When connecting with someone new on LinkedIn, what you write in your connection request can make a big difference in whether the person accepts your invitation. With over 722 million members on LinkedIn, there is a lot of noise and many connection requests to sort through, so crafting a personalized, thoughtful note provides important context on who you are and why you’d like to connect.
In this article, we’ll explore different strategies and templates for what to write when connecting on LinkedIn, including:
- How to personalize your request
- Questions to ask to start a conversation
- Following up after connecting
- Connecting with recruiters and potential employers
- Additional tips for an effective connection note
Thoughtfully crafting your connection invitation on LinkedIn helps you make meaningful connections that can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. Whether you want to network, find a job, get introduced to someone through a mutual connection, or keep in touch with colleagues, a personalized note sets the right tone to accomplish your goals.
How to Personalize Your Request
The best way to make a good first impression on LinkedIn is to personalize your connection request with a note tailored specifically to the recipient. Generic invitations are easy to ignore, but a personalized message shows you put time and thought into reaching out. Here are some tips for personalizing your LinkedIn connection message:
- Mention how you found them or where you met them. This context reminds them of who you are.
- Note what you have in common like working at the same company, going to the same school, being in the same industry, or belonging to the same organizations.
- Compliment their accomplishments, content they have shared, or work you admire.
- Explain why you want to connect in terms of mutual interests or goals.
- Use a warm, enthusiastic tone and proper grammar/punctuation.
- Keep it brief but meaningful – a couple sentences or short paragraph.
Here are some examples of personalized messages:
Hi John, I really enjoyed meeting you at last week’s marketing conference. As we discussed, connecting on LinkedIn would allow us to continue sharing ideas on digital advertising strategies. I look forward to staying in touch!
Hello Sarah, I stumbled upon your LinkedIn profile after seeing your byline on the great article about sustainability in business. As a fellow B2B journalist with a focus on green business, I would enjoy connecting.
Hi Ray, I hope you’re doing well! It’s Matthew Smith from Acme Company. We worked together a few years back when you were our Account Manager. I have since moved from sales into a marketing role. Would love to connect here on LinkedIn.
The key is relating the request directly to them – not just asking to connect out of the blue. With a thoughtful personal note, you can provide the proper context that makes someone want to accept your invitation and continue the conversation.
Questions to Ask to Start a Conversation
In addition to introducing yourself, you can spur meaningful conversations by asking questions when connecting on LinkedIn. This shows you want to create a two-way dialogue, not just add a one-way connection to your network.
Some examples of questions you can politely ask when connecting include:
- How have you been? I’d love to hear what you’ve been working on.
- What projects are keeping you busy these days?
- How is work going? I see from your profile that you recently started at XYZ Company – how do you like it?
- What are you focused on professionally right now? I’m very interested in your work in the digital marketing space.
- What types of opportunities are you exploring? I’m currently looking for new challenges in public relations.
- What topics, trends, or ideas are exciting you at the moment? I noticed you share a lot about green energy on your profile.
Other tips for questions include:
- Follow up on previous conversations or meetings you have had.
- Ask for advice related to their expertise or industry.
- Inquire about volunteer work, side projects, or hobbies they have.
- Ask to continue the discussion over coffee or on a phone call.
Keep your questions focused on starting a valuable exchange. Follow the lead of their replies to dig deeper into subjects that interest you both. Thoughtful questions demonstrate your sincere interest in who they are and make it more likely the other person will want to accept your invitation to connect.
Following Up After Connecting
Don’t let your LinkedIn relationships end once your connection request is accepted. To nurture new connections, engage with people by following up. Here are meaningful ways to continue the conversation after connecting:
- Thank them for accepting your invite and reinforce your shared interests.
- Comment or react to their new posts to stay engaged with their content.
- Like and share their status updates if relevant to your network.
- Tag them in posts where you mention their expertise or accomplishments.
- Congratulate them on work anniversaries, new jobs, promotions, etc.
- Wish them well on holidays or major life events.
- Send them articles or resources related to conversation topics.
- Request informational interviews or mentoring meetings.
- Invite them to join industry groups or special interest clubs.
Proactively staying in touch nurtures relationships organically. With regular, thoughtful engagement, you build an ongoing two-way connection vs. just adding names to your network.
Connecting with Recruiters and Potential Employers
If you want to connect with recruiters, hiring managers, or leaders at companies you’re interested in, adjust your messaging accordingly. Here are tips for connecting on LinkedIn for career networking purposes:
- State you are interested in opportunities at their company and ask about open roles.
- Mention your relevant background, skills, and interest in their industry.
- Inquire about company culture and values to evaluate the fit.
- Ask for general advice on building your experience and résumé.
- Request they keep you in mind if new positions come up that match your capabilities.
- Politely ask if they would be open to an informational interview to learn more about their career path and company.
Your message needs to clearly explain why connecting would be valuable, but avoid sounding like you are explicitly asking for a job. Here are examples of good messages to recruiters and hiring managers:
Hi Camilla, I noticed from your profile that you are a Technical Recruiter at XYZ Corporation. I would appreciate connecting, as I am currently searching for software engineering roles in the San Francisco area. My background in Java and Python development seems well aligned with the types of tech talent your company requires. I am very interested in learning more about open opportunities at XYZ and whether I might be a fit. Please let me know if you would be open to further discussion. I greatly appreciate any advice you can provide, and look forward to connecting.
Hello Patrick, I hope all is well! We met last year at the University of Michigan career fair when you were recruiting for Epic Systems. I enjoyed our conversation and learning about Epic’s vision for transforming healthcare technology. Now that I have graduated with my B.S. in Computer Science, I am extremely interested in software developer roles at your company. Would you have time in the next couple weeks for a quick informational interview by phone? I would love to learn more about your career path, gain advice on standing out in the hiring process, and hear your perspectives on Epic’s culture and different opportunities. Please let me know if you might have availability in your schedule. Thanks very much for considering, and I look forward to hopefully connecting!
The important points are showing genuine interest in their company, aligning your background to roles they offer, asking smart questions, and requesting advice instead of explicitly asking for a job. This can open doors and give you a leg up once applicable job openings arise.
Additional Tips for an Effective Connection Note
To summarize, here are some additional best practices that apply when reaching out to new LinkedIn connections:
- Proofread for typos, errors, and clarity.
- Use a warm and enthusiastic tone.
- Respect their time – keep it reasonably concise.
- Follow up after connecting to start ongoing dialogue.
- Personalize each request; don’t copy & paste generic messages.
- When relevant, be transparent about your goals and interest in their company.
- Consider sending InMail if you share no connections, but keep your ask reasonable.
- Connect thoughtfully, not just to inflate your number of connections.
- Provide value – offer advice, articles, or introductions when possible.
Connecting on LinkedIn is about forming mutually beneficial relationships. Put care into crafting unique messages that make the recipient feel acknowledged as an individual. Share something personal about yourself and show what you have to offer them. This thoughtfulness can lead to productive professional relationships that enrich your network.
Example Connection Request Templates
To make it easier when reaching out for the first time, here are some example templates you can follow and customize when connecting on LinkedIn:
Basic Networking Request
Hi [Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to connect on LinkedIn since we’re both working in the [Industry] industry here in [City]. I enjoyed meeting you at [Event or Company] and found our conversation on [Topic] really interesting. It would be great to stay in touch and continue the dialogue on the latest [Industry] trends and innovations. Let me know if you’d be interested in grabbing coffee! I’m looking forward to connecting.
Best,
[Your Name]
Referral Request
Hi [Name],
Hope you’re having a great week so far! I saw on LinkedIn that you and [Mutual Connection] are connected. [Mutual Connection] had some wonderful things to say about your work at [Company]. As I’m currently exploring new opportunities in [Your Field], I would love to connect with accomplished professionals like yourself. Would you be open to networking over a quick phone call? I’d welcome any career advice or insights into your experience at [Company]. I really appreciate your time and look forward to hopefully connecting.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Post-Event or Conference Request
Hi [Name],
It was so nice to meet you at [Event] last week – I really enjoyed our conversation around [Topic]. As discussed, connecting on LinkedIn would allow us to continue the dialogue and share ideas on [Subject]. Please let me know if you would be interested in meeting up to talk more! I took a lot of value from your insights on [Details] and would welcome the chance to exchange knowledge. Looking forward to staying in touch!
Best,
[Your Name]
Request for Informational Interview
Dear [Name],
I hope all is well! We haven’t met before, but I am very interested in learning more about your career path and experience working at [Company]. I noticed you work in [Industry] in a [Job Title] role. I will soon graduate from [College] with a degree in [Major] and have been actively networking with professionals to learn about opportunities in [Industry]. Would you have 15-20 minutes to speak by phone so I can gain your advice on how to succeed in our field? Any guidance you can offer as I explore roles in [Industry] would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if you might have time on your calendar in the next couple of weeks for a quick call. Thanks so much for considering!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Take the Time to Connect Thoughtfully
With so many people and opportunities on LinkedIn, you need to be thoughtful when reaching out to stand out from the crowd. While it takes extra effort compared to sending a generic invite, a personalized note shows you are serious about starting a mutually beneficial new relationship. Demonstrate your shared interests, ask smart questions, and follow up to nurture the connection over time. With care and attention to these tips, you can craft friendly, professional messages that lead to productive networking on LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a LinkedIn connection request message be?
Aim for 2-4 sentences or a 3-5 line paragraph. You want enough detail to personalize it but not so long that the recipient won’t read it fully.
How do you start a LinkedIn connection request?
Start by greeting them by name, introducing yourself, stating where you met them or know them from, and explain why you want to connect.
What is the best way to connect on LinkedIn?
The best way is to send a thoughtful, personalized request that shows you read their profile and have a specific reason for wanting to connect based on shared interests or goals.
What should you not do when reaching out to connect on LinkedIn?
Avoid generic messages, asking directly for a job, connecting without a specific purpose, reaching out to someone you have no legitimate reason to network with, or being overly aggressive with your ask or follow up.
How do you write a formal request on LinkedIn?
Formal requests still require personalization. Use a polite tone, proper grammar, their full name, company titles if appropriate, and clearly state your purpose for connecting. Follow up professionally if they do not respond after 2-3 weeks.
Conclusion
Putting thought into your LinkedIn connections can help transform your professional network. The most meaningful relationships stem from expressing what you have in common, asking engaging questions, and consistently nurturing the relationship over time. Follow these best practices when crafting your connection requests, and you will see more people respond and continue the dialogue after connecting. Invest time in relationship-building on LinkedIn, and you never know what opportunities may arise through your thoughtful connections.