How to Connect Contacts on LinkedIn

Growing your LinkedIn network is more than a numbers game, it's about strategically building the professional relationships that define your career. This article cuts through the noise to show you exactly how to find and connect with your existing contacts, discover valuable new connections, and write outreach notes that actually get a response. We'll cover everything from syncing your email address book to engaging in groups for warm introductions.

Why Building Your LinkedIn Network Matters

Before diving into the "how," it's worth remembering the "why." A well-curated LinkedIn network isn't just a digital Rolodex, it's a dynamic asset. Maintaining strong connections helps you stay informed about industry trends, uncover new job opportunities, find potential clients or partners, and build a powerful personal brand. Each quality connection you make strengthens your professional standing and opens doors you might not have known existed. It's about planting seeds for your future success by nurturing relationships today.

Finding Your Existing Contacts: The Low-Hanging Fruit

The easiest place to start is with the people you already know. LinkedIn provides a couple of straightforward tools to find colleagues, clients, and classmates from your email lists and other address books.

1. Syncing Your Email Contacts

This is the fastest way to find dozens, if not hundreds, of people you already know on LinkedIn. By giving LinkedIn temporary access to your email account (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or AOL), it can scan your contacts and match them to existing LinkedIn profiles.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Navigate to the “My Network” tab at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
2. On the left-hand side, you’ll see a box labeled “Add to your network.” Inside this box, click on “More options” or sometimes you will see an email entry field directly.
3. Enter your email address in the provided field and click “Continue.”
4. You will be prompted to sign in to your email provider to grant LinkedIn permission to access your contacts. Follow the on-screen instructions. This is a secure, standard process.
5. Once synced, LinkedIn will present you with a list of contacts who are already on the platform. You can now go through this list and send connection requests.

A Quick Pro Tip: Don't just click "Add All." Be selective. A smaller, more relevant network is always better than a large, disconnected one. Prioritize connecting with people you've actually worked with, collaborated with, or have some form of professional relationship with.

2. Uploading a Contact File (.csv)

If you have contact information stored in a CRM, a spreadsheet from a conference, or another database, you can export it as a file and upload it directly to LinkedIn. This method gives you manual control over exactly which contacts you want to find.

• Most of the time, the required format is a .csv (Comma-Separated Values) file. You'll typically need columns for First Name, Last Name, and Email Address.
• Follow the same initial steps: go to “My Network” and find the contact import section.
• Instead of choosing an email provider, look for an option to “Upload a file” or “Upload contacts file.”
• Select your prepared .csv file and let LinkedIn work its magic. It will process the file and show you a list of matching profiles, just like it does with the email sync.

Beyond the Basics: Strategies for New Connections

Once you've connected with your existing contacts, it's time to expand your circle strategically. This involves proactively finding professionals in your industry, potential clients, or thought leaders you admire.

Master LinkedIn’s Search and Filters

The LinkedIn search bar is your most powerful networking tool, but its real strength lies in the filters. Instead of just searching for a name, you can pinpoint the exact type of person you want to connect with.

Here’s a common workflow:

1. Type a general query into the search bar, like “Product Manager” or “Software Engineer.”
2. On the results page, click the “People” button to narrow down the search.
3. Now, use the other filters. Click “All Filters” to see all your options. Some of the most useful are:
   • Connections: Filter by 1st, 2nd, or 3rd+ degree connections. Focusing on 2nd-degree connections is great because you already have a mutual contact in common, making for a warmer introduction.
   • Locations: Target professionals in a specific city, state, or country.
   • Current Company: Look for people who work at a specific company you're interested in.
   • Industry: Focus your search on a particular professional field, like "Information Technology and Services" or "Marketing and Advertising."

By combining these filters, you can go from a broad search to a highly targeted list of potential connections in moments.

Leverage the "People You May Know" Feature

LinkedIn’s algorithm is constantly working to suggest relevant connections based on your profile, current network, and activity. You’ll find these suggestions on the “My Network” page. This feature is a great way to discover:

• Former colleagues from companies you forgot to add to your profile.
• Fellow alumni from your university.
• People who have mutual connections with your most recent additions.

Check this page periodically. While the suggestions are often very relevant, always apply your own judgment. Before connecting, ask yourself: “Would this person add value to my network, or would I be able to add value to theirs?”

Engage in Groups and Communities

Joining and participating in relevant LinkedIn Groups is one of the best ways to create warm introductions. When you engage thoughtfully in group discussions, you're no longer a stranger - you’re a professional peer.

• Find groups focused on your industry, role, or area of interest.
• Don’t just join - participate. Leave insightful comments on other people’s posts or share valuable articles and ask questions.
• When you find someone in the group you'd like to connect with, you have an instant, authentic reason to reach out. Your connection request can mention your shared group and a recent discussion.

The Art of the Connection Request: How to Get to "Yes"

Simply hitting the "Connect" button without a message is a missed opportunity. The generic “I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” is barely better. A personalized message signals that you’re intentional, professional, and not just spamming for connections.

Always, always add a personal note.

Formulas for a Perfect, Personalized Note

Your note has a 300-character limit, so it needs to be concise and impactful. The key is to provide context. Why are you reaching out to them specifically?

Scenario 1: You Have a Mutual Connection

"Hi [Name], I see we both know [Mutual Connection's Name]. I’m also working in [Your Industry] and would love to connect to follow your work at [Their Company]."

Scenario 2: You're in the Same Group

"Hi [Name], I saw your great comment in the [Group Name] group on the new AI trends. I found your perspective really interesting and wanted to connect."

Scenario 3: You Admire Their Work or Content

"Hi [Name], I really enjoyed the article you recently shared about [Topic]. Your insights are fantastic. I'm actively following the space and would welcome the chance to connect."

Scenario 4: You Met Them at an Event (or Virtual Event)

"Hi [Name], great to meet you at the [Event Name] yesterday during the [Specific Session]. I enjoyed our quick chat about [Topic] and would love to stay in touch."

What to Absolutely Avoid in a Connection Request

• Don’t sell. Seriously. Never pitch your service or ask for a job in the initial request. It's aggressive and will almost guarantee a rejection.
• Don’t be demanding. Don’t ask for a call or a meeting. The initial goal is simply to connect.
• Don’t be vague. A message that could be sent to anyone will be treated like it was sent to no one. Be specific!

Nurturing the Connection After They Accept

Getting your request accepted isn't the finish line. Meaningful networking is about an ongoing relationship, not just a one-time transaction.

Once someone connects, send a brief follow-up thank-you note. It can be as simple as: “Thanks for connecting, [Name]. I look forward to following your work!”

From there, stay on their radar by engaging with their content. A thoughtful comment on a post they share can be more impactful than dozens of emails. Your goal is to be a familiar and respected name in their network, which opens the door for real conversation when the time is right.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, your success on LinkedIn comes down to building a network with purpose and intention. By moving beyond randomly clicking "Connect" and instead focusing on finding the right people, personalizing your outreach, and nurturing connections over time, you transform your profile from a static resume into a powerful professional tool.

A strong professional network is built on shared value, and a big part of that is consistently sharing your own expertise. As we grew our own brand, we built Postbase because we needed a better way to plan and schedule our professional content across all our social platforms including LinkedIn. By keeping my own profile active with valuable thoughts and insights, I've found it creates a much better context when I reach out, turning a stranger's cold ask into a respected peer's warm introduction.