If you want to connect with someone you don’t know on LinkedIn, having a mutual connection can be very helpful. A mutual connection serves as a bridge between you and the other person, making it more likely that your outreach will be accepted. Here are some tips for using mutual connections to expand your network on LinkedIn.
Find Out Who You Know in Common
The first step is identifying people in your network who are also connected to the person you want to reach out to. You can do this a couple of ways on LinkedIn:
- Go to their profile and check the “Connections” section – this will show you all of your 1st degree connections who are also connected to that person.
- Or go to your own connections, select “Manage my network” and filter by 2nd degree connections – this will show you everyone you are connected to through someone else.
Focus on finding mutual connections who you have a strong relationship with or who may also know the other person well. Avoid distant connections like connections of connections, as you want the mutual tie to be as relevant as possible.
Consider Reaching Out to the Mutual Connection First
Before directly contacting someone you want to connect with, consider first reaching out to your mutual connection. Here are some reasons why:
- They can provide context on how they know the person and if they think it would be appropriate for you to connect.
- They can make a personalized introduction or recommendation that holds more weight.
- You can verify that they are comfortable facilitating an introduction before involving them.
Send them a message explaining that you would like to connect with the other person, ideally highlighting why you want to connect and any common interests or goals you may have. Make it clear you are seeking their advice and ask if they are willing to make an introduction.
Reference Your Mutual Connection in the Outreach
When reaching out directly to someone you want to connect with, make sure to mention your mutual connection early on. You can note it casually in your opening line:
“Hi [Name], [Mutual Connection] suggested I connect with you.”
Or call it out more explicitly further down:
“[Mutual Connection] mentioned that you are also involved in [industry/interest], so I wanted to reach out.”
Mentioning the mutual ties makes the outreach message come across as more warm and natural versus random or sales-y. It also piques the person’s interest since they likely know and trust that mutual connection.
Explain Why You Want to Connect
In your outreach message, clearly articulate why you want to connect with this person specifically. Some examples include:
- You share a common interest, passion or goal in a specific area.
- You are both involved in the same industry organizations or associations.
- You found their unique experience or background compelling.
- You admire the work they’ve done and want to learn more.
Make your reason for connecting authentic and personalized based on what you know about them. Avoid generic outreach language like “I’d love to add you to my network.” Demonstrate that you did your research on them and have a specific purpose for reaching out.
Keep Your Ask Simple
When connecting with someone you don’t know well, keep your call to action simple. Some examples of easy asks include:
- “I’d love to connect on LinkedIn.”
- “Would you be open to connecting?”
- “Do you have time for a short 15 minute call to connect?”
Avoid overasking for things like job or career help, requests for introductions, or big favors. Keep the initial outreach focused just on getting to know the other person 1:1. If the relationship develops, you can make additional asks down the road.
Highlight Value You Can Provide
Demonstrate that the connection will be mutually beneficial by highlighting value you can provide, such as:
- Offering unique insights or contacts in your field of expertise.
- Sharing an interesting perspective from your experiences.
- Providing advice based on overcoming relevant challenges.
- Expressing eagerness to learn from their experiences.
Think about what you can give to the relationship, not just what you want to get out of it. This could include offering to write them a recommendation or introduction down the road.
Make Your LinkedIn Profile Presentable
Before reaching out, make sure your own LinkedIn presence is polished and professional. The person you want to connect with will likely look at your profile, so you want to put your best foot forward.
- Have a professional headshot photo.
- Showcase your background, skills, and experience in your summary and experience sections.
- Get recommendations from colleagues to build credibility.
- Be active by sharing relevant content and posting updates.
A complete, authentic profile signals that you will bring value to their network and demonstrates your dedication to connecting on LinkedIn.
Follow Up Politely
If you don’t receive a response within 1-2 weeks, consider a brief polite follow up reiterating your interest in connecting. However, don’t over-pursue if they continue not to engage. Move on and look for other opportunities to expand your network.
Following these best practices will help you utilize mutual connections to build relationships with those beyond your immediate network. Just remember to be thoughtful, add value, and have a specific purpose when reaching out to new people on LinkedIn.
Managing Outreach from Strangers
On the flip side, as a LinkedIn user you may receive connection requests or messages from people you don’t know. Here are some tips for managing outreach from strangers:
- Check for any mutual connections you may have – this provides credibility.
- Review their profile/background to understand their intentions.
- Politely ask how they found you or why they want to connect.
- Gauge if there is a clear, mutually beneficial reason to connect.
- Consider suggesting connecting after you’ve had a chance to talk.
- Feel empowered to ignore or decline invitations if not comfortable.
The same best practices apply whether you are initiating new connections or managing incoming requests. Look for shared connections, transparency around motivations, and value-adding relationships.
Key Takeaways
Connecting with someone you don’t already know on LinkedIn can be tricky, but mutual connections provide a bridge that makes outreach feel more natural. Remember these key tips:
- Identify all mutual connections, but focus on those with a strong, relevant relationship.
- Consider asking mutual connections for a warm introduction.
- Reference the mutual connection early in your outreach message.
- Articulate a specific reason why you want to connect.
- Keep your initial ask simple, such as just connecting on LinkedIn.
- Demonstrate you bring value to the relationship too.
- Optimize your own LinkedIn presence and activity.
- If no response, follow up once more politely before moving on.
Utilizing these mutual connection strategies and tips will lead to more accepted invitations and valuable additions to your professional network on LinkedIn.