21 LinkedIn Connection Request Templates with 70%+ Acceptance Rates
Quick TL;DR on Best Practices for LinkedIn Connection Requests
Keep notes under 300 characters. Reference something specific about the person. Never open with a pitch. Mention mutual connections when you have them. Blank requests work for warm leads but hurt acceptance rates for cold outreach. The goal is to give them a reason to say yes, not to sell them something.
Most LinkedIn connection requests get ignored. Not because people are rude, but because the message gives them no reason to say yes.
The average acceptance rate for a cold connection request with no note hovers around 20-30%. Add a short, relevant note and that number jumps. Do it well and you're consistently hitting 60-70% or higher.
Here are 21 templates that work, organized by use case, plus the personalization principles behind them.
What Is a LinkedIn Connection Request Message?
A LinkedIn connection request message is the optional note (up to 300 characters) you can attach when sending a connection request. It appears alongside your name and headline when the recipient reviews your request.
Most people skip it. That's a mistake. A well-written note is the difference between a request that looks like spam and one that looks like a genuine reason to connect.
Note: LinkedIn limits connection request notes to 300 characters. That's a constraint, not a problem. Short is better anyway. If you can't explain why you're reaching out in 300 characters, your reason isn't clear enough.
5 Things Not to Do When You Request a Connection on LinkedIn
1. Don't open with a pitch. "I'd love to tell you about our product" is the fastest way to get ignored. The connection request is not the place to sell. It's the place to establish a reason to connect.
2. Don't use the default message. "I'd like to add you to my professional network" tells the recipient nothing about why you specifically want to connect with them specifically. It signals that you didn't bother to personalize.
3. Don't ask for too much too soon. Requesting a call, a meeting, or a demo in a connection request is asking for a major commitment from someone who doesn't know you. Start smaller.
4. Don't be vague about why you're reaching out. "I think we could collaborate" or "I'd love to connect" gives the recipient no information. Be specific about what you noticed, what you have in common, or why you're reaching out now.
5. Don't send the same note to everyone. Mass-sending identical connection requests is detectable and off-putting. Even small personalizations, like referencing their company name or a recent post, dramatically improve acceptance rates.
21 LinkedIn Connection Request Templates
Note: These templates are starting points. Replace the bracketed placeholders with specific details about the person you're reaching out to. The more specific you are, the better your acceptance rate.
1. Connect with Someone You Met at a Conference or Event
"We met briefly at [Event] during [session/moment]. Didn't get a chance to exchange details — glad I found you here. Would love to stay connected."
2. Reach Out to an Industry Influencer for a Podcast
"I host [Podcast Name], focused on [topic]. Your work on [specific thing] would make for a great conversation. Would love to connect and explore it."
3. Connect with an Alumni
"Fellow [University] alum here, class of [year]. I'm in [industry/role] now and always love connecting with people from our network. Hope to connect!"
4. Send a Connection Request to a Recruiter
"I'm a [role] with [X] years in [industry]. I noticed you recruit in this space and thought it would be worth connecting. Happy to share my background if useful."
5. Propose a Collaboration to a Potential Partner
"I work with [company type] on [relevant area] and noticed your work at [their company]. Think there could be some interesting overlap. Would love to connect."
6. Engage with Someone Whose LinkedIn Content You Admire
"I've been following your posts on [topic] for a while. Your take on [specific thing] genuinely changed how I think about it. Would love to connect."
7. Connect with a Member of the Same LinkedIn Group
"We're both in [Group Name]. I've seen your contributions there and wanted to connect here too. Great perspective on [topic]."
8. Reach Out to an Attendee from an Event You Attended
"We were both at [Event] last week. Your question about [topic] stuck with me. Would love to stay connected and keep the conversation going."
9. Add a Current Colleague to Your LinkedIn Network
"We've been working together at [Company] for a while and I realized we're not connected here. Fixing that now!"
10. Ask for an Introduction
"[Mutual connection] suggested I reach out to you. I'm working on [relevant area] and think there could be some overlap. Happy to connect?"
11. Asking for Advice
"I'm navigating [specific challenge] in [industry] and your experience at [their company] seems directly relevant. Would love to connect and pick your brain sometime."
12. Invite Relevant People to Your LinkedIn Group
"I run a LinkedIn group for [audience type] focused on [topic]. Given your background in [area], I think you'd find it valuable. Would love to have you — and to connect."
13. Contact an Author of a LinkedIn Article You Enjoyed
"Just read your article on [topic]. Your point about [specific thing] was exactly what I needed to read this week. Connecting to follow your work."
14. Use Industry Humor to Break the Ice
"I saw your post about [topic] and laughed out loud. Anyone who [specific reference] is someone I need in my network. Hope to connect!"
15. Invite to a Webinar
"I'm hosting a webinar on [topic] next [date] that I think you'd find useful given your work in [area]. Would love to connect and send you the details."
16. Increase Blog Traffic
"I write about [topic] at [publication/blog] and noticed you're working on similar things at [their company]. Would love to connect and share notes."
17. Find the Right Person at a Target Account
"I've been following [their company] for a while and think what you're building is genuinely interesting. Would love to connect and learn more about your work there."
18. Connect with Local Leaders in Your Area
"Fellow [city] professional here. I'm always trying to build my local network in [industry]. Your work at [company] caught my eye. Would love to connect."
19. Send a Connection Request with a Free Resource
"I put together a [guide/template/framework] on [topic] that I think would be useful for someone in your role. Happy to share — would love to connect first."
20. Retarget Potential Leads
"We connected a while back and I've been following your work at [company]. I have something that might be relevant to what you're working on now. Worth reconnecting?"
21. Pattern Disruption
"Most connection requests you get are probably generic. Mine isn't. I noticed [specific, unusual observation about their profile or work]. Thought it was worth reaching out."
Should You Ever Send a Blank Connection Request?
Yes, in specific situations. Blank requests (no note) work when:
- You've already interacted with the person (commented on their posts, met at an event, been introduced by a mutual connection)
- You're connecting with someone who knows your name or company
- You're connecting with a warm lead who's already familiar with your work
For cold outreach to people who don't know you, a blank request is a missed opportunity. You're asking someone to accept a connection from a stranger with no context. Most people decline or ignore these.
Note: LinkedIn's algorithm also watches your acceptance rate. A low acceptance rate from blank requests to cold prospects can trigger throttling on your account. Adding a relevant note improves acceptance rates and protects your account health.
If you're running outreach at scale, Outly lets you personalize these templates with dynamic variables pulled from each prospect's profile, so every message feels handwritten even when you're sending hundreds. Plans start at $39.99/mo.
The templates above work. But the real skill is knowing which one fits which person, and then making it yours.
