How to Start Conversations on LinkedIn Without a Pitch

The next edition of?Mondays with Mindi is out! If you're new, this is where we talk about all things related to growing our businesses and personal brands on LinkedIn -- from personal branding to growing our networks to attracting more ideal clients to optimizing our profiles... and everything in between!

Each week, I share ONE strategy that you can use to optimize your personal brand or grow your business on LinkedIn. Whether you're a subject matter expert at the top of your field, a business leader looking to get on more boards, or a gritty entrepreneur trying to craft an ideal sales & marketing machine -- you'll find one action item you can take away and implement each and every week to get you one step closer to your goal.

No topic is off-limits. We discuss the good, the bad, and the fugly. I do take topic recommendations, too!

My mission is to help more professionals learn how to use LinkedIn, so we can all "up our game" on the platform, build thought leadership, and grow as leaders in our careers and businesses. And, I like to keep things fun, practical, and inspiring.

Now, onto this week's topic!

How to Start Conversations on LinkedIn Without a Pitch

Ever sent a connection request and immediately followed up with “I’d love to be a resource for you!” or “Here’s a PDF of my work”… and then heard crickets? ??

You’re not alone.

The truth is, leading with a pitch is one of the fastest ways to get ignored on LinkedIn. People don’t want to be sold to—they want to connect. They want real conversations that actually go somewhere, not a sales pitch disguised as a friendly message. ??

In this Mondays with Mindi session, we talk about what actually works when starting conversations on LinkedIn:

? What to say in your first message (without sounding salesy)

? How to ask better questions that lead to real business opportunities

? Why patience pays off when building relationships that convert

I also share an easy-to-use template that you can use to get started with DM'ing on LinkedIn like a pro.

If you’re ready to build real LinkedIn relationships without being that person who gets muted, removed, or ignored, this is the session for you.

The Right Way to Start a LinkedIn Conversation

Before we dive in, let me tell you about a conversation I had with one of my coaching clients this week.

They asked me, “Mindi, should I send a connection request and immediately follow up with a message that says ‘I want to be a resource for you’ and attach a PDF of my work?”

Now, I absolutely love that they wanted to be helpful, but here’s the thing—that approach can come across as too much, too soon. It’s like meeting someone at a networking event, shaking their hand, and then immediately handing them a folder with your entire portfolio. It’s well-intentioned, but it puts the focus on you before you even know if they need what you’re offering.

So, here’s how I coached them to approach it differently. Instead of leading with, “Here’s what I do and how I can help,” I encouraged her to ask a question first.

Something simple like:

"Hi [Name], I came across your profile and loved your insights on [specific topic]. I’m curious—how are you currently handling [problem they might have]? Would love to hear your thoughts!”

This small shift makes a big difference because instead of trying to immediately establish themselves as a resource, they are creating an opening for conversation. And when you create dialogue instead of making a pitch, you naturally build trust and credibility—which makes it way more likely that the person will actually want to work with you down the line.

So, if you’ve ever wondered how to start conversations on LinkedIn the right way, this is it. Be patient, be curious, and let the relationship unfold naturally. Because the best connections are built over time—not in a single message.

Why Discovery Calls Are a LinkedIn Turnoff

Let’s be honest—how many times have you gotten a connection request, accepted it, and within minutes, boom! There’s a message in your inbox with:

"Hey, I’d love to get to know you. Here’s my Calendly link—let’s book a 30-minute discovery call!"

Yikes! And just like that, you’re out. No thanks. Mute. Maybe even remove the connection.

People are not on LinkedIn looking for a random call with a stranger. They’re here to learn, engage, and build relationships—organically. The fastest way to kill any chance of a real connection is by pushing for a call before a conversation has even started.

Your Time is the Grand Prize

Think about the professionals you admire most—industry leaders, founders, executives. Are they tossing around their calendar links like confetti? Absolutely not. Their time is precious. They set boundaries, they vet conversations, and they only hop on a call when there’s a clear, mutual benefit.

If you’re freely handing out your calendar link to anyone and everyone, you’re devaluing your time and making it seem like you have nothing better to do than take random sales calls. And let’s be real—most of these calls won’t turn into clients. Instead, they’ll turn into wasted time and awkward “so what do you do again?” moments.

The Thoughtful Connector Approach

So, what do you do instead? Play the long game. Engage first. Build trust. Let curiosity work in your favor.

I call it the Thoughtful Connector Approach—you create intrigue, show up with value, and give people a reason to seek YOU out. The best connections happen when you position yourself as someone people want to talk to, not someone trying to push them onto a call.

Three Ways to Start Conversations That Actually Lead Somewhere

1. Optimize Your Profile for Connection

Your LinkedIn profile is not a sales page—it’s your digital first impression. It should make it clear:

?? Who you are

?? What you do

?? Who you help

?? Why people should care

If your profile is all about “Book a Call With Me!”—it’s time for a glow-up. The right people should be curious enough about you to want to engage, not feel like they’re stepping onto a virtual used car lot.

2. Engage First, Connect Second

If you want meaningful conversations, stop cold-messaging and start engaging.

?? Comment on their posts (on LinkedIn… or elsewhere) ?? Share their content (doesn’t have to be on LinkedIn, but that helps) ?? Join their conversations (if they are a talkative type and post content online)

Then—and only then—send a personalized connection request. No pitches. No agendas. Just genuine interest.

For example, if you have a community/group in common:

Hey Samuel, Saw you in the [name of] group! I went through [related program] back in [timeframe] -- hard to believe that was [however long ago]. I'd love to get connected with you here on LinkedIn, too. What's your favorite part about being in the group? ~ Mindi

3. Show Up with Value

The best way to get people to want to talk to you? Give them something worth talking about. Share insights, experiences, lessons—things that make people think. The goal isn’t to get likes—it’s to start real conversations that pull people in.

Shifting the Conversation from “Let’s Talk” to “Let’s Connect”

When you stop forcing conversations and start inviting them, everything changes. The right people will engage. The right opportunities will show up. And the best part? No awkward pitch-slap messages or desperate calendar link drops required.

Alright, tell me—what’s the worst LinkedIn pitch you’ve ever received? Drop it in the comments—I need a good laugh today.

If you’re looking for a better way to connect on LinkedIn without resorting to cold pitches, let’s chat. Join my email list for fresh LinkedIn insights and strategies that actually work. You can sign up here: https://www.mindiramsey.com

I’ll see you next week on Mondays with Mindi! Let’s keep it real, engaging, and pitch-free.