How to Write Custom LinkedIn Invitations: A Hubspot-Style Guide
Using a Hubspot-inspired approach to LinkedIn invitations helps you send short, relevant, and highly personalized connection requests that people actually accept and respond to.
Below is a step-by-step how-to article based closely on the original HubSpot blog guidance on customized LinkedIn invitations, translated into a clear, practical process you can follow for networking, sales, or recruiting.
Why a Hubspot Approach to LinkedIn Invitations Works
Most default LinkedIn invitations are generic and easy to ignore. A Hubspot-style framework focuses on context, relevance, and value, which dramatically increases your chances of getting accepted and starting a real conversation.
This style of message works because it:
- Shows you did your homework on the recipient.
- Makes it clear why you want to connect.
- Feels human instead of automated or spammy.
- Leads naturally to a follow-up or conversation.
Core Principles from the Hubspot Method
Before writing a single word, follow these fundamental principles drawn from the Hubspot article:
- Be specific: Reference something concrete like a post, podcast, webinar, or mutual connection.
- Be brief: LinkedIn invitations have limited space; every word counts.
- Be relevant: Tie your reason for connecting to the recipient’s work, interests, or goals.
- Be respectful: No hard pitches in the first message; focus on relationship-building.
These principles guide all the templates in the original Hubspot resource and are the foundation of high-performing invitations.
Step-by-Step: Create a Personalized LinkedIn Invitation the Hubspot Way
Follow these steps to turn any cold request into a tailored, professional outreach message.
Step 1: Research Before You Write (Hubspot-Style Prep)
Spend a few minutes learning about the person you want to connect with. This is central to the Hubspot methodology.
Look for:
- Recent LinkedIn posts or comments.
- Their current role and company.
- Shared groups, schools, or connections.
- Content they created: blogs, podcasts, talks, or videos.
Capture one or two specific details you can reference in your invitation.
Step 2: Choose the Right Hubspot-Inspired Template Type
The source article outlines many situational templates. Choose a structure that matches your scenario, such as:
- Connecting after an event, conference, or webinar.
- Following up on someone’s LinkedIn post or article.
- Reaching out to a prospect you want to nurture.
- Contacting a potential mentor or peer in your industry.
Picking the right pattern is exactly how Hubspot makes templates feel natural and relevant.
Step 3: Use a Simple, Repeatable Structure
Most of the original HubSpot templates follow a basic three-part flow:
- Context: How you found or know them.
- Relevance: What caught your attention or what you share in common.
- Reason: Why connecting makes sense right now.
Keep each part short and clear.
Step 4: Personalize with Specific Details
Hubspot templates emphasize concrete details over vague praise. For example:
- Reference a post: “Your recent post on onboarding SDRs stood out to me…”
- Mention an event: “I enjoyed your session at the SaaS Growth Summit…”
- Highlight a shared link: “I noticed we both worked with early-stage B2B startups…”
This proves your invitation is not a mass message.
Step 5: End with a Light, Low-Pressure Close
Mirroring the Hubspot article, close your invitation with a simple, friendly line, not a sales pitch:
- “Would love to connect and follow your updates.”
- “Thought it’d be great to stay in touch here.”
- “Open to connecting if it makes sense on your end.”
This respects the recipient’s time and choice.
Example Templates Based on the Hubspot Article
Here are sample templates inspired by the original Hubspot blog. Customize each one with specifics from your research.
1. After Engaging with a LinkedIn Post
Use this when you are connecting after commenting on or liking a post.
Template:
“Hi [Name], I really appreciated your recent post on [specific topic]. Your point about [specific insight] was especially helpful. I’d love to connect here on LinkedIn and keep learning from your content.”
2. After a Webinar, Event, or Talk
Template:
“Hi [Name], I attended your session on [event or webinar name] about [topic]. The section on [specific detail] gave me a new way to think about [related problem]. Thanks for sharing your experience — I’d be glad to connect here.”
3. Prospecting with a Hubspot-Style Soft Touch
This follows the relationship-first mindset highlighted in the Hubspot blog.
Template:
“Hi [Name], I work with [brief description of who you help], and I’ve been following [their company]’s work on [specific initiative]. I liked your recent update on [short detail]. No pitch — I’d just like to connect and stay in the loop on what you’re building.”
4. Connecting with Someone in the Same Industry
Template:
“Hi [Name], I noticed we’re both in [industry or niche], and we share connections with [mutual connection or company]. I’ve been especially interested in how teams in [industry] are handling [specific challenge]. Thought it’d be great to connect and exchange insights from time to time.”
5. Reconnecting with an Old Contact
Template:
“Hi [Name], it’s been a while since we worked together at [company/school/project]. I’ve been following your move into [new role or industry] and wanted to reconnect here on LinkedIn. Would be great to keep in touch and see how things are going on your side.”
Optimizing Your Follow-Up, Hubspot Style
The original Hubspot article also underscores the value of a thoughtful follow-up after a connection request is accepted.
You can:
- Send a quick thank-you message.
- Reference your original context again.
- Offer a small, relevant resource (like a guide, article, or checklist).
- Ask a simple, low-friction question to start a conversation.
A short follow-up continues the Hubspot philosophy of helpful, context-rich communication instead of pushing a pitch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid (Learned from Hubspot Templates)
To keep your LinkedIn invitations effective and respectful, avoid these pitfalls:
- Sending blank invitations: Always add a short note.
- Opening with a pitch: Sales-heavy intros conflict with the Hubspot approach.
- Writing long messages: Keep it to a few concise sentences.
- Being vague: Skip generic lines like “I’d like to add you to my network” with no context.
Using Tools and Systems to Scale a Hubspot-Like Process
You can turn this method into a simple repeatable system:
- Create a bank of templates organized by scenario (events, content, prospects, peers).
- Keep a checklist for quick research before sending a request.
- Track which invitations get the highest acceptance and reply rates.
- Refine your wording based on responses, as the Hubspot article suggests with its variety of templates.
For broader marketing and CRM support around LinkedIn outreach, you can explore specialists such as Consultevo to align invitations with your overall strategy.
Learn More from the Original Hubspot Resource
This how-to guide is based on the detailed template collection published on the HubSpot Marketing Blog. You can review the full original article, including additional examples and use cases, here: HubSpot’s customized LinkedIn invitation templates.
By following this Hubspot-style structure — clear context, genuine relevance, and a respectful reason to connect — your LinkedIn invitations will stand out, gain more accepts, and open the door to higher-quality professional relationships.
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