How to Connect on LinkedIn with a Message

Sending a LinkedIn connection request without a message is like handing someone a business card with a blank face and walking away. It's a missed opportunity. That simple, personal note is your chance to turn a cold click into a warm introduction and start building a real professional relationship. This guide will walk you through exactly what to say, with practical templates and strategies for any situation you can think of.

Why a Custom Message Is Non-Negotiable

In a sea of generic "I'd like to add you to my professional network" requests, a thoughtful message is your lifeline. It immediately sets you apart and shows that you've done more than just randomly click a button. Let's be clear about the benefits:

• Higher Acceptance Rate: People are far more likely to accept a request from someone they can recognize. Your message provides that crucial context: "Ah, this person saw my post," or "This person knows Sarah, too."
• It Opens a Dialogue: The goal isn't just to increase your connection count, it's to build your network. A good message gives the other person something to respond to, turning a static connection into an active conversation.
• It Shows Professionalism and Effort: Taking 30 seconds to write a note demonstrates initiative and respect for the other person's time. It signals that you're a thoughtful professional, not just a collector of contacts.

The Simple Anatomy of an Effective Connection Message

LinkedIn gives you a 300-character limit for connection messages, so brevity is your best friend. Every word needs to work for you. Here's a simple four-part structure that nails it every time.

1. A Professional Salutation

Don't overthink this. Keep it simple and direct. For most situations, "Hi [First Name]," or "Hello [First Name]," is perfect. It's friendly yet professional.

2. The Opening: Establish Immediate Relevance

This is where you hook them in. In the first sentence, answer the silent question in their mind: "Do I know you?" or "Why are you contacting me?" Your goal is to ground your request in a shared context.

• Reference a Mutual Connection: "Hi Jane, I see we both know John Smith from our time at Acme Inc."
• Mention Shared Content: "Hi Alex, I really enjoyed the article you shared yesterday about AI-driven marketing."
• Compliment Their Work: "Hi Sam, I've been following your team's work on Project Phoenix and I'm incredibly impressed."
• Note a Shared Group or Event: "Hi Maria, I saw your comment in the FinTech Innovators group and it really resonated with me."

3. The "Why": State Your Reason for Connecting

After you've established common ground, briefly explain why you want to connect. Again, transparency is key. Make it about learning from them or sharing a common interest, not about what you can get from them.

• "I'm also passionate about clean energy and would love to follow your work in the space."
• "I'm looking to connect with other project managers in the Seattle area."
• "Your career path is really inspiring, and I'd value having you in my professional network."

4. The Closing: Keep It Short and Sweet

End with a simple, friendly closing. No need for over-the-top formalisms.

• "Looking forward to connecting,"
• "Best,"
• "Cheers,"

Actionable Templates for Common Scenarios

Theory is great, but let's get practical. Here are some fill-in-the-blank templates you can adapt for almost any situation. Remember to customize them to feel authentic to you.

Template 1: You Have a Mutual Connection

Leveraging a shared connection is one of the warmest ways to reach out. It builds instant trust.

Example:

"Hi Sarah,

I see we're both connected with Dan Carter. Dan and I worked together at Waypoint, and he always spoke highly of your product management skills. I'm also in the product world and would love to connect and follow your work.

Best,
[Your Name]"

Template 2: You Admire Their Content or Work

Genuine compliments are powerful. If someone creates content or completed a project you admire, tell them! People appreciate being recognized for their effort.

Example:

"Hi Michael,

I just finished reading your article on the future of remote work - your perspective on asynchronous communication was spot on. Really great stuff! I'd love to connect to keep up with your insights.

Cheers,
[Your Name]"

Template 3: You're in the Same Group or Industry

Being part of the same tribe, whether it's a LinkedIn Group or a professional organization, is another excellent entry point.

Example:

"Hi Jessica,

I saw your insightful comments in the ‘Organic Social Media Marketers’ LinkedIn group about community building. I'm also focused on building brand communities and would value connecting with another expert in the field.

Thanks,
[Your Name]"

Template 4: Reaching Out to a Recruiter

When connecting with a recruiter, avoid asking for a job directly. Instead, frame your request around building a professional relationship for the future.

Example:

"Hi David,

I see you recruit for sales roles in the tech industry. While I'm not actively looking at the moment, I'm always open to networking with great recruiters in my field. I'd love to connect to stay on your radar for any future opportunities that might be a fit.

Best,
[Your Name]"

Template 5: You Attended the Same Event (Virtual or In-Person)

This is a fantastic way to turn a fleeting interaction at a conference or webinar into a lasting connection.

Example:

"Hi Emily,

I was in the audience for your brilliant talk on personal branding at the Social Summit yesterday. Your point about authenticity really hit home. I'd love to connect to continue learning from you!

All the best,
[Your Name]"

Template 6: The "Cold" Outreach (But Make It Warm)

What if you have no direct connection? This is where your research comes in. Find something specific to compliment, whether it's their company, a project, or a recent career move.

Example:

"Hi Chris,

I've been following the growth of your company, Fusion Co., from a distance and am so impressed with your mission to make finance more accessible. As someone working in a similar space, I'd really enjoy the opportunity to follow your journey.

Best regards,
[Your Name]"

The Top 5 Connection Request Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Avoid these common pitfalls.

• 1. The Immediate Sales Pitch: Absolutely never sell in a connection request. Don't ask them to check out your product, book a demo, or buy your service. It's the fastest way to get your request ignored or denied.
• 2. Being Overly Generic: The default "I'd like to add you to my professional network" message is lazy. Anything that sounds like it could have been sent to 100 other people will likely be ignored.
• 3. Making It All About You: Shift the focus from "I want..." to "I admire..." Your message should highlight what you appreciate about them or their work, not just what you're trying to achieve.
• 4. Typos and Bad Grammar: It takes seconds to proofread your 300-character message. Spelling or grammar mistakes can make you seem careless or unprofessional. Read it out loud before hitting send.
• 5. Asking for a Favor Immediately: Don't ask for a job referral, an introduction, or "five minutes of their time for a coffee chat" in your initial request. The goal is to open the door, not ask for the keys to the house. Build rapport first, then make an ask later if it feels appropriate.

The Connection is Accepted! Now What?

Getting your request accepted isn't the finish line, it's the starting line. Once they connect, the next step is simple but oft-overlooked: send a thank-you message.

A quick follow-up solidifies the connection and reinforces the positive first impression you made. It can be as simple as:

"Thanks for connecting, Sarah! Great to have you in my network. Looking forward to keeping up with your work."

This little gesture continues the conversation and keeps you top-of-mind. From there, your relationship can grow organically. Engage with their posts by leaving thoughtful comments - not just a thumbs up. Share content they might find interesting. Over time, you can build a strong professional connection that is genuinely valuable for both of you.

Final Thoughts

A personal message transforms the sterile act of clicking "Connect" into a meaningful professional handshake - and it's the foundation of effective networking. By personalizing your outreach, you show genuine interest, stand out from the noise, and start relationships that can lead to opportunities you never expected.

Building a powerful LinkedIn presence is a key part of your wider social media strategy. Once you've mastered networking, the next step is often scaling your content creation and community management. For that, we built Postbase to make it easy to manage all of your social platforms from a single, clean dashboard. It helps you stay consistent and engaged without the chaos of jumping between apps, giving you back the time to focus on what matters: building those genuine connections.

```