Reaching out to new connections on LinkedIn can feel awkward, for many people. You sent a connection request, and they accepted it. Now it’s time to write your first message. What do you say in your message? How do you make it impactful without coming off as pushy?
The LinkedIn first message after connecting is your chance to start a valuable relationship. As such, your message should sound genuine and professional in order to grab the attention of the recipient and get a response.
You’ll learn how to write your first connection message on LinkedIn. We’ll also provide practical tips and examples to help you start meaningful conversations with your connections.
What Makes a Good LinkedIn First Message After Connecting?
Writing a good first message in LinkedIn boils down to several key elements. Here are the factors to consider when writing your LinkedIn first message after connecting.
Be Clear and Purposeful
Most LinkedIn users expect some level of engagement after connecting. This means it is an opportunity for you to engage with your new contact on the platform and tell what value you bring to the relationship.
What this means is that when you write a LinkedIn message, you should avoid small talk because people are busy. Instead, your message needs to get straight to the point and tell why it is a good idea for both of you to network.
Example:
“Hi [Name], thank you for accepting my connection request. I’ve been following your work in [industry/field] and found your recent post on [specific topic] insightful. I’m looking to connect with professionals who are focused on [specific areas], and I believe there’s a lot we could learn from each other. Would you be open to discussing potential collaboration opportunities?”
This message is clear and purposeful. It avoids irrelevant talk, gets straight to the point, and states why you reached out and what value you want to offer. It respects the recipient’s time while opening the door for future interaction.
Personalize Your Message
Sure, you know how to write a LinkedIn connection request message. But the first message after connecting on the platform should be more personalized and engaging. Generic messages like “Hi, nice to connect!” are not enough to make the cut and build a good rapport.
Instead, it is always better to craft hyper-personalized LinkedIn messages for smart outreach.
But, how to do this correctly?
Briefly mention something specific from their profile, such as their latest post, work experience, recent achievements, or a mutual connection. This shows that you’ve done your homework and are seriously interested in networking.
Be Concise
Don’t send long-winded paragraphs or a wall of text. Keep in mind that most users scroll through LinkedIn on the go, so your message should be quick and easy to read. It should be easy to digest, meaningful, and relevant.
A good rule of thumb is to write 2-4 sentences or 30-60 words in your first message on LinkedIn. While it is a good idea to introduce yourself, make sure to keep it brief and instead focus on the recipient. Plus, avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.
Add Value
Your LinkedIn first message after connecting should offer value to the recipient. It could be a helpful resource, relevant insights, or a case study.
For instance, if they recently posted about a challenge in their industry, you could offer a tip or a case study that addresses that specific issue. Even a thoughtful comment on their achievements or expressing genuine interest in their work can add value.
This approach indicates to the recipient that you want to make the relationship mutually beneficial, which is the foundation of meaningful networking. You don’t want to sell or ask for favors right away but rather set the stage for opportunities that might come down the line.
Open-Ended Question
It is good to ask an open-ended question in your LinkedIn first connection message. This can encourage the recipient to respond. You could ask a question about your shared interests or the recipient’s expertise.
Frame your question in a way that shows your genuine interest and appears more personal and inviting. Also, your question should require thoughtful answers.
Examples: “What are your thoughts on [specific topic]?” or “Can you share your experience with [specific challenge]?”
Why You Need to Send a First Message on LinkedIn After Connecting
After a connection request is accepted, many people think their job is done. But the fact is that without a follow-up, your new connection will just be just another connection and nothing else. You want to build a relationship for business or career opportunities and sending a first message is essential in that regard.
Here are the reasons why you should send a first message on LinkedIn after someone accepts your request.
Build Relationships
Sending a first connection message helps build rapport and fosters engagement. It can turn a cold connection into a warm professional relationship. This can lead to partnerships, mentorship, job opportunities, or referrals down the line.
Stand Out from the other LinkedIn Connections
LinkedIn users get many connection requests, but very few follow up with a message.
When you send a message right after connecting, it differentiates you from the many passive connections. This shows that you’re serious about building a relationship, not just expanding your network for the sake of numbers.
For instance, it is a good idea to send a thank you message on LinkedIn after someone accepts your request. This is a great way to express gratitude and differentiate yourself from the majority of users who don’t bother with follow-ups.
Start a Conversation
Whether you want to network with recruiters, potential clients, or industry experts, starting a conversation is the next logical step. A well-timed, thoughtful message can open doors to collaboration, job opportunities, or valuable partnerships.
Plus, your initial outreach will set the tone for future interactions. Without a first LinkedIn message, your new connection may forget who you are or why you reached out in the first place.
Keep the Momentum Going
Sending the first message on LinkedIn keeps the momentum going after someone accepts your request. Without it, the connection might stall, and it could take weeks or months before you engage with that person again — if ever.
Never Sell on Your First LinkedIn Message
One of the biggest mistakes is to turn your first LinkedIn message into a sales pitch. In fact, leading with a sales pitch often closes doors before they even open.
The recipient barely knows you, and jumping straight into sales mode is off-putting. It might make them feel like they’re just a target, not a valued connection, and that’s not the impression you want to make.
Always remember: LinkedIn is a platform for relationship-building, not cold-calling.
Selling too soon can come across as self-serving and pushy, especially when the person has no prior interaction with you. Instead, write a first message with the goal of engaging genuinely. This will help pave the way for future discussions where sales might naturally occur.
When you provide value and show interest in the other person’s needs, they are more likely to listen when you eventually introduce your product or service.
Here’s an example of a salesy first LinkedIn message that you should avoid:
“Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I wanted to let you know about my company’s new software that can help you save time and increase productivity by 50%. We have a special offer right now that could be perfect for your business. Let me know if you’d like to schedule a demo so I can show you how it works!”
Focus on Connection
Your initial message shouldn’t be about your product or service but rather what you bring to a relationship.
Whether it’s a mutual interest, a common goal, or a helpful piece of advice, your focus should be on connection, not conversion. Demonstrating value and relevance naturally creates opportunities for future business and collaborations.
LinkedIn First Message Examples
LinkedIn first message examples and samples are a great way to learn how to write better pitches. In our past articles, we’ve covered LinkedIn cold message examples and even LinkedIn connect message examples.
Now, we’re sharing with you some examples of LinkedIn first messages after connecting for your inspiration. You can use and adapt these sample messages, depending on the context and the target recipient.
First Message After Connecting on LinkedIn
Here’s an example of a simple yet effective first message to LinkedIn connection:
“Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I noticed you recently shared an article about [topic] – I really appreciate your insights, especially [specific point]. I’d love to stay in touch and learn more about how you’re approaching [area of interest].”
This message is short, personal, and doesn’t push for anything immediately. It shows genuine interest in their work and opens the door for future conversations.
The Best First Message on LinkedIn
If you’re looking for a potential business partnership or collaboration with a new LinkedIn connection, here’s a good example message:
“Hi [Name], it’s great to connect with you! I see that you work in [industry/role]. I’ve been following trends in this space, and I think there might be some areas where we could collaborate or exchange ideas and insights. Let’s keep in touch.”
Again, this message is short, adds value, and suggests collaboration without directly selling anything.
First Contact Message on LinkedIn
If you’re reaching out to someone you’ve connected with but haven’t interacted with before, try this approach:
“Hi [Name], I wanted to say thanks for connecting. I’m particularly interested in how you’ve been working on [specific project or role]. If you have time, I’d love to hear more about your approach to [topic].”
This is a soft ask for a conversation while still keeping things professional and relevant to their work.
First Message to Recruiter on LinkedIn
Writing messages to recruiters requires a more focused approach. Here’s a template for how to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn:
“Hi [Name], thank you for accepting my connection request. I see that you specialize in recruiting for [specific field/industry]. I’m currently looking for new opportunities in [industry] and would love to discuss how my background might be a good fit for the roles you’re hiring for.”
This message is concise, polite, and directly addresses the reason for the connection.
Send LinkedIn First Message After Connecting with Octopus CRM
If you have a large number of connections, writing a personalized LinkedIn first message after connecting can become time-consuming.
With Octopus CRM LinkedIn automation tool you can send the first message on LinkedIn automatically, ensuring no opportunity is missed. Plus, this LinkedIn automation tool lets you send messages in bulk on LinkedIn without sacrificing personalization. It comes with built-in templates, allowing you to customize your messages while automating the sending process.
Octopus CRM can save you time and help maintain the quality of your outreach, ensuring that every connection receives a relevant and thoughtful message.
You can use this LinkedIn automation software to automate many other LinkedIn activities, such as visiting profiles, sending connection requests, endorsing skills, following up with your contacts, and much more.
Conclusion
Sending the first message after connecting on LinkedIn comes with many benefits, as explained above. When writing your message, remember that relevance, personalization, and offering value are key. They help turn cold connections into meaningful relationships.
Follow the tips and best practices given above to write the perfect first LinkedIn message. Also, take inspiration from the examples and customize them for your connections. If you want to automate the process of sending personalized first LinkedIn messages, consider using Octopus CRM LinkedIn automation tool.