Choose a short connection request for your situation: sales, recruiting, networking or an event. These 23 examples stay under 200 characters before customization. Add one truthful detail, check the final length and make your reason to connect clear.
A LinkedIn connection request message should explain who you are and give a specific reason to connect. Start with a detail you can verify, keep the ask small and save a full sales pitch for a later conversation. Below are 23 examples for sales, recruiting, networking and events.
Each template is under 200 characters as written, including its placeholders. Replacing those placeholders can make it longer, so check your final note before sending. These are writing examples, not tested acceptance-rate claims.
What to write in a LinkedIn connection request
Use this structure: relevant context + who you are + reason to connect. A useful note might mention a post you read, a specific role or a real meeting. Avoid fabricated familiarity, promises of results and a calendar link before the person has expressed interest.
Hi Alex, your post about lead routing caught my attention. I work on sales operations at Acme and am exploring the same problem. Open to connecting?
The name and company in this example are illustrative. For a sequence after the invitation, use the LinkedIn outreach playbook.
LinkedIn connection note character limits
LinkedIn's current personalized-invitation guidance specifies a 200-character note for Basic members. Check the counter and allowance in your own account before sending. The examples below fit within 200 characters before customization.
LinkedIn's help pages give differing figures for the monthly number of personalized Basic invitations. Use the allowance displayed in your account. Premium note availability does not remove the separate invitation restrictions.
Choose an example for your situation
- Sales and prospecting: examples 1 to 6
- Recruiting: examples 7 to 10
- Networking: examples 11 to 15
- Alumni and communities: examples 16 to 17
- Events: examples 18 to 19
- Cold introductions and reconnecting: examples 20 to 23
Sales and prospecting messages (1 to 6)
Hi [Name], your post on [topic] caught my attention, especially [detail]. I work on [related area] at [Company]. Open to connecting?
132 characters before customization. Use a point from a post you actually read.
Hi [Name], congratulations on joining [Company]. I work with [team type] on [problem]. Is that part of your new remit? Happy to connect.
136 characters before customization. Check that the appointment is current. Do not assume a new role means a new budget.
Hi [Name], saw [Company] is hiring [role]. I work on [related challenge] for [team type]. Thought it would be useful to connect.
128 characters before customization. Refer to a real vacancy and explain the connection to your work.
Hi [Name], your point about [problem] resonated. I put together a short [resource] on [specific topic]. Happy to share it if useful. Open to connecting?
152 characters before customization. Have the promised resource ready. Do not invent results to make it sound valuable.
Hi [Name], I work on [problem] for [team type]. Does [specific area] sit with you at [Company], or another team? Happy to connect either way.
141 characters before customization. Use this when the role is unclear, not as a disguised claim that you know them.
Hi [Name], we helped [customer or team type] with [specific problem]. I noticed [relevant context] at [Company]. Open to connecting?
132 characters before customization. Use customer names only when appropriate and outcomes you can substantiate.
Recruiting and hiring messages (7 to 10)
Hi [Name], I recruit [role type] for [Company]. Your work on [specific area] looks relevant to an opening we have. Open to connecting?
134 characters before customization. Name the role and organization. Avoid vague exclusive-opportunity claims.
Hi [Name], I read your [project/article] on [topic]. I recruit for teams working on [related area]. Would be good to connect.
125 characters before customization. Read the work before referencing it, and keep your reason for connecting clear.
Hi [Name], saw your team is hiring [role]. I work with [candidate specialty] in [market]. Open to connecting about the search?
126 characters before customization. Use a current hiring announcement, not a guessed expansion plan.
Hi [Name], we spoke about [role/topic] at [time]. I am now working on [relevant area] and would be glad to reconnect. How have things been?
139 characters before customization. Use only when the earlier conversation really happened.
Networking and peer messages (11 to 15)
Hi [Name], I also work on [area] as a [role]. Your point about [detail] matched a question our team is exploring. Open to connecting?
133 characters before customization. Give a concrete professional reason instead of generic praise.
Hi [Name], I am exploring [specific topic] for [context]. Your [post/project] was useful, especially [detail]. Would be glad to connect.
136 characters before customization. State whether your purpose is research, networking or a commercial conversation.
Hi [Name], we both know [Mutual contact]. I noticed your work on [topic], which overlaps with mine at [Company]. Open to connecting?
132 characters before customization. Do not imply the mutual contact recommended you unless they did.
Hi [Name], enjoyed our exchange on [Person]’s post about [topic]. Your example of [detail] was helpful. Would be good to stay connected.
136 characters before customization. Reference an exchange you participated in, not a thread you only viewed.
Hi [Name], your work on [area] caught my attention. I am trying to understand [narrow question] in [context]. Open to connecting?
129 characters before customization. Keep the question small enough to answer without a meeting.
Alumni and community messages (16 to 17)
Hi [Name], fellow [School] alum here. I work in [area] and noticed your work on [topic]. Would be glad to connect.
114 characters before customization. Use a real shared affiliation and a current professional reason.
Hi [Name], I am part of [Community] in [City] and work on [area]. Saw your contribution about [topic]. Open to connecting?
122 characters before customization. Do not claim membership or attendance you do not have.
Messages after an event (18 to 19)
Hi [Name], good talking with you at [Event] about [topic]. Your point about [detail] stayed with me. Let’s keep in touch here.
126 characters before customization. Use a detail from the actual conversation.
Hi [Name], I attended your [Event] session on [topic]. The example about [detail] was useful for my work on [area]. Open to connecting?
135 characters before customization. Attending the same event does not mean you met the speaker personally.
Cold introductions and reconnecting (20 to 23)
Hi [Name], we have not met. I work on [problem] for [team type] at [Company]. Your role in [area] looked relevant. Would you be open to connecting?
147 characters before customization. Be explicit about who you are and why this person is relevant.
Hi [Name], saw [Company]’s announcement about [event]. I work on [related area]. Curious how that affects [specific priority]. Open to connecting?
146 characters before customization. Check the source and date. Do not treat an announcement as proof of purchase intent.
Hi [Name], following our conversation about [topic] on [channel], I thought it would be useful to connect here too. Thanks for the exchange.
140 characters before customization. Use only when you already have a real conversation to continue.
Hi [Name], we worked together on [project/context] a while back. I am now focused on [area]. Would be good to reconnect and hear what you are working on.
153 characters before customization. A genuine shared history is enough. Do not manufacture urgency.
From a connection request to a relevant conversation
After acceptance, continue the same topic. Thank the person and ask one focused question. If they decline or ask you to stop, record that outcome before anyone else restarts the sequence.
Thanks for connecting, [Name]. You mentioned [specific problem]. How are you handling [one part of it] today?
For sales teams, a relevant buying signal can help identify a reason to contact an account. Verify the source and the person's role, then review the message. A public reaction or a company announcement does not establish that someone wants to buy.
Overloop supports email and LinkedIn sequences. Start from relevant prospects and reviewed copy, then check the available campaign controls for your workflow. Compare the options in our LinkedIn outreach tools guide, or try Overloop with your own prospect list.
Frequently asked questions
What should I say in a LinkedIn connection request?
Give a real reason to connect, identify yourself where needed and make a simple invitation. A post, role, shared event or existing conversation can supply the context.
What is the character limit for a LinkedIn connection note?
LinkedIn's personalized-invitation help page specifies 200 characters for Basic members. Check the counter in your account and recheck the length after replacing template placeholders.
Should I include a note or send a blank invitation?
Add a note when it provides useful, truthful context. A familiar contact may recognize you without one. Compare your own similar audiences before deciding which approach works better.
Should I pitch my product in the connection request?
Use the invitation to explain relevance. If your purpose is commercial, be honest about your role, but leave a detailed offer or meeting request for a conversation where the recipient has shown interest.
What should I send after someone accepts?
Thank them and continue the topic from the invitation with one focused question or the resource you offered. Acceptance alone does not mean that they want a sales call.
Can I automate LinkedIn connection requests?
Tools offer that functionality, but LinkedIn restricts third-party automation on its website. No template, sending quota or software setting guarantees protection from account restrictions.
Sources checked September 29, 2026: personalized invitations, invitation limits and automated activity. Templates are original editorial examples.