Before we dive into templates, you need to understand why most LinkedIn outreach fails.

The average decision maker gets 50+ connection requests per week.

Most sound like this:

"Hi [Name], I noticed you work at [Company]. We help companies like yours increase revenue by 30%. Would love to chat for 15 minutes about how we can help."

This triggers every sales radar they have.

It's obvious you want something, you don't know them personally, and you're asking for their time without offering any value.

The Networking Event Principle

Think of LinkedIn as a massive virtual networking event.

When you walk up to someone at a conference, you don't immediately pitch your services.

You start with casual conversation.

"How are things going at your company?" is something you'd naturally ask someone you just met.

It's curious, open-ended, and gets them talking about themselves.

This psychological principle works because:

1. It feels natural - People respond to conversational language
2. It's about them - Everyone likes talking about their current situation
3. It reveals opportunities - Their answer tells you if they're growing, struggling, or maintaining status quo
4. It builds rapport - You're showing genuine interest in their world

The Empty Connection Request Strategy

Here's something counterintuitive:

send blank connection requests.