Should You Add A Note When Connecting On LinkedIn?

Adding notes to your LinkedIn connection requests can increase your response rate.

However, they can also decrease your response rate if you say the wrong thing.

In this article, I will discuss what type of scenarios require a note, and what you should say:

- What is a LinkedIn connection request note?
- Should you add a note when connecting on LinkedIn?
- What should you say in your note?

What is a LinkedIn connection request note?

LinkedIn is a social networking website for professionals.

Like most social networking sites, it allows you to send connection requests to other users.

The reason why connecting with people on LinkedIn is important is because you cannot message people through LinkedIn unless you are already connected.

When you send a connection request, LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to add a “note”, which is a small message that you can write. Adding a note is not mandatory.

When the person receives your connection request, they will also be able to read the note (message) that you wrote.

If you are interested in learning more about messaging people through LinkedIn, then check out my article Can You Message Someone On LinkedIn Without Premium?

Should you add a note when connecting on LinkedIn?

I recommend that you add a note to your connection requests on LinkedIn.

A personalized note will increase the number of people that accept your connection requests.

High level executives, such as CEOs and founders, receive dozens of connection requests each month.

Often, they are being bombarded with connection requests from salespeople trying to pitch them something.

They will assume by default that you are trying to sell them something, unless proven otherwise.

If your connection request doesn’t contain a personalized note that makes it very clear that you aren’t trying to sell them something, then they will reject it.

What should you say in your note?

It is very important that you don’t sound like you are trying to sell something.

If the person that you are trying to connect with thinks you are selling something, then they will reject your connection request instantly.

Instead, I recommend that you use my tried and tested note:

“Hey {first_name},

Just letting you know that I sent you an email.

Thanks,
George”

The reason why the above note works so well is because it creates curiosity, and doesn’t make your prospect think that you are trying to sell them something. For all they know, you may have something important to say.

Additionally, the fact that you took the time to send them a personalized email, followed by a connection request on LinkedIn, shows them that you are serious and not simply sending thousands of spam emails.

It's important that you have a professional looking LinkedIn profile, since prospects won't respond or accept your connection requests if you don't look legitimate.

You are probably wondering how to email these people in the first place.

I recommend that you use Emailchaser’s Email Finder to find their email addresses (even when their emails aren’t publicly available).

You can then send a personalized cold email to each prospect, and also send a LinkedIn connection request with the above note message included.

If you are wondering what to say in your cold email, then check out my article How To Write A Cold Email (6-Step Process).

Final thoughts

You should always add a note to your LinkedIn connection requests.

This is important because most people assume that connection requests are from salespeople trying to sell something, so unless you make it very clear in the note message that you aren’t selling anything, then your request will be rejected.

On a related topic, I recommend that you read my article LinkedIn Limits: How Many Connection Requests & Messages?

You may also enjoy my other article InMail vs Connection Request: Which Gets More Replies?