Letter Moth

How to Write a LinkedIn Connection Request Message (+Examples)

· 5 min read · By the Letter Moth team

A good LinkedIn connection request message is short, specific and about the other person: say who you are in a few words, name one real reason you are reaching out, and make accepting feel easy. You do not need a pitch, a flattering paragraph or a clever hook.

Most people either send the blank default invite or write a mini cover letter that gets cut off by the character counter. This guide gives you a four-part structure, five example messages you can adapt, and a checklist for editing before you hit send. If you want the character counts first, see the connection note limit guide.

Nothing here guarantees an accept, because that depends on the person, their inbox and timing. What you can control is whether your note looks like a human wrote it for them specifically.

What should I write in a LinkedIn connection request?

Think of the note as a one-sentence introduction at a networking event. The reader should understand three things in about five seconds: who you are, why them, and that you are not asking for much.

A reliable structure has four parts. Not every note needs all four, but the first two are close to mandatory.

  • Context: who you are in a few words (your role, school or community), only if it is relevant to them.
  • Connection point: the specific reason you are writing, such as a post they wrote, a shared group, a talk, or a mutual contact.
  • Small ask or intent: usually just "I would like to connect" or "would be glad to follow your work".
  • Easy close: a thank-you or a light line that needs no reply.

Should I add a note to a connection request at all?

Often yes, with one exception: if you already know the person well or share many mutual connections, a blank invite can be fine. For strangers, a note gives the reader a reason to accept instead of guessing.

LinkedIn's rules and note limits can change, so check what your own account allows. The counter in the box is the final word. Keep notes well under the limit so they are readable on a phone without feeling stuffed.

Skip the note only when it would be generic. "I would love to add you to my professional network" tells the reader nothing and is easy to ignore.

What are good LinkedIn connection request message examples?

Here are five starting points. Replace the details with your own, because the specific detail is what makes each one work.

For someone whose post you read:

"Hi Priya, your post on moving from support to product ops was useful, especially the point about documenting customer patterns. I work in support at a SaaS startup and would like to follow your work. Happy to connect."

For someone at a company you are interested in:

"Hi Daniel, I am a data analyst exploring roles in logistics tech and noticed your team's work on route planning. I would value having you in my network and learning from your updates."

For a recruiter:

"Hi Meera, I am a backend engineer with four years in fintech and I am open to new roles. I saw you recruit for engineering at Acme. Glad to connect and keep an eye out for fits."

For a speaker or event contact:

"Hi Tom, I enjoyed your session at the Product Meetup last week, particularly the part on pricing experiments. I would like to stay in touch."

For an alumnus:

"Hi Asha, fellow State University grad here (class of 2022). I am working in marketing analytics and your path from research to brand strategy caught my eye. Would be great to connect."

How do I write a connection request when I want a referral or job?

Do not ask for the job in the connection note. A stranger who has just been asked for a favour usually declines the invite, and you have lost the chance to build any goodwill.

Connect first with a note about shared context, then follow up after they accept. When it is time to ask, the referral request guide walks through a polite, low-pressure way to do it.

A safe middle ground when you are job hunting: mention that you are exploring roles in the field but make the ask about learning, not about hiring.

What tone works best for connection requests?

Match the reader. A founder on a casual feed might appreciate a warm, plain tone; a senior executive in a formal industry might prefer a concise, professional one. When in doubt, go slightly more polite than you would be in person.

Avoid superlatives such as "your incredible journey" or "huge fan". They read as scripted. One concrete observation beats three compliments.

Use plain language and short sentences. Cut jargon unless the reader's field uses it daily. And avoid copy-pasting identical notes at scale, since readers can tell, and mass messaging can also conflict with LinkedIn's rules.

What mistakes make connection requests get ignored?

Most ignored requests share a handful of problems. Check your draft against this list before sending.

  • The note is about you (your pitch, your product) rather than them.
  • It is generic: it could be sent to anyone and nothing in it proves you looked at their profile.
  • It asks for something big (a call, a job, a favour) from a stranger.
  • It is too long and gets cut off or skimmed.
  • It contains a typo in their name or company, which is a quick way to look careless.
  • Your own profile is empty or has no photo, so the reader has nothing to confirm you are real.

How can I write connection notes faster without sounding generic?

The slow part is rarely typing. It is deciding what is relevant on a profile and then fitting it into the limit. A routine helps: open the profile, find one specific detail, write one or two sentences, then trim.

Tools can speed up the first draft. Letter Moth is a Chrome extension that drafts a connection note from the LinkedIn profile you have open, in your own voice from a short profile you write once. It reads the box's character limit and trims the draft to fit, inserts it into the box, and never sends anything. You review, edit and click send yourself. The LinkedIn message generator page has more detail, and the Free plan gives you 10 drafts a day with no card.

Whichever way you draft, edit the result so it sounds like you and check every fact before sending. If you want a faster way to run through these steps, you can try Letter Moth.

Try Letter Moth free

Drafts a LinkedIn note, cold email or application answer from the page you are on. You edit it and press send. 10 drafts a day are free, no card needed.

Add to Chrome, it's freeSee the install steps

Frequently asked questions

Can you send a LinkedIn connection request without a message?

Yes. A blank invite is allowed, and it may be fine when you already know the person or share a lot of context. For strangers, a short note usually gives them a clearer reason to accept.

How long should a LinkedIn connection request message be?

As short as it can be while still naming a specific reason. Two sentences is usually enough. The character limit depends on your account type and can change, so check the counter in the box.

What do you say when connecting with a stranger on LinkedIn?

Name one real connection point, such as a post, a talk or a shared community, say briefly who you are, and keep the ask small. Avoid pitching or asking for a job in the first message.

Should I mention that I am looking for a job in my connection request?

You can mention that you are exploring roles in their field, but keep the focus on shared context or learning. Direct job asks to strangers often lead to a declined invite.

Does adding a note increase acceptance rates?

It often helps when the note is specific, but no one can promise a result because it depends on the recipient. A generic note may do no better than a blank invite.

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