When sending a connection request on LinkedIn, it’s important to include a personalized message explaining who you are and why you want to connect. The message should be brief but thoughtful. Mention how you found them, why you’d like to connect, and how you could mutually support each other’s career goals. Avoid generic messages and always double check that you’re sending the request to the right person.
Introduce Yourself
Start your message by introducing yourself professionally. Share your name, current job title and company. If you have connections in common, mention that as well. For example:
“Hi John, my name is Sarah Lee and I’m a marketing manager at ABC Company. I see we’re both connected with Susan Chen.”
If you don’t have any connections in common, explain how you came across their profile:
“Hi Mary, I’m Mike Thompson, an account executive at XYZ Corp. I came across your LinkedIn profile when researching digital marketing trends in our industry.”
Explain Why You Want to Connect
After introducing yourself, explain why you’d like to connect with this person. Be clear on the purpose of the connection and how you could support each other. Some examples include:
- I noticed you work in social media marketing. I’m looking to break into that field and would love to connect and learn more about your experience.
- Our companies are both launching new products next quarter. I think there could be opportunities to collaborate on marketing initiatives.
- You have an impressive background in sales leadership. I’m aiming for a management role and would appreciate any career advice you can share.
When requesting to connect with someone you don’t know, focus on shared interests, associations or goals that would make the connection mutually beneficial.
Make the Ask
Wrap up your message by directly asking to connect on LinkedIn. Keep it short and friendly. For example:
“I’d appreciate the chance to connect with you here on LinkedIn. Hope to hear from you soon!”
“I think we could have some great discussions if we connected on LinkedIn. What do you think?”
“Looking forward to connecting on LinkedIn and staying in touch!”
Personalize Each Request
When reaching out to multiple people, make sure to personalize each connection request. Generic outreach messages often get ignored. Take the time to customize your ask based on what you know about each person.
For example, if you see someone just started a new job, congratulate them in your message. If you went to the same university, mention your shared alma mater. Personal details make a big difference in connecting professionally.
Double Check You Have the Right Person
Before hitting send, double check that you’re connecting with the right person. It can be awkward (and unproductive) when sending a connection request to someone with a similar name or profile picture. When in doubt, check location, job history and connections to confirm.
Also take a minute to review what your own profile looks like to the recipient. Update your profile photo, headline and experience section to put your best foot forward.
Follow Up Politely
If you don’t receive a response within 1-2 weeks, consider sending a brief, polite follow-up message. But be careful not to seem pushy or demanding. For example:
“Hi John, just wanted to follow up on my earlier request to connect here on LinkedIn. I understand you’re likely very busy, but I’d appreciate the chance to add you to my network.”
However, if they clearly ignored your initial request, it’s usually best not to send a second message. Take the hint and move on.
Send Thoughtful Messages
With nearly 800 million members on LinkedIn, connection requests are common. But a generic ask is easy to ignore. Sending thoughtful, personalized messages improves the odds of making worthwhile connections.
Introduce yourself, explain why you want to connect, and make the request personal. With quality over quantity, you can build a professional network that truly supports your career goals.
