LinkedIn connection request best practices: templates that get accepted
The 300-character connection request is your first impression on LinkedIn. Get it right, and you open the door to a valuable professional relationship. Get it wrong, and you’re forever ignored—or worse, marked as spam.
Most connection requests fail because they’re either empty (“I’d like to add you to my professional network”) or immediately salesy (“Our platform can 10x your pipeline…”). Neither approach respects the person you’re trying to connect with.
This guide shows you how to craft connection requests that get accepted and set the stage for meaningful conversations.
Why Connection Requests Fail
Before diving into what works, let’s understand what doesn’t.
The Empty Request
LinkedIn’s default message: “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.”
Why it fails:
- Provides no reason to accept
- Shows zero effort or research
- Looks like a mass-blast connection attempt
- Tells the recipient nothing about you or your intent
Acceptance rate: 15-25%
The Pitch Request
“Hi [Name], I help companies like yours increase revenue by 300%. Would love to connect and share how we can help [Company].”
Why it fails:
- Immediately creates resistance
- Screams “you’re going to be sold to”
- No warmth or personalization
- Focuses entirely on you, not them
Acceptance rate: 5-15%
The Lazy Template
“Hi [Name], I came across your profile and was impressed by your background. Would love to connect!”
Why it fails:
- Obviously a template (nothing specific)
- “Came across your profile” is vague and insincere
- No genuine reason provided for connecting
- Everyone’s using the same line
Acceptance rate: 20-30%
Anatomy of a High-Converting Request
Effective connection requests share common elements:
1. Personalization Hook
Open with something specific to them—proof you’ve done your homework.
Examples:
- “Your recent post on ABM strategies really resonated…”
- “I noticed you spoke at SaaStr last year…”
- “Your work building the sales team at [Company] caught my attention…“
2. Common Ground
Establish a connection point—why you specifically want to connect with them specifically.
Examples:
- “We both work in B2B SaaS sales…”
- “As fellow [City] professionals…”
- “Our mutual connection [Name] speaks highly of you…”
- “I’m also focused on helping SDR teams improve…“
3. Value or Intent
Give them a reason to accept. What’s in it for them?
Examples:
- “I share weekly content on [topic] that might be useful…”
- “Would love to exchange perspectives on [challenge]…”
- “Hoping to learn from your approach to [area]…“
4. Soft Close
End warmly without pressure.
Examples:
- “Would love to connect.”
- “Looking forward to staying in touch.”
- “Hoping to learn from your experience.”
High-Converting Templates
Template 1: Content Appreciation
Use when: You’ve genuinely engaged with their content
Hi [Name], your recent post about [specific topic] really hit home—especially [specific point]. I work in [related area] and love connecting with others who think deeply about [topic]. Would be great to connect and follow your insights.Why it works:
- Shows you actually read their content
- Specific reference proves authenticity
- Focuses on their expertise
- No ask beyond connecting
Template 2: Mutual Connection
Use when: You share meaningful mutual connections
Hi [Name], I see we're both connected with [Mutual Connection]. [He/She] mentioned your work in [area], and I've been impressed by what you're building at [Company]. Would love to be connected.Why it works:
- Leverages social proof
- Implies endorsement from mutual connection
- Shows awareness of their current work
Template 3: Shared Interest
Use when: You have genuine professional interests in common
Hi [Name], fellow [interest/profession] here! I've been following your journey at [Company] and love your approach to [specific area]. Always looking to connect with others who are passionate about [topic]. Hope to see more of your perspective in my feed.Why it works:
- Creates immediate common ground
- Positions you as a peer, not a seller
- Expresses genuine interest in their work
Template 4: Industry Peer
Use when: You work in the same industry or function
Hi [Name], we're both in the [industry/function] space and I've noticed your thoughtful takes on [topic]. I'm building [brief description] and always appreciate connecting with people who understand the challenges. Hope to share perspectives.Why it works:
- Establishes peer-to-peer relationship
- Shows you’re aware of their contributions
- Hints at mutual benefit without being transactional
Template 5: Event Connection
Use when: You’ve seen them at or speaking at events
Hi [Name], I caught your session at [Event] on [topic]—your insights on [specific point] were especially valuable. Would love to stay connected and continue learning from your expertise.Why it works:
- Specific reference to real experience
- Positions them as the expert
- Natural reason to connect
Template 6: Congratulations
Use when: They’ve had recent news worth celebrating
Hi [Name], congrats on [achievement/new role/funding/etc]! I've been following [Company] and really admire what you're building. Would love to connect and follow your journey.Why it works:
- Opens with positivity
- Shows you’re paying attention
- Natural, non-transactional reason to connect
Template 7: Geographic
Use when: You share a location
Hi [Name], always great to connect with fellow [City] professionals! I saw your work in [industry/role] and think there might be some great opportunities to share perspectives on [topic]. Let's connect!Why it works:
- Geographic connection feels genuine
- Implies potential for real-world relationship
- Non-threatening reason to connect
Personalization Strategies
Research Before You Connect
Spend 2-3 minutes reviewing:
- Their recent posts (content clues)
- Their headline and summary (priorities)
- Recent activity (comments, shares)
- Career history (common experiences)
- Mutual connections (social proof)
Personalization Levels
Level 1 (Minimum viable): Reference their company and one specific thing about their work.
Level 2 (Good): Reference specific content they’ve created or shared.
Level 3 (Excellent): Reference a combination of content, career, and shared connections/experiences.
The difference between Level 1 and Level 3 can mean a 2x improvement in acceptance rate.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Mentioning Your Product
Never mention what you sell in a connection request. Even subtle hints (“I help companies like yours…”) trigger immediate rejection.
Fix: Connection first. Pitch never (in the request).
Mistake 2: Over-Familiarity
Don’t pretend you know someone better than you do. “I’ve been following your work for years” when you just found their profile feels fake.
Fix: Be honest about the connection. First-time discovery is fine.
Mistake 3: Asking for Things
Any request in your connection request is a red flag:
- “Would love to pick your brain”
- “Hoping to schedule a call”
- “I’d love your feedback on…”
Fix: Just connect. Asks come later, after relationship building.
Mistake 4: Mass Templates
Using the exact same message for everyone (especially without personalization) is obvious and off-putting.
Fix: Create template frameworks but customize key details for each recipient.
Mistake 5: Being Too Long
You have 300 characters. Use them wisely. A rambling request suggests you don’t respect their time.
Fix: Edit ruthlessly. Every word should earn its place.
Post-Acceptance Protocol
Getting accepted is just the beginning. Here’s what comes next.
Wait 24-48 Hours
Don’t message immediately after they accept. It feels like you were just waiting to pounce.
Thank Them (Warmly)
Send a brief thank-you message:
“Thanks for connecting, [Name]! Looking forward to following your insights on [topic]. Let me know if there’s ever anything I can do to be helpful.”
Add Value First
Before any ask, provide something valuable:
- Share a relevant article
- Comment on their recent post
- Introduce them to a valuable connection
- Offer a genuine compliment on their work
Stay Present
Continue engaging with their content. Build familiarity before ever transitioning to business conversation.
Measuring Success
Track these metrics to optimize your connection requests:
Acceptance rate by template: Which frameworks perform best for your audience?
Acceptance rate by persona: Do different buyer types respond to different approaches?
Time to acceptance: Quick accepts might indicate higher interest.
Conversion to conversation: Which request styles lead to actual relationships?
A/B Testing Your Requests
Continuously improve by testing:
- Different opening hooks
- Various personalization depths
- Multiple closing phrases
- With/without emojis
- Different lengths
Track results over 50+ sends per variation for statistically meaningful insights.
The Rejection Response
Most rejections are simply ignores. But occasionally you’ll get an explicit decline or harsh response.
How to handle:
- Don’t respond defensively
- Don’t try again immediately
- Note the feedback if any is given
- Move on gracefully
A rejection isn’t personal—it’s just a mismatch of timing or interest.
Final Thoughts
The best connection request is one that makes the recipient think: “This person seems interesting and genuine. I’d like to have them in my network.”
That reaction doesn’t come from clever templates or persuasive copy. It comes from authentic interest in the other person, demonstrated through personalization and genuine common ground.
Put in the effort. Personalize thoughtfully. Connect with intention. The relationships you build are worth it.
Warmr helps you manage your connection strategy by tracking who you’ve engaged with, who’s ready for outreach, and how relationships are progressing. Spend less time on logistics and more time building genuine connections. Try Warmr