How to Connect on LinkedIn: Best Practices and Examples

Imagine a stranger approaching you and handing over their business card or asking for your contact details out of the blue — awkward, right? Well, that’s how it looks when we connect with someone on LinkedIn with generic messages and cramming our offer without even saying “hello.”

The result? No reaction at worst; at best, you’ve got connections that never take off.  

Good news! You can learn how to connect with someone on LinkedIn and build relationships that drive value. I’ll share the proven tactics in this article and provide you with invitation templates you can use to start growing your network.

Let’s dive in!

The most effective ways to connect with someone on LinkedIn (with templates from Snov.io)

From direct requests to group interactions, LinkedIn provides multiple possibilities for growing your network. 

The best methods to connect with someone on LinkedIn:

• Send a direct connection request to people you know
• Send a personalized connection message
• Follow first
• Use LinkedIn groups
• Go through LinkedIn recommendations
• Connect through a mutual friend or colleague
• Send connection request after an event

Send a direct connection request to people you know

That’s the simplest way to connect with someone on LinkedIn, and it works best when you’re just beginning to grow your network.

To increase the likelihood of your request being accepted, I recommend reaching out with a more personalized invite than the default “I’d like to add you to my professional network” message.

Example:

Hi [Name], 

I really enjoyed working with you at [company/project]. Let’s connect here to keep in touch and share updates!

or

Hi [Name], 

I’m glad to see you on LinkedIn! I’ve always admired your work in [field/industry/role], and I’d love to connect here to stay updated on your professional journey.

It’s also crucial to avoid sending too many requests at once as this may trigger account restriction. Consider LinkedIn’s connection limits and focus on quality over quantity. Remember, you should target meaningful connections rather than sending random connection requests.

🎁  Want to outsmart your connection limits? Check out our FREE guide and learn how to warm up your account and grow your business network.

Send a personalized connection message

Want to know how to connect with someone on LinkedIn most effectively? Complement your request with a personalized message. 

While generic requests are often ignored (why would anyone read something from the unknown profile?), personalized messages demonstrate genuine interest and professionalism. This can not only increase the chances of a positive response but also encourage meaningful conversation.

Your tip of the day:

To write a personalized connection message, briefly explain who you are and what you do. Then, hook a person by providing the reason why you’d like to connect. State something like shared interests or mutual connections, and mention you admire their work or experience. 

Example:

Hi [Name], 

I’m [Your Name], [Your industry role/ job position]. I’ve been following your work in [field/industry], and I’m impressed by your insights on [specific topic]. I’d love to connect and learn more from your expertise.

or

Hi [Name], 

I’m [Your Name], and I’m currently working in [specific field/industry]. I see we share an interest in [specific topic]. Your recent post on [related topic] resonated with me. Let’s connect and exchange ideas.

These details add a personal touch to your request, making it stand out from other connection messages. However, try not to overload your invitation copy. Your message must be short and friendly yet look professional.

💡 LinkedIn automation hack: With the Snov.io tool for automated LinkedIn outreach, you can personalize your messages in bulk absolutely on autopilot. You can address a person by name, mention their role, industry, company, and more, no matter how many contacts you’re reaching out to at the moment. For more advanced personalization, you can apply the Dynamic content feature to adjust your message content based on specific data about the contact. You can also try Spintax to easily create multiple unique message variations by mixing various words and phrases.

Send a LinkedIn connection request first

“How to connect with someone on LinkedIn with no Connect button?” That’s the question I often hear from LinkedIn fresh users. Well, some users have the ‘Follow’ button as the default profile option, hiding the Connect button in the advanced menu:

That’s typical of influencers, industry leaders, or people with a large following who might not accept every connection request. 

But no worries! Following someone on LinkedIn without a connection can be a good first step. It allows you to gain valuable insights into the latest industry trends and your target audience’s interests. 

Your tip of the day:

Make your approach strategic and gradual. Once you start to follow someone on LinkedIn, engage with their profile by liking, commenting, or sharing their posts. After a while, send a personalized connection request referring, for example, to one of the posts you liked or a topic that caught your attention.

Example:

Hi [Name], 

Your recent post about [specific topic] was really insightful. I’ve been following your updates for a while and would love to connect to keep learning from your expertise.

By building more meaningful interaction with the person’s profile, you create a sense of familiarity and increase the likelihood of your request being accepted.

💡 LinkedIn automation hack: With LinkedIn automation tools for lead generation, you can build an effective strategy for engaging on the platform without spending much time on it. For example, with Snov.io you can create a sequence of actions that lead to connecting influencers or thought leaders. Set up automated profile views, post likes, connection requests, and InMails to interact with meaningful contacts in bulk. ❗ Snov.io takes care of your account safety with cloud-based servers, built-in proxies, and smart safety limits that simulate human behavior.

Use LinkedIn groups

That’s an effective way to connect with someone who shares similar interests or works in the same industry. Moreover, LinkedIn groups can be a real gold mine for finding valuable connections that can contribute to your growth.  

To get the most out of this method, search for groups in your industry, location, or related field. Join one and start participating in its life: interact with members through discussions, share insights, and engage with their posts.

Activity in LinkedIn groups is your opportunity to establish common ground, demonstrate professionalism, and even become a thought leader. When you reach out, building a meaningful connection will be a breeze.

Exper tip of the day:

When sending a connection request to one of the members, mention the group you both belong to and reference something specific, for example, a recent discussion or post, to enhance your request. 

Example:

Hi [Name], 

I saw your post in the [Group Name] about [specific topic], and I found your perspective very interesting. I’d love to connect and continue the conversation.

Go through LinkedIn recommendations

That’s an excellent feature indeed, as it often recommends truly promising connections. Such an approach can be especially helpful when you have only started using LinkedIn and have no list of potential connections yet. When you’ve only created your profile, LinkedIn recommends people you may know based on the information you provide: school, previous work experience, and other parameters you set.

→ Explore our beginner’s guide to LinkedIn outreach and find the best ideas for growing your relationships on this platform.

How to connect with someone on LinkedIn via recommendations:

1. On your LinkedIn homepage. You can find recommendations in the “Add to your feed” section on the right side of your profile page.

2. In the “My Network” tab. Click “My Network” from your home page to view all recommendations. LinkedIn suggests connections categorized into sections based on your recent activity, industry, role, etc.

These sections also include trending groups, shared connections, online events, and individuals from similar industries or groups, helping you identify professionals who align with your interests or career goals.

Expert tip of the day:

You can use LinkedIn recommendations as a hook in your message to explain the reason why you’re contacting a person.

Example:

Hi [Name], 

LinkedIn recommended your profile, and I was impressed by your work in [specific area]. I’d love to connect and learn more about your insights.

or

Hi [Name], 

LinkedIn recommended your profile due to our mutual interest in [specific topic]. I’d love to connect and discuss how we can share experiences or insights in this area.

Connect through a mutual friend or colleague.

A mutual connection can be a bridge to building meaningful professional relationships on LinkedIn. When your recipient sees that you’re connected to someone they trust, it creates an immediate sense of credibility and makes your outreach more relatable.

Connecting through a mutual LinkedIn connection is an effective way to grow your network. Look for active content creators among your existing contacts and explore the comments section under their posts. Identify people you’d like to connect with, carefully read their comments, and respond with meaningful insights. Whether you agree or (politely) debate with someone, always add value. After a few thoughtful interactions, you’ll become familiar with them, increasing the chances they’ll accept your connection request — or even initiate one themselves.”

Nika Porobaniuk

Marketing Specialist at Snov.io

Expert tip of the day:

Ask your shared contact to introduce you. An introduction through someone your potential connections already know can significantly boost your chances of joining someone’s network. If an introduction isn’t possible, you can still reference the mutual connection in your message. 

Example:

Hi [Name], 

I noticed we’re both connected to [Mutual Contact], and I admire the work you’ve done in [specific area]. I’d love to connect and learn more about your experience.

or

Hi [Name], 

We’re both connected to [Mutual Contact], a former colleague of mine at [Company]. I’ve been following your posts on [specific topic], and I really appreciate your insights on [specific aspect]. I’d love to connect and share thoughts on this subject.

Send connection request after an event

Networking events, webinars, conferences, or workshops are excellent opportunities to meet people and build connections. Even if you didn’t speak to someone directly during the event, you can still use the shared experience as a conversation starter.

Search for online events in your industry and attend them to connect and network with attendees and speakers.

Expert tip of the day:

During the meeting, engage in the comment section or join the discussions in the feed to lay the foundation for successful connections. Afterward, send personalized connection requests referencing the event. 

You can also explore the attendee list on the event page to find potential connections without participating. 

Example:

Hi [Name], 

It was great to meet you at the [Event Name] last week. I enjoyed our discussion about [specific topic], and I’d love to connect to continue the conversation.

or

Hi [Name], 

I noticed you were listed as an attendee for [Event Name], and it seems we share a common interest in [specific area]. I’d love to connect and explore ways we can collaborate.

🎁  Want to outsmart your connection limits? Check out our FREE guide and learn how to warm up your account and grow your business network.

Top rules to learn before connecting with people on LinkedIn

Before you start to connect with someone on LinkedIn, keep in mind some recommendations that help you drive more results on the platform.

Optimize your profile

Think about your LinkedIn profile as a storefront—it’s the first thing people see and judge by. So, you need to ensure it makes an impact and conveys the values and your expertise.

Consider the following points to set up a winning profile:

• Start with a clear, high-quality profile photo that reflects your professionalism.
• Think about a background picture. Ensure it matches your main profile image and tells people about what you’re doing or offering.
• Write a profile headline that shows your expertise and the unique value you can bring to your potential connections.
• Ensure your “About” section tells a compelling story about who you are, your skills, and your achievements.
• Elaborate on every point of your LinkedIn portfolio so people see your experience and value.

Ensure the information you provide in your profile is up-to-date.

A well-optimized profile strengthens your professional image and sets you apart from the competition, making your connection request more likely to be accepted.

Monitor pending connections regularly

If pending connection requests remain unanswered for too long, it may give the impression of spammy behavior and negatively impact your weekly limit, reducing your ability to connect with others.

Make it a rule to withdraw pending connections to avoid these possible restrictions. You can enhance the process with the automation tool. Snov.io, for example, lets you track pending connections and delete them all at once automatically.

Stay engaged with your connections

Building connections on LinkedIn doesn’t end with a user accepting your request. It should be an ongoing process if you want to gain real results and drive revenue to your business. 

Continue interacting with your connections after your request is accepted: like their postings, share comments, and post valuable content to make your relations stronger and long-lasting. 

→ Learn how to create an optimal LinkedIn content marketing strategy for 2025.

How many LinkedIn connection requests can you send per day?

LinkedIn sets a weekly limit rather than a strict daily restriction, allowing up to 100 connection requests per week. This means you could send 60 requests in one day and then distribute the remaining 40 throughout the week. 

However, I recommend keeping the daily limit of 10 to 20 connection requests on average, not to look spammy and avoid getting your LinkedIn profile restricted.

With Snov.io, for instance, you can easily control your LinkedIn limits while your invitations are sent on autopilot.

Want to send more connection requests but worry about limits? I recommend creating multiple accounts and rotate them on the fly. Snov.io will do the job for you, adjusting to daily limits on each account.

It’s time to network and grow!

Connecting with someone on LinkedIn is more than just clicking a button and waiting for acceptance. When done strategically, it’s about building meaningful professional relationships that can result in value-driven partnerships, collaborations, or conversion growth.

The above strategies and tips don’t simply explain how to connect with someone on LinkedIn; by following them, you can make your outreach truly effective. And don’t forget: with Snov.io, LinkedIn is your oyster! If you want to upgrade your LinkedIn social selling skills, I invite you to join our free course at Snov.io Academy!