Marcus sent 47 connection requests last month. Three people accepted. After switching to the templates below, his acceptance rate jumped to 68%. The difference? Specificity, value, and a clear reason why connecting matters.
The best linkedin connection request template isn't clever or salesy—it's specific, genuine, and respects the recipient's time. Here are 12 templates that work, plus the psychology behind why they get responses.
Download All 12 Templates as TXTWhy Most Connection Requests Fail
LinkedIn gives you 220 characters (with a note) to make your case. Most people waste it with generic messages:
- "I'd like to add you to my professional network"
- "I see we share similar interests"
- "Let's connect!"
These fail because they don't answer the recipient's main question: "Why should I accept this?"
Strong connection requests include:
- Specific context: Where you found them or what caught your attention
- Relevance: Why connecting makes sense for both people
- Low pressure: No immediate ask, just genuine interest
Template 1: Shared Connection (Highest Acceptance Rate)
Use when: You have mutual connections
"Hi [Name], I noticed we're both connected to [Mutual Connection]. I've been following your work on [specific topic] and would love to connect here."
Why it works: Shared connections provide social proof and context. Mentioning a specific topic shows you're not mass-messaging.
Template 2: Content Engagement (Best for Warm Leads)
Use when: You've commented on their posts
"Hi [Name], I've really enjoyed your posts on [topic]—especially your take on [specific point]. I'd love to stay connected and keep learning from your insights."
Why it works: Shows you've actually engaged with their content. The specific reference proves authenticity. Track these interactions using ANDI's post activity tracking.
Template 3: Event or Webinar Connection
Use when: You attended the same event (even virtual)
"Hi [Name], great to see you at [Event Name]. Your question about [specific topic] really resonated with me. Would love to continue the conversation here."
Why it works: Immediate shared experience creates instant context. Reference something specific they said or did.
Template 4: Alumni Connection (Works for Schools and Companies)
Use when: You share an alma mater or former employer
"Hi [Name], fellow [University/Company] alum here! I see you're now in [their current role/company]. Would love to connect and hear about your career path since [University/Company]."
Why it works: Tribal affiliation triggers reciprocity. Alumni networks have high acceptance rates.
Template 5: Industry Peer Connection
Use when: You work in the same field
"Hi [Name], I'm also in [industry/role] and have been impressed by your approach to [specific challenge]. Would love to connect with fellow professionals tackling similar problems."
Why it works: Positions you as a peer, not a petitioner. Focuses on shared challenges rather than what you want from them.
Template 6: Thought Leadership Appreciation
Use when: Connecting with someone more senior
"Hi [Name], your article on [specific topic] at [Publication] really shifted my thinking on [specific insight]. Would love to follow your work more closely here."
Why it works: Genuine compliments with specifics feel authentic. Citing where you found their work shows you're not randomly reaching out.
Template 7: Location-Based Connection
Use when: You're in the same city or region
"Hi [Name], I see you're also based in [City]. I've been following local professionals in [industry] and would love to connect with more [City]-based folks in our field."
Why it works: Local connection implies potential for real-world meetups. Geography creates natural affinity.
Template 8: Problem-Solver Connection
Use when: They've solved a problem you're facing
"Hi [Name], I saw your post about [specific solution]. I'm currently tackling [similar challenge] and your approach gave me some new ideas. Would love to connect."
Why it works: People love feeling helpful. Acknowledging their expertise without asking for anything creates goodwill.
Template 9: Career Transition Connection
Use when: You're changing careers or industries
"Hi [Name], I'm transitioning into [new field/role] from [current background] and have been learning from professionals like you who've successfully made similar moves. Would love to connect."
Why it works: Shows vulnerability and positions them as someone with valuable experience. Most people remember their own transitions and want to help.
Template 10: Project or Company Interest
Use when: They work somewhere you admire
"Hi [Name], I've been following [Company's] work on [specific project/initiative] closely. Your role in [specific aspect] looks fascinating. Would love to connect and hear more about your experience there."
Why it works: Shows genuine interest in their work, not just what they can do for you. Specificity prevents this from feeling like a job pitch.
Template 11: Podcast or Media Appearance
Use when: You heard them on a podcast or saw them in media
"Hi [Name], I just listened to your interview on [Podcast Name]—your point about [specific insight] was eye-opening. Would love to connect and follow your future work."
Why it works: Shows you consumed their content beyond LinkedIn. Specific callbacks prove authenticity.
Template 12: Skill-Based Connection
Use when: They have a skill you're developing
"Hi [Name], I've been working to improve my [specific skill] and noticed your background in [their expertise]. Would love to connect with professionals who've mastered this area."
Why it works: Positions them as an expert without asking for mentorship. Opens the door for future questions without immediate pressure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good templates, these mistakes tank acceptance rates:
- Being vague: "I see we have similar interests" tells them nothing
- Immediate asks: "Would love to pick your brain" in a first message feels transactional
- Copy-paste obviously: Getting their name wrong or mentioning the wrong company
- Too formal: "Dear Sir/Madam" on LinkedIn feels odd—match their tone from their profile
- Too long: Over 200 characters often get truncated
How to Customize Templates Effectively
Templates are starting points, not scripts. Here's how to make them feel personal:
- Research first: Spend 2-3 minutes on their profile, recent posts, and company page
- Find one specific detail: A recent post, shared connection, alma mater, project they worked on
- Reference it naturally: Work it into the template without forcing it
- Read it aloud: If it sounds robotic, rewrite it
- Check character count: Aim for 150-200 characters to avoid truncation
Use ANDI to track which templates work best for different types of connections. Tag contacts by how you connected, then analyze acceptance rates by approach.
What to Do After They Accept
Getting accepted is step one. Most people stop there. Here's the follow-up sequence that builds real relationships:
- Day 1: Send a brief thank-you message (optional, but nice for senior people)
- Week 1-2: Engage with one of their posts
- Week 3-4: Share something valuable (article, resource) relevant to their interests
- Month 2: Ask a thoughtful question or comment on their recent work
The goal isn't to immediately extract value—it's to establish a pattern of genuine interaction. Set reminders in ANDI to follow up naturally without being pushy.
Using ANDI to Scale Personalized Outreach
Personalization takes time. ANDI helps you scale it by:
- Tagging contacts by template used, acceptance status, and follow-up stage
- Setting reminders for post-connection engagement (so you don't forget)
- Tracking response rates by template type to see what works for your industry
- Planning next steps based on their recent activity and your goals
This way you're not choosing between personalization and scale—you can do both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always include a note with connection requests?
Yes, especially for people you don't know. Notes increase acceptance rates by 20-30%. The exception: when connecting with someone immediately after meeting them IRL—they'll remember you without a note.
What if they don't accept my connection request?
Most people aren't rejecting you—they're just not checking LinkedIn regularly. If someone doesn't accept within 2-3 weeks, they likely didn't see it. You can withdraw and retry later with a different approach, or simply move on.
How many connection requests should I send per week?
Quality over quantity. Aim for 5-10 personalized requests per week rather than 50 generic ones. Higher acceptance rates matter more than volume.
Your next step: Download the template collection, pick 3 that match your current networking goals, and send 5 connection requests this week. Track which templates get accepted using ANDI's tagging system. After 2-3 weeks, double down on what's working and drop what isn't.
The best connection request is one that makes the recipient think, "I should know this person." Start there, and your acceptance rate will follow.
