# 17 LinkedIn Connection Request Templates That Get Accepted

> 17 short LinkedIn connection request note templates for events, posts, trigger events and follow-ups, with variables, the 300 character limit and tips.

URL: https://salesmix.com/guides/linkedin-connection-request-templates
Last updated: 2026-11-03

# Guide · LinkedIn connection request templates: LinkedIn connection notes people actually accept.

17 short templates grouped by situation, with variables you can fill by hand or from your lead data. None of them pitch.

**In short** 

The best LinkedIn connection notes are short, specific and give one honest reason to connect. Keep them well under the commonly reported 300 character limit, mention real shared context or a recent trigger, and save the pitch for after they accept. LinkedIn limits personalized notes on free accounts, so use them where they matter most.

Updated November 3, 2026 · Limits are commonly reported figures, not official LinkedIn numbers.

## How to use these templates

Words in double curly braces, like `{{first_name}}` or `{{company}}`, are variables. Fill them by hand, or map them from a CSV, your CRM or [Clay columns](https://salesmix.com/integrations/clay) if you send through an outreach tool. Before sending, read the note with the variables filled in. If it would sound odd said out loud, rewrite it.

## Shared context

The easiest acceptances. Lead with the thing you genuinely have in common.

1.  **Same event.** Hi {{first\_name}}, saw you were at {{event}} too. I caught the session on {{topic}} and would like to stay in touch with people working on the same problems. Happy to connect.
2.  **Same group or community.** Hi {{first\_name}}, we’re both in {{community}}. Your post about {{topic}} was useful. Would be good to connect.
3.  **Mutual connection.** Hi {{first\_name}}, {{mutual\_name}} and I worked together at {{company}} and your name came up when we talked about {{topic}}. Would like to connect.
4.  **Same alma mater.** Hi {{first\_name}}, fellow {{school}} grad here. I see you’re leading {{team}} at {{company}}. Always good to know alumni in the space. Let’s connect.

## Engaged with their content

Specific beats flattering. Mention one concrete idea, not “great post”.

1.  **Recent post.** Hi {{first\_name}}, your point about {{post\_topic}} matched what we’ve seen with {{similar\_companies}}. Would like to follow your posts and connect.
2.  **Article or podcast.** Hi {{first\_name}}, listened to you on {{podcast}}. The part on {{topic}} changed how I think about it. Would love to connect.
3.  **Comment you both made.** Hi {{first\_name}}, we were both in the comments on {{author}}’s post about {{topic}}. You made the better point. Let’s connect.

## Trigger events

Something changed at their company. Acknowledge it without pitching.

1.  **New role.** Congrats on the new role at {{company}}, {{first\_name}}. The first 90 days in {{role}} are a lot. Would be good to connect.
2.  **Funding round.** Hi {{first\_name}}, congrats on the {{round}}. I work with a few {{industry}} teams at the same stage and would like to connect.
3.  **Hiring.** Hi {{first\_name}}, noticed {{company}} is hiring {{roles}}. I talk to a lot of teams scaling {{function}} and would be glad to connect.
4.  **Product launch.** Hi {{first\_name}}, saw the {{launch}} launch. Nice work. Curious how it lands with {{audience}}. Let’s connect.

## Peer and relevance

No shared history? Make the reason to connect obvious in one line.

1.  **Same role.** Hi {{first\_name}}, I’m also in {{role}} and always trying to learn how other teams handle {{challenge}}. Would like to connect.
2.  **Same niche.** Hi {{first\_name}}, I spend most of my time with {{industry}} {{role\_plural}}, and your work at {{company}} keeps coming up. Happy to connect.
3.  **Local.** Hi {{first\_name}}, fellow {{city}} {{industry}} person here. Always good to know people nearby. Let’s connect.

## Reconnecting and following up

For people you’ve already met or contacted elsewhere.

1.  **After a call or meeting.** Hi {{first\_name}}, good speaking with you {{when}} about {{topic}}. Connecting here so we stay in touch.
2.  **After an email.** Hi {{first\_name}}, I emailed you about {{topic}} last week. Easier to connect here, no pressure to reply there.
3.  **Old colleague or customer.** Hi {{first\_name}}, it’s been a while since {{shared\_place}}. Saw you’re now at {{company}}. Would be great to reconnect.
4.  **No note at all.** Sometimes the best note is none. For peers with an obvious overlap, a blank request often performs as well as a written one, and it saves your note allowance.

## What makes a connection note work

1.  **One reason, stated plainly.** “We’re both in {{community}}” beats three compliments.
2.  **Short.** Most good notes are 150 to 250 characters. On mobile, anything longer gets cut off.
3.  **About them, not you.** Skip your title, your company and what you sell.
4.  **No ask.** Don’t request a call in the invite. Earn the conversation in the first follow-up.
5.  **Variables that are always filled.** A blank `{{company}}` is worse than no variable. Clean your data or use a fallback.
6.  **Tested on one audience at a time.** Compare acceptance rates for two notes on the same list before changing anything else.

## Character limits and note allowances

| Item | Commonly reported | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Note length | Up to 300 characters | Aim for 150 to 250, including filled-in variables |
| Personalized notes on free accounts | Limited per month | Use notes for high-value or warm leads; send blank requests to close peers |
| Weekly connection requests | Roughly 100 to 200 per week, varies by account | See our LinkedIn limits guide |

LinkedIn changes these limits without notice, and they vary by account and plan. Treat them as guidance, not guarantees.

## What to send after they accept

The connection note opens the door; the first message does the work. Wait a day or two after acceptance, then send a short message that follows on from your note: a question about the trigger you mentioned, or one useful resource. If there’s no reply, one or two spaced follow-ups are plenty. Our guide on [how to automate LinkedIn outreach](https://salesmix.com/guides/how-to-automate-linkedin-outreach) covers full sequence design.

## Using these templates in SalesMix

In SalesMix, paste a template into a Connection Request step and the variables fill from each lead’s data, including custom fields from Clay, HubSpot or the [API](https://salesmix.com/api). A Condition step can then send a follow-up message only to people who connected. If you’re on a new account, ramp up slowly with our [LinkedIn account warm-up schedule](https://salesmix.com/guides/warm-up-linkedin-account) first.

**FAQ** 

## Connection request FAQ

### ### What is the character limit for a LinkedIn connection request note?

The limit is commonly reported as 300 characters for accounts that can add a personalized note. LinkedIn changes this from time to time and it can differ by plan, so check the counter in the invite box. Aim for 150 to 250 characters anyway; short notes read better on mobile.

### ### Can free LinkedIn accounts send personalized notes?

Yes, but LinkedIn limits personalized notes on free accounts, so you may only get a small number each month. Paid plans get more room. If you run out, you can still send requests without a note.

### ### Should I add a note to every connection request?

Not necessarily. A note helps most when you have real shared context or a specific reason. For close peers, a blank request often gets accepted at a similar rate. Test both on the same audience and compare acceptance rates.

### ### Should I pitch in a connection request?

No. A pitch in the invite usually lowers acceptance, and low acceptance is one of the signals commonly linked to LinkedIn restrictions. Connect first, then start the conversation in a follow-up message.

### ### How do I personalize connection requests at scale?

Use variables like `{{first_name}}` and `{{company}}` for the basics, and add one enriched field, such as a recent post topic or hiring signal, from a tool like [Clay](https://salesmix.com/integrations/clay). Keep the rest of the note the same so you can test it.

### ### What is a good LinkedIn acceptance rate?

It varies a lot by audience. Many teams aim for 30% or more on cold, well-targeted lists, and much higher on warm audiences. If yours is low, tighten targeting first, then the note.

## Keep exploring

[LinkedIn limits guide How many requests you can safely send.](https://salesmix.com/guides/linkedin-automation-limits)[How to automate LinkedIn outreach A step-by-step playbook.](https://salesmix.com/guides/how-to-automate-linkedin-outreach)[Warm up a LinkedIn account A 4-week ramp-up schedule.](https://salesmix.com/guides/warm-up-linkedin-account)

## Good notes, sent at a safe pace.

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