Do you connect with people first or engage with their LinkedIn content before sending a request?

DigitalProfessor

Registered Member

May 2, 2026

59

53

• Jun 18, 2026

• #1

I have seen different approaches to networking on LinkedIn.

Some people send a connection request right away, while others spend a few days liking or commenting on someone's posts before reaching out.

From your experience, which approach has worked better for building genuine professional connections, and why?

 

GrishaV

Registered Member

Jul 7, 2026

50

5

• Jul 16, 2026

• #2

I usually send connection requests directly, but I think your approach of engaging with their content first by liking or commenting is a better way to build a connection.

 

G

GFservice

Registered Member

Aug 14, 2021

64

8

• Jul 18, 2026

• #3

I’ve had better results by engaging first.


A few likes or a genuine comment makes the connection request feel more natural, and people are much more likely to accept it than a completely cold request.

 

D

danielmac162

Newbie

Feb 4, 2024

26

11

• Friday at 7:55 PM

• #4

try engaging first with thoughtful comments rather than making any cold requests once you engage there will be some degree of familiarity rather than a complete stranger making a request.

 

Chunkulus

Registered Member

Apr 13, 2024

52

11

• Today at 4:16 AM

• #5

Engage first, but for a reason nobody's given. LinkedIn caps your weekly invites and watches your acceptance rate. Cold requests get ignored, accept rate drops, cap tightens. So warming isn't manners. It protects the thing that limits how much outreach you can do at all. And put a note on the request. Always.

 

M

Mister abc

Registered Member

Nov 7, 2021

82

20

• 11 minutes ago

• #6

I think a mix of both works best, but I prefer engaging first. A few genuine comments on someone's posts makes the connection request feel more natural and less like a random add.

That being said, don't overthink it. If you have a good reason to connect, just send the request and personalize the message. The goal isn't collecting connections, it's building actual relationships.