Saying thank you for a new connection on LinkedIn is a polite and professional thing to do. It helps build and strengthen relationships. There are a few quick and easy ways to say thanks when someone accepts your invitation to connect on LinkedIn.
Keep it short and simple
A quick thank you note is perfect for new LinkedIn connections. You don’t need to write a long, effusive message. A simple “Thanks for connecting!” or “Great to connect with you!” is just right. The goal is to acknowledge the new connection in a friendly, professional way.
Mention looking forward to connecting
You can expand slightly beyond a bare thanks by mentioning you look forward to continuing the connection. For example, “Thanks for connecting! I look forward to staying in touch.” This shows you value establishing an ongoing professional relationship, not just a one-off digital handshake.
Refer to where you met
If you met the person at an event, conference, meeting or through a mutual contact, you can reference that in your thanks. For example, “It was great to meet you at [event]! Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn so we can stay in touch.” This personalizes the note and reminds them of the context.
Highlight shared interests or connections
If you know you have things in common with the new connection, refer to those shared interests or connections. For example, “Thanks for connecting! As a fellow [industry] professional, I look forward to exchanging ideas.” Or “Good to connect here since we’re both involved with [organization].”
Responding to their note first
Often when you accept a new LinkedIn connection, the other person will thank you first for connecting. When you get a connect request, don’t just accept it without any acknowledgement. Take a minute to write a quick thank you note back.
Replying is an additional opportunity to say thanks and cement the new relationship. Even if they already thanked you, it’s nice to reciprocate.
Say thanks and compliment their note
If they sent a particularly nice note, compliment it! For example, “Thanks for the kind note, and for connecting! I appreciate you taking the time to reach out.”
Keep the conversation going
In addition to thanking them, you can continue the conversation by asking a question or introducing yourself. For example, “Thanks for connecting! I’d love to learn more about your work with [company/field]. Let me know if you’d be interested in chatting sometime!”
Following up after connecting
Don’t let that new connection go to waste. Following up with your new LinkedIn connections helps transform them from digital contacts into active professional relationships.
Connect then converse
Try messaging them to continue an earlier conversation. Refer to how you met or the reason you connected on LinkedIn.
For example, “It was great meeting the other week! I just noticed we’re now connected on LinkedIn. Let me know if you’d like to continue our conversation about [topic].”
Offer to help
You can also follow up by offering a way to help them out based on their interests or needs. Maybe you can make an introduction to someone in your network, share an interesting article or propose meeting up at an industry event.
Turn the LinkedIn connection into the start of an ongoing professional relationship instead of a dead end.
Share an update
Another option is to share an update on something you discussed when you met or connected. Did you say you’d follow up with a recommendation for a software tool? Or promised to send a link to an interesting podcast episode?
Following up shows you took the conversation seriously and interess in interacting further.
Saying thanks with personalized LinkedIn messages
The LinkedIn messaging system makes it easy to say quick thanks when connecting with someone new on the platform. But for an extra special touch, send your gratitude through a customized LinkedIn message.
Note shared backgrounds
A personalized message allows you to dig deeper into shared experiences, interests, education, connections, etc. Note things you have in common beyond the surface level.
“It looks like we both studied engineering at State U! Those all-nighters at the library feel like yesterday. Thanks for connecting!”
Compliment their work
Everyone likes to receive compliments and praise about their professional accomplishments. Review their profile and positively highlight some of their work and achievements.
“Your illustrations for XYZ Company are absolutely gorgeous! I’d love to learn more about your creative process. Thanks for connecting!”
Mention connections in common
Pointing out shared connections makes for a natural personalized message. It also signals you took the time to look over their connections and bio.
“Looks like we’re both connected with Jane Smith and Bob Lee. Small world! Thanks for adding me to your network.”
Reference their company or role
If you share similar roles or have experience with their company, call that out in your message.
“We’re both marketing managers – I’d enjoy swapping tips and tricks sometime! Thanks for connecting.”
Follow up on meeting
If you recently met them in person, reference details from the meeting in your message:
“It was great chatting with you at last week’s networking event. Thanks again for the insightful market research advice – I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me.”
Connecting InMail thank you note examples
InMail on LinkedIn allows you to connect with people outside of your existing network. If someone accepts your InMail connection request, they deserve a prompt, polite thank you note.
Thank them for accepting
Keep it simple with:
“Thanks for accepting my InMail invitation! I appreciate you taking the time to connect here. Looking forward to staying in touch.”
Reference your conversation
If you had an initial discussion before connecting on LinkedIn, subtly refer back to that:
“Thanks again for the great conservation earlier this week! I’m glad we can extend our discussions here on LinkedIn.”
Mention shared goals or interests
Remind them why you wanted to connect in the first place:
“I’m so glad we’re connecting here. As fellow members of the Digital Marketing Association, I think we have lots of opportunities to collaborate. Thanks again!”
Highlight their expertise
Flatter their professional skills and experience:
“After reading about your impressive background in financial analysis, I’m thrilled we’re now connected! I have no doubt I’ll learn a great deal from you.”
How to say thanks for a LinkedIn referral
There are lots of ways to show appreciation when someone refers you to one of their LinkedIn connections.
Thank them personally
If someone forwards you a link to the profile of one of their connections, or refers you by name in an email introduction, thank them directly:
“Gina, I really appreciate you referring me to Gwen! Based on her background, I think she’d be an amazing addition to our marketing team. Thank you for thinking of me!”
Thank them publicly
You can also post a public LinkedIn update thanking them for the referral and endorsement.
For example: “Huge thanks to Gina for referring me to her talented colleague Gwen! Love when my network helps make connections.”
Update after you connect
Once you’ve connected with the person they referred you to, post another update letting them know:
“Quick update – I connected with Gwen earlier this week, and we’re already making plans to collaborate! Appreciate the introduction.”
Pay it forward
The best way to say thanks for a LinkedIn referral is to pay the favor forward. Look through your own connections for someone suitable you can refer them to down the line.
Reciprocal referrals help strengthen your professional network on LinkedIn.
Saying thank you across other networks
While you’re at it, why not expand your thanks beyond just LinkedIn? Here are some ideas for showing appreciation across other networks when someone accepts your connection request or refers you to someone.
Platform | Way to Say Thanks |
---|---|
Post on their Timeline thanking them for connecting as friends | |
Send them a DM saying you appreciate the follow | |
Tweet out a shoutout of thanks with their @handle | |
Shoot them a quick thank you email note | |
Text/Phone Call | Send a text or give them a call to say thanks |
In Person | Thank them again next time you meet up |
Cross-network gratitude helps reinforce the relationship and shows you’re making the effort to connect beyond a single platform.
Conclusion
Saying thanks when someone connects with you on LinkedIn or refers you to one of their contacts only takes a moment, but can go a long way in strengthening that relationship.
Keep your gratitude short, sweet and sincere. Personalize your note when possible, and always reciprocate referrals.
Nurturing your professional network in this way allows you to continually broaden your horizons and opportunities. A simple thank you can be the start of an exciting new connection that pays dividends for years to come.