LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 810 million members worldwide. It allows you to connect with other professionals, search for jobs, follow companies, join industry groups, and more. One of the key features of LinkedIn is messaging – it allows you to directly communicate with other members of the network. There are a few ways to send messages on LinkedIn depending on if you are already connected to the recipient or not. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the steps for sending messages on LinkedIn in various scenarios.
Prerequisites for Sending Messages
Before you can start sending messages on LinkedIn, there are a couple of prerequisites:
LinkedIn Account
Firstly, you need to have a LinkedIn account. If you don’t already have one, you can sign up for free at linkedin.com or via their mobile app.
When signing up, make sure to complete your profile fully with details like profile photo, headline, summary, experience, education, skills etc. A complete profile has a much higher chance of your connection requests being accepted.
LinkedIn Mobile App
While LinkedIn messaging is available on desktop as well, the mobile app provides a much better experience. We recommend using the LinkedIn mobile app on your iOS or Android device to send and receive messages.
Download the app if you don’t already have it and log in using your LinkedIn credentials. Make sure to enable notifications so that you don’t miss out on any new messages.
With the prerequisites met, you are now ready to start messaging on LinkedIn!
Messaging Someone You Are Already Connected With
If you are already connected to someone on LinkedIn, sending them a message is straightforward. Here are the steps:
1. Launch the LinkedIn app on your phone and log in.
2. Tap on the My Network tab at the bottom.
3.Scroll through your list of connections and tap on the one you want to message. This opens up their profile.
4.Tap on the Message button located near the top right of their profile.
5.This opens up a new message thread with that connection.
6.Type your message in the text box at the bottom and hit send. You can add text, emojis, GIFs, photos, videos, audio messages, and other attachments.
7.The recipient will receive your message in the LinkedIn messaging section and can respond back to continue the conversation. You will get notified of any new incoming messages.
And that’s it! Within a few simple taps, you can easily send direct messages to any of your existing LinkedIn connections right from the LinkedIn mobile app.
Messaging Someone You Are Not Yet Connected With
What if you want to message someone who you are not yet connected to on LinkedIn? While you can’t directly message them, you can still initiate the conversation by sending them an invitation to connect along with a note. Here is how to do it:
1. Search for the person’s profile on LinkedIn that you want to message. Make sure it’s the right person and not someone with the same name.
2. Tap on the Connect button on their profile.
3.On the next screen, select the option to send them a note along with the connection invitation.
4.Write your message in the text box provided. Keep the message friendly, personalized, and indicate why you want to connect with them.
5.Make sure to address them by their first name and sign with your name at the bottom.
6. Tap Send to deliver the connection invitation + note to their inbox.
Now the ball is in their court. They can accept your connection invitation and once connected, you can message normally. If they decline it, you won’t be able to message. So the key is writing a thoughtful note explaining why you want to connect so that they are more inclined to accept it.
This method allows you to get your message across even without an existing connection. Just make sure your note sounds professional so they know you are genuinely interested in connecting.
Messaging Company Pages on LinkedIn
Many companies and organizations have their own LinkedIn Company Pages to increase brand awareness. Is it possible to message these pages as well if you need to get in touch with a company? Here is how to go about it:
1. Search for the Company Page of the organization you want to message. Make sure it’s a verified page with the blue checkmark.
2. On the Company Page, look for the Follow button on the top and tap it. This will ensure you receive notifications from that Page.
3. Scroll down and tap on the More button on the Page.
4. This opens up additional options including the ability to Send Message. Tap on it.
5. This opens up a message window. Type out your message here and hit Send.
The admin of the Company Page will receive your message and can choose to respond back to you. It’s best to keep the message professional, clearly explain who you are and your reason for getting in touch.
Many companies prefer communication through other channels like email so the Page admin may guide you accordingly. But the ability to send an initial message via LinkedIn can often help in making that connection.
LinkedIn Messaging Best Practices
Now that you know how to message connections, non-connections, and company pages on LinkedIn, here are some tips to ensure you have a good experience:
Personalize the Message
Always address the recipient by name and try to demonstrate familiarity with their background based on their profile details. This helps in building a rapport.
Keep it Short
Long messages can seem overwhelming. Try to communicate your intent clearly within 2-3 sentences. You can always have a more detailed conversation after they have responded.
Add Value
Don’t make it just about you and your needs. Offer something of value for the recipient as well – share useful information, provide helpful tips, send an interesting article etc.
Use Proper Grammar and Punctuation
Typos or lazy abbreviations like ‘u’ instead of ‘you’ create a bad impression. Proper grammar and punctuation portray you as articulate.
Avoid Spamming
Don’t overdo it by sending messages en masse to your connections. Targeted communication has a much higher success rate.
Follow Up Politely
If you haven’t received a response within a few days, you can send a polite follow-up message checking in. But don’t hound them if they continue not to respond.
Troubleshooting LinkedIn Messaging Issues
Despite the steps outlined above, you may sometimes face issues with sending or receiving messages on LinkedIn. Here is how to troubleshoot the most common ones:
Unable to Find Message Button on Profile
If the Message button is missing when you view a connection’s profile, it likely means they have restricted who can message them. You can try sending a connection request instead.
Receive “Cannot Message This Person” Error
This occurs when attempting to message a non-connection. Make sure you have sent them a connection request first before trying to message.
Page Admin Not Responding to Message
Give them some time as admin may not check messages daily. If it’s urgent, try emailing the company through their website contact form.
Notifications Not Coming for New Messages
Check your LinkedIn notification settings and enable notifications for messages. Also check the LinkedIn app settings on your phone and make sure notifications are allowed.
LinkedIn App Crashes When Trying to Message
Force close and clear cache of the LinkedIn app. Also update to the latest version of the app. If issue persists, uninstall and reinstall the app.
Conclusion
LinkedIn messaging allows for direct communication which can be very beneficial for establishing connections and relationships with other professionals. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to easily message your existing connections, non-connections, and company pages on LinkedIn. Avoid spamming and always personalize your messages. With its large user base, LinkedIn messaging enables you to tap into a diverse pool of potential contacts. Utilize it judiciously as part of your overall networking strategy.
