"Hey beautiful! What a smile. Would love to connect!"
"Hi, It will be a privilege to add you to my professional network."
"Hi Amy, Would you be interested in checking out Xylex?"
“Hi Maya, I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn. - Jora Lellia”
You don't need a PhD in rocket science to know what's wrong with these LinkedIn connection request messages. They are cringe, generic and salesy, respectively.
But when it comes to writing a good one, even the best salespeople are at sixes and sevens. But relax! We've got you covered.
Here are 17 best LinkedIn connection request templates with examples so you never have to wonder, "What should I write on a connection request on LinkedIn for sales?" again.
What Should I Write on a Connection Request on LinkedIn for Sales (Templates)?
i) Talk About a Mutual Connection
Why it works: No matter how hard you cling to the idea that "opposites attract," deep down, you can't deny the kick out of meeting a like-minded person. It is human nature, according to a group of researchers from Wellesley and Kansas College. When you've something to talk about - be it about a common friend, a hobby, or even food, you are no longer a stranger to your prospects.
Here are 5 scenarios you can use to establish a mutual connection with your prospects:
1. You've Mutual Friends/Colleagues
Template
Hi {Name},{Friend/colleague} asked me to reach out to you. I'm {your name},
a {job title} from {company name} and {brief description about company}.
I've something that might help you with {pain point/something they are up to}.
Would love to connect and see if we can work things out!Example
Hi Linda, Brian asked me to reach out to you. I'm Xavier, an SDR from Xenex, a SaaS brand selling event apps. I have something that might help with your annual summit. Would love to connect and see if we can work things out!
2. You Are From the Same University/College
Template
Hello Fellow {name of college},
{Pose a question about an insider joke or something your prospect knows only
because they studied at a specific university/college}.Don't you think so? If
yes, let's chat; if not, let's debate till I win 😉.
Jokes apart, let's connect, {name}!
Example
Hello Fellow Mcgillian! Are you team CLOUDBERRY or WHITE SQUIRREL? I'm definitely team Cloudberry because something that unique and cute deserves a name better than White Squirrel. Don't you think so? If yes, let's chat; if not, let's debate till I win 😉. Jokes apart, let's connect, Linda!
3. You Are From the Same Hometown
Template
Hi {name}, Never thought I would say this, but {say something that they least
expect or might surprise you} Don't believe me? Let's connect and suggest a {plan
to make them believe you} to settle this. I'm {name}, {job role} at {company},
and {restate that you are from the same town} trying to find a home away from
home.Example
Hi Bob, Never thought I would say this as a New Yorker, but the macarons from Cafe Locale taste better than the ones from Cafe Belle in NY. Don't believe me? Let's connect and plan a visit to Cafe Locale to settle this. I'm Zoe, SDR at CBY, and a New Yorker trying to find a home away from home.
Context: Both are currently in Canada and are originally from New York.
4. You Have the Same Interests/Hobbies
Template
Hi {name}, Fellow {name of sports team} fan here! Will they come out of their
losing streak tonight? I almost cried in despair watching last night's game.
Btw, I'm {your name}, {role} at {company}, {brief description about your company} and an ardent {name of sport} fan. Would love to connect and discuss anything
from {name of sports} to {your industry}.Example
Hi Ava, Fellow Cubs fan here! Will they come out of their losing streak tonight? I almost cried in despair watching last night's game. Btw, I'm Zack, BDR at Genk, a SaaS brand selling cold email software, and an ardent baseball fan. Would love to connect and discuss anything from baseball to SaaS.
5. You Belong to the Same Community
Template
Hey {name}, noticed you were also a member of {LinkedIn groups/gated
communities}. I’m {your name}, a {your current role} and a soon-to-be {role
after promotion} at {company name}. Considering you’ve been in this position
for over {years of experience}, I’d love to follow your growth story.
Would love to connect, {name}.Example
Hey Amy, noticed you’re also a member of Women in Revenue. I’m Ann, an AE and a soon-to-be sales manager at ACME. Considering you’ve been in this position for over 2 years, I’d love to follow your growth story. Would love to connect, Amy.
ii) Compliment Your Way In
Why it works: What's common between compliments and monetary rewards? No one would say they want one, but everyone loves it. And not just that, your brain treats praise and a monetary reward the same way. There's even science to back it up.
Here are 5 scenarios you can use in your connection request to throw a genuine compliment to your prospects:
6. They Got Promoted
Template
Hey {name}, Wow! A {their previous role} to {present role} in {time frame}!
Super impressive. I'm {your name}, an {role} at {company name},
a {industry} company. As someone with similar goals, I couldn't help but send
this request your way. Would love to connect and know about your journey.
Example
Hey Adam, Wow! A Sales Manager to VP,Sales in 2 years! Super impressive. I'm Finn, an AE at Savoma, an HR management software company. As someone with similar goals, I couldn't help but send this request your way. Would love to connect and know about your journey.
7. They Assumed a New Role
Template
Hey {name}! Congrats on your new role as the {designation} of {company}. How are
you finding it? Also, since the date for {an important event they are eager
about} has been declared, how are you planning to deal with {pain points related
to the important event} Would love to connect with you and share some ideas on
how to resolve this.Example
Hey Liza! Congrats on your new role as the CXO of Saint Berry's. How are you finding it? Also, since the annual summit has been declared, how are you planning to deal with check-in delays this time? Would love to connect with you and share some ideas on how to resolve this.
8. You Loved Their LinkedIn Post
Template
Hey {name}, I used one of the {tips/hacks} you shared last week here. Glad to say that I've already {the result you achieved}! Just wanted to reach out and thank
you for sharing unconditionally. Let me know if you'd like recommendations
or reviews from me.Example
Hey Bob, I used one of the cold call openers you shared last week here. Glad to say that I've already booked a meeting! Just wanted to reach out and thank you for sharing unconditionally. Let me know if you'd like recommendations or reviews from me.
9. You Enjoyed Their Webinar
Template
Hi {name}, {webinar duration} of pure value! That's how I would describe your
{title of their webinar}. I always thought {a wrong notion you had}. But you made
me realize {how the webinar helped you rectify this}. Would love to connect and learn more unique tips and techniques from you.Example
Hi Zac, 45 minutes of pure value! That's how I would describe your cold calling webinar. I always thought the "we've a tool" objection was a dead end. But you made me realize it is the gateway of new opportunities. Would love to connect and learn more unique tips and techniques from you.
10. You Admire Their Industry Expertise
Template
Hi {name}, I've been following you on LinkedIn since {year/month}. In fact, I
was pretty surprised when I realized that I was not connected with you. Have
witnessed your growth - from a few followers to your first course to 50k
followers. Would love to connect and continue learning from you.Example
Hi Aaron, I've been following you on LinkedIn since 2021. In fact, I was pretty surprised when I realized that I was not connected with you. Have witnessed your growth- from a few followers to your first course to 50k followers. Would love to connect and continue learning from you.
iii) Catch Their Attention With an Event
Why it works: 64% of attendees attend an event for the networking opportunities it provides, according to the State of Business Event 2022 report by Skift Meetings. This means the odds of prospects accepting your connection request are greater if they are event-goers. Why? Because anyone keen on attending events is also keen on networking.
Here are 3 event-related scenarios you can use to send LinkedIn connection requests to prospects:
11. Attended the Same Virtual Event
Template
Hi, (Name). It was an absolute pleasure meeting you at the (event) yesterday. I'm only sorry our conversation got cut short. Would love to connect with you and
stay in touch!
Example
Hi Anna. It was an absolute pleasure meeting you at the Hybex's annual summit yesterday. I'm only sorry our conversation got cut short. Would love to connect with you and stay in touch!
12. Attended the Same in Person Event
Template
Hi, (Name). Loved yesterday's webinar on (topic). So many learnings on (topic),
I enjoyed it very much! My interest was piqued when I saw you there as well.
Would love to stay in touch since there's so much I'd like to learn from you
and your experience.Example
Hi, Derrick, Loved yesterday's webinar on video marketing. Knowing what works, and key strategies was definitely a game changer for me. My interest was piqued when I saw you there as well. Would love to stay in touch since there's so much I'd like to learn from you and your experience at SuperX.io.
13. Attended a Networking Event by Your Company
Template
Hi {name}, How did you find {your company's} event? Most attendees loved the {event segment/session}. What about you? Here's the link to the event recording in case
you missed anything important- [Shortened link]. Would love to connect and know
your thoughts about {your event name}.Example
Hi Roger, How did you find Xylex's event? Most attendees loved the speed networking segment. What about you? Here's the link to the event recording in case you missed anything important - [Shortened link]. Would love to connect and know your thoughts about Xylex 2k23.
iv) Waltz in With a Joke
Why it works: Who doesn't like a good laugh? When you use tasteful humor, you let the prospects know that you are approachable, trustworthy, and a breeze to work with. That's what Michael Kerr, President of Humor At Work says about the result of using humor in the workplace, in a Forbes article.
Here's a LinkedIn connection request template that opens with a joke:
14. A Tasteful Joke
Template
Hello {name}, Love adding value upfront, so if this joke makes you laugh (or
roll your eyes), let's connect! {insert joke}.
Example
Hello Adam, Love adding value upfront, so if this joke makes you laugh (or roll your eyes), let's connect! Why did the developer become so poor? Because he used up all his cache… 😉 - Maria.
This is a connection request our manager received the other day (courtesy - Olivia Mitchell, VP, Operations & Services at Uncommon Marketing Works). And guess, what? She loved it and even shared it with us. (The power of a good joke!)
Disclaimer: Humor is a double-edged sword. Like Laura Vanderkam, author of ‘What the Most Successful People Do at Work’, claims, "It's hard to do well and easy to do badly. So, before you waltz in with a joke, ensure it is appropriate for your target audience. Don't risk sending it if you have the faintest doubt about the joke backfiring.
v) Tease Them With Value
Why it works: Share value and let the law of reciprocity do its job. Most prospects would accept your connection request and thank you if your resource is truly valuable. Also, sharing value upfront helps you stand out from the pack of salesy guys and thus gives them a reason to trust you.
Here's how you can give value and get them to accept your connection request:
15. Any Gated Resource
Template
Hi {name}, Does the thought of {their pain points} make you fall into a
void/lull you to sleep? If yes, I've something for you. Nope, not a pitch . It
is a {blog/webinar} on {description of the gated resource you are sharing}, and since {why it is best for them}, this will help you. Would love to connect and
share it with you. Example
Hi Jim, Does the thought of creating lead lists or tidying up meeting notes lull you to sleep? If yes, I've something for you. Nope, not a pitch. It is an article on workflow automation, and since FNX is already a Zoho CRM user, I thought this might help you. Would love to connect and share it with you.
vi) Use Pain Points To Connect With Them
Why it works: Prospects pay attention when you talk about things that matter to them. They listen when you talk about their pain points or offer to help them deal with them. However, the idea here is to not barge in with a sales pitch but to give prospects a solution. Your aim should be to give some to get some. So simply help them with solutions.
Here are 2 scenarios when you can use pain-point-driven LinkedIn connection requests:
16. Prospect Is Problem-Unaware
Template:
Hi {name}, when {prospect’s competitor} launched {new product}, they had to
{mention a difficulty they faced and how they resolved. Since the launch of
{new product by prospect} is around the corner, couldn’t help but ask if you’ve
{a plan/strategy to deal with a similar difficulty}.
Example:
Hi Judy, when Bath Bombs launched their new soap range, they had to bring in 4 extra trucks to ensure their orders reached their customers on time. Since the launch of your new range of scrubs is around the corner, couldn't help but ask if you've a solid logistics plan to deal with the surplus orders.
17. Prospect Is Problem-Aware
Template:
Hi {name}, I read your post on how you {something they executed that’s related to the solution you offer}.To what extent did you rely on {a tool/process they
used}? How much {time/effort/money} was required to make a {result/final
product}? Would love to connect and know more about the whole process.
Example:
Hi Lisa, I read your post on how you scaled your video marketing by generating scripts using Chat GPT. To what extent did you rely on Chat GPT? How much human intervention was required to make a video publish-ready? Would love to connect and know more about the whole process.
How To Send Connection Requests on LinkedIn
Step 1:
Go to Your Prospect’s LinkedIn Profile, Choose the More Icon, and Click on Connect.
Step 2:
A Pop-up With the Message “You Can Customize This Invitation” Appears. Click on Add a Note.
Step 3:
Craft Your Perfect LinkedIn Connection Request Message in Under 300 Characters Using the Templates We’ve Shared Below.
How To Withdraw Connection Requests on LinkedIn
Step 1:
Go To Manage Invitations and Choose Sent.
Step 2:
Click on the Withdraw Option Against Your Prospect’s Name. Bear in Mind That When You Withdraw a LinkedIn Invitation, You Won’t Be Able To Send It Again for up to 3 Weeks.
How To Write LinkedIn Connection Requests That Don’t Suck?
i) Don’t Use LinkedIn’s Boilerplate Connection Request Prompts
Linkedin prompts are so overused that your connection request will have better acceptance rates without it than with it. People have grown tired of these prompts that most consider it is equal to spam.
So what else can you do to make a great first impression? Coming to the second point,
ii) Humanize the Message
Ditch the salesy approach where you blast a generic LinkedIn connection request message to every single prospect. Instead, make an effort to craft a personalized message so that it sounds natural. Let the prospect know that you are genuinely interested in connecting with them.
iii) Never Ask for a Meeting Through a Connection Request
Why? Because you haven't earned it yet. Right now, you are a stranger who wants to connect with your prospect. You've not delivered any value or built trust. You can do all this, earn a meeting and even make a sale in the future. But for that, stick to the low friction ask-interested in reading/discussing- and take it from there.
Wondering what's next now that the prospect has accepted your request? Use one of our LinkedIn message templates to strike the right conversation.
iv) Never Make Compliments That Make People Uncomfortable
Long story short, LinkedIn isn't Tinder. It is a platform where people connect with each other to foster professional relationships. Keep the personal out of the professional. Compliment their skills or find other professional common ground between you and the prospect.
In a Nutshell
Your dream customer is just a connection request away. So, put your right foot forward with the LinkedIn connection request templates we've shared here and build genuine connections.
