How to Turn LinkedIn Connections into Leads

A connection is just the start — here’s how you turn it into an opportunity.

Photo by Charanjeet Dhiman on Unsplash

So, someone just accepted your LinkedIn connection request. Now, what do you do? this is one of the most frequently asked questions.

Some students ask, “Sir, should I send a pitch? my answer is always Nope.

Should we introduce ourselves with our services in their inbox?

Definitely not.

The biggest mistake people make is treating a new connection like a potential sale instead of a real person. Remember, you need to build trust first.

You need someone to listen to you. How would you feel if you just got connected to someone and he threw an offer at you? Irritated? That’s exactly how the other person feels.

Here’s how I approach it:

First, I send a quick thank-you message—something short, personal, and genuine. There is no sales talk; it is just a simple note to acknowledge the connection.

Then, I engage. I check out their content, drop a thoughtful comment, and maybe even share something relevant.

Why? Because relationships aren’t built in the DMs alone — they’re built through interactions.