How to Write a LinkedIn Connection Request That Works?

You just found the perfect prospect on LinkedIn, someone who matches your ideal customer profile. Now comes the tricky part: sending that LinkedIn connection request. 

And let’s be real, most of them never get accepted.

Why? 

Because people are tired of generic, copy-paste requests that convey, “I’m going to pitch you.”

If you’re in sales, especially an SDR, your success often depends on how many quality conversations you can start, and that begins with getting your LinkedIn connection requests accepted.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what makes a connection request actually work in 2025. 

From quick personalization hacks to message templates that convert, we’ve got you covered. 

Either manual or via SmartReach’s auomation, this guide will help increase your acceptance rate and open more doors for conversations that matter.

Why most LinkedIn connection requests fail?

The reason is pretty straightforward: they feel generic, salesy, or just simply irrelevant.

Think about it from the other person’s perspective. 

Decision-makers and professionals get nearly 15–20 LinkedIn connection requests every week, and most of them sound exactly the same. 

It’s no surprise they only accept around 1 in 5.

Here are the most common mistakes people make:

• They send the same message to everyone, with no personalization.
  
• They make it all about themselves or their company.
  
• The message is too long, and gets cut off (LinkedIn trims anything beyond ~300 characters).
  
• They go in too aggressive, pitching before building any relationship.
  

Source

But here’s what most people don’t realize – every ignored or rejected request isn’t just a “no,” it’s a missed opportunity. 

You’re not only losing a potential connection, you’re also wasting one of LinkedIn’s limited connection slots (you can only have about 100 pending requests at a time).

That results in your outreach slowing down, your pipeline taking a hit, and your message never even gets seen.

But with just a few small changes to your approach, you can stand out from the noise, get more “Accepts,” and actually start building relationships that lead to results.

What makes a LinkedIn connection request Work? 

Alright, so we know what not to do. Now let’s break down what actually gets people to click “Accept.”

➤ Personalization (but make it efficient)

You don’t need to write a brand-new message for every person. 

What you do need is a smart template that feels personal.

Here’s the trick:

• Spend 30 seconds scanning their profile.
  
• Spot something unique (a recent post, role change, mutual connection, or shared interest).
  
• Plug that into a flexible template.

This makes the message feel thoughtful, not robotic, without taking hours of your time.

➤ Keep it short

LinkedIn cuts off messages after ~300 characters and let’s be honest, no one’s reading a wall of text.

You could:

• Messages under 200 characters = 25% higher acceptance rates.
  
• The sweet spot = 150–175 characters – just enough to show intent without overwhelming them.

Remember, the goal here isn’t to pitch or explain everything. It’s just to connect. 

➤ Focus on them, not you

If your message starts with “I” more than “you,” you’ve already lost them.

Instead of saying,

“Hi, I’m a sales rep at X company helping businesses with Y…”

Try something like,

“Saw your recent post on [topic] — would love to connect and learn more about your work.”

Show interest. Start a conversation. Keep the pitch for later.

When you combine these three things – light personalization, short format, and a them-first tone, your LinkedIn connection requests go from ignored to accepted. 

And that opens the door to real conversations, not just clicks.

7 Linkedin connection request templates that actually work

Instead of theoretical advice, here are seven real templates with proven track records. 

Each includes a customization guide to help you adapt it quickly for your prospects.

#1 The mutual connection template

Hi [Name],  I see we’re both connected with [Mutual Connection]. I’m reaching out because I work with [professionals in their position] at [similar companies].  Would love to connect and share ideas about [relevant topic].

• Why it works: Mentioning a mutual connection creates instant credibility and trust. People are more likely to accept when they see you share connections.

• When to use it: When you have a genuine mutual connection, especially if it’s someone well-respected in your industry.

#2 The content engagement template

Hi [Name],  I noticed you commented on [specific post/article]. Your point about [mention specific comment] really resonated. I work with [their role] and would love to connect to discuss more about [topic of the content].

• Why it works: Shows you’ve taken time to engage with their thoughts, not just their title or company. It’s specific and relevant.

• When to use it: After you’ve genuinely engaged with their content by liking or commenting. Don’t fake this, they’ll remember if they never posted what you’re claiming.

#3 The industry insight template

Hi [Name],  I’ve been following developments in [their industry] and noticed [company’s recent news or industry trend]. As someone working with [their role] professionals, I’d love to connect and exchange insights.

• Why it works: Shows you’re knowledgeable about their industry and interested in their professional context, not just making a sale.

• When to use it: When you have genuine insight into their industry and can reference something specific and recent.

#4 The event follow-up template

Hi [Name], great hearing your question about [topic] during [event name] yesterday. I work with [similar companies] on similar challenges and would love to connect to continue the conversation.

• Why it works: Creates a genuine connection point based on shared experience. Reminds them exactly where they “met” you.

• When to use it: Within 24-48 hours after attending the same webinar, conference, or virtual event.

#5 The value-first template

Hi [Name], I just read about [their company news]. I’ve helped [your role] at [similar companies] with [specific challenge] and thought you might find value in connecting. No pitch, just industry insights.

• Why it works: Leads with potential value to them rather than what you want. The “no pitch” phrase directly addresses the concern that you’re just trying to sell something.

• When to use it: When you can genuinely offer relevant insights or help based on their current situation.

#6 Shared background template

Hi [Name], noticed we both went to [University], always great to connect with fellow alumni! I’ve been following your work at [Company] and would love to connect.

• Why it works: It builds instant rapport through familiarity. People naturally trust and engage more with those they share history with.

• When to use it: If you and the prospect share something personal but professional like the same university, certification, hometown, or previous employer.

#7 Common challenge template

Hi [Name], I often hear [Job Role]s mention how [problem] slows down their team. Would love to connect and share notes, always curious how others are tackling this.

• Why it works: It shows you understand their pain points and positions you as a peer, not a seller. It’s curiosity-driven and collaborative.

• When to use it: When your solution addresses a common problem in their role/industry, but without going straight into a sales pitch.

Tip: Not every template fits every situation. The key is to pick the one that feels most natural for the context and test a few to see what works best for your audience.

The no-message strategy (Yes, it works)

Wait… what if the best message is no message at all?

Yep, sounds counterintuitive, but sending a LinkedIn connection request without a message can actually work better in some cases.

Backed by data

Let’s look at the numbers our team experienced:

• 41% acceptance rate for requests with no message
  
• 37% for personalized messages
  
• 21% for generic “I’d like to connect” messages

In short: if you’re not going to personalize, you’re better off saying nothing at all.

Why it works? 

There are a few reasons why “no message” actually performs better:

• No sales pressure – It doesn’t trigger that “ugh, here comes a pitch” reaction.
  
• Shifts attention to your profile – People judge you based on your LinkedIn headline, job title, mutual connections, and photo — not a rushed message.
  
• Saves time for both sides – Busy execs and decision-makers appreciate the efficiency.
  
• Nothing to reject – With no message, there’s no text to disagree with or overanalyze.

Sometimes, saying less makes you stand out more.

When to use it?

This approach isn’t for every situation, but it shines when:

• You have a well-optimized LinkedIn profile (great headline, strong summary, professional photo)
  
• You share mutual connections with the prospect
  
• You work in the same industry or location
  
• The person is an active LinkedIn user (frequent poster or commenter)
  
• There’s little info on their profile to personalize a message with.

Quick research methods that make your requests stand out

You don’t need to spend 10 minutes on every profile to personalize your LinkedIn connection request. 

With the right process, you can find solid personalization hooks in under 60 seconds.

#1 Do a 30-second LinkedIn profile scan

Skip the fluff. Focus on these 4 high-impact areas:

• Recent activity: Check for posts, comments, or shares. Reference their opinion or something they engaged with.
  
• About section (first paragraph): This often reveals what they care about or how they describe themselves.
  
• Current role: Look at their job title and responsibilities — it helps you tailor your message to their context.
  
• Mutual connections or groups: Common ground builds trust instantly.
  

Look for something non-obvious like a certification, volunteer work, or niche interest. These make great, unexpected icebreakers.

#2 Do quick company research

Just a few clicks can give you insight into what’s going on in their world:

• LinkedIn company page: Recent posts, new funding? Hiring? Expansion? Mention it.
  
• Google News search: Type the company name + “news” and skim for updates or press releases.
  
• Company’s blog or newsroom: Many brands share key updates that signal growth or change, both great conversation starters.

Example:

“Saw [Company] just launched in the EU market, congrats! 

Would love to connect and hear how your team’s managing that shift.”

What to do after your LinkedIn connection request is accepted?

Getting your request accepted is just step one. 

What really matters is what you do next because that’s where relationships (and deals) begin.

#Step 1: Follow up within 24 hours

Your name is still fresh in their mind. This is your window to keep the conversation going without sounding pushy.

Here’s what your first message should be like:

• A simple thank-you
  
• A quick value add (share a helpful article, tool, or insight)
  
• A light, open-ended question related to their role or interests
  
• No hard pitch or calendar link yet

Example:

Thanks for connecting, [Name]! Came across this [article/resource] about [topic they care about] thought you might find it useful. Curious what’s been your team’s biggest challenge with [relevant topic] lately?

SmartReach.io can automate this follow-up so it’s sent right after someone accepts – no manual reminders needed.

#Step 2: Build the relationship before selling

This is where most SDRs go wrong – they jump into “book a call” mode too soon. 

But the best connections are built with a bit of give before the ask.

Here’s a proven soft-sell sequence:

1. Day 1 – Send a value-first follow-up (as above)
   
2. Day 3–5 – Continue with a second message: share a stat, success story, or new resource that aligns with their role
   
3. Day 7–10 – Ask a slightly deeper question or comment on something they’ve posted
   
4. After some engagement – Now suggest a call/demo with a clear reason why it’s worth their time

This approach shows you’re here to help — not just to sell.

Start scaling Linkedin connection requests with SmartReach.io

By now, it’s clear that writing thoughtful, personalized LinkedIn connection requests and following up strategically can significantly improve your chances of starting real conversations with your prospects.

But doing this consistently, especially at scale, can be time-consuming.

That’s where LinkedIn automation tools like SmartReach.io can reduce your workload.

SmartReach supports your LinkedIn outreach:

• Automate your entire LinkedIn workflow: From sending connection requests and personalized messages to scheduling InMails you can build complete LinkedIn sequences that run on autopilot.
  
• Switch between manual and automated modes: For high-value prospects, SmartReach lets you take a manual, co-piloted approach with suggested talking points and pre-researched details while automating the rest of your outreach.
  
• Stay organized with a unified inbox: All your conversations, across LinkedIn and other channels like email or WhatsApp, are tracked in one inbox with full context making handoffs to AEs or follow-ups easier.
  
• Get insights that help you improve: With built-in reporting, you can track acceptance rates, message performance, team productivity, and even response sentiment helping you fine-tune your strategy over time.
  
• Find and connect with decision-makers easily: Use LinkedIn filters to search for ideal prospects, and instantly pull in their verified emails and LinkedIn data for faster outreach.
  

SmartReach.io gives you everything you need to build relationships that convert. Start testing, optimizing, and scaling your LinkedIn strategy today.

Try SmartReach.io for free.

Linkedin Connection Request: FAQs

What should I write on a LinkedIn connection request?

When writing a LinkedIn connection request, keep it short, relevant, and focused on the recipient. Mention how you found them, any shared connections or interests, and why you’d like to connect without diving into a pitch. A simple, personalized message like 

“Hi [Name], I came across your profile while researching [industry/topic] would love to connect and exchange ideas” works well.

How do I ask someone to connect on LinkedIn?

To ask someone to connect on LinkedIn, click the “Connect” button on their profile and choose “Add a note.” In your note, introduce yourself, mention any mutual connections or shared interests, and state your reason for connecting in a polite and professional tone. Keep it under 300 characters to avoid message cut-offs.

What is a good message for LinkedIn networking?

A good LinkedIn networking message is concise, relevant, and offers value. For example:

“Hi [Name], I’ve been following your insights on [topic] and found them really helpful. I’d love to connect and stay in touch on future updates and trends in [industry].”
This shows genuine interest and opens the door to conversation without being pushy.

How do you politely message someone on LinkedIn?

To politely message someone on LinkedIn, always start with a respectful greeting and personalize your message. Acknowledge their expertise, mention any shared context (such as an event or post), and avoid sounding overly promotional. Example:

“Hi [Name], I really appreciated your post on [topic]. It gave me a new perspective. I’d love to connect and continue learning from your insights.”

How do I suggest a connection on LinkedIn?

You can suggest a connection on LinkedIn by using the “Share Profile” option. Go to the person’s profile, click “More,” and choose “Share Profile.” Then, send the profile to your mutual contact with a short message explaining why the introduction might be valuable for both parties.

How to personalise a LinkedIn connection request?

To personalize a LinkedIn connection request, scan the person’s profile for something unique like a recent post, shared background, or company news. Use that detail to craft a short, tailored message. Example:

“Hi [Name], saw your recent article on [topic] really insightful! Would love to connect and learn more about your work in [industry].”

How do you say you want to connect on LinkedIn?

The best way to say you want to connect on LinkedIn is by being direct but thoughtful. Instead of the generic “I’d like to add you to my network,” try something like:

“Hi [Name], I came across your profile while researching [topic]. I’d love to connect and exchange ideas — always keen to learn from others in [industry].”