The connection request is the smallest message you’ll send and the one that decides everything. Get it right and you’ve earned a conversation; get it wrong and you’re ignored before you’ve started. Below are templates you can adapt for different situations — but first, the three rules that make any of them work.
The rules behind a good connection request
- Keep it short. You have a tiny character limit and even less attention — one or two sentences.
- Lead with them, not you. Reference their work, role, or a shared context before anything about yourself.
- Don’t pitch. The goal is to connect, not to sell. Save the ask for after they accept.
This is exactly the work Outboundry was built to take off your plate. It runs personalized LinkedIn outreach from your real account at safe, human-like limits — handling connection requests, follow-ups and reply detection automatically — so your time goes to the conversations that matter, not the manual grind.
Templates for sales prospecting
Use these when reaching out to a potential buyer. Replace the brackets with something specific — a generic version of these performs far worse than a tailored one.
- Hi [Name], I’ve been following [Company]’s work on [specific thing] — would love to connect and follow along.
- Hi [Name], we both work in [space] and I keep seeing your name around [topic]. Happy to connect.
- Hi [Name], saw your post on [topic] and it lined up with something we’ve been wrestling with too. Would be glad to connect.
Templates for networking and peers
- Hi [Name], fellow [role/industry] here — always trying to connect with people doing interesting work in [area]. Would be great to be connected.
- Hi [Name], we’re both in the [community/event] orbit — thought it’d be good to connect properly here.
Templates after engaging with their content
The highest-acceptance scenario: you’ve commented on their post first, then sent this.
- Hi [Name], enjoyed the back-and-forth on your [topic] post — would be good to connect here too.
- Hi [Name], your take on [topic] stuck with me. Connecting so I don’t miss the next one.
What to do after they accept
Acceptance isn’t the win — it’s permission to start a conversation. Wait a day or two, then send a short, them-first opener. Don’t pitch in the first message; lead with their world and ask one easy question. That’s where templates end and a real conversation begins.
Frequently asked questions
Should you send a note with a connection request?
For prospecting, usually yes — a short, specific note gives a reason to accept. For pure networking, a blank request can work, but a one-line reason rarely hurts.
Why are my connection requests being ignored?
Almost always because they’re generic or they pitch. Make the first line specifically about the other person and drop any ask, and acceptance climbs.
How many connection requests can I send a day?
Keep it conservative and human-like, and warm up new accounts slowly. Sending too many too fast is what gets accounts restricted.