How to Connect with Someone on LinkedIn Without the Connect Button

You’ve found the perfect person on LinkedIn to connect with - a potential client, a mentor, an industry leader - only to land on their profile and find the familiar blue “Connect” button is gone. In its place is a “Follow” button, and your first thought might be that you've hit a dead end. But the absence of that button isn't a rejection, it’s often a sign that you're trying to connect with a high-value professional. This guide will show you several straightforward methods for networking with anyone on LinkedIn, even when the connect button seems to have disappeared.

Why You Can't See the Connect Button (It's Not What You Think)

When the "Connect" button isn't the primary call-to-action on someone's profile, it’s almost always a deliberate choice by the user. Most often, it's because they've enabled LinkedIn's Creator Mode. This feature is designed for members who regularly share content and want to grow their audience. By turning it on, their profile's main button switches from "Connect" to "Follow," encouraging people to see their posts in their feed without necessarily becoming a first-degree connection.

Think of it as a velvet rope, not a locked door. Influencers, executives, and active content creators enable this to manage the high volume of connection requests they receive. They prioritize building an engaged audience first and making direct connections more selectively. Understanding this shifts your perspective: the challenge isn't about getting past a barrier but about using a more thoughtful approach to get noticed.

Method 1: Find the "Hidden" Connect Button in the 'More' Menu

This is the simplest fix and works a surprising amount of the time. When a user enables Creator Mode, LinkedIn doesn't remove the option to connect entirely, it just tucks it away. Here’s how you can usually find it in seconds:

• Step 1: Navigate to the person’s LinkedIn profile page.
• Step 2: Look at the section directly below their name and headline. You’ll see the primary button (likely “Follow” or “Message”) and next to it, a button labeled "More...".
• Step 3: Click the "More..." button. A dropdown menu will appear with several options like "Send profile in a message," "Save to PDF," and, usually, "Connect."

The Golden Rule: Always Add a Note

Once you click "Connect," LinkedIn will give you the option to add a personalized note. Never skip this step. A generic connection request is easy to ignore, especially for someone who receives dozens a day. A personalized note shows that you've taken the time to understand who they are and why you want to connect.

Your message doesn't need to be an essay. Keep it short, professional, and relevant. For example:

"Hi [Name], I really enjoyed your recent post on the future of AI in marketing. Your perspective on building smaller, engaged communities resonated with me. I've been following your work and would appreciate the opportunity to connect."

This simple message shows you're paying attention and provides context beyond just wanting to increase your connection count.

Method 2: Engage Meaningfully With Their Content First

If you want to build a genuine professional relationship, the best approach is often to become a familiar face before you send a request. Instead of trying to connect immediately, shift your strategy to meaningful engagement. This warms up the "cold" outreach and demonstrates that you're interested in their ideas, not just their network.

How to Win Trust Through Engagement:

• Follow Them: The first step is simple. Click the "Follow" button. This ensures their posts will start appearing in your newsfeed.
• Turn on the Bell: On their profile, next to the "Follow" button, you'll often see a small bell icon. Click it to get notifications every time they post. This allows you to be one of the first people to engage, increasing the chances they'll see your comment.
• Leave Thoughtful Comments: This is where you stand out. Skip the generic "Great post!" or "Thanks for sharing!" comments. Instead, add to the conversation.
  • Ask an insightful question: "This is a great point on customer retention. How have you seen this strategy adapt for SaaS companies specifically?"
  • Share a relevant experience: "Your breakdown of project management failures is spot on. We recently used a similar approach on a project and cut down our revision cycles by 20%."
  • Offer a different perspective respectfully: "This is such an interesting take. I've also found that [X approach] can work in situations where [Y is a factor]. Curious to hear your thoughts on that."

After a week of consistent, thoughtful interaction, your name and profile picture will become familiar. When you finally send that connection request (using Method 1), they're far more likely to recognize you and accept.

Method 3: Leverage Shared LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups are powerful and often underutilized networking tools. Being a member of the same group as someone else can give you direct access to connect with them, even if you’re otherwise outside their network. Many groups allow members to send connection requests to other members without the usual restrictions.

How to Connect Through a Group:

1. On the person's profile, scroll down to the bottom to the "Interests" section. Here, you'll see any Influencers, Companies, and Groups they follow.
2. Look for groups that align with your industry or interests. Click on a group to view its page and then hit the "Join" button. Some groups require approval from an admin, so your access may not be immediate.
3. Once your membership is approved, go to the group's main page and click on the member count (e.g., "See all 15,432 members").
4. Use the search bar within the member list to find the person you want to connect with.
5. Next to their name, you will often find an active "Connect" button, even if it wasn't available on their main profile page.

As always, make sure to add that personalized note. Mentioning your shared group is a great icebreaker: "Hi [Name], I see we're both members of the CMO Network group. I noticed your profile and was impressed by your work at [Their Company]. I’d love to connect."

Method 4: Send a Well-Crafted InMail Message

If you have a LinkedIn Premium subscription, you have a certain number of InMail credits per month. An InMail is essentially a direct message to a LinkedIn member with whom you are not yet connected. It’s a powerful tool because it bypasses the need for a connection request entirely and lands directly in their primary inbox, separate from the clutter of pending requests.

However, since your credits are limited, you can't afford to waste an InMail. Your message must be concise, packed with value, and respectful of their time. Avoid a generic sales pitch at all costs.

Tips for a Better InMail:

• Have a Strong, Clear Subject Line: Be specific. "Connecting" is weak. "Question about your recent article on sustainable packaging" is strong.
• Get to the Point Quickly: Start by acknowledging their work or a specific achievement. Then, clearly state why you are reaching out.
• Make it About Them, Not You: Frame your message around a mutual interest, a problem you can help them solve, or genuine admiration for their work.
• Have a Clear Call-to-Action: End with a simple, low-effort ask. Instead of "I'd love to jump on a 30-minute call tomorrow," try "If you’re open to it, I'd appreciate the chance to connect here on LinkedIn to follow your work more closely."

Method 5: Ask a Mutual Connection for a Warm Introduction

A warm introduction is the gold standard of networking. A recommendation from a trusted mutual connection is far more powerful than any cold outreach you could ever write. LinkedIn makes it easy to see who you have in common, creating a clear pathway for an introduction.

Look for the "Mutual Connections" link on their profile. This will show you everyone you both know. Identify the person you have the strongest relationship with on that list and reach out to them first.

How to Ask for an Introduction without Being Awkward:

When you ask for an introduction, your job is to make it as easy as possible for your contact. Don't just say, “Hey, can you introduce me to Jane Doe?” Instead, write a short, forwardable blurb that they can either copy-paste or easily edit. For example:

"Hi Brian, I hope you’re well.

I saw that you're connected to Jane Doe, the Head of Content at Acme Inc. I've been following her work on building online communities and would love to connect.

If you're comfortable doing so, would you be willing to make an introduction? I've written a short blurb below you can use. Thanks so much!

---

Intro Blurb: "Hi Jane, I’d like to introduce you to [Your Name]. They're a [Your Role] also working in the community-building space and have been impressed with your recent projects at Acme. I thought you two might have some valuable insights to share."

This approach is respectful, removes the friction, and significantly increases your odds of getting that valuable introduction.

Final Thoughts

Finding a missing "Connect" button isn't a roadblock but an invitation to network more strategically. Beyond simply looking for the tucked-away button in the 'More' menu, you can warm up a connection by engaging with their content, find them through shared groups, reach out via a direct InMail, or get a game-changing introduction from a mutual contact. The most successful approach is always one rooted in genuineness and respect.

Building a valuable network on LinkedIn is about more than the action you take on someone's profile, it starts with the consistent value you provide on your own. At Postbase, we designed a simple, modern social media management tool to help you effortlessly plan and schedule the kind of insightful, authoritative content that gets you noticed. This establishes your credibility, making people eager to accept your connection request when it lands in their inbox. With Postbase, you can manage your content strategy and build the authority that inspires others to connect with you.