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LinkedIn Connection Request & Message Generator

Generate 3 short, non-spammy LinkedIn connection requests under 300 characters, plus a follow-up DM and copy-ready outreach templates.

Write a LinkedIn connection request message that gets accepted, then the follow-up DM that gets a reply. This free message generator drafts three connection notes, each under 300 characters with the exact count shown, plus a follow-up DM tuned to your goal. Below the tool you'll find copy-ready templates and examples for recruiters, job seekers, networking, and sales outreach. No signup required.

How to use the LinkedIn Connection Request & Message Generator

  1. Enter your recipient role / about them.
  2. Enter your goal.
  3. Enter your offering / shared angle.
  4. Click Generate and copy your result.

Connection request message examples

Three audiences, six notes, every one under LinkedIn's 300-character limit. Swap the bracketed details for real ones and send.

Job seeker to recruiter224 characters
Hi [First name], I saw you're hiring for the [Role] position at [Company]. I've spent four years doing exactly that kind of work at [Current company] and would love to be considered. Happy to share a quick summary if useful.
Recruiter to candidate187 characters
Hi [First name], your work on [project or post] caught my eye. I'm hiring a [Role] at [Company] and think the scope would suit you. Open to a short chat this week? No pressure either way.
Networking after an event175 characters
Hi [First name], great to hear you speak at [Event] yesterday. Your point about [topic] stuck with me. I work on similar problems at [Company] and would like to stay in touch.
Referral or warm introduction181 characters
Hi [First name], [Mutual contact] suggested we connect. I run [function] at [Company] and they thought we'd have plenty to compare notes on around [topic]. Would be glad to connect.
Sales, observation-led179 characters
Hi [First name], noticed [Company] just opened a [City] office. Teams at that stage usually hit [specific problem]. I help [similar companies] with exactly that. Worth connecting?
Sales / lead generation, value-led168 characters
Hi [First name], I work with [industry] teams like [Customer] to [outcome]. Not pitching anything, I just think we'd both get value from each other's posts. Connecting?

Cold message templates

For a first message to someone who has not accepted a request yet, or for InMail. Longer than a connection note, still one ask.

Cold message for a job or internship281 characters
Hi [First name], I'm a [year] student / [current role] focused on [field], and [Company]'s work on [product] is the reason I got into it. I'm applying for the [Role] opening and would value five minutes of your perspective on what the team looks for. Thanks for reading either way.
Cold message to a hiring manager261 characters
Hi [First name], I applied for the [Role] posting last week and wanted to put a face to the application. The short version: [one line of proof you fit]. If it's useful, I can send a two-minute walkthrough of [relevant project]. Either way, thanks for your time.
Cold sales message271 characters
Hi [First name], quick one. [Company] is [trigger event], and teams in that spot usually run into [problem]. We helped [Customer] cut [metric] by [number] in [timeframe]. If that's on your list this quarter, happy to show how in 15 minutes. If not, no follow-ups from me.
Cold message for lead generation, question-led223 characters
Hi [First name], how is [Company] handling [problem] as you scale [team]? Asking because [similar company] told us it was their biggest bottleneck this year and we found a fix. Curious whether it matches what you're seeing.

Outreach message templates

Outreach that isn't a pitch: asking for advice, proposing a collaboration, or requesting a coffee chat.

Ask for advice192 characters
Hi [First name], I'm working on [problem] and your post on [topic] was the clearest thing I've read on it. One question if you have a minute: [specific question]? Happy to share what we learn.
Partnership or collaboration227 characters
Hi [First name], our teams serve the same [audience] from different angles: you do [their thing], we do [our thing]. I'd like to explore a [co-marketing / integration / referral] idea. Is a 20-minute call worth it on your side?
Coffee chat or informational interview239 characters
Hi [First name], I'm exploring a move into [field] and your path from [previous role] to [current role] is the one I'd like to understand. Could I buy you a virtual coffee for 20 minutes? I'll come with specific questions and keep to time.

Follow-up message examples

Use these follow-up DM templates with one reminder of context, one reason to answer, and one clear question.

Follow-up after they accept your request184 characters
Thanks for connecting, [First name]. I reached out because [reason tied to their post or role]. No agenda beyond that. If you're ever thinking about [topic], I'm glad to compare notes.
Follow-up after no reply, one week later172 characters
Hi [First name], bumping this once in case it got buried. The short version: [one-line value]. If it's not relevant right now, a quick "not now" saves us both time. Thanks.
Follow-up after applying for a job169 characters
Hi [First name], I applied for [Role] on [date] and wanted to flag it directly. Since applying, I [recent relevant thing]. Happy to share more if the role is still open.
Follow-up after a meeting158 characters
Good talking today, [First name]. As promised: [link or resource]. Next step on my side is [action] by [date]. Let me know if anything in that summary is off.
Follow-up to a recruiter191 characters
Hi [First name], thanks again for the conversation about [Role]. I've thought more about [topic discussed] and I'm keen to move forward. Is there anything you need from me for the next stage?

LinkedIn connection request character limit

A connection request note is capped at 300 characters, including spaces and punctuation, and the box stops accepting input rather than warning you. Free accounts also get a small monthly quota of personalised notes, so each one has to count. Follow-up DMs and InMail allow far more text, which is why the templates above run longer than the connection notes. The generator shows an exact character count for every note it writes; for your own drafts, aim for 200 to 280 characters so the whole note shows in the recipient's notification without a "see more" cut.

Related tools: LinkedIn profile viewer · LinkedIn engagement rate calculator

Frequently asked questions

What is the LinkedIn connection request character limit?

LinkedIn caps connection request notes at 300 characters, including spaces and punctuation. This tool writes three options that all stay under 300 and shows the exact character count for each, so you can paste any of them in without getting cut off.

What should I say in a LinkedIn connection request?

Say why them and why now, in one or two sentences: a recent post, their role, a shared event or contact, then one small ask such as connecting or a short chat. Leave the pitch and any links for the follow-up DM. The examples above cover recruiting, networking, and sales versions of this.

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

Keep it short, lead with something specific about the recipient (a recent post, their role, a shared community), make one clear ask, and skip the pitch. This generator does that automatically and gives you three angles to choose from: observation-led, value-led, and curiosity-led.

What is a good LinkedIn connection request response rate?

There is no universal benchmark because acceptance and reply rates vary by audience, relationship, timing, and message context. Track acceptance and replies by audience and message angle over a consistent sample, then keep the versions that perform best; no template can guarantee a response.

What should I say in a LinkedIn DM after someone connects?

Reference why you connected, give one concrete reason to reply, and end with a single low-friction question. This tool produces a ready-to-send follow-up DM (2-4 sentences) tuned to your goal, whether that's networking, pitching, recruiting, or booking a meeting.

Is this LinkedIn message generator free?

Yes. It's a free tool with no signup or login. Enter who you're messaging and your goal, and you'll get three connection requests with character counts plus a follow-up DM you can copy and paste.

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