Connection request templates by scenario

18 scenarios, 54 notes, every one under LinkedIn's 300-character limit and written on one rule: give a real reason to accept, ask for nothing else. Personalize the bracketed parts; never send fake familiarity.

After a conference

You met or briefly crossed paths with someone at an industry conference and want to connect while the event is still fresh.

3 notes + tips

After a webinar

You attended a webinar and want to connect with the host, a speaker, or a fellow attendee who asked good questions.

3 notes + tips

Cold but relevant peer

You have never met, but they work in your field and their work genuinely overlaps with yours.

3 notes + tips

Alumni outreach

You share a school with someone whose career path or company interests you.

3 notes + tips

Reaching a hiring manager

You found the likely manager for a role you applied to, or are about to apply to, and want to introduce yourself directly.

3 notes + tips

Reaching a recruiter

You want to get on the radar of a recruiter who places people in your specialty.

3 notes + tips

After an interview

You interviewed with someone and want to stay connected regardless of how the process ends.

3 notes + tips

Following their content

Someone's posts keep showing up in your feed and consistently teach you something.

3 notes + tips

Mutual connection intro

A shared contact mentioned this person or suggested the two of you should know each other.

3 notes + tips

Former colleague reconnect

You worked together in the past and lost touch along the way.

3 notes + tips

Industry newcomer to veteran

You are early in a field and want to connect with someone established, without pretending to be a peer.

3 notes + tips

Freelancer to potential client

You do freelance work and want to connect with someone who might need it one day, without pitching them now.

3 notes + tips

Founder to investor

You are building a company and want to connect with an investor before you need anything from them.

3 notes + tips

Salesperson to prospect

You sell something this person might genuinely need, and you want the connection without opening on a pitch.

3 notes + tips

Job seeker in a quiet search

You are employed and quietly exploring your next move, so the note has to stay discreet.

3 notes + tips

Student to professional

You are a student trying to learn about a field from someone actually working in it.

3 notes + tips

A speaker you heard

You heard someone speak at an event, on a panel, or on a podcast, and the talk stuck with you.

3 notes + tips

Vendor to partner

Your company and theirs serve the same customers in complementary ways, and you want to open a channel.

3 notes + tips

Templates fit scenarios. The writer fits people.

For a specific person, the writer builds notes from who they actually are and your honest reason, three registers at a time.