How to Make Introductions on LinkedIn

A smart, warm introduction on LinkedIn can open doors that a cold message never could, connecting you directly with the people who can hire you, fund you, or partner with you. Mastering this skill is about more than just networking, it’s about building trust and creating value within your professional community. This guide will walk you through exactly how to ask for and make professional introductions the right way, without being awkward or burning your connections.

The Golden Rule of Introductions: The "Triple Opt-In"

Before you ever ask for or make an introduction, you need to understand the most important principle: the Triple Opt-In. This isn't an official LinkedIn feature, but a professional courtesy that protects everyone's time and reputation. It's a simple, three-step method for ethical networking that prevents you from putting your contacts in an uncomfortable spot.

Here’s how it works:

• Opt-in #1: You to Your Connection. You first ask your mutual connection (let's call her Sarah) if she would be comfortable introducing you to her contact (let's call him David). You don't just assume she will.
• Opt-in #2: Your Connection to Their Contact. If Sarah agrees, she then privately messages David to see if he is open to being introduced to you. She gives him context on who you are and why the connection might be beneficial for him. This gives David an easy "out" if he's too busy or not a good fit.
• Opt-in #3: The Introduction is Made. Only after both Sarah and David have agreed does the formal introduction happen, usually in a group message on LinkedIn.

Following this rule does two things. First, it shows immense respect for both parties by honoring their time and their boundaries. Second, it protects your relationship with your connection (Sarah). By asking for her permission first, you avoid making her feel used or pressured. When an introduction is made this way, it's warmed up from all sides, making it far more likely to lead to a positive outcome.

How to Ask for a LinkedIn Introduction (Without Being Annoying)

Asking someone to use their social capital for you is a big deal, so you have to make it as easy as possible for them to say yes. The key is to do all the heavy lifting yourself and hand them a ready-to-go package. Here is a step-by-step process.

Step 1: Identify and Research

First, pinpoint the exact person you want to meet (the target) and the mutual connection who knows them best. Check their joint activity - have they worked together? Do they comment on each other's posts? The stronger their relationship, the more likely your mutual connection will be willing to make the introduction.

Next, do your homework on the target. Understand their role, their company's recent projects, and their professional interests. You need a compelling - and specific - reason for the introduction beyond "I'd love to connect."

Step 2: Draft a "Forwardable" Message

This is the most important part of your request. You are going to write a short message that your mutual connection can copy and paste directly to their contact. You are writing as if you were being introduced, and you are taking all the work off your connection's plate. This makes the request incredibly easy to fulfill.

This message should include:

• A brief, one-sentence description of who you are
• A clear and concise reason for wanting the introduction
• A specific acknowledgment that you respect their time, along with a simple next step (e.g., "a brief 15-minute call")

Step 3: Write to Your Mutual Connection

Now, you can put it all together in a message to your contact. Your goal is to be polite, direct, and respectful of their time and relationship. Never use the generic LinkedIn request button - always send a personalized note. Here’s a template you can adapt:


Subject: Quick question about an introduction

Hi [Mutual Connection's Name],

Hope you're having a great week!

I saw that you're connected to [Target's Name], [Their Title] at [Their Company]. I’ve been following their work on [Specific Project or Area] and I'm really impressed. I’m hoping to connect with them to briefly discuss [Your Reason, e.g., their insights on the future of B2B fintech, their approach to team leadership].

I know you’re busy, so I've written a short, forwardable blurb below that you can copy and paste if you feel comfortable making an intro. Of course, please feel no pressure at all if you're not comfortable or if now isn't a good time. I completely understand.

Thanks either way!
[Your Name]

--- (Forwardable Message Below) ---

Hi [Target's Name],

I hope you’re well. My colleague [Your Name] asked if I could introduce you two.

[Your name] is a [Your Role, e.g., Senior Product Manager] focused on [Your Field, e.g., AI-powered analytics], and they were hoping to connect with you to learn more about your experience with [Specific topic]. They specifically mentioned being impressed by [Mention their work, a recent post, or interview].

Would you be open to a brief chat with them sometime?


This approach works wonderfully because it’s low-pressure. You’ve given your connection an easy out ("no pressure at all"), and you’ve done 95% of the work. They just need to verify they’re comfortable, send your message, and await a response.

How to Make an Introduction Like a Pro

Being a great connector is a fantastic way to build your own reputation and strengthen your network. When you make a thoughtful introduction, both parties remember you for creating that opportunity. If you've followed the "Triple Opt-In" rule, both people have already agreed, so this is the final, easy step.

Step 1: Open a Group Message

Start a new message on LinkedIn and add both individuals. A group message is better than separate emails because it puts the conversation in one place and makes it easy for you to gracefully exit.

Step 2: Write a Clear, Value-Focused Opener

Keep the introduction brief but packed with value for both sides. Don't just say, "John, meet Susan." That leaves them to figure everything out. Instead, explicitly state why they should know each other.

Here’s a simple formula:

• Address Person A: Briefly introduce Person B and state why Person B is relevant to them.
• Address Person B: Briefly introduce Person A and state why Person A is relevant to them.
• A closing line: Formally pass the conversation over to them and step away.

Step 3: Use a Proven Template

Here’s an example of an effective introduction that follows this formula:


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

Hi Maya and Tom,

Happy to make the introduction!

Maya - I’d like you to meet Tom Chen. Tom is a brilliant front-end developer who has deep expertise in building accessible design systems, which I know your team at Innovate Inc. is exploring.

Tom - This is Maya Rodriguez, the Head of Product Design at Innovate Inc. Her team is doing some fascinating work in the enterprise SaaS space, and she's the best person to speak with about their design philosophy.

I'll let you two take it from here!

All the best,
[Your Name]


This intro is perfect. It’s polite, it reminds each person why they agreed to the connection, and the line "I'll let you two take it from here" is a clear signal that your job is done.

Common LinkedIn Introduction Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it's easy to make a wrong turn. Here are a few common mistakes to sidestep:

• The "Blind" Introduction: Casually adding two people to a message without getting permission from both first is the biggest mistake you can make. You might think you're helping, but you're actually creating an obligation and a potentially awkward situation. Always get the triple opt-in.
• Asking a Weak Connection for a Big Favor: Don't ask someone you barely know to introduce you to a high-profile contact. Your ask should match the strength of your relationship. If you haven't spoken in years, warm up the connection first with a friendly, no-strings-attached message before asking for a favor.
• Being Vague: "Can you introduce me?" is a terrible question. So is, "...to learn more." Be hyper-specific. What exactly do you want to learn? Why this specific person? Vagueness makes your request feel lazy or unfocused.
• Forgetting to Say Thank You: After someone takes the time to introduce you, always thank them - both right after they make the intro and later by closing the loop. Send them a private message letting them know how the conversation went. It shows you appreciated their help and makes them much more likely to help you again in the future.

Final Thoughts

Making thoughtful, well-researched introductions on LinkedIn is a skill that shifts your networking from transactional to relational. By respecting everyone's time, doing the hard work upfront, and focusing on creating mutual value, you build a reputation as a professional and helpful connector who people are eager to know and support. Building that kind of reputation often starts long before you need an introduction - it comes from having a consistent, valuable presence on LinkedIn in the first place. We know it can feel like a full-time job to keep up, which is why we built Postbase. Our visual content calendar helps you plan, schedule, and organize your content across all your platforms, so you can stop worrying about what to post and start focusing on building the genuine connections that make these kinds of introductions so powerful.