As a business professional, you know the importance of networking. LinkedIn is one of the best platforms for networking, and it can be a great tool for finding new customers, partners, and employees.

But how do you start conversations with potential connections? One way is to send them a message that stands out from the rest. In this blog post, we will provide 29 connection request messages that you can use as templates to start warm conversations on LinkedIn!

Here are 29 connection request message templates that you can use to start warm conversations on LinkedIn:

Templates based on perceived commonalities

The following templates are based on commonalities that you and the prospect might have, such as mutual connections, the same industry and similar topics of interest.

These might not be hyper-personalized but they do just enough to make the prospect feel that you have something in common with them. Use these when you’re short on time and can’t do deep research on a target prospect. They will net you a 10-20% acceptance rate.

• Hey [name]! I noticed that we have a lot of mutual connections and I thought it would be beneficial for us to connect.
• I was going through my LinkedIn feed and realized we have a ton of mutual connections. I thought it would be a good idea to connect with you and see if we can help each other out.
• Hi [name], I hope all is well! I saw that you’re connected with [mutual connection] and I thought you might be a good person to connect with.
• Hi [name]! I saw that you’re in the same industry as me and I thought it would be helpful to connect.
• Hello [name]! I was reading your profile and I noticed that we have a lot in common. I thought it would be great to connect!
• Hey [name]! I saw that you’re interested in XYZ and I thought you might find my profile interesting as well.
• I saw you’re from the same city as me and I thought it would be a good idea to connect. It’s always nice to network with people from my hometown!
• I noticed you’re in the same LinkedIn group as me and I thought it would be a good idea to connect. I’m always looking to network with new people.

Templates based on recent events

The following templates are based on a certain event that happened with a prospect in the recent past. This might be a job change, recent activity on LinkedIn, news mentions, and more.

These types of messages have a high chance of getting accepted because they are relevant to what’s going on in the prospect’s life right now.

• I saw you recently joined LinkedIn and I wanted to welcome you! I’m always happy to connect with new people on here.
• Hi [name], I saw that you recently changed jobs and I wanted to reach out and see how you’re settling in. I know the transition can be tough, so if you need any help with lead generation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
• Hi [name], saw your LinkedIn post on the importance of diversity in hiring last week and I have to say that I’m very touched. Hope to be a part of your network.

Templates based on their past content

These templates are focused on creating a personalized message by referencing a prospect’s past content. This can be a blog post they wrote, an article they were featured in, or even just a comment they left on someone else’s post.

These types of messages will require you to do a bit more research but they are worth it because they have a high chance of getting accepted (30-40%).

• I’m currently working on a data science project and I thought you might be able to provide some insights. It would be great to hear your thoughts on the best data visualization practices. Open to connecting?
• Hi [name], My name is [your name] and I’m a big fan of your work. I’ve been following you since you wrote [article/book/etc.]. Would you be open to connecting?
• Hi [name], I was doing some research on data science and I came across your name. I’ve been following your work for a while, and I think you’re an expert on the subject. I would love to connect with you on LinkedIn.
• Hi [name], I saw that you recently spoke at [event] and I wanted to reach out and say congratulations. I’m a big fan of your work, and I’ve been following you for a while. Would love to connect here as well.

LinkedIn Connection Request examples with a subtle sales pitch

If you’re looking for ways to connect with the right person on LinkedIn and get a meeting, you might want to add a subtle pitch in your connection message.  The key is to be brief, relevant, and not too sales-y.

Here are a few connection request message examples where you subtly pitch your service. Again, make sure you don’t go overboard with the pitch or this could be a real turn-off.

• I’m in the process of expanding my network and saw that you’re a [title] at [company]. . I offer [service] that could help you with helps solve [problem] that [title]s typically face. Not a sales pitch, just hoping to connect.
• I was reading your profile and saw that you’re interested in [topic]. I also follow [topic] and offer [service] that could help you with [pain point related to topic].
• I noticed you’re from [city]. Are you a big [sports team] fan! I’m also from [city]. Btw we offer [service]. Hope you keep us in mind if you ever need something like this.
• I was reading your profile and saw that you’re looking for hiring SDRs. We have a database of 45000 SDRs looking for work that can make the hiring process easier. Open to connecting?

If you have a service or product that can help the person you want to connect with, then don’t be afraid to mention it in your connection request message. By doing so, you will set clear expectations about why you’re connecting with them and stand head and shoulders above other people who connect just to throw in a pitch a few minutes later.

Templates based on industry-specific pain points

If you’re looking to connect with someone on LinkedIn, don’t just send a generic connection request. Instead, focus on specific pain points that are relevant to your industry. By doing so, you’ll come across as genuinely interested in them and more likely to get a response.

Here are six examples of connection requests that focus on industry-specific pain points:

• Your experience in SEO is impressive. I’m currently facing a similar challenge with ranking and would love to hear your thoughts.
• I read your article on growthhackers.com and found it very insightful. I’m currently struggling with the same issue. Would you be open to chatting about it?
• I came across your profile while researching best data visualization platforms. I’m looking for someone who can help me with data viz. Would you be open to connecting?
• I noticed you’re involved in the Girls Who Code community. I’m a woman who’s currently struggling with getting into tech roles and would love to get your advice.
• Your experience in cold emailing is exactly what I’m looking for. I’m currently facing a challenge in that area and would love to hear your thoughts. Would you be open to connecting?
• I read your post about being a digital nomad and it sounds amazing! I’m currently trying to transition into that lifestyle, do you have any advice?

By sending a message that’s focused on someone’s past experience, you’ll come across as someone who is interested in them and more likely to get a response. So don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with someone on LinkedIn today using these templates.

Templates Inviting Connections to a Webinar

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the feeling. You see somebody’s profile and you think to yourself, “I want to connect with this person!” But then you hesitate because you don’t want to seem like a creeper.

Or maybe you’ve already connected with them, but you want to invite them to something and you don’t want to be that person who just sends a generic message.

I’ve been there before, believe me. But I’ve also sent a lot of connection requests on LinkedIn, and I’ve gotten pretty good at it.

Here are five examples of connection request messages for webinars that I’ve used that have worked well for me:

• Hi [name], I noticed that you do a ton of cold emailing based on your LinkedIn posts. I’m hosting a webinar on “cold email best practices” next week and I think you would find it really valuable. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you the details.”
• Hi [name], I came across your profile in the Manufacturing Industry Professionals LinkedIn group. I’m hosting a webinar on that the role of automation in manufacturing next week and I think you would find it really valuable. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you the details.”
• Hi [name], I saw that you’re interested in digital marketing. I’m hosting a webinar on the topic of “growth hacking your website” next week and I think you would find it really valuable. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you the details.”
• Hi [name], one of my good friends, [mutual connection], told me that I should reach out to you because you’re interested in [topic]. I’m hosting a webinar on that topic next week and I think you would find it really valuable. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you the details.

I hope these examples give you some inspiration the next time you’re sending a LinkedIn connection request. The most important thing is to be genuine and personalize your message for your prospects.