LinkedIn outreach templates for B2B (connection requests and messages)

LinkedIn outreach follows different rules than cold email. Connection requests have a 300-character limit and should earn the connection, not pitch it. Messages after acceptance should be short, warm, and give the person a reason to reply that doesn't feel transactional. Here are templates for each stage.

How do you write a LinkedIn connection request that gets accepted?

The connection note should reference something real about them — a post, a company milestone, a shared challenge. Keep it under 200 characters to show restraint.

Template A (post reference): "Hi [Name], read your post about [topic] — the point about [specific thing] was exactly right. Following for more. Worth connecting?"

Template B (role/company signal): "Hi [Name], saw [Company] is scaling the sales team — working on something that might be relevant. Worth connecting to share context."

Template C (no note): Sometimes the cleanest move is no note at all. If your profile is strong and clearly relevant, a blank connection request to the right ICP converts just as well — sometimes better, because it doesn't feel like a pitch.

What should your first message say after they accept?

Wait 24–48 hours after acceptance before messaging. First message should be light — not a pitch, a reason to keep the conversation going.

Template A (warm opener): "Thanks for connecting, [Name]. Saw you're building the outbound function at [Company] — we've been working on something for exactly that stage. Happy to share what we've seen work if it's useful."

Template B (value-first): "Thanks for connecting. I wrote something about the ICP trap most founders fall into when starting outbound — seems relevant to what you're building. Want me to send it over?"

Template C (direct but short): "Thanks for connecting. We built an AI GTM team for founders doing exactly what you're doing. 15 minutes to see if it's relevant?"

What to send when they don't reply

Template A (after no reply, day 5–7): "Following up in case this got buried — still happy to share what we've seen work for outbound at your stage if useful."

Template B (new angle): "One thing I should have mentioned — we also handle the AE follow-up side automatically. So it's not just the SDR; the full loop from prospect to booked meeting runs without you managing it. Worth knowing if you're evaluating options."

What makes LinkedIn outreach work

One specific reference to them (post, company, role). Short — under 50 words for messages. No pitch in the connection request. A reason to reply that isn't 'book a meeting with me'. Warmth without being fake. The profile doing half the work — a clear headline and recent relevant posts mean the prospect already knows who you are before they accept.

How AI agents run LinkedIn outreach

Ektie's SDR (Morgan) runs LinkedIn autonomously: profile visits, post likes, personalised connection requests, and follow-up messages after acceptance — on a warmup schedule that keeps the account safe. Every touch is logged to the CRM. The pattern is the same as these templates; the execution is automatic, every cycle.