Why is it important to write a compelling LinkedIn connection request message?
LinkedIn has become a powerful platform for professionals to network, establish meaningful connections, and explore career opportunities. The platform has over 930 million active users across 200 nations worldwide. However, to make a lasting impression and stand out from the crowd, it is important to craft a connection request message that captures attention, sparks interest, and encourages the recipient to accept your invitation.
In this blog post, I will cover tips and tricks for creating an effective LinkedIn connection request message to help you achieve your LinkedIn goals.
What is a LinkedIn Connection Request?
How do you build your network on LinkedIn?
For starters, you need to send a LinkedIn connection request message to other professionals. A LinkedIn connection request is a personalized invitation sent to another LinkedIn user to connect with and establish a professional relationship with them.
When you visit someone’s LinkedIn profile and click “Connect,” you get two options, as shown below.
Image via LinkedIn
If you choose “Send,” LinkedIn will send a default message with your request that says “ I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”
This default message does not provide any context about who you are and why you are trying to connect. To some people, a generic message may even indicate that you don’t think the connection is important enough to send a personalized message. Such a generic message is especially unhelpful if you are trying to connect to employers or recruiters who receive hundreds of messages a day because it does not make you stand out in any way.
A personalized LinkedIn connection request message is an excellent way to grab someone’s attention, start meaningful conversations, and create a positive first impression.
So, how can you write an effective LinkedIn connection request? Here are the top 10 tips that have worked for me.
Let’s get started.
10 Tips to Write an Effective LinkedIn Connection Request Message
1. Start with a Friendly Greeting
Expanding your LinkedIn network is a great way to build professional relationships, strengthen your personal brand, and stay updated on the latest industry trends. If you know how to use LinkedIn for B2B sales, then you know the importance of growing your network.
Starting your message with a friendly greeting helps you set a positive tone, making the recipient more likely to engage with your message.
Just start with “Hi,” “Hello,” or Dear <Name>. Here’s an example:
A friendly greeting helps establish a personal connection right from the start. It shows that you're not just sending out generic requests but are genuinely interested in connecting with the individual.
Personalization is crucial in networking, and a warm greeting can help make your request stand out. A friendly greeting may also be helpful if you want to earn more LinkedIn endorsements.
2. Introduce Yourself
When writing a LinkedIn connection request, briefly introduce yourself and explain why you are interested in connecting. State your name, your current or past position, and any relevant achievements or skills.
It is also a good idea to mention any connection that you may have in common.
Here is an example of how to do this.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform, and introducing yourself aligns with professional etiquette.
When you introduce yourself, you provide the recipient with context about who you are and your professional background. This helps establish your credibility and demonstrates that you have a genuine reason for connecting.
3. Personalize Your Message
Take the time to personalize each message based on the recipient’s profile and your common interests or experiences. You may also mention a specific detail from their LinkedIn profile that caught your attention.
It can be something as simple as shown in this example here.
People are more likely to respond positively when they feel the connection request is personalized and not a generic, mass message.
By personalizing your message you differentiate yourself from impersonal requests and grab the recipient's attention.
It shows that you have invested time and effort in crafting a message specifically for them, increasing the likelihood of your request being accepted.
4. Express Your Interest
When you are writing a LinkedIn connection request message, it is important to state why you want to connect with the person. Explain how connecting can benefit both of you, whether through knowledge exchange, collaboration, or professional opportunities.
Here is a good example to draw inspiration from.
Image via QuickMail
By expressing your interest you avoid any ambiguity or confusion about your purpose, increasing the likelihood of your request being accepted.
Expressing your interest also helps establish a positive rapport with the recipient. It shows that you have taken the time to understand their background, accomplishments, or expertise and that you genuinely appreciate their work.
5. Show Familiarity and Admiration
How do you ensure that your connection request draws the user’s attention?
Showing familiarity and admiration can help you easily differentiate yourself from generic requests and catch the user’s attention.
Have you been genuinely impressed by the person's work?
In that case, mention a specific project, article, or accomplishment and express how it has helped, inspired, or motivated you.
Here’s an example.
6. Offer Value
Do you want more people to accept your LinkedIn connection request message?
Then I recommend offering something of value in return. It could be something as simple as a free ebook. You can also offer relevant resources, insights, or expertise that align with their interests or needs.
A LinkedIn connection request like the one below can be quite effective.
By providing something valuable, you increase the likelihood of your request being accepted. However, your offer of value must align with the recipient's specific needs, interests, or goals.
Be extra mindful of what you write when you are sales prospecting on LinkedIn. You don’t want your message to come across as too promotional or worse, pushy.
7. Be Clear and Concise
Keeping your LinkedIn connection request message short and to the point shows that you respect the recipient's time.
I do not like lengthy messages myself and prefer to write messages that can be read and understood quickly. Lengthy messages can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. By keeping your connection request clear and concise, you minimize the risk of your intentions being misunderstood.
Here is an excellent example.
Image via AppSumo
Notice how the sender mentions that both of them belong to the online marketing industry and they both have a common connection, Steve.
8. Use a Professional Tone
It is important to maintain a professional and respectful tone in your Linkedin connection request message.
I recommend that you avoid using informal language, slang, or overly enthusiastic expressions.
Here is an example of how NOT to write a LinkedIn connection request message.
A professional and respectful message sets a positive tone for your interaction. It also reduces the chances of your message being misunderstood or causing offense. Sometimes, using informal language can come across as disrespectful or overly casual to the recipient.
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform and brands use it for a variety of reasons, from lead generation to selling customer support software. It is expected that everyone using the platform maintains a professional tone.
Using informal language may be perceived as unprofessional and can cause you more harm than good.
9. Proofread and Edit
A connection request with typos and grammatical errors can be very annoying. A message with spelling mistakes, grammatical errors or unclear writing can also harm your professional image. That’s why I highly recommend that you proofread your message for any spelling or grammar errors before sending it. Ensure that it reads smoothly and clearly conveys your intended message.
Proofreading gives you an opportunity to refine your message and ensure that your intentions are communicated clearly and effectively. By eliminating typos, grammatical errors or confusing phraseology, you increase the chances of your message being understood and well-received.
So, whether you are running lead generation campaigns or simply increasing your no. of connections, always take the time to review your connection request message carefully before sending it.
10. End with a CTA
Lastly, it is extremely important to end your LinkedIn connection request message with a call to action. A clear and specific CTA prompts the recipient to take action and respond to your connection request.
It gives them a clear idea of what you want them to do next, such as accept your request, schedule a call, and so on.
Here is an example.
By ending your LinkedIn connection request message with a CTA, you increase the likelihood of a positive response.
Conclusion
Crafting a compelling LinkedIn connection request message is a valuable skill that can greatly enhance your networking efforts on the platform.
By following the tips above, you can build a strong network on LinkedIn, opening the door to new opportunities. Good luck!
About the Author - Gaurav Sharma
Gaurav Sharma is the founder and CEO of Attrock, a results-driven digital marketing company. Grew an agency from 5-figure to 7-figure revenue in just two years | 10X leads | 2.8X conversions | 300K organic monthly traffic. He also contributes to top publications like HuffPost, Adweek, Business 2 Community, TechCrunch, and more.
