How to Make an Intro on LinkedIn

Knowing how to properly introduce two people on LinkedIn is one of the most valuable and underused networking skills you can develop. A thoughtful introduction can open doors for a colleague, create a partnership opportunity, or simply strengthen your entire professional network. This guide breaks down exactly how to craft effective introductions that make you a go-to connector, with actionable steps and templates you can use immediately.

Why Making Introductions on LinkedIn is a Networking Superpower

In a world of cold DMs and automated outreach, a warm introduction is priceless. When you connect two of your contacts, you're not just passing along an email address, you're lending your credibility. This act is a powerful form of building social capital. You're demonstrating that you have a quality network and that you're thoughtful enough to see potential synergies between people.

Think about it from the receiving end. Which are you more likely to respond to?

• A cold message from a total stranger asking for 15 minutes of your time.
• A personal introduction from a trusted colleague who says, "I think you two would really benefit from a conversation."

The answer is obvious. A good introduction transfers trust from you to the person you're introducing, dramatically increasing the odds of a positive response. It simultaneously provides value to both individuals you're connecting and elevates your own standing as a helpful, well-connected professional. Doing this well makes you a powerful node in your network, not just another connection.

The Best Way to Make a LinkedIn Introduction (Hint: It's Not the Official "Introduce" Button)

LinkedIn technically has a feature called "Request an Introduction," where you ask a mutual connection to introduce you to someone. While it exists, most seasoned networkers avoid it. It's clunky, impersonal, and puts your mutual connection on the spot. It forces them to act as a go-between in a formal, slightly awkward process.

A far more effective, personal, and respected method is the direct Group Message Introduction. This approach puts you in full control, allows for a personal touch, and is standard etiquette among experienced professionals. The rest of this guide will focus exclusively on perfecting this method.

The Art of the Perfect LinkedIn Introduction (Step-by-Step)

A great introduction feels seamless, but it requires a bit of thoughtful preparation. Skipping the groundwork is what separates a spammy, ignored intro from one that leads to a great business partnership or friendship. Here's how to do it right, every time.

Before You Write: The Double Opt-In Rule

This is the single most important step. Before you ever connect two people, you must get permission from both of them separately and privately. This is known as a "double opt-in," and it's non-negotiable professional courtesy.

Why is it so important?

• It respects their time. The person you're asking might be swamped, on vacation, or simply not the right contact. Asking first gives them an easy "out."
• It prevents awkwardness. Dropping someone into a conversation they didn't agree to is jarring. It forces them to either ignore the message or politely decline, which is a situation you should never put your contacts in.
• It gives you context. When you ask for permission, you can gather the information you need to make the introduction valuable.

How to ask for the opt-in:

Here’s a simple message you can send to each person privately:

"Hi [Name], hope you're well. A colleague of mine, [Person B's Name], is currently [describe what they're doing/looking for]. I immediately thought of you because of your expertise in [mention their specific expertise]. Would you be open to a brief introduction? No pressure at all if the timing isn't right."

Once you get a "yes" from both parties, you're ready to make the connection.

Crafting the Introduction Message: A Step-by-Step Guide

With both permissions secured, navigate to LinkedIn Messaging and create a new message with both contacts in the "To" field. This creates a private group chat just for the three of you. Now, follow this structure.

Step 1: The Opener

Start with a simple, friendly greeting that addresses both people.

Example: "Hi Maria and David, I'm happy to make this introduction."

Step 2: Introduce Person A to Person B

Direct your next sentence to one person, and introduce the other. Remind them of the context you shared in your opt-in request. Include a link to their LinkedIn profile for easy access.

Example: "Maria, meet David. As I mentioned, David is the founder of an incredible B2B SaaS startup focused on automating logistics for e-commerce brands. He's built an amazing product and team over the last three years."

Step 3: Introduce Person B to Person A

Now, do the exact same thing in the other direction. This ensures both individuals feel equally valued and understood.

Example: "David, meet Maria. Maria is the Head of Partnerships at a venture firm I deeply respect. She has extensive experience helping portfolio companies like yours scale their go-to-market strategy."

Step 4: Connect the Dots (The "Why")

This is where you make the introduction truly valuable. Don't assume they see the connection. Spell it out for them. State the specific, shared interest or potential synergy that made you want to connect them.

Example: "I thought it would be valuable for you two to connect because, David, you're currently exploring fundraising, and Maria, your firm is actively investing in the logistics tech space. At the very least, I think you'd both enjoy learning from each other's experiences."

Step 5: The Graceful Exit

Once you’ve made the connection, your job is done. End the message by clearly handing off the conversation. This signals that you don't need to be involved in the scheduling or follow-up and allows them to take it from here without you being a third wheel.

Example: "I'll let you two take it from here. Looking forward to hearing how the conversation goes!"

Templates You Can Use for Your Next Introduction

Template 1: Connecting a Job Seeker to a Hiring Manager

Subject (First Line): Intro: [Job Seeker Name], [Hiring Manager Name]

Hi [Hiring Manager Name] and [Job Seeker Name],

Happy to connect you both as promised.

[Hiring Manager Name], meet [Job Seeker Name]. She's a brilliant digital marketer with over five years of experience in performance marketing and SEO, and she recently led a campaign that increased organic traffic by 40% QoQ.

[Job Seeker Name], meet [Hiring Manager Name]. He's the Director of Marketing at [Company Name] and leads one of the sharpest marketing teams in the industry. As I mentioned, his team has an opening for a Senior Marketing Manager.

I thought it made sense to connect you both directly. [Job Seeker Name] is actively searching for her next role, and your team's opening seems like a perfect match for her skills and ambition.

I'll let you two coordinate from here. All the best!

Template 2: Connecting Two Founders for Potential Collaboration

Subject (First Line): Introduction: [Founder A], [Founder B]

Hi [Founder A] & [Founder B],

Hope you're both having a great week. I'm excited to make this connection.

[Founder A], please meet [Founder B]. He's the founder of a popular newsletter for creative entrepreneurs that I've been following for years. His content and community are top-notch.

[Founder B], this is [Founder A]. She is the creator of an incredible project management tool designed specifically for freelancers, which has been getting amazing traction lately.

Based on our recent conversations, I know you are both passionate about empowering the creator economy. I thought a conversation might spark some interesting collaboration ideas, perhaps for a co-hosted webinar or a content partnership.

I'll leave it in your capable hands to connect. Chat soon!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making an Introduction

• Skipping the Double Opt-In: The cardinal sin of networking. Never make an introduction without getting enthusiastic permission from both sides.
• The Vague Intro: Messages like "You two should connect!" are meaningless. They create work for both people to figure out why they should talk. Always provide specific context.
• Making it a One-Sided Intro: Don't just explain why Person A would benefit from meeting Person B. You must clearly state the value for both parties to make the connection feel balanced.
• Sticking Around in the Chat: Once you've written your introduction, get out of the way. Unless they specifically ask you a question, your work is done. Don't linger.
• Forgetting Profile Links: While they can click on the names, including a direct link to their LinkedIn profile in the text makes it that much easier for them to do a quick review before replying.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the art of the LinkedIn introduction is about more than just messaging etiquette, it's about being a thoughtful, strategic hub in your professional circle. By getting permission, providing clear context, and connecting the dots for your contacts, you move from simply having a network to actively building and strengthening it, one valuable connection at a time.

We know building lasting professional relationships takes consistent effort, from personal introductions to maintaining an active presence with great content. A strong personal brand attracts opportunities, making these connections even easier. That's why we built Postbase, to handle the heavy lifting of content scheduling and planning, so you have more time for high-impact networking. With our visual calendar, you can manage your LinkedIn posts alongside all your other social platforms, keeping your professional brand consistent and growing while you focus on making those crucial connections.

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