20 LinkedIn Connection Request Templates & Examples That Get Accepted
The best LinkedIn connection requests are short, personal, and give the other person a clear reason to accept, without pitching. Here is how to write requests that get accepted, the mistakes that get them ignored, and templates you can adapt.
Your connection request is the first impression. Get it right and you start a conversation; get it wrong and you are ignored or marked as spam.
The principles
- Be specific. Reference something real: their post, their role, a shared interest. Prove you looked.
- Be short. A few lines. The request box is small and busy people skim.
- Do not pitch. The goal is to connect, not to sell. Save the ask for later.
- Give a reason. Make it obvious why connecting benefits them, or is at least genuinely relevant.
Mistakes that get you ignored
Generic "I'd like to add you to my network," an immediate pitch, flattery with no substance, or anything that reads as automated. If it could be sent to anyone, it will be treated like it was.
20 LinkedIn connection request templates and examples (copy and paste)
These are invitation message templates you can copy, then adapt with one real, specific detail. The template is the frame; the specificity is what earns the accept. Each is well under the 300 character limit.
When you have seen their content
1. Post reference: "Hi [name], your post on [topic] resonated, especially the point about [specific detail]. Would love to connect and follow more of your thinking."
2. After you commented: "Hi [name], enjoyed the exchange on your post about [topic]. Would be glad to stay connected here."
3. Newsletter or article: "Hi [name], just read your piece on [topic], the part about [detail] stuck with me. Connecting so I don't miss the next one."
When you share context
4. Same industry: "Hi [name], we both work in [industry] and I keep seeing your name around [topic]. Would be glad to connect."
5. Same role: "Hi [name], always good to connect with other [role]s, especially ones thinking about [topic]. Hope to swap notes sometime."
6. Mutual connection: "Hi [name], we are both connected to [mutual], who speaks highly of your work on [topic]. Thought it was worth connecting directly."
7. Same event or webinar: "Hi [name], we were both at [event]. [One specific takeaway]. Would be great to continue the conversation here."
When you lead with genuine curiosity
8. Role interest: "Hi [name], I noticed you lead [function] at [company], an area I care a lot about. Would love to connect and learn how you approach [specific thing]."
9. Admire the company: "Hi [name], I have been following what [company] is doing with [thing] and it is impressive. Would be glad to connect with the person behind it."
10. Ask a light question: "Hi [name], quick one if you are open to it: how are you thinking about [topic] right now? Connecting either way, your perspective would be valuable."
Founder, executive and peer
11. Founder to founder: "Hi [name], fellow founder in [space]. I liked your take on [topic] and would value staying connected as we both build."
12. Executive peer: "Hi [name], we are both navigating [challenge] in [industry]. Would be glad to connect and compare notes occasionally."
13. Learning from a senior leader: "Hi [name], I have a lot of respect for how you have built [thing]. Connecting to learn from what you share."
Recruiting, hiring and HR
14. Recruiter to candidate: "Hi [name], your background in [skill] stood out to me. No pitch, just connecting in case a relevant [role] conversation makes sense down the line."
15. Candidate to hiring manager: "Hi [name], I admire the team you are building at [company], especially around [area]. Connecting to follow your work."
Light value first
16. Share a resource: "Hi [name], saw you are working on [topic], this [resource] might be useful. Connecting in case it helps."
17. Genuine compliment plus context: "Hi [name], your framework for [topic] is the clearest I have seen. Would be glad to connect and learn more."
Reconnecting and no note
18. Reconnecting: "Hi [name], it has been a while since [where you met/context]. Would be good to reconnect here."
19. Met in person: "Hi [name], great to meet you at [place]. Connecting so we stay in touch, [one thing you discussed]."
20. No note: for a warm prospect who already knows you, a clean request with no note can outperform a note. Use this only when there is clear existing familiarity.
Adapt each with a real, specific detail, never send the bracketed version as is. The specificity is the whole point. See how we personalize every message and our acceptance rate benchmarks.
A connection request is not a pitch. It is an invitation. Make it personal, make it short, and make accepting feel easy.
After they accept
Do not pitch immediately. Open a real conversation, add value, and let it develop. The connection is the start, not the win. See turning connections into clients.
The bottom line
If you would rather have every message researched and written by a human, that is our LinkedIn lead generation service.
What should a LinkedIn connection request say?
Keep it short and personal, reference something real about the person, give a clear reason to connect, and do not pitch. The goal is to start a relationship, not make a sale in the request box.
Do connection requests with a note get accepted more?
A well written, specific note usually outperforms a blank request for cold outreach, because it gives a reason to accept. A generic note, however, can do worse than none. Specificity is what matters.
What is a good LinkedIn connection request template?
A simple frame works: reference their post or role, add one specific detail, and invite them to connect, for example referencing a point from their recent post. Always adapt it with a real detail per person.
Should I pitch in a connection request?
No. Pitching in the request or the first message after accepting kills most conversations. Open with relevance and value, and let the relationship develop before any ask.
Messages a human actually writes.
We research and write every connection request and message by hand, so they get accepted and get replies.
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