A connection request note is short, and on a free account it is rare. These examples cover common situations. Each fits in 200 characters, the limit LinkedIn sets for notes on accounts without Premium.
What makes a note work
- Say why you are connecting, in one sentence.
- Refer to something real and specific: a group, a post, an event, a person you both know.
- Do not pitch in the request. Pitching comes later, if at all.
- Ask for nothing except the connection.
- Read it aloud. If it sounds like a template, rewrite it.
Ten examples
Replace the words in braces. The character counts include the placeholders, so count again after you fill them in, because real names and companies are often longer.
| Situation | Message | Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Shared group | Hi {firstName}, I saw we're both in the {groupName} group. I work on outbound for {yourCompany}, so I'd like to follow what you share there. Happy to connect? | 158 |
| Their recent post | Hi {firstName}, your post on {topic} made me rethink how we handle {relatedTask}. Would be good to be connected and keep reading your work. | 139 |
| Same event | Hi {firstName}, I enjoyed your session at {eventName}, especially the point about {takeaway}. Would be glad to stay in touch. | 125 |
| Mutual connection | Hi {firstName}, {mutualName} and I worked together on {project} and they spoke well of your team. I'd like to connect. | 118 |
| Same industry | Hi {firstName}, I run outreach for a company in {industry} too. I'm trying to learn from people doing it well, so I'd value being connected. | 140 |
| Hiring for a role | Hi {firstName}, I'm recruiting for a {roleTitle} role and your background in {skill} stood out. No pitch here, I'd just like to connect first. | 142 |
| Founder to founder | Hi {firstName}, I'm building {yourProduct} for {audience}. I noticed you're working on something nearby and would like to swap notes sometime. | 142 |
| Agency to a prospect | Hi {firstName}, I help {audience} with {outcome}. Not selling anything in this note, just keen to be connected with people in {industry}. | 137 |
| Newsletter or content | Hi {firstName}, I've been reading your newsletter on {topic} for a while. It's one of the few I finish. Would love to connect. | 126 |
| After a call | Hi {firstName}, good speaking with you today about {topic}. Connecting here so we can keep in touch. | 100 |
When to send no note
A request with no note is normal, and with only a few free notes a month most requests will go that way. If your profile says what you do and why someone in your field would want to connect, the request can speak for itself. Put your effort into the message that follows.
What to send after they accept
- Thank them, in a line, and say why you connected.
- Ask one easy question about their work, not about buying anything.
- Offer something useful before you ask for anything, such as an article or a short observation about their field.
- If they do not reply, one gentle follow-up is enough.
Sending these by hand is within LinkedIn's rules. Automating them is not, and the safety guide explains the risk. If you are planning a full workflow, read how to automate LinkedIn outreach.
Questions
- How long can a LinkedIn connection note be?
- Up to 200 characters on accounts without Premium, according to LinkedIn's help page. Check that page for the current limit.
- Should I always add a note?
- No. Without Premium you can add a note to only a few requests a month, so most requests go without one.