LinkedIn connection request and message templates that get replies
The LinkedIn connection requests that get accepted are short, about the other person, and ask for nothing. The follow-up messages that get replies ask one easy question before they ever mention what you sell. Below are 8 connection request templates and 8 message templates you can copy, plus the sequence we use to run them for US B2B teams.
We sell LinkedIn lead generation services, so it would suit us if you decided this is too hard to do yourself. It is not. Templates are free, and if you have the time, everything below will work from your own profile.
Three rules before you copy anything
- Keep it under 200 characters. LinkedIn allows up to 300 on paid accounts, but most notes are read in a notification preview. If the point is not clear in two lines, it is lost.
- Make it about them. Mention their post, their company news, a shared group or a mutual connection. “I help companies like yours” is about you.
- No pitch in the request, and none in the first message. A pitch before they know you reads as spam and gets ignored, or worse, gets your request marked as “I don’t know this person”, which hurts your account.
8 LinkedIn connection request templates
Swap the parts in {curly brackets}. The character counter shows the length of each template as written; your version will change once you fill it in.
Hi {first}, I work with {role}s at {industry} companies across the US and your name keeps coming up in that circle. Would be good to connect.
Why it works: It gives a real reason for the request without asking for anything.
Hi {first}, your post on {topic} made a point I had not seen put that way before. Happy to connect and keep following your take on it.
Why it works: People accept requests from people who actually read their content. Only use it if you did.
Hi {first}, we both know {mutual name}. I am connecting with a few {role}s in {industry} and your profile stood out. Open to connecting?
Why it works: A familiar name lowers the guard. Name the person, not just “mutual connections”.
Hi {first}, congrats on {company news, e.g. the new funding round}. I follow {industry} closely and would like to keep up with what you are building.
Why it works: Recent news is the easiest honest reason to reach out, and it is about them.
Hi {first}, saw {company} is growing the {team} team. I speak with a lot of {role}s going through that stage. Glad to connect.
Why it works: Hiring tells you what they are working on right now without you having to guess.
Hi {first}, noticed we are both in {group} / going to {event}. Always good to know more people in {industry}. Connect?
Why it works: Shared context makes the request feel like a networking move, not a sales move.
Hi {first}, thanks for stopping by my profile. Figured I would say hello properly. Happy to connect.
Why it works: They already showed interest. This just makes it easy to take the next step.
Hi {first}, fellow {role} here. Always looking to swap notes with people solving the same problems at {industry} companies. Would love to connect.
Why it works: Peers accept peers. Use it only when the title genuinely matches yours.
What about sending no note at all?
Blank requests often get accepted at a similar rate to average notes, especially when your profile headline already makes it clear who you help. Free LinkedIn accounts also get only a small number of personalised notes each month, so for many people a blank request is the default. If your note is not specific to the person, send it blank. A generic note does worse than no note.
8 LinkedIn message templates for after they accept
This is where most people lose the conversation. They get the acceptance, then send a three-paragraph pitch with a calendar link. The templates below are in the order you would send them.
Thanks for connecting, {first}. Quick question since you are close to it: how is {company} handling {problem area} at the moment? Curious how teams your size approach it.
Why it works: One easy question gets a reply far more often than a statement. It also tells you if there is a fit.
{first}, I put together a short breakdown of {topic} for {role}s, based on what we see across {industry} teams. Want me to send it over?
Why it works: Asking before sending a link keeps the message light and makes the reply a simple yes.
{first}, we help {ICP} get {result} without {pain}. For a {similar company type}, that meant {specific outcome}. Worth a 15-minute call to see if any of it applies to {company}?
Why it works: One result, one proof point, one small ask. Nothing else.
Bumping this in case it got buried, {first}. Even a quick “not right now” helps me know where things stand.
Why it works: Giving them an easy way to say no often gets a reply, and sometimes a yes.
Last note from me, {first}. If {problem area} becomes a priority later, I am easy to find here. Wishing you a strong quarter.
Why it works: It closes the loop politely and keeps the door open. These get surprising replies.
Hi {first}, your post on {topic} stuck with me, especially {specific point}. Are you seeing that across most {industry} teams or is it specific to {company}?
Why it works: Engaging with what they publicly care about is the warmest opener on LinkedIn.
Hi {first}, we connected a while back and I never followed up properly. Saw {recent update}. How is {initiative} going?
Why it works: Old connections are the most ignored asset on LinkedIn. A genuine check-in restarts the thread.
Totally fair, {first}. Is it a timing thing or just not a priority? Happy to check back in {month} if that works.
Why it works: It turns a no into a date, without pushing.
A simple sequence that puts it together
| Day | Step | Template |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Connection request | Any of the 8 requests, or blank |
| 1 | After acceptance | Thank-you plus one question |
| 4 | If no reply | Offer a resource |
| 8 | If no reply | Soft offer |
| 12 | If no reply | Bump |
| 19 | If no reply | Breakup |
Stop the sequence the moment someone replies, and answer like a person. Most deals start in that first reply, not in the template.
How to tell if your templates are working
- Low acceptance rate: the problem is usually targeting or your profile, not the note. Check that your headline says who you help and that you are reaching the right titles.
- Good acceptance, no replies: your first message is too long or too salesy. Cut it to one question.
- Replies, but no calls: your offer is not specific enough. Name one result and one type of company you got it for.
Mistakes that kill replies
- Pitching in the connection request or the first message.
- Dropping a calendar link before they have shown any interest.
- Fake personalisation, like “I loved your profile” or “I see we are both in business”.
- Sending long blocks of text. On mobile, three short lines is plenty.
- Following up more than two or three times after silence.
- Sending too many requests a week. LinkedIn caps weekly invitations, and a high share of ignored or withdrawn requests can get your account restricted.
When templates stop being enough
Templates work well when you are sending a few dozen requests a week to a list you know. They get harder when you need consistent meetings every month: building lists in Sales Navigator, personalising at volume, staying inside LinkedIn’s limits, and replying fast across several profiles. That is the point where most US teams either hire an SDR or bring in an agency.
If you are weighing that up, our guide on how much LinkedIn lead generation costs in the USA compares the options side by side. You can also see how we run LinkedIn lead generation for B2B companies, or read a LinkedIn outreach case study. If you sell software, our page on lead generation for SaaS companies shows how LinkedIn fits alongside cold email.
Common questions
What should I write in a LinkedIn connection request?
Keep it short and about the other person. Mention something specific, such as their post, company news, a shared group or a mutual connection, and do not pitch. If you have nothing specific to say, send the request without a note.
How long can a LinkedIn connection request note be?
Paid LinkedIn accounts can write up to 300 characters. Free accounts get a shorter limit and only a small number of personalised notes per month. Either way, aim for under 200 characters so the point is visible in the preview.
Is it better to send a LinkedIn connection request without a note?
A blank request often performs about as well as an average note, especially if your headline makes it clear who you help. A specific, personal note does better than both. A generic note does worse than no note.
How soon should I message someone after they accept my connection request?
Within a day or two, while your name is still fresh. Make the first message a thank-you and one easy question, not a pitch.
How many follow-up messages should I send on LinkedIn?
Two or three after the first message is enough. Space them several days apart and end with a polite breakup message that leaves the door open.
How many LinkedIn connection requests can I send per week?
LinkedIn caps weekly invitations, and the exact limit varies by account. Staying around 100 a week, to a well-targeted list, is a sensible ceiling for most profiles.
Want the replies without writing every message?
We run LinkedIn outreach for US B2B teams from $400/month, written and managed by real people. Book a free call and we will map your ICP and messaging.