What is the character limit for a LinkedIn connection note?

LinkedIn's help center describes invitation notes of up to 300 characters. Free accounts are widely reported to get a 200-character box and a small monthly allowance of personalized notes, so writing notes under 200 characters works on every account type.

Should I pitch in a LinkedIn connection request?

No. A connection note should give a specific reason to connect, such as a shared post, event or mutual contact. Save the offer for a follow-up after the person accepts, when you have earned some attention.

How many follow-ups should I send on LinkedIn?

Three or four follow-ups after the accept is a reasonable ceiling. Space them a few days apart, make each one add something new, and finish with a polite close-the-loop message instead of following up forever.

When should I use InMail instead of a connection request?

Use InMail for people outside your network, senior prospects who ignore invites, or when a longer message with a subject line fits better. InMail credits come with Premium and Sales Navigator, and Open Profile members can be messaged freely.

Can I combine LinkedIn messages with cold email?

Yes. A combined sequence reaches people who rarely check LinkedIn. Reference the other channel instead of repeating the same text, and use a multichannel tool such as Lemlist or Skylead to switch channels based on whether the invite is accepted.

LinkedIn Cold Message Templates That Get Replies (12 Examples)

The LinkedIn cold messages that get replies are short and specific. They say why you picked this person and ask one easy question. Keep connection notes under 200 characters with no pitch. Hold the offer for a follow-up after they accept, and use InMail or email when the invite goes unanswered.

Below are 12 original templates you can adapt: four connection notes, four follow-ups, two InMails and two LinkedIn plus email combinations. Each one comes with when to use it and why it works. Bracketed fields are placeholders. Replace them with real details, because a template sent unedited reads like one.

Key takeaways

LinkedIn’s help center describes invitation notes of up to 300 characters, but free accounts are widely reported to get a 200-character box, so the notes below stay under 200.
A connection note should earn the accept, not sell; save the offer for the first or second follow-up.
Follow-ups work best when each one adds something new, such as a question, a resource or a clear close.
InMail suits people you cannot easily connect with, and it gives you room for a subject line and a longer message.
Pairing LinkedIn with email lets you reach people who rarely check LinkedIn without sending the same message twice.

How long can a LinkedIn connection message be?

LinkedIn’s help page on personalizing invitations to connect sets the note limit at 300 characters. Since 2023, several third-party sources report that free (Basic) accounts see a 200-character box and only a few personalized notes per month, while Premium keeps 300. LinkedIn does not publish a monthly figure, and reported numbers vary, so check the counter in your own invitation dialog.

The practical rule: write every note to fit 200 characters. That works on any account type and forces you to cut filler. If you also need to know how many invitations to send per week, see our guide to LinkedIn connection request limits.

Message type	Length limit	Best use
Connection note	300 characters per LinkedIn Help; free accounts commonly report 200	Earning the accept with a reason to connect
Message to a 1st-degree connection	Long enough that length is not the constraint	Follow-ups after the invite is accepted
InMail	Commonly reported as a 200-character subject and 1,900-character body	People outside your network, or invites that sit unanswered

Connection request templates (under 200 characters)

1. The shared conversation note

Hi [First name], I saw your comment on [Creator]’s post about [topic] and agreed with your point on [detail]. I work on the same problem at [Company]. Happy to connect.

When to use it: after you have read or commented on the same post as the prospect. Why it works: it gives a real, checkable reason for the invite and puts the prospect’s own words first. No pitch means nothing to say no to.

2. The hiring signal note

Hi [First name], you’re hiring [role] at [Company], which usually means [challenge] is on the roadmap. I talk to a lot of [title]s about that. Would be glad to connect.

When to use it: when the company has an open role tied to the problem you solve. Why it works: a job post is public evidence of a priority. Mentioning it shows research without being creepy, and it sets up a relevant follow-up.

3. The mutual connection note

Hi [First name], [Mutual name] and I worked together at [Company], and your name came up when we talked about [topic]. Would like to connect and follow your work.

When to use it: only when the mutual connection is real and you have their permission to mention them. Why it works: a familiar name lowers the stranger barrier more than anything you can write about yourself.

4. The community note

Hi [First name], fellow [group/school/event] member here. I enjoyed your post on [topic], especially [specific point]. Connecting so I can keep learning from it.

When to use it: for people in the same LinkedIn group, alumni network or event attendee list. Why it works: shared membership is an honest reason to connect, and praising a specific point proves you read their content.

Follow-up messages after they accept

5. The no-pitch thank-you

Thanks for connecting, [First name]. Quick question, since you’re close to it: how is your team handling [specific process] right now? I’m seeing teams split between [option A] and [option B] and I’m curious which way you went.

When to use it: within a day or two of the accept. Why it works: it opens a conversation about their situation instead of yours, and a choice between two options is easier to answer than an open question.

6. The relevant resource

[First name], this made me think of your post on [topic]: [link to a useful article, checklist or guide, ideally not your sales page]. The part on [section] is the most practical. No reply needed, just thought it fit.

When to use it: as a second touch if the first got no reply. Why it works: it gives value with zero obligation. “No reply needed” takes the pressure off, which often gets more replies.

7. The soft offer

[First name], one more and then I’ll leave you be. We help [type of company] [specific outcome] without [common pain]. [Customer or peer type] usually starts with [small first step]. Worth a 15-minute look, or not a priority this quarter?

When to use it: third touch, about a week after the second. Why it works: the offer comes only after you have given something, and the closing question makes “no” an easy answer, so you still learn something.

8. The close-the-loop message

Hi [First name], I’ll stop following up on [topic] here. If it becomes relevant later, I’m one message away. Either way, I’ll keep reading your posts on [subject].

When to use it: as the last step of a sequence. Why it works: it ends politely and leaves the relationship intact. Some people reply to a clear ending when they ignored the earlier steps.

LinkedIn InMail templates

InMail lets you message people you are not connected to. LinkedIn explains the differences in its help article on InMail messages versus personalized invitations. InMail credits come with Premium and Sales Navigator plans, and members with an Open Profile can receive messages from anyone. Our Sales Navigator vs LinkedIn Premium guide compares the credit allowances.

9. The trigger-event InMail

Subject: [Company]’s [trigger event]

Hi [First name], congrats on [funding round / new market / product launch]. That stage usually puts pressure on [specific function], especially [specific pain]. We helped [similar company type] handle that by [one concrete change]. Would a short comparison of how others approached it be useful? If yes, I’ll send it over, no call needed.

When to use it: after a public event like funding, a launch or a leadership change. Why it works: the subject line names something the reader cares about. The ask is a document rather than a meeting, which costs them almost nothing.

10. The peer-insight InMail

Subject: Question about [process] at [Company]

Hi [First name], I’m speaking with [title]s at [industry] companies about how they handle [problem]. Two patterns keep coming up: [pattern 1] and [pattern 2]. I’d value your take on which is closer to your reality. Happy to share what I’m hearing from others in return.

When to use it: for senior prospects who ignore invites. Why it works: it asks for their expertise and offers fair value back. Keep it short. The 1,900-character body is a ceiling, not a target.

LinkedIn and email combo templates

Many buyers check email more often than LinkedIn, and some never accept invites from strangers. A combined sequence reaches both groups. Each message should point to the other channel instead of repeating it.

11. The email after a LinkedIn invite

Subject: [Topic] at [Company]

Hi [First name], I sent you a LinkedIn invite earlier this week, so I won’t repeat myself here. In short: [one-sentence reason you reached out]. If email is easier, a one-word reply (“later” or “no”) is completely fine.

When to use it: three to five days after an invite that has not been accepted. Why it works: mentioning the invite gives context, and the one-word reply options make responding effortless.

12. The LinkedIn nudge after email

Hi [First name], I emailed you about [topic] last week and know inboxes get busy. Short version: [one-line value]. Happy to continue wherever suits you, here or by email.

When to use it: after an accepted invite when your email went unanswered. Why it works: it shows you are a real person reaching out in two places, and it lets the prospect pick the channel.

How should you sequence these templates?

A simple order looks like this. Adjust the gaps to your sales cycle, and stop the moment someone replies.

Day 0: view the profile and engage with a recent post if you have something useful to add.
Day 1: send a connection note (templates 1 to 4).
Day 4 to 5: if they have not accepted, send email template 11, or InMail 9 or 10 if you have no email address.
After the accept: send follow-up 5, then 6 three to four days later.
Day 10 to 14: send the soft offer (7), or template 12 if email is your main thread.
Final step: close the loop with template 8.

LinkedIn’s Professional Community Policies prohibit spam and unwanted bulk messages. Volume and repetition get accounts restricted faster than any single message. If you automate, read how to automate LinkedIn outreach safely first.

Which tools help you run these templates at scale?

Templates 11 and 12 need a tool that handles both channels in one sequence. Three options from our multichannel outreach tools category fit well:

Lemlist is email-first and adds LinkedIn steps on its Multichannel plan, with lemwarm warm-up included. It suits teams whose main thread is cold email. Check the current Lemlist discount before you buy.
Skylead runs in the cloud with if/else smart sequences, including “if connected” and “if email verified” conditions. That maps directly to the switch from templates 1 to 4 to template 11.
Waalaxy is the simplest starting point for LinkedIn-only sequences (templates 1 to 8). Its cold email steps require the Business plan.

To weigh the two multichannel options directly, see Skylead vs Lemlist, or browse the full ranking of LinkedIn tools. No tool can make a weak message work, so get replies by hand with a few prospects before automating.

Common mistakes that kill reply rates

Pitching in the connection note. It gives the prospect a reason to ignore the invite.
Fake personalization. “I came across your profile” is not a reason. Name the post, role or event.
Repeating the same message across channels. Each touch should add something new.
Asking for 30 minutes in message one. Ask for a reply, a preference or a resource request first.
Never stopping. Three or four follow-ups is plenty. Then close the loop.