Templates
Template: replying to thanks for connecting
A reply such as thanks for connecting is a door, not a result. The best answer is short and asks one easy question about the person's own work. Below are three replies that turn a pleasantry into a conversation without jumping to a pitch.
Published by Sellinger AI. Numbers and settings checked on 24 October 2026 against the fact register. Report an error.
The text
Likewise, [first name]. Out of curiosity, how do you usually find new [clients or partners] these days?
Good to be connected. What is taking most of your time at [Company] this quarter?
Thanks, [first name]. I am curious how [their team] handles [topic]. Is it something you look after, or someone else?
Why each line is there
| Line | Why it is there |
|---|---|
| A short acknowledgement | Mirrors their tone, so the reply feels natural. |
| A question about them | Moves from politeness to a conversation about their work. |
| No pitch yet | A pitch after a pleasantry usually ends the thread. |
| An easy out in version 3 | Lets them point you to the right person. |
What it measured
Not these exact words. In the wealth advisor referral network campaign, 44% of first replies were quick replies. The agent answered those with a question about how the prospect handles their own clients, and turned 1,035 of 1,751 thanks for connecting replies into real conversations.
When not to use it
- When the reply already contains a question or a need; answer that instead.
- When the person makes clear they are not interested.
- When you would count the pleasantry itself as a result. Report real replies separately.
How to use it in Sellinger
This is the kind of reply the agent writes on its own when it reads a pleasantry. Put the approved wording in a text article in a knowledge base collection and attach it to the persona, so the agent answers from it. If you would rather answer yourself, add a needs attention rule for this kind of reply, and the conversation is flagged for a person.
Common questions
Does thanks for connecting count as a reply?
Should I pitch after thanks for connecting?
What if they do not answer the question?
Sources and method
Wording is ours. Figures from the wealth advisor referral network case study, Sellinger production data, read only, to 10 October 2026.
Related: Templates hub, Reply rate, Peer opener playbook, Message after connecting.
