How to Connect With People on LinkedIn (2025 Tips)

Eugene Suslov 02 Sep 2025

LinkedIn recently hit its 22nd birthday, and rather than slowing down, it’s only getting bigger, with over one billion users worldwide. Not bad for what started as a simple professional directory.

What makes those numbers even more interesting is who’s actually on this platform — professionals across all industries and seniority levels, making it the ideal place for networking and meeting peers in the digital age.

LinkedIn has also become “the” place for anyone in B2B sales, hiring, or professional growth, given that users possess a significantly greater buying power than the typical web user.

The problem is, more activity also means more noise. You can’t just click “connect” on everyone anymore and expect results. The algorithm has shifted. What wins today is authenticity — being selective, engaging with intent, and building relationships that actually matter over time.

That’s exactly what this article is about — how to grow your network the right way, how to write connection requests people actually respond to, how many people can you connect with on LinkedIn to stay 100% compliant, and more.

Why connecting with people on LinkedIn is crucial in 2025

At this point, LinkedIn isn’t “just another social network.” It’s an integral, everyday part of most professionals’ lives. Whether you’re in sales, recruiting, marketing, or even just trying to grow your personal brand — this is where the magic happens.

The question isn’t whether you should use it, but rather whether you’re building the right connections, and thanks to modern LinkedIn automation tools, that has become much easier to navigate.

Opportunities you can’t predict

Most jobs, partnerships, or deals don’t start with an ad or a form. The reality is, a ton of roles are never even posted online — they get filled through someone’s network. That means your next move might not come from cold applications but from a simple “hey, we’re hiring, thought of you” message on LinkedIn.

Referrals take it even further. Companies love them because referred candidates are trusted before they even step through the door. Same with business opportunities — plenty of deals, investments, and collaborations come from a single message exchange on LinkedIn. It’s the modern version of being in the right room at the right time.

Growing through people, not just content

Of course, not every connection is about landing a job or making a sale. Sometimes it’s just about growing your professional network and further developing your skills.

Over the years, LinkedIn has turned into a nonstop learning machine — courses, webinars, posts from thought leaders in your space. If you’re paying attention, you’ll pick up things that would take years to figure out on your own.

Flip it around, and the same is true for sharing your own insights. Buyers and decision-makers listen and engage with people they see as thought leaders. And LinkedIn is a great source of original insights, not clickbait. If you show up with real perspective, people notice — and more of the right connections follow.

A bigger pipeline

On the other hand, LinkedIn isn’t just about career opportunities anymore. With millions of companies and decision-makers actively using the platform daily, this is where sales teams, marketers, and founders go to prospect.

The smartest play now is multi-channel — using LinkedIn touches alongside email, calls, and messengers. That way, people don’t just see you once and forget. They see you in different contexts, and that repetition builds trust a lot faster.

Staying on the radar

Here’s the part most people miss. Networking isn’t about connecting with someone once and calling it a day. In fact, many professionals admit they don’t keep up with their own contacts, which ultimately means they’re invisible when opportunities come around.

The fix is simple — stay active. Comment on people’s posts, share your own thoughts, pop up on their feed often enough that when they need something, your name is the one they remember. It’s not complicated, it’s just consistency.

Cold emails are dead. Warm outreach wins.

Why waste time chasing unresponsive leads? Learn how to turn LinkedIn engagement into real conversations with our proven playbook.

How to connect with more people on LinkedIn

Here’s the thing, if you want your LinkedIn network to actually work for you, you can’t just randomly spray connection requests everywhere. That might pad your numbers, but it doesn’t build authentic relationships that actually matter.

The smart move is being deliberate about who you add, and LinkedIn gives you plenty of ways to do that if you’re willing to go beyond the surface.

Leverage LinkedIn’s advanced search filters

Typing a relevant job title into LinkedIn’s search bar and hitting enter is the easy move, and it works, but it barely scratches the surface. The real power comes when you hit “All filters” in your search results.

That’s where you unlock more precise targeting options that most people don’t even bother with. You can narrow prospects by connection degree, location, current or past employer, industry, school, language, services offered, job title, and keywords.

Why does that matter? Because invites feel different when they’re specific. “Random” requests usually get ignored, whereas a request that clearly makes sense is far more likely to get accepted.

For example, looking for supply-chain managers in Amsterdam who used to work at a certain logistics firm? That’s location + past company.

Want alumni from your old university who now work in SaaS? School + industry gets you there.

The more targeted your search, the more likely your invite will land — and the better LinkedIn’s algorithm gets at suggesting similar profiles going forward (more on that shortly).

On an extra note, if you’re willing to spend on LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator gives you even more options — company size, seniority, department headcount, etc. Recruiters and sales teams who live on LinkedIn will most definitely find it worth it. But even the free version packs plenty of punch if you actually take the time to use it properly.

Explore the “People you may know” section — and train the algorithm

There is a special list in the “My Network” tab of your account, and it isn’t random. LinkedIn creates the “People You May Know” sections based on your mutual connections, where you’ve worked, what you’ve studied, and even your phone contacts if you have them synced.

The move here is to strike a balance — don’t ignore it and scroll past it, but also don’t start spamming everyone in your recommendations with connection requests.

Remember, much like any other social platform, LinkedIn uses algorithms to decide connection recommendations for you, so treat this tab like a feed that you can shape over time.

Every time you hit “connect” or dismiss someone, you’re teaching the algorithm what kind of people belong in your network. And it works — you can add a big chunk of new connections each week just from here.

But once again, don’t make the rookie mistake of adding everyone. Instead, take a look at the profile, see if you actually share anything in common, and if you do decide to reach out, add a short, personalized note. That little bit of effort makes the invite feel authentic and keeps your network intentional instead of bloated.

Take advantage of the “More profiles for you” section

Next up, we have a handy yet often overlooked feature most people miss — the “More profiles for you” tab. It shows up as a sidebar (to the right) when you’re viewing someone’s profile, suggesting people who are in some way similar.

Think of it as LinkedIn saying, “If this person is relevant, here are a bunch of others like them.”

It’s a pretty neat and simple way to expand your connections within a niche. For example, say you’re checking out Partnership Directors in the fintech industry to grow your partnership strategy.

The “More profiles for you” sidebar will usually surface other partnership-related roles in the fintech or similar spaces, making it much easier for you to find relevant people to potentially collaborate with, without having to run multiple searches.

When you send requests from here, it could be a neat idea to reference the context in the connection message — it’s authentic and relevant as to why you’re connecting.

Something as simple as “I came across your profile while looking at other fintech product leaders — would love to connect” shows you’re intentional, not just spamming invites.

The value is straightforward — one strong profile leads you to dozens more with similar backgrounds, making it one of the easiest ways to uncover new contacts in your industry.

Join relevant LinkedIn groups — and actually participate

Groups don’t get talked about much anymore, but they’re still one of the easiest ways to find people who share the same interests and professional traits as you.

At their core, they’re just forums — places where professionals gather to discuss certain industry-related topics, trade resources, and swap advice. Some are open, some require approval, and several are hidden unless you’re invited in.

The upside is simple — engagement in these groups usually outperforms the main feed. Posts there may get fewer overall views than on the general feed, but they are often engaged and discussed more, mostly because the audience is interested in the topic, not scrolling aimlessly.

The trick is picking groups that actually matter. Look for ones tied to your industry or where your target audience is already hanging out. Then, once you’re inside, don’t just sit back. Say hello, jump into conversations, answer questions, share content that’s genuinely useful. But remember, using these groups to launch your sales pitches will kill credibility fast.

Post authentic and valuable content regularly, and people in those niche groups will eventually start recognizing your name — and that’s when connections start flowing naturally.

Attend and participate in LinkedIn events

LinkedIn Events skyrocketed in popularity over the pandemic, but they’ve now turned into something much bigger than a quick fix.

Nowadays, you’ll find everything from product launches and webinars to industry panels and hiring sessions. They’re worth paying attention to because LinkedIn bakes in targeting — events can be promoted by language, location, or industry — and once someone registers, they get reminders and can easily share it with their own network.

There’s a chat running live, and after the event, you can see who showed up and how they engaged.

The trick is not to treat events like background noise. Instead, pick the ones that actually align with what you’re interested in or passionate about.

If you’re into prospecting, join a sales demo. If you’re an HR specialist, join a hiring workshop. And when you’re there, don’t lurk — ask questions in the chat, engage with the speakers, and this way you have a bulletproof way to authentically connect with the right people.

In fact, one good interaction in the right event can do more for you than a week of cold outreach.

Create content and engage thoughtfully — become the magnet

One of the easiest ways to grow your network is to flip the script and make people want to connect with you. LinkedIn favors posts that spark conversation and provide real value. Here’s a simple yet proven way to approach it:

Share original insights → forget the lazy reposts and motivational fluff. The algorithm pushes down clickbait but rewards content that feels fresh — your own lessons learned, short case studies, or commentary that shows actual experience.
Hook people early → what happens in the first hour matters. If a post gets traction fast, LinkedIn shows it to second- and third-degree connections, creating a snowball effect. Start with something that grabs attention — a question worth answering or a stat that makes people stop scrolling.
Stick to native formats → LinkedIn likes content that lives on the platform. Text posts, image carousels, and videos all get a boost (visual posts have proven to drive more engagement than static posts). If you need to share an outside link, drop it in the comments to avoid losing reach.
Engage beyond your own posts → don’t just post and disappear. Replying to comments on your posts and leaving thoughtful comments on other people’s content goes a long way. They build goodwill, and they get your name in front of audiences you wouldn’t normally reach.
Be consistent → LinkedIn’s algorithm favors steady creators. Even once a week is enough if you stick with it consistently over time. Eventually, people will begin to associate you with your niche, and that reputation starts pulling the right connections toward you.

How to send the perfect LinkedIn connection request

Finding the right profiles is only half the battle on how to connect with people in LinkedIn, the other half is crafting meaningful LinkedIn connection messages.

The old days of using LinkedIn’s default invite message are long gone, and so are the days of mass-blasting connection request messages. LinkedIn has become very restricted.

Free accounts only get 200 characters to work with, while Premium users get 300. To make it even tighter (and encourage people to go Premium), LinkedIn now caps free users at just five personalized invites a month, though some users report up to 10 or even 20, probably due to LinkedIn’s regional / performance testing.

After that, you’re stuck sending blank requests, which means every personalized note really has to land.

Here’s how to make those characters count:

Do your homework → spend at least 30 seconds on their profile before you hit connect. Check if you’ve got a shared connection, same school, maybe a group in common, or even just mention a post they shared recently to show it’s not a random connection request.
Be precise → with such limited space, you can’t afford to waste words. Skip vague stuff like “Let’s connect.” Introduce yourself and say why you’re reaching out, for example: “Congrats on your new promotion” or “Noticed we both work in Y”.
Make it personal → use their name, mention something about them specifically. Even a short line makes it feel like you wrote it for them, not copy-pasted for 20 other people.
Give a valid reason to connect → don’t make it all about you wanting to add numbers. Maybe you both work on similar challenges, maybe you joined their webinar, maybe you want to swap ideas. Give them a reason to accept that feels mutual.
Include a call to action and gratitude → end with a small ask or just a polite thank you. Something like “Would be great to connect” or “Appreciate your time” works fine. Short, simple, respectful.

LinkedIn connection request template examples

Putting all that into practice, here are a few examples of effective connection requests you can leverage for your LinkedIn efforts:

Mutual connection

Scenario: You’re connecting with someone who shares a mutual connection, aka a 2nd-degree connection in the LinkedIn lingo.

Message:

Hi [Name], I see we both know [Mutual Connection]. I had the pleasure of working with [Mutual Connection] at [Company], and they spoke very highly of you. Since we’re both in [industry], I’d love to connect and see how our paths might intersect.

Mutual connection

Mutual community member

Scenario: You’re connecting with someone who is a member of the same professional or interest-based LinkedIn community that you’re in.

Message:

Hi [Name], I noticed we’re both part of the [Community Name] group. I’d love to connect and exchange ideas, considering we both seem passionate about [specific topic/industry focus].

Mutual community member

Someone you know (off work)

Scenario: You’re connecting with someone you know personally, outside of work. LinkedIn does not have to be exclusively someone you’ve worked with or will potentially work with!

Message:

Hi [Name], I hope you’re doing well, it’s been a while! I’d love to connect here on LinkedIn and keep in touch professionally. Let’s stay updated on what we’ve got going on!

Someone you know (off work)

Automating LinkedIn connections

Let’s be honest — personalizing every invite sounds great in theory, but doing it dozens of times a week? Most people don’t have that kind of time. That’s where LinkedIn automation steps in.

Used the right way, automation saves you tons of time without killing the personal touch. In fact, certain AI-powered tools like Reply.io will only elevate the personal touch by researching each individual person and finding the most relevant information to leverage for the connection message.

It might congratulate them on a recent promotion, reference a shared interest, or highlight a mutual connection. In any case, you can review and edit each connection request message before it goes out, ensuring it sounds like you.

Once a person accepts your connection request, you can now send them a proper message without any character restrictions, and even here, tools like automation will get the job done.

Reply.io will automate LinkedIn messaging at scale, ensuring personalized and timely follow-ups, and most importantly — integrate your LinkedIn outreach into a broader, multichannel strategy. This way, you’ll be able to engage with your prospects not only through LinkedIn, but also email, WhatsApp, and more, giving you more momentum.

But that’s not all. Reply can also take over the whole LinkedIn prospecting process on your behalf, analyzing each potential connection’s profile, experience, skills, recent activity, and so on to determine whether they’re the right fit.

Finally, it’s no secret that LinkedIn puts limits on how many connections you can make. If you’re asking yourself, “How many people can I connect with on LinkedIn per day?”, the answer is blurry, as LinkedIn doesn’t give official figures. Most users agree that, on average, free users get up to 100 connection requests per week, whereas premium users get about 200 per week.

With reputable LinkedIn automation tools like Reply.io, users can rest assured that all LinkedIn rules and regulations will be strictly followed thanks to built-in compliance. To top it all off, dedicated analytics boards will provide real-time visibility of your LinkedIn performance, helping you refine your targeting and messaging for maximum outcomes.

Grow your LinkedIn connections

At the end of the day, networking isn’t a numbers game — it’s about authentically connecting with like-minded people.

In 2025, the right connections on LinkedIn can open doors to jobs, partnerships, and insights you simply won’t find anywhere else. Most real opportunities nowadays still come through relationships, and the people who stay active with their network get far more of them.

Follow the above-mentioned steps to identify and connect with the right people, and you will see your LinkedIn network grow in no time.

And don’t shy away from automation tools that make the process much easier. Reply.io can help you find the right prospects, draft personalized messages, and keep your follow-ups on track — so you can spend more of your time on what automation can’t replace — actually building meaningful relationships.

Build yours with intention, stay consistent, and let smart tools take the edge off the heavy lifting. That’s how your network becomes something that actually grows with you.