How to Send a LinkedIn Introduction

By Joel Elad from LinkedIn For Dummies, 2nd Edition

You start the LinkedIn introduction process by writing you introductory message. When you’ve prepared your LinkedIn messages (one to your contact and one to the recipient) and you’re all ready to send a LinkedIn Introduction request, just follow these steps:

Enlarge 1 Type the name of the person you’d like to meet in the Search box. You can use the Search box in the top-right corner of any LinkedIn page, or you can click your Connections and search your friend’s networks.	Enlarge 2 From the list of search results, click the name of the person you want to contact. (If you didn’t find the person you’re looking for, try another search.) This step takes you to the recipient’s profile page, where you should see two things: a chart along the right side of the page showing how you’re connected to this person and a link entitled Get Introduced through a Connection. (If you don’t have anyone in your network yet, you won’t see the chart or the link.)	Enlarge 3 On the person’s profile page, click the Get Introduced through a Connection link to start the Introduction process. You’re taken to the Request an Introduction page. Fill out the contact information section that you would like to share with this individual. Then pick a category and subject for this request. Write a short but informative message as to why you want to meet this person.
Enlarge 4 Scroll down and add a message for the person who will be passing on your Introduction. Adding a note here is required so the facilitator (the person who receives this Introduction request from you) knows why you want to reach the other party. After all, this facilitator is going to vouch for you when he sends this request to the intended party, so the more information you give, the better.	Enlarge 5 Click the Send button. You see a green confirmation message as you’re taken back to your main LinkedIn page, and your first-degree connection will receive this Introduction request in his LinkedIn Inbox. After that, your facilitator friend will accept or decline your request, and you’ll get a notification about the facilitator’s decision. You might want to send an e-mail to your facilitator friend first before starting the Request for Introduction, especially if you think he might not want to forward your request or the intended recipient might be too busy to receive an Introduction request.