1. Personalize, but Keep It Short
Avoid generic messages. Mention something specific about their profile, a recent post, or a mutual connection.
Keep the message to a maximum of two to four sentences, as long messages often get ignored.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Instead of asking a yes/no question like “Are you interested?”, ask an open-ended question:
Example:
“How are you currently handling [problem]?”
This encourages a real conversation and avoids a simple yes or no response.
3. Friendly & Professional Tone
The message should sound like a real conversation, not an automated sales pitch.
Example:
"Hi [Name], I saw that you reacted to [Author]'s post about [Topic]. Would love to hear your thoughts on it."
4. Don’t Pitch in the First Message
Direct sales messages have a low response rate.
Instead, show interest in their work, share insights, or ask a relevant question.
The goal is to start a natural conversation.
5. Follow-Up Without Being Pushy
Many people don’t reply immediately because they are busy.
A friendly follow-up after three to five days can increase response rates.
Example:
"Hi [Name], just wanted to follow up – I’d love to hear your thoughts when you have a moment."
6. Test Different Approaches (A/B Testing)
Different audiences respond differently. Test different outreach styles:
Direct vs. Casual: Are you going straight for a meeting or starting a conversation first?
Friendly vs. Formal: Adjust based on the industry.
Short vs. Detailed: Sometimes a quick message works, sometimes more details are needed.
Examples for First Message After Connection
1. Friendly Icebreaker
"Hi [Name], great to connect! How’s everything going at [Company]?"
2. Shared Interests Approach
"Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I see we both have an interest in [Industry/Topic]. What’s been your main focus lately?"
3. Value-Add Approach
"Hi [Name], I recently came across an article on [Topic] and thought it might interest you. What’s your take on it?"
4. Engagement from LinkedIn Approach
"Hi [Name], I saw your comment on [Post] – great insights! It got me thinking about [Related Topic]. What’s your perspective?"
5. Direct Networking Approach
"Hi [Name], thanks for connecting! I’m expanding my network in [Industry] and would love to exchange insights. What’s the biggest challenge you're currently facing?"
Examples for Second Message
1. Problem-Solution Approach
"Hi [Name], many in [Industry] struggle with [Problem]. We help with [Solution] at [Your Company]. If this is something you’re interested in, I’d be happy to chat."
2. Direct Approach
"Hi [Name], I’ll keep it short – we help [Target Audience] with [Solution]. If this resonates, let’s talk."
3. Social Proof Approach
"Hi [Name], we recently helped [Company] improve [Result] with [Strategy/Tool]. Thought it might be relevant to you as well. Let me know if you'd like to hear more."
4. Personalized Insight
"Hi [Name], I took a quick look at [Their Company/Profile] and noticed [Relevant Observation]. We help businesses like yours with [Solution]. Open for a quick chat?"
Last Follow-Up Message
1. Casual Check-In
"Hi [Name], just wanted to check in before I close the loop here. Totally understand if now’s not the right time – happy to reconnect whenever it makes sense."
2. No Pressure Approach
"Hi [Name], I know things get busy! If this isn’t a priority right now, no worries at all – feel free to reach out if things change."
3. Last Value-Add
"Hi [Name], since we last connected, I came across [Useful Resource/Insight] that might be helpful for [Industry/Topic]. Let me know if you’d like me to send it over!"
4. Humorous Exit
"Hi [Name], I promise this is my last message (I won’t be that person who follows up forever!). Just wanted to check if this is still on your radar. Either way, no worries – happy to stay connected!"
Conclusion
Keep messages short and focused on the recipient.
Avoid direct selling in the first message—start a conversation instead.
Make it easy for them to respond without feeling pressured.
Test different outreach styles to find what works best for your audience.