50 LinkedIn Connection Request Messages That Get Accepted

A good connection note does one job: give the person a reason to click Accept. It isn't the place to sell. Below are 50 notes for the situations people actually face, then the rules behind them.

Every template uses {{first_name}}, which outreach tools (including GrabProspect) fill with the person's first name. Replace the bracketed parts with something specific. Check your note's length and preview it with the free connection note checker.

The rules (read these first)

1. Under 200 characters. Paid accounts allow 300, but short notes get read. Free accounts are capped at 200 and only get a few notes a month.
2. One specific reason. "I came across your profile" isn't a reason.
3. No pitch, no link. Notes with links and offers look like spam and get reported.
4. Make it about them. Their post, their company, their move, their market.
5. End without a demand. "Would be glad to connect" beats "Can we book a call?"

Prospects: you sell to their role

1. Hi {{first_name}}, I work with [role]s at [type of company] on [problem]. Always good to know more people in the space. Would be glad to connect.
2. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm connecting with [title]s in [city/region]. I share notes on [topic] now and then that might be useful.
3. Hi {{first_name}}, saw [company] is growing the [team] team. I spend my days with [role]s solving [problem]. Happy to connect.
4. Hi {{first_name}}, fellow [industry] person here. I write about [topic] and would like to have you in my network.
5. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm building my network of [role]s in [industry]. No pitch, just good to know the people doing the work.
6. Hi {{first_name}}, I help [type of company] with [outcome]. Thought it'd be worth being connected. Hope that's alright.
7. Hi {{first_name}}, [company] came up when I was researching [topic]. Would be glad to connect and follow what you're building.
8. Hi {{first_name}}, I talk to a lot of [role]s about [problem] and keep learning from them. Would love to connect.

You saw their post or content

9. Hi {{first_name}}, your post on [topic] was spot on, especially [specific point]. Would like to follow your thinking.
10. Hi {{first_name}}, enjoyed your take on [topic] this week. I've seen the same with [short example]. Glad to connect.
11. Hi {{first_name}}, your comment on [person]'s post about [topic] made me think. Would be good to connect.
12. Hi {{first_name}}, saved your post on [topic] for my team. Thanks for sharing it. Happy to connect.
13. Hi {{first_name}}, been following your posts on [topic] for a while. Thought it was time to actually connect.

Mutual connections and shared groups

14. Hi {{first_name}}, we both know [mutual name]. I work in [field] too and would be glad to connect.
15. Hi {{first_name}}, I see we're both in [group name]. Always good to connect with members. Hope you don't mind.
16. Hi {{first_name}}, we have a few connections in common in [industry]. Would be glad to add you to my network.
17. Hi {{first_name}}, [mutual name] mentioned your work on [topic]. Would love to connect.

Events and webinars

18. Hi {{first_name}}, I saw you're attending [event]. I'll be there too. Would be good to connect beforehand.
19. Hi {{first_name}}, enjoyed your talk at [event], especially the part on [topic]. Glad to connect.
20. Hi {{first_name}}, we were both at [event] last week. Sorry we didn't get to talk. Happy to connect here.
21. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm going through the [webinar] attendee list to connect with people in [field]. Hope that's alright.

New role or company news

22. Hi {{first_name}}, congrats on the new role at [company]! Would be glad to connect and follow how it goes.
23. Hi {{first_name}}, saw [company] just [raised/launched/expanded to X]. Congratulations to you and the team. Happy to connect.
24. Hi {{first_name}}, congrats on [award/milestone]. Great to see [company] doing well. Would like to connect.
25. Hi {{first_name}}, noticed you joined [company] recently. I work with a lot of teams in [industry]. Glad to connect.

Same school, company or background

26. Hi {{first_name}}, fellow [school] alum here. I work in [field] now. Would be great to connect.
27. Hi {{first_name}}, I see we both spent time at [past company]. Always nice to connect with people from there.
28. Hi {{first_name}}, we both come from [background, e.g. engineering into sales]. Would like to connect.
29. Hi {{first_name}}, also based in [city] and working in [industry]. Good to know people nearby.

Founders and owners

30. Hi {{first_name}}, fellow founder here, building [short description]. Always good to connect with people building something.
31. Hi {{first_name}}, I like what [company] is doing in [space]. As a founder in a nearby space, would be glad to connect.
32. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm connecting with agency owners in [region]. I share what works in [topic]. Happy to connect.
33. Hi {{first_name}}, running a small company in [industry] myself. Would like to swap notes some time. Glad to connect.

Recruiting and hiring

34. Hi {{first_name}}, I recruit [role]s in [region] and your background in [skill] stood out. Would be glad to connect.
35. Hi {{first_name}}, we're building a [team] team at [company]. Not a pitch today, just good to be connected.
36. Hi {{first_name}}, your work on [project/skill] caught my eye. I hire for roles like that now and then. Happy to connect.
37. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm connecting with [role]s in [city] ahead of some roles we're opening this year.

Job seekers and students

38. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm a [student/graduate] in [field] and admire your path into [role]. Would be grateful to connect.
39. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm moving into [field] and learning from people who do it well. Your posts on [topic] help. Glad to connect.
40. Hi {{first_name}}, I'm interested in [company] and the work your team does on [area]. Would love to connect.
41. Hi {{first_name}}, fellow [school] student here, working toward [role]. Would be great to connect.

Partners and peers

42. Hi {{first_name}}, we both serve [customer type] from different angles. Would be good to connect and compare notes.
43. Hi {{first_name}}, I work with [type of partner] in [region] and [company] keeps coming up. Glad to connect.
44. Hi {{first_name}}, I run [community/newsletter] for [audience]. Would like to have you in my network.

Re-connecting and warm leads

45. Hi {{first_name}}, we spoke briefly at [place/time]. Good to connect properly here.
46. Hi {{first_name}}, thanks for viewing my profile. Is there anything I can help with? Glad to connect.
47. Hi {{first_name}}, thanks for following [company page]. Would be good to connect personally too.
48. Hi {{first_name}}, you downloaded our [guide/resource] a while back. Hope it helped. Happy to connect.

Very short (for free accounts or quick invites)

49. Hi {{first_name}}, fellow [industry] person here. Would be glad to connect.
50. Hi {{first_name}}, enjoying your posts on [topic]. Glad to connect.

Note or no note?

Notes help most when there's a real reason to mention. A generic note can do worse than none, because it reads like automation. If you have nothing specific, a blank invite to a well-targeted 2nd-degree connection is fine.

Free accounts can only add notes to a handful of invites each month. Spend them on the people who matter most, and send the rest without a note.

What happens after they accept

Wait a day, then send a short message that continues the reason you connected, and ask a question. See LinkedIn follow-up message templates. In GrabProspect, a sequence sends that message when the invite is accepted and stops follow-ups as soon as they reply.

See how connection invites and message sequences work in GrabProspect.

Frequently asked questions

How long can a LinkedIn connection note be?

Up to 300 characters on Premium and Sales Navigator accounts, and up to 200 characters on free accounts, which can only add a note to a few invites a month.

Should I add a note to every LinkedIn connection request?

Only when you have a specific reason to mention. A note that says why you're connecting raises acceptance; a generic note doesn't help.

Can I put a link in a connection request?

You can, but don't. Links and offers in connection notes look like spam and get reported, which hurts your account.

What's a good acceptance rate for connection requests?

Above 30% is healthy; well-targeted outreach with good notes reaches 40% to 60%. Under 25% means your targeting needs work.