20+ Best LinkedIn Connection Message Templates [+ Tips]

LinkedIn, the social media platform where not only people can showcase their professional profiles, but also build professional connections. LinkedIn has recently been on the rise because it allows you to connect with amazing alumni, resourceful colleagues, and recruiters that can potentially get you a job.

The feature of connection request messages on LinkedIn has made online networking easier than ever. Making your LinkedIn connection request message personalized can increase the likelihood of your request getting accepted. Hence, broadening your professional connections on LinkedIn can help you tremendously in the long term. 

But how do you make an appropriate personalized connection message on LinkedIn?  Let’s see how to draft an effective LinkedIn connection request!

Here is a step-to-step guide on how to message someone on LinkedIn! 

1. Address the connection directly

When asking to connect with anyone on LinkedIn, it is best to address your connection directly. Addressing them by name implicitly shows your sincere intention to connect, making your message seem more personalized. Start your LinkedIn request message with either one of these formats:

• Dear Mr./Ms./Mrs [Last Name of Connection]
  for strangers or people you do not know closely
• Dear [First Name of Connection]
  if you consider the connection pretty close (e.g. a former colleague)

2. State your intention to connect

Your intention to connect should be the star of your LinkedIn invitation message. It is a part that needs to be greatly emphasized in order to show that you will be a genuine connection — not a mere spammer. 

Usually, people send a message to connect on LinkedIn with some of the following intentions:

• Gain insights 
• Get into a new industry
• Search for job opportunities
• Expand network

3. Find a common ground as a conversation starter

This next step will surely help make your invitation sound more engaging and less awkward. If you have a common ground with your connection, such as a common interest, similar background, same industry, job position, or even if you both just come from a mutual LinkedIn group, be sure to mention it in your LinkedIn connection note! It can really start the conversation.

4. Include a statement of invitation to connect

After all, since it is a LinkedIn connection request message, don’t forget to mention your invitation to connect! A simple “Let’s connect!” or “Looking forward to connecting.” works effectively to close off your LinkedIn invitation message.

Ready to write your own? Here are the best LinkedIn connection request message templates and LinkedIn invitation message samples to connect with all kinds of future connections!

Colleague

A colleague, out of everyone, should be someone easier to reach for connection. Your colleagues from the office would most likely still recognize you, and you can use this to an advantage. If you are reaching out to a colleague who is from a different department, you can briefly mention that they might not find you familiar despite working in the same company because of that reason. 

Here is a LinkedIn connection request template to reach out to a colleague:

You can also use the below LinkedIn connection message example as a sample:

New colleague

Unlike a current colleague, a new colleague might not know you just yet! To make a good first impression, it is important to show your professionalism, but at the same time, don’t forget to show a bit of friendliness. 

Below is a LinkedIn connection request template to invite a new colleague to connect:

Here is another LinkedIn connection message example you can refer to when connecting with a new colleague:

Former Colleague

Connecting via LinkedIn is a great way to keep in touch with your former colleague. When asking to connect with someone you’ve worked with before, it can be helpful to mention past projects or memorable events together to help remind them of you. 

This is a LinkedIn invitation message template to reach out to a former colleague:

Another sample LinkedIn invitation note that you can use:

Casual Acquaintances 

Many people also connect with their acquaintances to know what they are up to at work. Your casual acquaintances may be your next-door neighbor, a friend of your husband, or an old childhood friend. It’s sometimes also refreshing to see different posts from various industries on your LinkedIn feed.

This is a template you can use as a LinkedIn connection request to connect with your casual acquaintances:

An example to use for this particular setting can be seen below:

Recruiter 

If you’re going to draft a flawless LinkedIn invitation message, it’d better be for a recruiter! Connecting with recruiters can help you open paths to future opportunities.

Below is a LinkedIn connection request template to connect with your current or prospective recruiter:

Below is an example of a Linkedin connection message to recruiter:

Alumnus 

Alumni from your university are must-have connections for your LinkedIn! There have been numerous cases of alumni helping their juniors, both final-year students and fresh graduates, to get incredible job opportunities. Remember to approach your school alumni politely and don’t forget to show your desire to learn from the person.

Below is a LinkedIn connection message template to reach out to an alumnus:

As an example, you can send a connection request message on LinkedIn similar to the one below:

Someone with a mutual connection

Adding your connection’s connections is a great way to expand your LinkedIn network. They usually appear as 2nd-degree or 3rd-degree connections. 

A template you can use to reach out to someone with a mutual connection:

This is a sample of a LinkedIn message to new connection to send to your connection’s connection: 

Author of an article/post

Sometimes, you might come across articles or posts in your feed that stand out to you. These articles can be others’ sharing of their job milestones, valuable online resources, and many more. Reach out to the authors of articles and posts that resonate with you!

Here is a LinkedIn connection request template you can use for this setting:

You can also use the below LinkedIn connection message example as a reference:

Someone who reacted to your post

When profiles who are not yet your connections react to your post, they most likely enjoy your content. Connecting with individuals who have similar interests or backgrounds can broaden your insights and help you build your network. 

This is a template you can use as a LinkedIn connection request to connect with someone who reacted to your post:

An example to use for this particular setting can be seen below: 

Someone you met at a networking event 

A professional way to keep in touch with someone you met at a networking event is to add them as a LinkedIn connection.

Below is a LinkedIn connection request template to connect with someone you met at a networking event:

You can use the example below as a reference for this setting:

Someone you admire

Many people actually reach out to their role models on LinkedIn. More times than not, they will usually accept your request when you express your admiration to them. 

A template you can use to reach out to someone you admire:

This is a sample of a LinkedIn message to new connection to send to your connection’s connection: 

Someone you want to work with

LinkedIn can also be a platform where collaborations kick start. When sending a LinkedIn note to connect to someone that you want to work with, remember to avoid blasting them with excessive promotion. On the contrary, emphasize why they are individuals you want to collaborate with. 

Below is a LinkedIn connection request template to connect with someone you wish to collaborate with:

Below is an example of a LinkedIn message request to reach out for future collaboration:

Fellow LinkedIn group member

You can connect with other members with similar interests from a mutual LinkedIn group. 

This is a template you can use as a LinkedIn connection request to connect with a fellow LinkedIn group member:

An example to use for this particular setting can be seen below: 

Still not sure how to write a great LinkedIn message request? Here are a few tips to make connecting on LinkedIn message easier for you:

1. Never send a blank request

Nothing is worse than a blank request! Your future connection is already flooded with plenty of those every day. It’s very possible that they consider blank requests as spam, and prefer to never go through them. 

2. Include a touch of personality

Including a touch of your personality can make your LinkedIn message request sound less monotonous or boring. Keep in mind that this will significantly help you as long as you carry yourself appropriately. 

3. Mention a common ground/connection’s achievement

A simple way to make your LinkedIn connection request seem interesting is to include a similar interest, background, or anything as a common ground in your request message. Additionally, you can also emphasize your future connection’s achievement or milestone to be the start of a conversation.

4. Do not use generic messages

Your connection gets many LinkedIn invitation messages every other day. Drafting your LinkedIn request message so that it isn’t generic is important to catch your future connection’s attention.

5. Stay professional

A LinkedIn connection request message needs to sound professional. You can obviously express friendliness and warmth, but remember to keep it relatively formal, especially when approaching strangers.

• The personalization feature of the LinkedIn connection request message should be properly utilized, never send a blank request message. Personalizing your message can increase the chances of your connection request getting accepted. 
• Directly address your connection, mention your intention to connect, and find a common ground when writing a LinkedIn request message.
• Expanding your network on LinkedIn can help you professionally in the long-run.

--- Originally written by Lorencia Ang Budijono ---