---
title: "Thanks for Connecting on LinkedIn: 15 Messages & Replies"
description: "Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn: 15 short templates for sales, recruiting, networking and replies, plus when to pitch and how to automate the thank-you."
url: "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message"
lang: "en"
lastModified: "2026-10-01T04:12:31.159Z"
alternates:
  de: "https://compleadly.de/blog/danke-fuers-vernetzen-linkedin-nachricht"
  en: "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message"
  fr: "https://compleadly.com/fr/blog/merci-pour-la-mise-en-relation-linkedin"
  es: "https://compleadly.com/es/blog/gracias-por-conectar-linkedin"
  it: "https://compleadly.com/it/blog/grazie-per-il-collegamento-linkedin"
  pt: "https://compleadly.com/pt/blog/obrigado-por-conectar-linkedin"
  x-default: "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message"
---

[Blog](https://compleadly.com/blog)

[LinkedIn Strategy](https://compleadly.com/blog/category/linkedin-strategy)

# Thanks for Connecting on LinkedIn: 15 Messages & Replies That Work

September 30, 20268 min read

![Sebastian Andes, Philipp Krapp & CompLeadly Team](https://media.compleadly.de/media/8b720e679e2f2b08cc017d1938d026c62e625a21790c6df1284c2d4075cb3582-2.webp)Sebastian Andes, Philipp Krapp & CompLeadly Team

Last updated on October 1, 2026

![Two abstract profile cards on a navy background joined by a cyan connection line shaped like a handshake, with a small speech bubble above it](https://media.compleadly.de/media/46992b3868e7674e2050361dface47b86f2c2965f2c5bd0e60a1b302324f5e66.jpg)

---

Table of contents

[Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn: the short answer](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#thanks-for-connecting-on-linkedin-the-short-answer)[12 thanks for connecting messages by situation](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#12-thanks-for-connecting-messages-by-situation)[Sales and prospecting](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#sales-and-prospecting)[Recruiting: approaching candidates](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#recruiting-approaching-candidates)[Networking and job seekers: recruiters and target employers](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#networking-and-job-seekers-recruiters-and-target-employers)[After an event or a post](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#after-an-event-or-a-post)[Thanks for connecting reply: what to write when someone thanks you](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#thanks-for-connecting-reply-what-to-write-when-someone-thanks-you)[When to pitch, and when not to](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#when-to-pitch-and-when-not-to)[Automating the thank-you message as a sequence step](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#automating-the-thank-you-message-as-a-sequence-step)[Check your message before you send it](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#check-your-message-before-you-send-it)[Frequently asked questions about thanks for connecting on LinkedIn](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#frequently-asked-questions-about-thanks-for-connecting-on-linkedin)

// contents

[Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn: the short answer](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#thanks-for-connecting-on-linkedin-the-short-answer)[12 thanks for connecting messages by situation](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#12-thanks-for-connecting-messages-by-situation)[Sales and prospecting](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#sales-and-prospecting)[Recruiting: approaching candidates](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#recruiting-approaching-candidates)[Networking and job seekers: recruiters and target employers](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#networking-and-job-seekers-recruiters-and-target-employers)[After an event or a post](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#after-an-event-or-a-post)[Thanks for connecting reply: what to write when someone thanks you](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#thanks-for-connecting-reply-what-to-write-when-someone-thanks-you)[When to pitch, and when not to](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#when-to-pitch-and-when-not-to)[Automating the thank-you message as a sequence step](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#automating-the-thank-you-message-as-a-sequence-step)[Check your message before you send it](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#check-your-message-before-you-send-it)[Frequently asked questions about thanks for connecting on LinkedIn](https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#frequently-asked-questions-about-thanks-for-connecting-on-linkedin)

A thanks for connecting on LinkedIn message has one job: it turns an accepted request into the start of a conversation. Many of these messages fail for the same reason. They say thank you in the first sentence and ask for a call in the second. Below you get 15 messages and replies written the way people actually type, and a clear line on when a pitch belongs in the conversation. **Last updated: 30 September 2026.**

## Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn: the short answer

A good thanks for connecting message is two to four sentences long, is about the other person rather than about you, and contains no pitch. Say why you connected, mention one specific detail from their work, and end with an easy question or with none at all. The ask comes later, after they have replied.

- **Short.** LinkedIn's own recruiting data says: “The shorter the InMail, the higher the response rate”, and personalized messages outperform templates. That data covers InMail; LinkedIn publishes no figures for regular messages. We apply the same rule to both.
- **About them, not you.** One real detail (a post, a role change, a project) beats three sentences about your company.
- **No pitch in the first message.** Acceptance means “you may write to me”, not “sell to me”.

Source: [LinkedIn Talent Blog: Data Reveals the Best Time to Send InMails](https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/product-tips/best-time-to-send-inmails) (12 September 2016), retrieved 30 September 2026.

LinkedIn Help: “You can only message your connections.” The thank-you is your first real message, and it sets the tone. Source: [LinkedIn Help: Send messages to connections](https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/a541865), retrieved 30 September 2026.

## 12 thanks for connecting messages by situation

Every template stays under 60 words. Replace the brackets and read it out loud once.

### Sales and prospecting

**1\. After a cold request was accepted**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\]. I saw that \[company\] is hiring for \[team\] right now, which usually means a busy quarter. I work with \[role\]s on \[topic\], so your posts show up in my feed for a reason. No agenda today, glad to be connected.

**2\. Shared topic**

> Hi \[first name\], thanks for accepting. We both work around \[topic\], and your point about \[detail from a post\] stuck with me. How is \[company\] handling \[common problem\] this year? Asking out of curiosity, not to sell you anything.

**3\. New role**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\], and congratulations on the new role at \[company\]. The first months in a \[role\] seat are usually about \[typical priority\]. If a short note on how others in \[industry\] approached that would help, I'm happy to send it. If not, good luck with the start.

**4\. Mutual contact**

> Hi \[first name\], thanks for accepting. \[Mutual contact\] told me you know more about \[topic\] than most people at \[company\]. I don't want to take your time now, I just wanted to put a face to the name. If \[topic\] comes up on your side, I'd be glad to swap notes.

### Recruiting: approaching candidates

**5\. Passive candidate**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\]. Your work on \[project or skill\] at \[company\] caught my eye. I recruit for \[type of roles\] in \[region\] and would like to keep you in mind when something fits. No need to reply unless you're curious.

**6\. Concrete role, soft opening**

> Hi \[first name\], thanks for accepting. I'm filling a \[role\] position at \[company\] that overlaps with your work in \[skill\]. I don't know whether you're open to a change, so I won't drop a job description on you unannounced. Would a two-line summary be useful, or is now the wrong time?

**7\. Talent pool, nothing open yet**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\]. I stay in touch with people in \[field\] because good hires rarely come from job ads. Nothing open fits you today, and I'll only write again when something matches your profile. If your plans change first, you know where to find me.

### Networking and job seekers: recruiters and target employers

**8\. To a recruiter**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\]. I'm a \[role\] with \[number\] years in \[field\], and the teams you recruit for at \[company\] are the kind I'd like to join. I don't expect anything right now. If a \[role\] opening comes up, a quick heads-up would mean a lot.

**9\. To a hiring manager at a target employer**

> Hi \[first name\], thanks for accepting. I've followed \[company\]'s work on \[product or topic\] for a while, and your post about \[detail\] explained a lot. I'm looking at roles in \[field\]. Would you be open to two or three questions about how your team works, whenever it suits you?

**10\. Peer networking**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\]. Good to have someone in my network who actually writes about \[topic\] instead of just sharing links. If you ever want a second opinion on \[your area\], just ask. I'll probably do the same.

### After an event or a post

**11\. After an event**

> Hi \[first name\], thanks for connecting after \[event\]. Your question about \[topic\] in the \[session\] was the best one of the day. Did you get an answer you were happy with? I've been thinking about it since.

**12\. After a post**

> Thanks for connecting, \[first name\]. I found you through your post on \[topic\], especially the part about \[detail\]. It deserved more than a like, so I'm asking directly: what led you to that view?

## Thanks for connecting reply: what to write when someone thanks you

Sometimes a thank-you lands in your own inbox. A reply takes ten seconds and keeps the door open while the other person is paying attention. Three thanks for connecting replies:

**13\. Short and warm**

> Thanks, \[first name\], glad to be connected too. I saw you work on \[topic\] at \[company\], which is close to what I do. Let's stay in touch.

**14\. Reply with a question**

> Thank you, \[first name\], happy to connect. What brought you to my profile, was it \[post or event\]? Always good to know what people find useful.

**15\. The thank-you came with a pitch**

> Thanks for reaching out, \[first name\]. I'm not looking at \[product category\] right now, but I'm glad to stay connected. If that changes, I'll let you know.

## When to pitch, and when not to

You pitch once the other person has replied and given you a reason. A reply that mentions a problem, a project or a question is an invitation. Silence is not.

- **Wait for the reply.** If nothing comes back, one or two short follow-ups are enough. After that, let the connection rest.
- **Offer something first.** A useful link, an observation about their market, an answer to a question they asked in a post.
- **Keep the connection note and the message apart.** The note travels with the request, before the person has decided anything. The message comes after acceptance. Our [LinkedIn safety checklist](https://compleadly.com/knowledge/safety-checklist) is direct about it: never pitch in the connection note. The same checklist recommends keeping at most about 200 pending requests and gradually withdrawing any older than five days.

In recruiting, the first ask is the job summary the candidate agreed to receive; for job seekers, the CV the recruiter offered to read.

## Automating the thank-you message as a sequence step

A thank-you for every new connection, week after week, is where manual follow-through usually breaks down. Our knowledge base describes the thank-you as a sequence: [follow first, connect, then send a thank-you message](https://compleadly.com/knowledge/use-case-follow-before-connecting-then-a-thank-you-message). You follow the person, send the connection request afterwards, and after acceptance CompLeadly sends a thank-you instead of a pitch. Acceptance tends to be higher because the person has already noticed you. Setup from a template takes four steps:

1. Create the sequence.
2. Insert the audience from a LinkedIn search or Sales Navigator (own license required).
3. Individualize the messages, for example with the templates above.
4. Schedule the execution.

Follow-ups after the thank-you run only while there is no reply and stop at the first reaction. Once someone answers, the Smart-Chat add-on can continue the conversation, and you decide per chat whether the AI only drafts or also sends. Connection sequences and follow-ups are part of Basic; workflow templates, placeholders and scheduling belong to Premium; detection of formal or informal address belongs to Premium Plus. Scheduling means a time window with start and end, optionally recurring, inside which the app works through the audience; details in [how to schedule LinkedIn messages](https://compleadly.com/blog/schedule-linkedin-messages).

- **Sales:** build the audience from position, industry, region and company size; follow-ups (Basic) run until someone answers.
- **Recruiting:** use a people search, Sales Navigator (Basic, own license) or Recruiter Lite (all plans, own license) as the audience and thank candidates with template 5 or 7\. More on the [recruiters page](https://compleadly.com/use-cases/recruiters).
- **Job seekers:** put the recruiters and hiring managers of your target employers into one audience, send template 8 or 9 after acceptance in a Connection-Sequence (Basic) and answer replies yourself.

CompLeadly is a desktop app for Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS that runs on your own computer through your own IP, with daily limits you set. Every function and its plan is on the [features page](https://compleadly.com/features), prices on the [pricing page](https://compleadly.com/pricing). The 10-day trial needs no credit card.

## Check your message before you send it

A filled-in template can still sound like a sales letter. Before a thank-you goes into a sequence, paste your version into our free [LinkedIn message check](https://compleadly.com/free-tools/message-check), which runs in your browser, and adjust it until the first line is about the other person.

## Frequently asked questions about thanks for connecting on LinkedIn

Should you message someone after connecting on LinkedIn?

Yes, if you have a reason to be connected. A short thanks for connecting message that mentions one detail about the other person turns the connection into a conversation; it should not contain a pitch.

How soon should you send a thanks for connecting message?

LinkedIn publishes no recommendation for regular messages, and its own InMail data found no best time of day. Send it within a few days of acceptance, while the person still remembers your request.

Is “thanks for connecting” too generic?

On its own, yes. The phrase works as an opener when the next sentence names something specific about the person, such as a post, a role change or a shared event.

Should you reply to a thanks for connecting message?

A short reply is worth it: thank them back, add one detail or question, and keep the connection open. If the thank-you contained a pitch you are not interested in, say so politely and stay connected.

---

Was this post helpful?

// newsletter

### Want more?

Sign up and get new articles on LinkedIn outreach and automation straight to your inbox.

You will receive a confirmation email (double opt-in). You can unsubscribe at any time via the link in every email. Details: [privacy policy](https://compleadly.com/privacy). 

![Sebastian Andes](https://media.compleadly.de/media/8b720e679e2f2b08cc017d1938d026c62e625a21790c6df1284c2d4075cb3582-2.webp)

[Sebastian Andes](https://compleadly.com/blog/author/sebastian-andes)

Managing Director · CEO

Marketing coach & business consultant. An experienced entrepreneur and marketing strategist, he has been co-building CompLeadly since 2019.

[LinkedIn – Sebastian Andes](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-andes/)

![Philipp Krapp](https://media.compleadly.de/media/5f21a7708967b449194687bb2101d4f657472eae4f1382d605d6904a027aab22-2.webp)

[Philipp Krapp](https://compleadly.com/blog/author/philipp-krapp)

Managing Director · CTO

Software engineer & app developer. An innovative software developer, he has been co-building CompLeadly since 2019.

[LinkedIn – Philipp Krapp](https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-krapp/)

![CompLeadly Team](https://media.compleadly.de/media/9109d0d881666addb60c3164d0302e5f499991f811381c2c8d17b8fb37e2f9e9-2.svg)

[CompLeadly Team](https://compleadly.com/blog/author/compleadly-team)

We build CompLeadly so LinkedIn outreach stops being a matter of luck. Our content team writes up what actually works in real campaigns.

// keep reading

## You might also like

[![Glass envelopes and chat cards lined up along a glowing timeline with three markers, illustrating follow-up messages sent with the right timing](https://media.compleadly.de/media/7ec81fc237a967c82cb13b8a29eb635857db8b3c09a76fbb3be15d1f924de1a3.jpg)LinkedIn StrategyCold Email Follow Up: 15 Email and LinkedIn Templates With Timing13 min read](https://compleadly.com/blog/follow-up-email-templates)[![Active Sourcing auf LinkedIn: Anleitung in 6 Schritten](https://media.compleadly.de/media/4319a159c8abac70449224f2bf741a97471ea2881dd062c2721566b868494b0e.jpg)LinkedIn StrategyActive Sourcing on LinkedIn: A 6-Step Guide10 min read](https://compleadly.com/blog/active-sourcing-linkedin)[![Stacked glass chat message cards with generic avatars and a glowing paper plane, illustrating LinkedIn recruiting messages](https://media.compleadly.de/media/1b6b5dcfaf92f6504034265c141a0dfe31ed28526d862a73bcc16b56e38c4477.jpg)LinkedIn StrategyLinkedIn Recruiting Messages: 10 Templates for Every Stage8 min read](https://compleadly.com/blog/linkedin-recruiting-message-templates)

## Ready for answers instead of cold lists?

[Try free for 10 days](https://compleadly.com/download)

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Organization",
  "@id": "https://compleadly.de/#organization",
  "name": "CompLeadly",
  "legalName": "CompLeadly OHG",
  "description": "LinkedIn automation software for B2B sales and lead generation — since 2019, with data hosted in the EU.",
  "foundingDate": "2019",
  "founder": [
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://compleadly.de/ueber-uns#person-sebastian-andes",
      "name": "Sebastian Andes",
      "jobTitle": "Managing Director · CEO",
      "url": "https://compleadly.com/about",
      "image": "https://compleadly.com/images/founders/sebastian-andes-960w.webp",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-andes/"
      ],
      "worksFor": {
        "@id": "https://compleadly.de/#organization"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://compleadly.de/ueber-uns#person-philipp-krapp",
      "name": "Philipp Krapp",
      "jobTitle": "Managing Director · CTO",
      "url": "https://compleadly.com/about",
      "image": "https://compleadly.com/images/founders/philipp-krapp-960w.webp",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-krapp/"
      ],
      "worksFor": {
        "@id": "https://compleadly.de/#organization"
      }
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://compleadly.com/",
  "logo": {
    "@type": "ImageObject",
    "url": "https://compleadly.com/brand/compleadly-logo-light.svg"
  },
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.linkedin.com/company/compleadly/",
    "https://www.facebook.com/CompLeadlyLinkedInSoftware/",
    "https://www.instagram.com/compleadly/",
    "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT_aB_ioPgfoAvFclwXvug"
  ],
  "contactPoint": [
    {
      "@type": "ContactPoint",
      "telephone": "+49 2202 1860373",
      "email": "info@compleadly.de",
      "contactType": "customer support",
      "areaServed": "DE",
      "availableLanguage": [
        "German",
        "English"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "streetAddress": "Hauptstr. 26",
    "postalCode": "51465",
    "addressLocality": "Bergisch Gladbach",
    "addressCountry": "DE"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "WebSite",
  "@id": "https://compleadly.com/#website",
  "name": "CompLeadly",
  "url": "https://compleadly.com/",
  "inLanguage": "en-US",
  "publisher": {
    "@id": "https://compleadly.de/#organization"
  },
  "potentialAction": {
    "@type": "SearchAction",
    "target": {
      "@type": "EntryPoint",
      "urlTemplate": "https://compleadly.com/search?q={search_term_string}"
    },
    "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
  "itemListElement": [
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 1,
      "name": "Home",
      "item": "https://compleadly.com/"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 2,
      "name": "Blog",
      "item": "https://compleadly.com/blog"
    },
    {
      "@type": "ListItem",
      "position": 3,
      "name": "Thanks for Connecting on LinkedIn: 15 Messages & Replies That Work",
      "item": "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message"
    }
  ]
}
```

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "BlogPosting",
  "@id": "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message#article",
  "headline": "Thanks for Connecting on LinkedIn: 15 Messages & Replies That Work",
  "description": "Thanks for connecting on LinkedIn: 15 short templates for sales, recruiting, networking and replies, plus when to pitch and how to automate the thank-you.",
  "url": "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message",
  "mainEntityOfPage": {
    "@type": "WebPage",
    "@id": "https://compleadly.com/blog/thanks-for-connecting-linkedin-message"
  },
  "inLanguage": "en-US",
  "image": "https://media.compleadly.de/media/46992b3868e7674e2050361dface47b86f2c2965f2c5bd0e60a1b302324f5e66.jpg",
  "datePublished": "2026-09-30T09:00:00.000Z",
  "dateModified": "2026-10-01T04:12:31.159Z",
  "author": [
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://compleadly.com/blog/author/sebastian-andes#person",
      "name": "Sebastian Andes",
      "url": "https://compleadly.com/blog/author/sebastian-andes",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-andes/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://compleadly.com/blog/author/philipp-krapp#person",
      "name": "Philipp Krapp",
      "url": "https://compleadly.com/blog/author/philipp-krapp",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-krapp/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "@id": "https://compleadly.com/blog/author/compleadly-team#organization",
      "name": "CompLeadly Team",
      "url": "https://compleadly.com/blog/author/compleadly-team"
    }
  ],
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "@id": "https://compleadly.de/#organization",
    "name": "CompLeadly",
    "logo": {
      "@type": "ImageObject",
      "url": "https://compleadly.com/brand/compleadly-logo-light.svg"
    }
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "FAQPage",
  "mainEntity": [
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Should you message someone after connecting on LinkedIn?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "Yes, if you have a reason to be connected. A short thanks for connecting message that mentions one detail about the other person turns the connection into a conversation; it should not contain a pitch."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "How soon should you send a thanks for connecting message?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "LinkedIn publishes no recommendation for regular messages, and its own InMail data found no best time of day. Send it within a few days of acceptance, while the person still remembers your request."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Is “thanks for connecting” too generic?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "On its own, yes. The phrase works as an opener when the next sentence names something specific about the person, such as a post, a role change or a shared event."
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Question",
      "name": "Should you reply to a thanks for connecting message?",
      "acceptedAnswer": {
        "@type": "Answer",
        "text": "A short reply is worth it: thank them back, add one detail or question, and keep the connection open. If the thank-you contained a pitch you are not interested in, say so politely and stay connected."
      }
    }
  ]
}
```