The difference between a LinkedIn message that gets ignored and one that books a meeting often comes down to a few words. After sending tens of thousands of messages across 150+ B2B campaigns, I've found the templates that consistently pull 40%+ reply rates. Here they are — copy, paste, and personalize.
Connection Request Templates
Your connection request note has a 300-character limit. Keep it short, relevant, and human. These three convert best:
1. The Common Ground
"Hi [Name], I came across your profile while researching [industry] leaders in [city]. Really liked your take on [topic]. Would love to connect and follow your work."
2. The Genuine Compliment
"Hi [Name], your recent post about [specific topic] resonated with me — especially the point about [detail]. Always glad to connect with people thinking seriously about [their field]."
3. The Soft Mutual Value
"Hi [Name], I work with [their type of company] on [outcome]. Not pitching anything — just like building a network of people in this space. Open to connecting?"
First Message After Connecting
Once they accept, wait a day, then open a real conversation. Don't jump straight to selling.
4. The Curiosity Opener
"Thanks for connecting, [Name]! Quick question — how are you currently handling [relevant challenge] at [Company]? Always curious how different teams approach it."
5. The Insight Share
"Appreciate the connect, [Name]. I just put together some findings on how [their industry] companies are getting [result] — happy to share if useful, no strings attached."
Follow-Up Templates
Most replies come from follow-ups, not the first message. People are busy — a gentle nudge works.
6. The Value Add Follow-Up
"Hey [Name], circling back — I wrote up a short breakdown on [topic relevant to them]. Want me to send it over? Genuinely think it could help with [their goal]."
7. The Soft Check-In
"Hi [Name], no worries if now's not the right time. Just let me know if [solving their problem] is on your radar for this quarter — happy to share a few ideas either way."
Booking the Call
When they show interest, make scheduling effortless.
8. The Direct Ask
"Sounds like there might be a fit, [Name]. Want to grab 15 minutes this week? Here's my calendar: [link]. Happy to walk you through exactly how this could work for [Company]."
9. The Low-Pressure Offer
"Would a quick call make sense, [Name]? No pitch — just want to understand your situation and see if I can point you in the right direction. 15 mins max."
10. The Reschedule Save
"Totally understand, [Name] — things get busy. Want me to send a couple of times next week instead? Even a short call would be worth it, I think."
How to Personalize at Scale
Templates are a starting point, not a script to blast. Before sending, spend 30 seconds on each profile:
- Check their recent posts or activity
- Note their company's recent news or milestones
- Reference something specific — a shared connection, group, or interest
- Match their tone (formal vs. casual)
That tiny bit of personalization is the difference between a 5% and a 40% reply rate.
Final Thoughts
The best LinkedIn outreach feels like a real person reaching out — because it is. Use these templates as a foundation, personalize every message, and focus on starting conversations rather than closing sales. The meetings will follow.