Connecting with someone new on LinkedIn can be an exciting opportunity to network and potentially create valuable professional relationships. However, it can also feel intimidating to reach out to someone for the first time. Knowing how to properly greet a new LinkedIn connection sets the right tone and helps get your relationship off on the right foot.
Why Is the Initial Greeting Important on LinkedIn?
That initial message you send when connecting with a new contact on LinkedIn matters more than you might think. Here are some key reasons why your greeting is so important when reaching out to new LinkedIn connections:
- It makes a first impression – Your greeting gives the recipient their first impression of you. A thoughtful, friendly message can help you stand out.
- It sets the tone – Your greeting establishes the tone for your new connection. An informal “Hey there!” gives off a different tone than a more formal “Dear Mr. Smith.”
- It shows effort – Taking the time to write a personalized greeting shows extra effort on your part.
- It shows shared interests – Customizing your message based on profile details indicates shared interests or experiences.
- It sparks engagement – A greeting that asks thoughtful questions is more likely to spark a reply and lead to further engagement.
In short, your greeting has an outsized impact as the first interaction with your new contact. Putting thought and care into that initial message can go a long way toward making a great first impression.
How to Craft the Ideal LinkedIn Greeting
When reaching out to connect with someone new on LinkedIn, aim to craft a greeting that is:
- Personalized – Include their name, company, location or other details from their profile to show you took the time to notice who they are.
- Relevant – Reference any common ground, shared connections or reasons for connecting you may have.
- Thoughtful – Ask an open-ended question or make an observation that shows interest in continuing the conversation.
- Professional but friendly – Adopt a tone that is warm but still professional.
- Brief but not cursory – Aim for 2-4 sentences – enough to personalize but not so long as to overwhelm.
Additionally, be sure to proofread your message and avoid spelling or grammar mistakes, as those can create a bad first impression.
Greeting Example
Here is an example of an effective LinkedIn greeting:
Hi [name],
I saw that you work at [company] – I’ve heard great things about the culture there. I’d love to connect, as I’m interested in learning more about your experience in the [industry] industry. What inspired you to first get into that field?
Look forward to connecting!
[Your name]
This greeting is personalized, relevant, thoughtful and friendly. It references the recipient’s company and industry, asks an open-ended question, and expresses interest in connecting further. That’s an ideal way to start a new relationship on LinkedIn.
7 Types of LinkedIn Greetings to Avoid
On the other hand, there are some common greeting types you’ll want to avoid when reaching out to a new LinkedIn contact:
- “Let’s connect!” – Too casual and gives no context.
- “I’d like to add you to my professional network.” – Sounds canned and impersonal.
- “I see you went to [school] too.” – Not very original or thoughtful.
- No message at all – Leaving the connection request blank looks lazy.
- “Hello!” – Too brief and generic.
- Long, effusive praise – Can come across as insincere or even creepy.
- Overly formal titles – Using “Dear Mr. Smith” can feel stiff and outdated.
Avoid greetings like these that are cursory, bland, overly formal or that don’t indicate any personalized thought or relevance to the recipient.
What to Avoid in a LinkedIn Greeting
Here are some specific elements to avoid in an initial LinkedIn outreach:
- Spelling or grammar errors
- Using slang or informal language
- Asking for a job or internship right away
- Immediately pitching your product or services
- Requesting sensitive information from them
- Making unprofessional comments on their appearance
Avoiding these faux pas helps ensure your greeting is both thoughtful and professional.
Tips for Crafting the Perfect LinkedIn Greeting
Follow these tips when crafting your greeting to new LinkedIn connections:
1. Personalize with Their Name and Company
Include their first and last name if known, along with their current company. This shows you took the time to notice who they are.
2. Be Relevant
Point out any common ground you share, like connections, employers, schools, interests, location, etc. This immediately shows the relevance of connecting.
3. Ask an Open-Ended Question
Pose a question that sparks conversation, such as asking how they got started in their industry. Open-ended questions encourage engagement.
4. Keep It Brief
Get your main message across in 2-4 sentences. You don’t need to write a novel.
5. Proofread Thoroughly
Double-check for any errors before sending. Typos or grammatical mistakes create a bad first impression.
6. Use a Warm, Friendly Tone
Be professional but also warm – this establishes an inviting tone for future conversations.
7. Avoid Common LinkedIn Greeting Pitfalls
Steer clear of greetings that are overly casual, cursory, canned, or unprofessional. Take the time to craft a thoughtful, personalized message.
Following Up After Connecting on LinkedIn
Your outreach doesn’t end once you connect with someone new on LinkedIn. Following up after connecting also takes etiquette and strategy.
When to Follow Up
typically, follow up within a week or two of connecting if they haven’t responded to your initial greeting. But first, check their LinkedIn profile again for any new updates that may inform your follow-up message.
How to Follow Up
In your follow-up, reiterate your interest in connecting and reference your original message. Share any relevant new updates or information about yourself that builds on your initial outreach. Then ask another thoughtful question to restart the dialogue. Be persistent but not aggressive in your follow-up messages.
Following Up Example
Hi [name],
I enjoyed connecting with you recently on LinkedIn. I notice you just started a new role at [company] – congratulations! I’d love to learn more about the types of projects you are working on in your new position. Are there any exciting initiatives underway that you can share?
I appreciate you taking the time to connect. Looking forward to chatting soon!
[Your name]
This follow-up continues the conversation in a relevant yet not overly aggressive way. Following up thoughtfully can help turn your new connection into a lasting professional relationship.
How to Start a LinkedIn Conversation
Once connected on LinkedIn, starting an actual conversation requires a bit more finesse. Here are some tips for sparking an engaging dialogue:
- Reference your original outreach and give updates on your end.
- Ask open-ended questions that allow detailed responses.
- Share an article or other content you think would interest them.
- Bring up current events or news relevant to their work.
- Compliment their accomplishments or expertise.
Conversations on LinkedIn often start slowly, so persistence pays off. Nurture the relationship by continuing to engage over time.
LinkedIn Conversation Example
Here is a sample exchange that effectively moves a LinkedIn connection into an active dialogue:
You: Hi [name]! It was great connecting with you on LinkedIn recently. Since we connected, I started a new position at [company] focusing on [role]. How have things been going for you at [their company]? I’d be curious to hear more about the projects you are working on now.
Them: Thanks for reaching out! Things at [company] have been great. We just kicked off a big initiative to [launch product/expand to new market/rebrand, etc]. It’s keeping the whole team busy but it’s exciting to see it take shape. How have you been enjoying your new role at [company]? What types of projects are you working on?
You: That new project sounds like a big undertaking – definitely exciting! On my end, I’ve been focused on [key tasks and responsibilities]. I actually just read an interesting article about [relevant topic] that made me think of the work you’re doing over at [their company]. I’d be curious to get your take on it! [Link to article] Let me know what you think.
This exchange provides updates from both parties, asks questions to keep the dialogue going, and shares a relevant article to spark an organic conversation. That’s an effective way to turn a new LinkedIn connection into a rewarding discussion.
Key Takeaways for Greetings on LinkedIn
Here are some key tips to remember when reaching out to new LinkedIn connections:
- Make your initial greeting warm yet professional.
- Personalize each message with details from their profile.
- Ask thoughtful, open-ended questions.
- Follow up if they don’t respond right away.
- Avoid informal language or sales pitches.
- Sparking an engaging dialogue takes persistence.
With the right etiquette, you can make powerful professional connections using LinkedIn. A thoughtful, personalized greeting and follow-up is the key to starting relationships off on the right foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to connect on LinkedIn?
The best way to connect on LinkedIn is to send a personalized greeting referencing shared connections, interests or experiences evident from their profile. Ask an open-ended question and express interest in engaging further.
How do you start a conversation on LinkedIn?
To start a conversation after connecting on LinkedIn, reference your initial outreach, share updates about yourself, ask open-ended questions, bring up relevant news and articles, or compliment their work. Be patient but persistent to turn a connection into a dialogue.
What should you not say when reaching out on LinkedIn?
Avoid overly casual language, sales pitches, requesting sensitive information, unprofessional comments on appearance, grammar/spelling errors, or anything too generic or impersonal. Take the time to craft a thoughtful, tailored greeting.
Is it better to connect or message on LinkedIn?
It’s better to connect first on LinkedIn so you can view someone’s full profile. Once connected, send them a personalized greeting referencing details from their profile and asking to start a dialogue.
What do you say after accepting a LinkedIn request?
After accepting a LinkedIn request, send a message thanking them for connecting and referencing shared connections or interests you noticed on their profile. Ask an open-ended question to start a valuable conversation.
Conclusion
Making new connections on LinkedIn is an important networking opportunity. But a thoughtful, personalized greeting and follow-up is key to starting relationships off right. Avoid cursory or overly sales-y outreach. Instead, craft relevant messages with open-ended questions to spark meaningful conversations. With the proper etiquette, LinkedIn can become an invaluable relationship-building tool.