LinkedIn templates

LinkedIn connection request and outreach templates

These are copy-paste LinkedIn connection requests and follow-up messages for B2B sales, built around how the platform actually works: a short, specific note gets accepted, and a patient, value-first follow-up earns the reply. Every connection note stays under LinkedIn's 300-character limit and names one real reason you are reaching out, whether that's a shared interest, a trigger event, something they posted, or a mutual contact, so it reads like a person instead of a pitch.

Send them by hand. LinkedIn's terms prohibit third-party automation tools, and the accounts that get the best results personalize every message and keep daily volume low. Swap the bracketed placeholders for real detail, delete anything that still sounds like a template, and you have outreach worth replying to.

1. Connection note: shared interest or community

Hi [First Name], fellow [Industry] person here. Your name keeps coming up around [Topic], and your recent post on [Specific Point] stuck with me. Would love to connect and trade notes as we both work on this.

2. Connection note: trigger event

Hi [First Name], congrats on [the new role / the raise / the launch] at [Company]. A move like that usually means rethinking how the team handles [Area], which is what I spend most of my days on. Would be glad to connect.

3. Connection note: they posted something

Hi [First Name], your post on [Topic] was one of the more honest things I read on it this week, especially the part about [Specific Point]. I had a slightly different take on [Angle] and would enjoy comparing notes. Mind connecting?

4. Connection note: mutual connection

Hi [First Name], we both know [Mutual Name], who spoke highly of the work you're doing at [Company]. I help a few [Industry] teams with [Area], and I'd value connecting with someone solving it from the inside.

5. Follow-up DM: thanks, no pitch

Thanks for connecting, [First Name]. No pitch here. I keep a short list of sharp people in [Industry] to learn from, and you're on it. Quick question: what's the one thing on your plate this quarter that's harder than it should be?

6. Follow-up DM: lead with value

[First Name], you mentioned [Challenge] is on your radar, so this might be useful: [link to a relevant guide or teardown]. No ask attached. It just lined up with what your team is working through, and I'd rather be helpful than pitch you. Happy to talk it through if it helps.

7. Follow-up DM: the soft ask for a call

[First Name], the more I look at what [Company] is doing in [Area], the more I think there's a quick idea worth sharing. Mind if I send the two-line version here? If it's useful, we can grab 15 minutes. If not, no harm done.

8. Follow-up DM: graceful close

[First Name], I'll stop crowding your feed. If [Challenge] climbs your priority list later this year, just reply here and I'll pick it back up. Either way, glad we're connected, and I'll keep cheering on the [Company] team.

Skip the copy-paste

AvairAI does this kind of outreach for you, starting from just your website. It writes and personalizes every touch, then runs a pre-built 12-touch campaign over three weeks: six emails, four calls, and two LinkedIn messages you send by hand as Manual Tasks. The interested leads land in front of you, so your reps can do the part people are best at, book and close. Start free for 14 days, no card required.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a LinkedIn connection request be?

Keep it under LinkedIn's 300-character limit, and ideally closer to 200. The strongest connection notes name one specific reason you are reaching out, such as a shared group, a post they wrote, a mutual contact, or a recent change at their company, and they ask for nothing in return. Save the actual pitch for after they accept, when a short, value-first message has room to earn a reply.

Can I automate LinkedIn outreach with these templates?

No. LinkedIn's user agreement prohibits third-party automation tools, and accounts that use them risk restriction or a permanent ban. Send connection requests and follow-up messages manually, personalize each one, and keep your daily volume modest. Treat these templates as starting points you adapt by hand, not scripts you fire off in bulk.

What should I send after someone accepts my connection request?

Lead with a thank-you and zero pressure. Reference why you connected, give something useful first (a relevant resource or a genuine question about their work), and only suggest a quick call once you have added value. A soft ask like worth a 15-minute call converts far better than an immediate demo request, because it lets the conversation, not the calendar, set the pace.

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