LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional networking platform, with over 810 million members worldwide as of 2022. With its huge reach and popularity, LinkedIn messaging can be a powerful tool for networking, prospecting, recruiting, and more. However, with its professional nature, writing effective LinkedIn messages requires strategy and care.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to craft customized, compelling LinkedIn messages that get results. Whether you are reaching out to connect with a new contact, following up with a prospect, or communicating with a network connection, we will cover best practices for etiquette, wording, structure, length, and more. Read on to learn how to make the most of LinkedIn messaging and further your career or business goals through thoughtful, impactful communication.
Why Use LinkedIn Messaging?
LinkedIn messaging allows for direct, private communication within the LinkedIn platform. Here are some of the key benefits and use cases for sending LinkedIn messages:
– Make new connections. Introduce yourself and request to connect with relevant professionals in your industry or location.
– Follow up with prospects. After an in-person meeting, event, call, or email exchange, use LinkedIn messaging to continue the conversation.
– Share updates. Keep your network informed by sharing news, articles, and updates that would benefit them.
– Recruit new talent. Reach out to potential candidates to gauge interest and fit for job opportunities.
– Stay top of mind. Periodically check in with connections to nurture relationships and maintain visibility.
– Request information & advice. Leverage your network’s expertise by asking for insights and recommendations.
– Give recommendations. Message contacts to request recommendations to improve your LinkedIn presence.
– Provide support. Answer questions and offer help to assist your connections.
LinkedIn Messaging Etiquette
To make the best impression on LinkedIn, be sure to follow proper messaging etiquette:
– **Use a professional tone.** Maintain formality as you would in a business letter or email. Avoid emojis, slang, and overly casual language.
– **Personalize your messages.** Include each recipient’s name and relate the message to their interests when possible. Generic messages come across as spam.
– **Be clear and concise.** Respect the recipient’s time by getting to the point quickly. Use short paragraphs and bullet points when appropriate.
– **Proofread carefully.** Double check for typos, grammar issues, unclear statements, and incomplete thoughts before sending.
– **Avoid hard sells.** Unless you have an established business relationship, soft sells generally work better for gaining interest.
– **Follow up but don’t hound.** If you don’t receive a response within 1-2 weeks, it’s reasonable to follow up once. Avoid repeatedly messaging non-respondents.
– **Respect opt-outs.** If a recipient asks not to be contacted again, honor their request and do not message them in the future.
Following these basic standards of professionalism will go a long way in crafting effective, well-received messages.
How to Start a LinkedIn Message
Your opening lines will set the tone for the rest of the message. Here are some proven techniques for starting strong:
– **Open with a personal greeting.** Use their name and say “Hi [First Name]” or “Hello [First Name].” This immediately establishes a warm, human tone.
– **Reference your connection.** If you have colleagues, groups, or interests in common, mention the specific connection. This helps contextualize how you know them.
– **State your purpose upfront.** Be transparent from the first line about your reason for messaging them. Get right to the point about connecting, following up, or asking a question.
– **Compliment their work.** If relevant, briefly praise their products, services, content, or brand. Flattery goes a long way when used genuinely.
– **Mention a referral.** If someone referred you or you both know the same person, name drop them to help validate your reason for reaching out.
– **Thank them.** If you are following up after meeting them, thank them for their time and insight. Gratitude stands out.
The opening lines of a LinkedIn message have the power to capture attention and get your message read. Craft them carefully to maximize open rates.
LinkedIn Message Structure
Structuring your messages properly helps convey information clearly and logically. Use this framework:
– **Introduction** – Include a warm greeting, state your purpose, and establish common ground. Aim for 2-3 brief sentences.
– **Body** – Provide key details, explanations, requests, or questions. Use concise paragraphs on separate topics.
– **Call to Action** – Close with a specific request or proposed next steps. End on a positive, forward-looking statement.
– **Signature** – Sign off with “Best,” “Cheers,” “Thanks,” or a similar closing, followed by your full name.
This clean organization makes your messages easy to digest while highlighting the information needed to get recipients to respond and take action. Prioritize readability by keeping sections short, focused, and scannable.
How Long Should a LinkedIn Message Be?
With busy recipients, shorter messages tend to perform better. Follow these length guidelines:
– **New connections** – 2-4 sentences introducing yourself and establishing common ground.
– **Following up** – 4-8 sentences recapping key discussion points and next steps.
– **Sharing updates/articles** – 2-5 sentences contextualizing the content and its value to them.
– **Requests/questions** – 3-6 sentences explaining the specifics of what you need and why.
– **General check-ins** – 2-3 casual sentences asking how they’ve been and sharing recent news.
While certain complex topics do require longer messaging, strive to be as concise as possible. Multiple long paragraphs can overwhelm recipients and damage open and response rates.
Tone & Voice for LinkedIn Messages
Matching the right tone for your messaging goal is key. Here are examples:
– **Friendly** – For connecting, sharing news, giving recommendations, following up conversations
– **Professional** – For recruiting, prospecting, requesting information
– **Casual** – For periodic check-ins with established connections
– **Congratulatory** – For acknowledging promotions, new jobs, business milestones
– **Helpful** – For providing advice, resources, referrals
– **Curious** – For asking questions and expressing interest in learning
– **Urgency** – For time-sensitive requests and reminders
While a warm, polite tone is almost always preferable, do adjust your wording and style based on the specifics of the message and recipient.
Words & Phrases to Include
Use these effective words and phrases to build rapport, show courtesy, and gain responses:
– I enjoyed our [conversation, meeting, call] and wanted to follow up
– Thank you again for your time and insight last week
– I hope you’ve been well since we last spoke
– Congratulations on [your new role, promotion, launch]
– I read your recent article on [topic] with great interest
– I wanted to introduce myself, as we share an interest in [topic]
– Please let me know if I can provide any help with [task, initiative]
– I would appreciate any advice or insight you may have
– Please feel free to connect me with anyone you think may be relevant
– I look forward to connecting further and learning more about your [work, business]
– Does [date and time] work for a quick [call, coffee, chat]?
Word choice matters. Use vocabulary that conveys respect, enthusiasm, and encouragement.
Words & Phrases to Avoid
Steer clear of phrases that are overly salesy, pushy, or insincere:
– I wanted to pick your brain
– Let’s hop on a call
– I have a great opportunity for you
– This is a game changer
– You won’t believe what I have to share
– Act now before it’s too late
– This will only take a minute of your time
– I’m reaching out to see if you’re interested
– Shoot me a reply when you can
– No pressure, but…
– Did you get my last message?
– I see you haven’t replied yet
Come across as considerate and genuine, not aggressive or desperate. Avoid contrived scarcity tactics and pressure.
How to End a LinkedIn Message
Wrap up your messaging on a positive, forward-looking note. Good options include:
– I look forward to your thoughts and insight
– Please keep me in mind if any relevant opportunities arise
– Feel free to reach out if I can be of any assistance
– I would be happy to continue the dialogue
– Let me know if you would like to [connect live, meet up]
– Have a great rest of your week
– I hope we have the chance to work together soon
– Looking forward to connecting further
– Thank you again for your time and consideration
Ending with gratitude, optimism, and openness to future discussions encourages recipients to write back. Avoid abrupt or demanding closings.
Following Up on LinkedIn Messages
If your initial message goes unanswered after 7-14 days, it’s reasonable to politely follow up, especially if:
– You have an existing relationship
– They previously expressed interest in discussing
– It’s a time-sensitive request
Tips for effective LinkedIn message follow-up:
– Refer to original message briefly
– Reiterate your purpose and key details
– Emphasize flexibility on timing and format
– Share additional information if relevant
– Offer to connect elsewhere if preferred
– Give options to reschedule or decline
– Thank them again for consideration
Following up shows persistence while still being sensitive to possible reasons for delay. But move on if they continue not to respond.
Do’s & Don’ts for LinkedIn Messaging
**DO:**
– Personalize messages
– Craft a clear, direct opening
– Keep messages concise
– Use a warm, polite tone
– Follow up once if needed
– Respect opt-out requests
**DON’T:**
– Use generic mass messages
– Bury the lede in lengthy blocks of text
– Overshare irrelevant details
– Be overly pushy or sales-focused
– Send repeat messages if ignored
– Take lack of responses personally
Conclusion
Mastering the art of thoughtful, effective LinkedIn messaging enables you to maximize the platform’s networking potential. By being strategic with your wording, structure, timing, and targeting, you can connect with more high-value contacts and move relationships forward. Use the friendly, professional messaging principles covered here to engage your connections in more productive conversations. With practice, you’ll be able to craft standout messages that deliver results. The more value you can provide in your outreach, the greater the returns will be for your career, business, and network.