How to Connect with Someone on LinkedIn

Sending a LinkedIn connection request feels a bit like knocking on a digital door, and simply clicking Connect without a message is like knocking and then hiding in the bushes. A blank invitation is easy to ignore, but a thoughtful, personalized request can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and valuable professional relationships. This guide will walk you through exactly how to craft connection requests that people actually want to accept, turning cold outreach into warm introductions.

Why Personalization Trumps the Default "Connect" Button

Before we get into the templates and tactics, it’s important to understand why a generic connection request usually fails. Think about your own inbox. You likely receive dozens of notifications a day. The generic "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn" is filterable noise. It says nothing about who the person is, why they're reaching out, or what you have in common. It feels transactional and, frankly, a bit lazy.

A personalized message, even just a sentence or two, flips that script. It accomplishes three things almost instantly:

• It shows you've done your homework. You took 60 seconds to look at their profile, which shows genuine interest and respect for their time.
• It establishes common ground. Referencing a shared connection, a mutual interest, or a recent post immediately builds a tiny bridge between you and them.
• It provides context. The person no longer has to guess why a stranger is trying to connect. You've given them a clear and compelling reason to click "Accept."

In a world of automated outreach and impersonal bots, a little bit of humanity goes a long way. Taking the time to personalize your request shows you're a real person looking to make a real connection, not just add another number to your follower count.

Your Pre-Connection Checklist: Doing Your Homework

The key to writing a great connection request happens before you even start typing. A quick two-minute scan of someone’s profile can give you all the material you need. Don't overthink it, you're just looking for a simple, authentic entry point.

1. Scan Their Recent Activity

This is the gold mine of personalization. Did they just post an insightful article, share a big company win, or comment on a trending topic? Referencing their recent activity is one of the most effective ways to show you're paying attention.

• Example Hook: "Hi [Name], I really enjoyed your recent post about the future of AI in marketing..."
• Example Hook: "Hi [Name], your comment on that post about remote work really resonated with me..."

2. Look for Mutual Connections

Having a person in common is an immediate trust-builder. Even if you don't know the mutual connection well, mentioning their name provides instant credibility and social proof. It turns a cold outreach into a warmer one.

• Example Hook: "Hi [Name], I see we're both connected to Jane Doe. I worked with Jane at Acme Inc..."
• Example Hook: "Hi [Name], I noticed we both know John Smith. How do you know John?"

3. Check for Shared Groups or Interests

Are you both in the "SaaS Marketers Community" group or listed "Digital Storytelling" as an interest? This is another excellent piece of common ground to build upon. It shows you share a professional community or passion.

• Example Hook: "Hi [Name], I noticed we're both in the FinTech Innovators group on LinkedIn..."

4. Read Their "About" Section and Headline

People put time into their headline and summary. These sections often reveal their mission, their proudest accomplishments, or their professional philosophy. Mentioning something specific from their "About" section shows you see them as more than just a job title.

• Example Hook: "Hi [Name], your bio mentioned your passion for sustainable tech - I found that really inspiring..."

Crafting a Connection Request That Gets Accepted

Once you have your "hook," you can craft your message. Remember, you have a 300-character limit, so you need to be brief and impactful. Here are a few templates for different scenarios you can adapt.

Scenario 1: You Met Them at an Event (In-Person or Virtual)

This is one of the easiest connections to make, but you should still act quickly while the memory is fresh. The goal is simply to cement the relationship you’ve already started.

Template:

"Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at the [Event Name] yesterday. I really enjoyed our conversation about [Topic]. Looking forward to staying in touch and following your work."

Why it works: It immediately jogs their memory of where you met and refreshes the context of your conversation. It’s polite, professional, and directly to the point.

Scenario 2: You Admire Their Work from Afar

Connecting with an industry leader or someone you respect can feel intimidating, but a genuine and specific compliment is a powerful tool. Avoid generic flattery and focus on a specific piece of their work.

Template:

"Hi [Name], I've been following your work for a while and was really impressed by your recent article on [Topic]. Your insights on [Specific Point] were particularly helpful. I'd love to connect and continue learning from you."

Why it works: It's specific and authentic. You’re not just saying "you're great", you're pointing to a concrete example, proving you've actually engaged with their work. You're framing the connection as an opportunity for you to learn, which is a non-threatening request.

Scenario 3: Connecting with a Potential Client or Recruiter

When connecting with someone you hope to work with or for, it's critical not to make an ask in the connection request. Your single goal is to open a line of communication. The sales pitch or job inquiry comes later, after you've built some rapport.

Template (for a recruiter):

"Hi [Name], I noticed you recruit for marketing roles at [Company Name]. I'm a passionate marketer who has admired [Company Name]'s work for a long time, especially the recent [Campaign Name] campaign. I'd love to connect and follow your openings."

Why it works: You state your intention clearly but gently. You prove you've done research on their company and demonstrated genuine admiration for their work. You are asking to *connect*, not for a job.

Template (for a potential client):

"Hi [Name], I came across your company and was impressed with how you're solving [Problem] in the [Industry]. I'm working on similar challenges for my clients in the B2B SaaS space and would be great to connect and follow your company's journey."

Why it works: You’re positioning yourself as a peer who understands their industry, not a salesperson going for a hard sell. It opens the door for future conversations without feeling pushy.

Scenario 4: Connecting Through a Mutual Connection or Group

Leveraging a shared community or contact is one of the warmest ways to introduce yourself.

Template (Mutual Connection):

"Hi [Name], I see you're connected with [Mutual Connection's Name]. We worked together at [Company/Project], and she always spoke highly of your expertise in [Their Skill]. Would love to add you to my network."

Why it works: Name-dropping (in a good way) instantly provides context and a layer of trust. It transitions you from a complete stranger to a friend-of-a-friend.

The Dos and Don'ts of LinkedIn Connection Requests

Keep these quick guidelines in mind every time you reach out.

Do:

• Keep it short. You only have 300 characters. Get to the point.
• Remind them how you know them. If you've met, even briefly, always mention where.
• Mention a point of commonality. Shared school, employer, group, or interest.
• Proofread your message! Typos and grammar errors make a bad first impression.

Don’t:

• Never pitch in the connection request. This is the cardinal sin of LinkedIn networking. Don’t ask for a sale, a job, or a favor immediately.
• Don't use the default message. It's an automatic red flag for most savvy professionals.
• Don't make it all about you. Frame your message around them - their work, their post, their company.
• Don't send a follow-up immediately asking for something. Let the connection breathe. Engage with their content for a week or two before making an ask.

The Follow-Up: What to Do After They Accept

Getting your connection request accepted isn't the finish line, it’s the starting line. The next step is to nurture that new connection without being overbearing.

A simple follow-up message seals the deal:

"Thanks for connecting, [Name]! Great to have you in my network. I'm looking forward to following your work."

From there, the best way to build the relationship is through passive engagement. Show up in their feed by thoughtfully liking and commenting on their posts. When you consistently add value to their conversations, you build familiarity and credibility. Then, when the time is right to ask for a virtual coffee, advice, or an introduction, you're not just a random connection - you're a recognized member of their professional community.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the LinkedIn connection request is less about a secret formula and more about being thoughtful and human. A little bit of research and a genuine, specific message can transform your networking efforts, opening the door to meaningful professional relationships that can shape your career.

A big part of an effective LinkedIn strategy is staying consistent with your own content, so you have a strong profile to connect from. This is why we built Postbase to make our own lives easier. By using a visual calendar to plan and schedule our posts across LinkedIn and other platforms, we free up the mental space and time needed to focus on genuine, one-on-one engagement and building those critical relationships.