Key takeaways
- The first message continues the reason you connected; it does not start a sales process.
- Offer one thing: a question about their work or a resource they can use.
- Suggest a call only after a reply shows interest.
- Silence after accepting is normal and needs no chasing.
Why the first message after connecting should not pitch
It should not pitch because accepting an invitation is not a request to be sold to. A pitch in the first message tells the person the note was a pretext, and many will quietly remove the connection.
The first message has a smaller job: to show you are a person worth talking to. A relevant question or a useful link does that better than a product description.
Should you ask a question or share a resource
Ask a question when you connected over their work, and share a resource when you connected over a topic. A question about a post they wrote invites a reply on ground they know; a resource fits when you met at an event about a subject and have something genuinely useful on it.
Choose one, not both. A message with a question, a link and an offer feels like a form.
When to suggest a call to a new connection
Suggest a call when they have replied at least once and said something that points to a need you can help with. 'We are looking at this too' is an opening; a polite 'thanks' is not.
Make the suggestion light and specific: what the call would cover, how long, and an easy way to say no.
- 'If it would help to compare notes on [the problem they mentioned], I am happy to do 20 minutes. If not, I will keep reading your posts.'
Thank you for connecting message mistakes
The commonest mistake is a long first message that copies a cold email. Others are sending a booking link before any conversation and following up on an unanswered thank-you within days.
- A pasted product paragraph straight after accepting.
- 'Did you see my last message?' a day later.
- A voice note or video nobody asked for.
How to message a new connection, step by step
Send it within a day or two of acceptance.
- Reread the reason you connected and their latest posts.
- Choose one thing to offer: a question about their work or a relevant resource.
- Write a message of two or three sentences with no pitch.
- Wait for a reply before suggesting a call, and do not chase if none comes.
The first message after a connection is accepted
Send it within a day or two of the acceptance. Change the question first so it picks up the reason you connected.
Thanks for connecting, [first name].
Your point about [something from their post or talk] stuck with me. How are you finding [the related challenge] at [company] at the moment?
No need to reply if now is busy. Glad to be connected either way.
Resource variant: replace the question with one line and a link, such as 'This [guide or article] on [topic] might be useful for [their project].'
Where Pebbles Ai fits
- CapabilitySocialboxSocialbox brings your LinkedIn chats into one inbox beside WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram, so the new conversation sits next to the rest. You write and send each message there yourself.
- CapabilityResearch & analysisAsk an assistant to research the person's company from its public pages before you write, so the question is about something real.
Common questions
How soon should I message someone after they accept?
Within a day or two, while the invitation is still fresh. Waiting weeks makes the message feel unconnected to the invite.
Should I thank every new connection?
Only those you plan to talk to. A thank-you with nothing else to say adds to their inbox without starting a conversation.
What if they reply but show no interest in buying?
Keep the relationship and leave selling out of it. A good contact who never buys can still refer, advise or come back later.
About this page. Written by the Pebbles Ai team for people who run sales, marketing and growth. Last updated .
