LinkedIn outreach lives or dies on the first few lines. People get dozens of connection requests, so a generic “I’d like to add you to my network” gets ignored, or worse, marked as spam. These templates cover every step, from the connection request to the follow-up, with why each works and how to make it yours.
What makes a LinkedIn message work
- Shorter than email. LinkedIn is a casual channel, a few lines, not paragraphs.
- No hard pitch on the connection request. Earn the connection first; pitch later.
- Personal and specific. Reference their profile, a post, or their company.
- One soft ask. Curiosity and conversation beat a demo request.
- Human tone. Write like you’d message a peer, not a press release.
Connection request templates (under 300 characters)
Hi {{first_name}}, I work with {{ICP}} on {{topic}} and keep seeing {{company}} come up. Would love to connect and follow what you’re building.
Why it works: Gives a reason to connect without pitching, and stays relevant.
Make it yours: Swap in a genuine reason you noticed them.
Hi {{first_name}}, really liked your post on {{topic}}, {{one specific takeaway}}. Connecting to keep up with your work.
Why it works: Referencing a specific post proves you’re real and lifts acceptance.
Hi {{first_name}}, fellow {{role or industry}}, always trying to connect with people doing {{thing}} well. Would be great to be connected.
Why it works: Low-pressure peer framing earns connections you can nurture later.
First message after they accept
Thanks for connecting, {{first_name}}! Not here to pitch, I work with {{ICP}} on {{outcome}} and was curious whether {{problem}} is on your radar at {{company}}?
Why it works: Disarms (“not here to pitch”), then asks one relevant, low-pressure question.
Thanks for connecting, {{first_name}}. We just put together {{relevant resource}} for {{ICP}}, happy to share if it’s useful. Either way, glad to be connected.
Why it works: Leads with a gift, not an ask.
Follow-up templates
Hi {{first_name}}, circling back, is {{problem}} something {{company}} is thinking about this quarter? No worries if not.
Why it works: Short, easy to answer, and the out (“no worries if not”) paradoxically gets more replies.
Hi {{first_name}}, thought this might be relevant, we helped {{similar company}} {{specific result}}. Worth a quick chat to see if it fits {{company}}?
Why it works: A concrete, comparable result answers “why should I care?”
Templates by goal
Hi {{first_name}}, your background in {{skill or area}} caught my eye, we’re hiring a {{role}} at {{company}} and it looks like a strong match. Open to a quick chat, even just to compare notes?
Why it works: Specific, flattering, and low-commitment.
Hi {{first_name}}, I think there might be a natural fit between {{your_company}} and {{company}} around {{area}}. Worth exploring, open to a quick call?
Why it works: Frames it as mutual, not a one-way ask.
Pair LinkedIn with email
LinkedIn alone leaves replies on the table. The strongest cadence mixes a LinkedIn touch with email, a connection request, then an email, then a LinkedIn follow-up. See our multichannel outreach strategy and LinkedIn + email sequence examples for full cadences.
Hi {{first_name}}, just sent you a quick note by email about {{topic}}, figured I’d reach out here too in case this is an easier place to chat. No pressure either way.
Why it works: References the email so the two channels reinforce each other rather than feeling random.
Personalize, and automate safely
Templates get you started, but the opener should be specific to each person. Personalize the first line per prospect and keep the rest templated; Outboundry’s AI Personalization can draft that line from their profile. And because LinkedIn limits activity, automate within safe daily limits, Outboundry runs LinkedIn outreach with human-like delays and per-account caps so you scale without risking your profile. (See our safe LinkedIn automation limits guide.)
Frequently asked questions
Should I pitch in a LinkedIn connection request?
No. Earn the connection first with a relevant, no-pitch note, then open the conversation after they accept.
How long should a LinkedIn message be?
Short, a few lines. Connection requests are capped around 300 characters, and shorter messages get more replies anyway.
How many follow-ups should I send on LinkedIn?
One or two after the first message, spaced a few days apart. Combine with email rather than piling on LinkedIn.
Is automated LinkedIn outreach safe?
It can be, within limits. Use human-like delays and conservative daily caps, see our safe LinkedIn automation limits guide.