Sending notes to connections on LinkedIn can be an effective way to maintain and strengthen relationships. However, it’s important to carefully consider whether a note is appropriate before hitting send. The main factors to weigh are your relationship with the recipient, your goals, and the content of the message.
Assessing your relationship
If you don’t know someone well, sending an unsolicited note may come across as intrusive orSalesy. It’s usually better to stick to people you have an established relationship with. Good candidates are:
- Former colleagues
- Past managers or direct reports
- College alumni
- Acquaintances you’ve met in person
Avoid reaching out to strangers or loose connections, as this can be perceived as inauthentic. The exception is if you share a mutual connection who made an introduction.
Defining your goal
Before crafting your message, think carefully about what you want to accomplish. Common goals for sending LinkedIn notes include:
- Catching up with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while
- Reinforcing your network by maintaining touchpoints
- Congratulating someone on a work achievement or milestone
- Following up after meeting someone at an event
- Seeking career advice from someone in your desired field
Whatever your motivation, ensure the note has a clear purpose that will provide value to the recipient. Avoid generic outreach that seems lazy or self-serving.
Crafting relevant content
With your relationship and goals in mind, craft a thoughtful note that shows you put care into composing it. Some tips:
- Personalize the message by referring to your connection, their work, or how you know them.
- Ask questions to spark dialogue versus one-way communication.
- Share an update about your own work or life they may find interesting.
- Include just enough detail – don’t inundate them with text.
- Use a warm but professional tone.
Avoid using LinkedIn notes as a venue for a sales pitch, asking for favors, or other self-serving communication. This will likely damage, rather than strengthen your relationship.
When to send LinkedIn notes
Timing is an important factor in when to reach out via LinkedIn note. Some optimal situations include:
- Reconnecting with dormant contacts: If you notice someone you haven’t spoken with in over a year updates their profile or celebrates a work anniversary, consider sending a congratulatory note to reignite your relationship.
- Following up after meeting someone: If you make a new connection at a conference, networking event, or through an introduction, reinforce the relationship by sending a personalized follow-up note within a week.
- When you change jobs: Update your network by sending notes to close connections announcing your new role and welcoming further contact.
- After viewing someone’s content: If a connection shares an article, presentation, or other material that resonates with you, send a note sharing your reactions to demonstrate engagement.
Avoid inundating contacts by reaching out too frequently. Use notes strategically versus as an everyday communication channel.
Should you accept LinkedIn invite requests?
When you receive an invite request from someone you don’t know, proceed with caution. Consider these factors before accepting:
- Do you share any connections in common who can vouch for this person?
- Does their profile seem legitimate, with a detailed work history and accurate credentials?
- Do they work in your industry or for a company you have a relationship with?
- Did they include a personalized note explaining why they want to connect?
If the person is a complete stranger with no obvious ties, it may be best to ignore or politely decline the request. However, if there is a clear basis for connecting, accepting can help expand your network.
How to gracefully decline LinkedIn invites
It’s perfectly acceptable to ignore connection requests from people you don’t know. However, if you prefer to politely decline, you can send a brief note:
- Thank them for their invitation and express regret that you cannot accept at this time.
- Consider briefly explaining why, for example you limit connections to people you’ve met personally.
- Wish them the best and say you hope to cross paths at some point.
- Avoid terse or rude language – they meant well in reaching out.
Replying demonstrates professional courtesy even if you don’t feel it’s the right fit. Preserve their dignity while also setting boundaries.
Should you send a note when removing a connection?
Generally, it’s not necessary to explain when removing a LinkedIn connection. Your contacts will not receive a notification, so this can be done discreetly. However, if the person was a close business associate, it may be polite to send a brief note such as:
- Acknowledge that you are removing them from your connections.
- Express appreciation for their past professional relationship.
- Note that you are recalibrating your LinkedIn network as your career evolves.
- Include warm regards for their future endeavors.
This preserves goodwill while also signalling that your association has run its course. Use discretion based on the depth of your relationship.
Tips for avoiding spammy behavior
While notes can help strengthen authentic relationships, take care not to come across as spammy. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Sending canned messages to your whole network
- Using notes as a channel for self-promotion
- Asking for favors from people you barely know
- Sending overly chatty notes with minimal substance
- Repeatedly messaging contacts who don’t respond
Personalized, thoughtful communication will have the best results. Let relationships unfold organically versus trying to force connections.
Should you send notes to new LinkedIn connections?
When someone accepts your invitation to connect on LinkedIn, it can be beneficial to send them a welcome note. However, evaluate whether this makes sense based on factors like:
- Your existing relationship – for example, are they a close contact or more peripheral?
- How you came to connect – did you meet them in person or were introduced through someone?
- Whether their profile suggests potential for mutual benefit in connecting.
For closer contacts, a brief welcome note can reinforce your burgeoning relationship. For looser ties, assess whether they seem open to further dialogue before reaching out.
Should you send a note when requesting to connect?
When asking to connect with someone you admire or would like to know professionally, it’s important to include a customized note. This establishes familiarity and shows you are not just blindly expanding your network. Consider these tips for your invitation note:
- Explain who you are and your reason for wanting to connect.
- Highlight common ground between you, like an employer, school, or interest.
- Reference their work or background if it inspired you to reach out.
- Invite them to check out your profile and propose exchanging knowledge.
A thoughtful, personalized request note helps get the relationship off on the right foot if they accept your invitation.
Key takeaways
Used strategically, LinkedIn notes can nurture and deepen professional relationships. When in doubt, remember these best practices:
- Reach out thoughtfully to established connections versus strangers.
- Craft personalized, relevant content that provides value.
- Time notes based on triggers like shared content or career changes.
- Decline unwanted invites courteously.
- Avoid spamming your whole network.
With care and discretion, notes can be an effective channel for expanding your community and enhancing meaningful relationships.