LinkedIn connection request message templates
A connection request note has a few hundred characters and one job: make accepting feel natural. These notes give a shared context and a reason to connect, and they don't sell. The pitch, if there is one, comes later, after they've accepted and you've seen what they post.
;sl-li-connect;sl-li-connect in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
After a conference, webinar or meetup where you were both present.
When someone you both know is the reason you're reaching out.
When to use it
- You want to connect with a prospect before any email outreach.
- You met them at an event, or a mutual connection pointed you their way.
- They posted something you can genuinely comment on.
What to avoid
- Don't pitch in the connection note. It reads as spam and often gets declined.
- Don't go over LinkedIn's character limit for notes; keep it to two sentences.
- Don't send a connection request and an InMail on the same day.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- First name
{fill:First name} - Their first name.
- Cursor
{cursor} - Where your cursor lands after the snippet expands, so you can start typing the personal part straight away.
- Their role
{fill:Their role} - Their job function, e.g. "support lead". The template adds the plural "s".
- Company
{fill:Company} - A company similar to theirs, or theirs.
- Event name
{fill:Event name} - The event you both attended.
- Topic they raised
{fill:Topic they raised} - Something specific they said or posted.
- Mutual connection
{fill:Mutual connection} - The person you both know, by name.
Tips
- •Write one real sentence at {cursor} about something they posted or did. That's what gets accepted.
- •If you write email in a desktop app such as Mail or Outlook, set ;sl-li-connect to Everywhere except that app, so it can't fire in an email by accident.
- •Send these from your Mac the evening after an event, while names and conversations are still fresh.
Works in LinkedIn, Safari, Chrome and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Keep the team's LinkedIn notes in the shared pack so new SDRs don't learn by trial and error which openers get accepted.
See Retext for TeamsQuestions
What should I write in a LinkedIn connection request?
A shared context (an event, a mutual connection, something they posted) and a simple reason to connect. Leave the pitch out; it's the main reason requests get ignored.
Should I add a note to every LinkedIn connection request?
For prospects, yes. A short, specific note makes it clear you're a person with a reason, not a bulk request.
Related templates
LinkedIn follow-up message
;sl-li-followupSales
Thanks for connecting, [First name]. Curious: how is [Company] handling [Problem] at the moment? No pitch, I'm asking be…
Cold email
;sl-coldopenSales
Hi [First name], Teams in that spot usually run into [Problem]. We help companies like [Similar customer] fix that witho…
Trade show follow-up
;sl-eventSales
Hi [First name], Good to meet you at [Event name]. We talked about [What you discussed] at [Where you met]. If it's usef…
Type ;sl-li-connect, get the whole reply
Retext expands your snippets in every Mac app and fills in names, dates and order numbers for you.
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