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How to Follow Up With a New LinkedIn Connection

Short answer: Send a short message within a day or two of the connection being accepted. Thank them, mention something you have in common or admire in their work, and ask one simple question. Do not pitch in the first message.

Start with why you connected

Before you write anything, remember the reason you wanted to connect. Maybe you met at an event, share a group, or admire something they posted. That reason is the heart of your message. If you cannot name one, you may not need a follow-up yet.

A simple structure for the first message

Thank them. A short, genuine thanks for connecting.
Say why you wanted to connect. One specific detail from their profile, a post, or where you met.
Ask one easy question. About their work, a challenge in their field, or a topic you share.
Leave out the pitch. If there is a fit later, it will come out of the conversation.

Examples you can adapt

Hi Dana, thanks for connecting. I enjoyed your post about onboarding new clients, especially the point about the first 30 days. How do you decide what to automate and what to keep personal?

Hi Chris, good to meet you at the Thursday online mixer, and thanks for connecting. You mentioned you are building a referral network for accountants. What kind of members are you hoping to meet next?

Timing

A day or two after they accept is a natural time. If you met in person, send it the same day or the next. If it has been weeks since you connected and you never wrote, you can still send a note. Say you meant to reach out and make the message useful.

What to avoid

The instant pitch. A sales message right after connecting is the most common reason people stop replying.
A copy-and-paste template. If the message could go to anyone, it will feel like it did.
Long messages. Three or four sentences is plenty.
Automation tools. LinkedIn's User Agreement restricts automated activity, and automated messages tend to read as automated. Write and send your own messages.

Using a personal video in a LinkedIn message

A short video can turn a new connection into a real conversation, because they hear your voice and see that you looked at their work. Keep it under a minute, say their name, and ask the same single question you would in text. Yabily creates a personal video for each contact from one recording of you, in a version made to play inside a LinkedIn message. You still send each one yourself.

Common questions

How long should I wait before messaging a new LinkedIn connection?

A day or two after they accept is a natural time. If you met in person first, message the same day or the next, while the meeting is fresh.

Should I pitch my services in the first message?

No. Thank them, mention something specific, and ask a question. A pitch in the first message is the most common reason people stop replying. Let the offer come later, if there is a fit.

What if they do not reply?

Give it a week or two, then send one short, useful follow-up, such as an article or a relevant question. If there is still no reply, move on. A silent connection can still read what you post.

Can I automate LinkedIn follow-up messages?

It is best not to. LinkedIn's User Agreement restricts automated activity, and automated messages usually feel generic. Writing and sending your own messages is safer and works better.

Can I send a video in a LinkedIn message?

Yes. LinkedIn lets you send video in messages. Keep it short, make it personal, and say what it is about in the text, so the person knows why they are getting it.

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Follow up with everyone you meet

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Last updated: October 4, 2026