A good LinkedIn networking or introduction message is warm, specific, and asks for something small — a reply, a bit of advice, or a quick intro — not a favor that costs the other person real effort. The best networking messages make it easy to say yes: they're personal, they give a genuine reason for reaching out, and they don't lead with a request. Below are networking and introduction message templates for reaching out cold, asking for introductions, following up after meeting someone, and reconnecting. (Pair these with the connection request templates to get connected first, and see the cold message guide for sales-flavored outreach.)
What makes a networking message work
- Give before you ask — lead with a compliment, a shared tie, or something useful.
- Make the ask tiny — one question, a 15-minute chat, a single intro — not "pick your brain for an hour."
- Be specific about why them — generic networking asks feel transactional.
- Give an easy out — "no worries if you're swamped" lowers the barrier to replying.
Reaching out to a new contact
1. Shared interest > Hi {First}, I've been following your posts on {topic} and always come away with something useful. I'm working in {space} too — would love to trade notes sometime. No agenda, just keen to connect with people thinking about this.
2. Admiration + one question > {First}, I really admire how you've built {thing} at {company}. I'm early on that path myself. Would you be open to me asking one specific question about {topic}?
3. Same industry, new to it > Hi {First}, I recently moved into {industry} from {background}. You're clearly deep in this world — I'd value connecting and learning from how you approach {area}.
Asking for an introduction
4. Warm intro via a mutual > Hi {First}, I noticed you're connected to {Name} at {company}. I'm hoping to reach them about {reason} and wondered if you'd feel comfortable making a quick intro? Totally understand if not — happy to send a blurb to make it easy either way.
5. Referral to a team > {First}, you know {company} well — I'm trying to get in front of whoever leads {function} there. Any chance you could point me in the right direction or make an intro? I'll keep it brief and useful for them.
After meeting someone (event / call)
6. Post-event > Hi {First}, great to meet you at {event} — really enjoyed our chat about {topic}. Connecting so we can stay in touch. Let me know if there's ever anything I can help with on {their thing}.
7. Post-call follow-up > {First}, thanks for the time today — the point you made about {detail} stuck with me. As promised, here's {resource/intro/link}. Looking forward to staying in touch.
Reconnecting with a dormant contact
8. Genuine reconnect > Hi {First}, it's been a while since {context}! I've since moved into {role} and thought of you when {reason}. Would love to catch up and hear what you're working on these days.
9. Value-led reconnect > {First}, came across {article/opportunity} and immediately thought of you given your work on {thing}. Sharing it here — and it's a good excuse to reconnect after too long.
Asking for advice or a favor (carefully)
10. The small, specific ask > Hi {First}, I'm wrestling with {specific decision} and you've clearly been through it. Would you have 15 minutes for me to ask a couple of focused questions? Happy to work around your schedule, and no worries if not.
Keep every relationship warm, not just the new ones
Networking isn't the first message — it's the follow-through: remembering to reconnect, following up on an intro, checking in before you need something. That's exactly what falls through the cracks when your network grows past a few hundred people. Conextly helps you stay on top of it for LinkedIn: it tracks every conversation and relationship so nobody goes cold, and drafts personal check-ins and follow-ups for you to approve, so staying in touch doesn't depend on you remembering. See how it works, and the broader prospecting guide if you're networking toward business.