Personalize invitations to connect

Last updated: 2 months ago

Adding a short, thoughtful message to your connection request helps you explain who you are and why you’re reaching out. This can help the recipient decide whether to accept your request.

Adding a message helps you:

  • Explain who you are and why you’re reaching out

  • Build trust when connecting with someone you don’t know yet

  • Stand out from generic requests

Invitation limits

  • You can add a personalized message to up to three connection requests per month 

  • Each message can be up to 200 characters 

  • LinkedIn Premium members can send unlimited personalized invitations to all their connection requests (connection request limits may still apply) 

Why personalize a connection invitation 

This is especially useful if you’re growing your network, exploring new roles, or reconnecting with people outside your immediate circle. 

What to include in your message

Keep your message short and specific. A good personalized invitation usually includes:

  • How you found the person or what you have in common

  • Why you’d like to connect now

  • A clear and polite tone

For example, you might reference a shared role, event, group, or post you found helpful. This helps the recipient quickly understand the context of your request. 

Add a personalized message to a connection invitation 

To add a message to an invitation:

  1. Navigate to the profile of the member you’d like to connect with. 

  2. Select Connect in the introduction section. 

  3. Click Add a note.

  4. Add your personalized message in the text field.

  5. Select Send invitation.

Here's a tip

If you're having trouble sending personalized invitations, try updating the LinkedIn mobile app to the most current version.

If the recipient replies to your message or accepts your invitation, the conversation appears in your messages.

Important to know:

  • If the recipient replies to your message, it will appear in your messages.

  • When you select We don’t know each other, you may be prompted to send a message before the invitation is sent.

  • Invitations sent from People You May Know on the LinkedIn mobile app can’t be personalized. 

  • A primary email address is mandatory to send invitations.

  • If the recipient responds to your message, they can reply without accepting your invitation. 

These limits help ensure outreach remains thoughtful and relevant.  

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