you don’t hear back within 1-2 weeks, consider a polite follow-up message, such as: “Hi Joan, I just wanted to follow up on my earlier invite to connect. I understand you’re busy, but I’d love to stay in touch if you’re open to it. If not, no problem at all. All the best, [Your name].”
Be gracious if they decline or don’t respond. Never harass someone who isn’t interested. Respect their decision and move on.
Proofread Before Sending
Be sure to proofread your message before hitting send. Check for typos, grammar issues, and unclear phrasing. Ask someone else to review it if you’re unsure. A polished message prevents misunderstandings.
It also helps to read your message aloud. Catching clumsy or awkward wording can prevent a bad first impression.
Sending Introductory Messages on LinkedIn
Here are some tips for actually sending your carefully crafted introductory message on LinkedIn:
- Make sure you have a complete, updated LinkedIn profile before reaching out. This establishes your own credibility.
- Use the desktop LinkedIn site rather than the mobile app if possible. You have more messaging options.
- When sending to someone you don’t know, use a Premium account. This avoids having your message go to their inbox as an unsolicited invitation.
- Personalize your request by clicking “Add a note” rather than just sending a generic invite.
- Double check you’re sending your message to the right person to avoid embarrassment.
- Follow up if needed, but don’t harass anyone or message repeatedly if they don’t respond.
Key Takeaways
An effective introductory message on LinkedIn:
- Is personalized and shows you did your research
- Quickly establishes common ground
- Explains why you want to connect
- Has a friendly yet professional tone
- Makes it easy for them to respond
- Avoids heavy sales pitches or promotion
With a thoughtful, tailored approach, your LinkedIn outreach can help build strong professional relationships.