How to Introduce People on LinkedIn

Making a great introduction on LinkedIn is one of the most powerful - and overlooked - ways to build real professional capital. When done right, you’re not just connecting two people, you’re strengthening your own relationships, demonstrating your value, and becoming a trusted hub within your network. This guide will walk you through the essential steps, from the pre-introduction etiquette to crafting the perfect message that makes everyone look good.

Why a Thoughtful LinkedIn Introduction Matters

In a world of automated connection requests and generic messages, a personal introduction stands out. It's a professional endorsement that carries weight because it comes from a human you trust. But the benefits extend beyond just helping two people find each other.

• It builds your social capital. You become known as a helpful, well-connected person who makes valuable things happen. People remember those who help them, and this goodwill often gets paid back in unexpected ways.
• It reinforces your relationships. By making a thoughtful connection, you’re showing both individuals that you understand their needs and respect their expertise. It validates your relationship with them.
• It elevates your professional brand. Being a super-connector signals that you have a strong, high-quality network and the social intelligence to navigate it effectively. It positions you as an industry leader, not just a participant.

A sloppy, careless introduction can do the opposite - it can damage relationships and make you look unprofessional. Taking a few extra minutes to do it right is an investment that always pays off.

The Golden Rule: Get Permission First with the Double Opt-In

Before you even think about writing the introduction message, you must follow the most important rule of professional matchmaking: get permission from both parties. This is called the "double opt-in," and it's non-negotiable. Skipping this step is the single biggest mistake people make, and it puts everyone in an awkward position.

Imagine being connected to a stranger without warning. You feel obligated to respond, but you're busy, the person isn't relevant to your goals, and now you have an unwanted conversation clogging your inbox. The person who made the intro might think they were being helpful, but secretly, you're annoyed. The double opt-in prevents this entirely.

How the Double Opt-In Works

It's a two-step process that respects everyone's time and agency.

Step 1: Get the "OK" from the person seeking the introduction.

First, confirm that the person who wants to be introduced is ready. Then, ask them for a short, forwardable blurb that you can send to your contact. This saves you time and ensures you’re representing their request accurately.

Example message to the person asking:

"Hey Sarah, absolutely happy to introduce you to David. Before I reach out to him, could you send me a quick paragraph or two explaining what you'd like to chat about and why he'd be a great person to speak with? That way I can just forward it to him and make it super easy for him to say yes."

Step 2: Get the "OK" from the person you're introducing them to.

Next, take that blurb and send it to your contact. This gives them all the context they need to make an informed decision without any pressure. They can graciously accept or decline based on their interest and availability.

Example message to your contact (Person B):

"Hi David, hope you're having a good week. A close colleague of mine, Sarah, is building a new marketing automation platform and was hoping to get your perspective on its GTM strategy, given your deep experience in the B2B SaaS space. She's brilliant and I think you'd enjoy the conversation.

Here's a quick note from her:

[Paste Sarah's forwarded blurb here]

Would you be open to a brief chat with her? No pressure at all if you’re swamped, just let me know either way!"

This approach is respectful and professional. It frames the introduction as an opportunity, not an obligation. Once your contact agrees, you can proceed with confidence, knowing that both parties are ready and willing to connect.

How to Write the Perfect LinkedIn Introduction Message

Once you have the double opt-in, it's time to make the official connection. While you can do this by creating a public post and tagging both individuals, that's more of a "shout-out" than a direct introduction. For most professional scenarios, a private group message on LinkedIn is the best method. It's direct, personal, and allows them to take the conversation forward without it becoming a public discussion.

Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting the Message

Open a new message on LinkedIn and add both individuals to the "To:" field. This will automatically create a group chat. The perfect introduction message has four key ingredients:

1. The Opener: "Person A, Meet Person B"

Start simply and clearly by addressing both people. This direct approach immediately sets the context. Avoid overly casual openers unless you know both parties extremely well.

Example:

"Hi Alex, meet Maria." OR "Alex, I'd like to introduce you to Maria. Maria, this is Alex."

2. The "Why": State the Purpose of the Connection

Right away, connect the dots. Don’t make them guess why they’re in a chat together. Briefly explain the context and the common ground that made you think of connecting them. This is the most crucial part of the message.

Example:

"Alex, when you mentioned you were looking for an experienced graphic designer who understands the tech startup scene, I immediately thought of Maria. Maria, Alex is the founder of a really interesting new AI startup that’s getting ready to launch."

3. The Praise: Add Value and Credibility

Briefly - but specifically - compliment both individuals. This makes them feel valued and gives them immediate credibility with each other. Mention a specific accomplishment, role, or skill that is relevant to the introduction.

Example:

"Maria is one of the most talented brand identity designers I've ever worked with - she was the lead designer for the rebrand at InnovateCorp that everyone was talking about last year. And Alex has built an incredible team and secured funding from some of the top VCs in the valley."

4. The Close: Make a Graceful Hand-Off

Your job as the introducer is almost done. The final step is to bow out of the conversation and give them space to take over. This is a clear signal that they should now communicate directly. If one person made the initial request, you can also gently nudge them to take the lead.

Example:

"I'll let you two take it from here! Alex, I'll let you start the conversation."
Or a more general close:
"I’ll leave you two to connect. Best of luck with the conversation!"

Putting It All Together: A Perfect Introduction Template

Here's what it looks like from start to finish. Feel free to save this as a template.

Subject: Intro: [Person A's Name] <> [Person B's Name]

Hi [Person A] and [Person B],

I'd like to officially introduce you both.

[Person A], meet [Person B]. As we discussed, [Person B] is the Director of Operations at Acme Inc. with extensive experience in scaling logistics for e-commerce brands.

[Person B], meet [Person A]. She's the founder of a fantastic sustainable packaging company I mentioned, and she's currently navigating the challenges of expanding her distribution network.

Given your shared interest in sustainable supply chains and [Person A's] need for operational expertise, I thought a connection would be valuable for you both.

I'll let you two take it from here!

Best,
[Your Name]

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making an Introduction

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

• The Blind Intro. The most common and damaging mistake. This is when you connect two people without getting the double opt-in. It creates immediate awkwardness and puts the person you're introducing a contact to on the spot.
• The Vague Intro. An introduction like, "Hey, you two should connect!" is lazy. It puts all the work on the recipients to figure out why they were connected and who should start the conversation. Always provide context.
• Forgetting to Hand It Off. After making the introduction, your job is done. Don't linger in the group message or chime in on their ensuing conversation unless you are explicitly invited to. Bowing out gracefully is a sign of social awareness.
• Sending Mismatched Follow-Ups. After the intro, stay out of it. Don't check in a day later to ask, "Did you guys chat yet?" Let them manage their own schedules. If they choose not to connect, that's their prerogative. You did your part by making the opportunity available.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of the LinkedIn introduction is a high-leverage skill that pays dividends for your entire career. It's about being thoughtful, respecting people's time, and adding genuine value to your network. By following the simple steps - getting permission, providing context, and handing it off gracefully - you transform from a simple contact into a strategic connector.

Of course, being a great connector on LinkedIn is only half the battle. You also need to maintain a professional, engaging presence to build the network worth connecting in the first place. That requires consistent posting and engaging with your community, which can be a lot to manage. That’s why we built Postbase. We designed a simple visual calendar that allows our users to plan and schedule content across all their social platforms, including LinkedIn, from one central place. It handles the scheduling, analytics, and engagement so you can focus on building relationships and showcasing your expertise.