LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 850 million members worldwide. Connecting with other professionals on LinkedIn can help you expand your network, find job opportunities, get introduced to business contacts, and more. When sending a connection request on LinkedIn, you have the option to include a note that the recipient will see when they receive your request. Sending a customized message with your connection invitation is a great way to increase the chances that your request will be accepted. Here’s how to send a message with your LinkedIn connection request in just a few simple steps.
Should You Send a Message with Your LinkedIn Connection Request?
The first question to consider is whether you should send a personalized message at all with your connection requests. Here are some benefits to sending a note:
- Introduces yourself and jogs the recipient’s memory of how you know each other or your reason for connecting.
- Allows you to explain why you want to connect, like sharing similar interests or goals.
- Makes your request stand out so it’s not seen as spam or a thoughtless mass invitation.
- Increases the chance your request will be accepted.
However, there are also some downsides to consider:
- Some people find unsolicited messages intrusive or unnecessary.
- Generic messages can come across as inauthentic or lazy.
- Writing personalized messages takes more time and effort.
- Recipients may feel obliged to respond when they just want to quietly accept.
Overall, sending a message can be very beneficial if done appropriately for each specific recipient. Make sure your note is personalized, sincere, and provides value to the recipient.
How to Send a Message with Your LinkedIn Connection Request
If you decide sending a message is appropriate, here is how to include a customized note with your connection invitation on LinkedIn:
- Go to the LinkedIn profile page of the person you want to connect with. Click “Connect” or the “Connect” button icon.
- On the connection request pop-up, select the option to “Add a note”. This will open up a text field for your message.
- Type your customized message. Be personable but concise, just 2-3 sentences max. Mention how you know them or why you want to connect.
- Double check that the name in your note matches their profile name. Make sure there are no typos or errors.
- Once you are satisfied with your message, click the “Send” button.
And that’s it! Your connection request will now be sent to the recipient along with your customized note. Here are some examples of messages you may want to include:
Connection Context | Sample Message |
---|---|
Former co-worker | Hi [name], it was great working with you at [company]. I’d love to connect on LinkedIn to stay in touch. |
Met at a conference | Hi [name], I enjoyed meeting you at the [conference name] last week. I’m looking to expand my network in the [industry] industry. Let’s connect! |
Connect with a company insider | Hello [name], I noticed you work at [company] which I am very interested in. I would appreciate connecting to learn more about your experience there. |
Common interests or goals | Hi [name], I see we’re both involved in [interest area]. It would be great to connect and discuss [specific shared interest]. |
Academic/Alumni connections | Hi [name], I also graduated from [college/university] and I am looking to expand my alumni network. Hope we can connect! |
Tips for Writing LinkedIn Connection Messages
To increase your chances of getting your connection request accepted, here are some tips for writing effective LinkedIn connection notes:
- Personalize the message with their name and be specific about how you know them or your reason for connecting.
- Keep it brief, no more than 2-3 sentences. Don’t write a whole paragraph.
- Use a warm, friendly tone and proper grammar/punctuation.
- Mention common ground, shared interests, or people you have in common.
- Highlight value for them in connecting, not just for you.
- Follow up if you don’t get a response within a week or two.
Here are some things you should avoid in LinkedIn connection messages:
- Using a generic message copied to all recipients.
- Sounding too formal, stiff, or insincere.
- Making it all about you and how connecting will benefit you.
- Asking for too much (job, introductions, etc).
- Including exaggerations or misleading statements.
- Grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.
Accepting LinkedIn Connection Requests You Receive
From the other side, when you receive LinkedIn connection invitations, here are some tips for responding:
- Accept if it’s from someone you know personally or professionally.
- Politely ignore if it’s from a stranger and you prefer not to connect.
- Review mutual connections to jog your memory if needed.
- Read their message if they included one to understand their purpose.
- Reply with your own note if you’d like to expand on why you’re accepting.
- Feel free to connect and then unfollow their updates if needed.
Don’t feel pressured to accept connection invites from people you don’t know. But try to respond promptly when receiving requests from those you do know or want to connect with. Sending an acknowledgement note back can help build the relationship.
Replying to LinkedIn Connection Messages
When you accept a connection request that includes a note, there are a few options for responding:
- A short reply – Say thanks and reciprocate the warm wishes. This keeps things polite but light.
- A more detailed response – Engage with what they shared and expand the conversation. This can lead to substantive interactions.
- No reply – You can quietly accept without responding. This may be suitable if you don’t have much to share back.
Use your best judgment based on your relationship with the sender and your intentions for connecting. The tone and content of their message should guide your decision on how in-depth to reply.
Conclusion
Sending a warm and thoughtful note along with your LinkedIn connection invitation can go a long way in making a great first impression. It leads to higher acceptance rates and lets you start the relationship off on the right foot. Avoid generic messages and take the time to craft something personal for each recipient. With some extra effort, you can turn your network expands into meaningful mutual connections. So next time you request to connect with a new contact, take advantage of the option to add a customized note.