Reconnecting with LinkedIn connections can be a great way to revive dormant professional relationships and expand your network. However, sending connection requests to people you haven’t spoken to in years can come across as spammy or desperate. The key is to re-establish contact thoughtfully and add value to the relationship. Here are some tips for gracefully reconnecting with LinkedIn connections:
Refresh Your Memory on How You Know Them
Before reaching out, take some time to remember how you originally met and worked with this person. Look back at past conversations and projects you may have collaborated on. This will help you craft a personalized request that appeals to your shared history.
Update Your Profile and Theirs
Make sure your own LinkedIn profile is up to date before reconnecting. Add any new positions, skills, interests, and accomplishments since you last spoke. Also review the other person’s profile to see what they’ve been up to lately. Commenting on new developments in their career shows you took the time to learn about where they are now.
Send a Customized Connection Request
When sending the connection invitation, customize the default message. Remind them who you are, how you met, and why you want to reconnect. Share any common connections you still have in your networks. Keep the tone warm and friendly.
Mention Past Interactions
Jog the person’s memory on projects you collaborated on or conversations you had. For example, “It was great working with you on the Smith account back in 2015” or “I really enjoyed your presentation at the sales conference last year.” Referencing specific interactions makes it more personal.
Explain Why You Want to Reconnect Now
Give a compelling reason for reaching out at this particular moment in time. Maybe you came across their name while researching a new project, or recently moved to their city and want to expand your local network. Tying the request to current events shows this isn’t just a generic blast message.
Suggest Following Up
Propose meeting for coffee or a phone call to continue the conversation. Many people ignore connection requests if they appear impersonal. Making it clear you want to actually catch up shows you value rebuilding the relationship.
Add a Personal Touch
Customize your message by highlighting any shared interests, like an alma mater, favorite sports team, or influential leader you both admire. Quoting their own content back to them also makes it more meaningful.
Follow Up Politely If Needed
If they don’t respond to your initial request within a week or two, consider a polite follow up. Thank them again for connecting, reiterate why it’s important, and gently ask if they received your previous message. However, don’t harass anyone who seems disinterested.
Reiterate Your Shared Contacts
Casually mentioning mutual connections can motivate dormant contacts to respond. For example, “Bob Smith passed along your regards last week. It reminded me how much I enjoyed working with you on that campaign for ACME back in 2017.”
Focus on Giving, Not Getting
Shift the tone from what you want to get out of reconnecting to what you can offer the other person. Highlight resources, advice, or ideas that could be helpful based on their current role and interests. Position yourself as a giver, not just a taker.
Consider Other Social Channels
If you don’t receive a response on LinkedIn, consider reaching out through other networks like Twitter or Facebook where you may have an existing connection. However, don’t stalk or harass people who prefer not to reconnect.
Make Your Intent Clear
State upfront this is a request to revive your connection, not an outright sales pitch or plea for help. Be transparent about your reasons for reaching out so they understand your intent right away.
Keep It Short
Get to the point quickly and concisely. You can elaborate more after they respond. Walls of text from long-lost contacts can be off-putting.
Proofread Carefully
Grammar and spelling errors give the impression you didn’t put much thought or effort into your note. Proofread before hitting send to avoid embarrassing typos.
Follow Up With Value
After reconnecting, follow up periodically by sharing interesting articles, tips, or introductions to contacts who could help them. These small gestures show you’re interested in maintaining an ongoing mutually beneficial relationship.
Don’t Take It Personally If They Decline
Understand if some people prefer not to reconnect on LinkedIn at this point for whatever reason. Respect their decision and move on gracefully rather than taking offense.
Conclusion
With care and personalization, you can resuscitate neglected LinkedIn relationships to rekindle rewarding professional connections. Pay attention to how well you know the person, customize your outreach, and focus on serving their needs, not just your own. With some thoughtfulness and patience, you can turn long-lost contacts into networking assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is reconnecting on LinkedIn important?
Reconnecting on LinkedIn is important for several reasons:
- Expands your professional network
- Provides access to new career opportunities
- Keeps you top of mind with influential connections
- Allows you to give and get targeted advice and insights
- Helps you promote your brand to a broader audience
What is the best way to reconnect on LinkedIn?
Some best practices for reconnecting on LinkedIn include:
- Personalizing connection requests with a custom message
- Reminding the person how you know them
- Mentioning any shared connections or interests
- Explaining why you want to reconnect now
- Suggesting meeting up or chatting on the phone
- Providing value through advice, articles, or introductions
How do you start a conversation with a LinkedIn connection?
To start a conversation with a LinkedIn connection:
- Congratulate them on recent news like a promotion
- Comment on their posts and ask open-ended questions
- Recommend an article or other content they might find interesting
- Introduce them to someone in your network who shares common interests
- Ask thoughtful questions about their current projects and challenges
How do you maintain relationships on LinkedIn?
To maintain LinkedIn relationships over time:
- Engage regularly by liking and commenting on updates
- Share relevant articles, job postings, and other useful info
- Follow up after meeting in person to continue the conversation
- Congratulate them on work anniversaries, new jobs, etc.
- Introduce connections to each other to build your network
- Meet up periodically for coffee, events, conferences, etc.
What is the best way to reconnect with previous coworkers and classmates?
Reconnect with previous coworkers and classmates by:
- Referencing past projects, classes, or fond memories you share
- Asking about their career progression since you last worked together
- Suggesting a reunion happy hour for old colleagues
- Sharing company and industry news relevant to your former roles
- Reminiscing about favorite instructors or professors you both learned from
Stats on LinkedIn Reconnecting
Stat | Value |
---|---|
Average number of LinkedIn connections | 472 |
Response rate to personalized LinkedIn requests | 67% |
Response rate to generic LinkedIn requests | 16% |
Users who check LinkedIn weekly | 63% |
Users open to being contacted by someone they know | 83% |
As you can see from the data, personalized outreach hugely boosts your odds of successfully reconnecting on LinkedIn. Most users are open to hearing from acquaintances when contacted respectfully.
Tips for Graceful Reconnecting
Be transparent
State your purpose for reaching out and your intentions clearly upfront. Ambiguity can create confusion.
Keep it focused
Avoid overly long messages. Get to the point concisely and highlight the value of reconnecting.
Make it personal
Include details on your shared history and interests. Generic outreach is less likely to elicit a response.
Add value
Offer advice, resources, or connections that could help them. Don’t just ask for something from them.
Follow up
If needed, follow up politely if you don’t hear back after 1-2 weeks.
Respect boundaries
Accept a declined connection request gracefully. Don’t spam or harass uninterested contacts.
Sample Reconnection Messages
Here are some example messages for reconnecting gracefully on LinkedIn:
Basic Template:
Hi [Name],
It’s been awhile since we worked together at [Company], hope you’ve been doing well! I came across your profile and saw you’re now at [New Company] – sounds like an exciting opportunity.
I’d love to reconnect so we can catch up and stay in touch. Please let me know if you’re open to connecting!
Best,
[Your Name]
Referencing Shared Contacts:
Hi [Name],
I ran into [Mutual Connection] the other day – they send their regards! It reminded me of all the great projects we collaborated on during our [Company] days.
Your work at [New Company] looks fascinating. I’d love to connect again to catch up and exchange insights into the industry. Are you open to reconnecting?
Hope to hear from you!
[Your Name]
Following Up After an Event:
Hi [Name],
It was so great chatting with you at [Event] last week. I really enjoyed hearing about your latest projects at [Company] – a lot has changed since we first met!
Let’s stay in touch by reconnecting here on LinkedIn. I’d be happy to introduce you to some of my contacts in the [Industry] space who could offer additional insights as you expand into new territories.
Hope to collaborate again soon!
[Your Name]
Conclusion
Reconnecting with dormant LinkedIn connections presents a valuable networking opportunity. However, simply shooting off generic connection requests is unlikely to get results. Take the time to craft thoughtful, personalized messages that remind the recipient who you are, why you want to connect now, and how you can collaborate moving forward. With some finesse and courtesy, you can reignite neglected LinkedIn relationships to mutually enrich your professional circles.