The Correct Way to Send LinkedIn Message Requests

First impressions matter in the real world. Why would it be any different for the world of LinkedIn?

First impressions are equally important on LinkedIn. Most influential people have 1000s of connection requests lying in their inbox - left unopened and ignored.

That is why yours needs to stand out in a sea of empty connection requests. Think of them as the first impression you are leaving on the receiver. Like they say - dress to impress, and for LinkedIn - write to express.

Hop on as we share tips and templates to correct how you craft and send LinkedIn message requests.

Sending introductory texts to other LinkedIn users is a great way to build professional connections and expand your network. These texts are called LinkedIn connection messages. They serve as conversation starters, giving you the chance to introduce yourself and give the other person a reason to want to do business with you.

Writing good message requests on LinkedIn can help you connect with more people and build a strong network.

Find the profile of the person you want to connect with. Click "Connect," but don't send yet! Tap "Add a note" to personalize your message.
Show you've done your research: Mention how you found them (mutual connection, event, search). Find common ground: Highlight a shared experience, skill, or interest. Keep it concise and clear. Proofread and send.

LinkedIn messages are a great way to make a solid first impression, introduce yourself, expand your network and explore new opportunities for yourself. Here’s why -

LinkedIn message requests are a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. You can connect to people of the same industry as yours, or people doing work you admire in other spheres. These serve as a great way to say hello, make connections and build relationships.

If you are building a product or offering a service, connection requests are a good way to expand your network base. You can connect with potential consumers, clients, ask for feedback or simply ask for advice from individuals offering a similar service. It also allows you to stay on top of the latest trends in your industry.

Looking for a job? Or hiring for one? LinkedIn connections are a good way to reach out to potential recruiters or get in touch with potential employees

These are the few basics one needs to keep in mind when sending a connection request message.

The first thing to remember when attempting to connect with someone on LinkedIn is that everything is personal. It's just like meeting someone new at a party or networking event. You must make an outstanding first impression while also quickly identifying common ground and establishing a real relationship.


For example -
Hey Ram! This is Sid, Founder at HealthUp. It was great meeting you at the Delhi Startup Summit. Your panel on ‘Scaling e-commerce startups in Tier 2- Tier 3 cities’ was truly insightful. I’d love to connect with you and chat more about the topic!

This example has a simple introduction, and adds a personalisation to the message.

Your LinkedIn message request should feel handwritten, and should establish a connection. You can share where you first met the individual, how you came across their profile or compliment them on a recent post or achievement. When we establish a connection, the message becomes more personalised to the individual. One is more likely to read and revert on a message that tugs at them.

Refer to the example above. The template clearly mentions where the individuals met. Sid also compliments Ram about his talk at the summit where they first met.

LinkedIn message requests have a default limit of 300 characters - which is approximately 50 to 80 words. LinkedIn urges users to keep these requests short and to-the-point. Do not go into depth by explaining what you do or what your company does. Your LinkedIn message should contain only 4 things - introduction, personalisation, reason for connection and a call-to-action.

For example -
Hello Jash, I was a junior of yours at IIT Mumbai. I have been following your work with your AI startup ConnectAI for the last year. I am really impressed by it and am deeply interested in learning more about what your company does. I’d love to connect and share synergies.

Thank you so much,
Rita Chandwani

Most people make the mistake of ending their message requests with only ‘Let’s connect!’. While this is the simplest way to do it, if your LinkedIn request has a strong call-to-action, others are more likely to not just accept your request but also revert back.

Some examples of good actionable CTAs are -
i. Let’s get coffee some time.
ii. Can we get on a call to discuss?
iii. Would be great to meet and share ideas.

These are some common mistakes you should keep in mind when writing a message note.

i. Don’t directly click ‘Connect’ without adding a note.
ii. Don’t use a bot to send requests. Add a personal touch to them.
iii. Do not send a generic request without reviewing their profile.

This is a LinkedIn template you can customise to reach out to people you want to add to your network

Hello ! This is . I loved your post on 'LinkedIn Cold Outreach Templates' and wanted to share that I found your tips great. I shall be using them for my userbase. It'd be great to learn more insights from you. Let me know if we can chat! Thank you.


By following the steps outlined above, you've equipped yourself with the tools to craft compelling connection requests that stand out from the generic clutter. But remember, the key to truly maximizing your outreach lies in personalization.

Think of it this way: imagine attending a networking event. Would you walk up to someone, introduce yourself with a generic 'Hi, nice to meet you,' and expect a riveting conversation? Probably not. You'd likely comment on their interesting presentation, mention a mutual friend, or find some other way to establish a genuine connection. The same principle applies to LinkedIn.

Take a look at a friend’s experience -
A few years ago, a friend of mine was determined to connect with a marketing director I greatly admired at a prominent tech company. Following my own advice, he spent time reviewing her profile. He noticed she'd recently published an article on a topic he was passionate about. In his connection request, he mentioned the article, expressed his appreciation for her insights, and briefly shared a relevant experience from his own career. To his delight, she accepted his request and even replied with a message expressing her interest in learning more about his work. This single connection, built on a foundation of genuine interest and personalization, eventually led to valuable industry advice and even a potential future collaboration.

This is the power of taking the extra step to personalize your outreach. Here's how you can put it into action:

1] Reference a shared connection: Do you have any mutual connections with your target profile? Mentioning a shared connection in your message instantly adds a layer of trust and familiarity.

2] Highlight a specific achievement: Did the person recently win an award or publish a thought-provoking article? Briefly acknowledge their accomplishment and express your genuine interest.

3] Offer value: Can you offer your expertise or insights related to their work? Perhaps you have a relevant case study or resource to share. By offering value upfront, you establish yourself as a knowledgeable and helpful connection.

4] Keep it concise and professional: Even with personalization, remember to keep your message brief and to the point. Focus on the key points you want to convey and avoid rambling.

Remember, successful networking, both online and offline, is about building relationships. By taking the time to personalize your LinkedIn outreach, you'll be well on your way to fostering meaningful connections that can propel your career forward. So go forth, personalize with purpose, and watch your network grow into a powerful force for your professional development.

If you need help improving your LinkedIn profile with valuable, informative posts, you should give our LinkedIn Post Generator a try.

Keep connecting, keep growing!

Adding a personalized note to your LinkedIn connection request is a great way to stand out and increase the chances of your request being accepted. Navigate to the desired profile. Find the profile of the person you want to connect with and click on the "Connect" button. Click "Add a note". Click on that to open the message field. Craft your message. Keep your note concise (around 300 characters), professional, and personalized.

Introduce yourself, establish a connection to the individual, state what made you reach out and invite them to connect. Refer to our message template for a detailed example.

There is no maximum limit to the number of connection requests you can send on LinkedIn. However, LinkedIn has put a weekly limit on the number of request you can send. One can send around 100-200 requests per week.