Crafting an effective opening message on LinkedIn can be challenging. With over 722 million members on the platform, standing out in someone’s inbox takes thoughtfulness and strategy. An opening message sets the tone for the conversation, so making a good first impression is critical. In this article, we’ll explore what makes a strong opening LinkedIn message and provide examples and templates you can use when reaching out to new contacts.
Why are opening messages important?
Your opening message is likely the first interaction a connection will have with you on LinkedIn. That’s why it’s essential to make it count. A good opening message can:
– Create a positive first impression and showcase your communication skills
– Convey you’re interested in having a meaningful conversation, not just adding a contact
– Help you stand out from others reaching out about similar topics
– Increase the chances the recipient will view your profile and respond
– Set the stage for building a mutually beneficial relationship
On the other hand, a weak opening can quickly end any chance of further dialogue. With your first message, you want to give the recipient a reason to keep reading and reply back.
What makes an effective opening message?
The best opening LinkedIn messages typically have these qualities in common:
Personalized and specific
Personalized messages have dramatically higher response rates on LinkedIn compared to generic outreach. Take a few minutes before connecting to learn about who you’re contacting and what you have in common. Reference shared connections, experiences, employers, interests, or groups to show you took the time to understand their background. Using their name and adding thoughtful details demonstrates you’re genuinely interested in them as an individual.
Clear value
You’ll want to establish upfront what’s in it for the recipient by connecting with you. Explain who you are, your background, and why it would be mutually beneficial to connect. Offer value by sharing ideas, resources, or opportunities relevant to their interests and goals. Give them a reason to want to continue the dialogue. Helpful openings focus more on how you can add value versus asking for something.
Concise and scannable
LinkedIn messages tend to be read quickly, so keep your opening tight and scannable. Get to the point within the first paragraph or two with clear, concise writing. Use short sentences and paragraphs, subheadings, lists, or bolding strategically to ensure your key points stand out. Avoid overloading them with details and make next steps clear.
Genuine and friendly tone
A warm, enthusiastic, and professional tone can help your message recipients feel comfortable engaging in conversation. Avoid sounding overly formal or robotic. Be transparent about why you want to connect and your intentions, using positive language. Adding some politeness and humanity through phrasing like “I’d love to connect” and “Hope you’re doing well” can go a long way.
Grammatically correct
With written communication, errors can undermine your credibility and professionalism. Always proofread carefully before sending and fix any spelling, grammar, or punctuation issues. Ask someone else to review as a second set of eyes. Putting care into your message shows the recipient you value their time.
LinkedIn Opening Message Examples
Here are some examples of strong opening messages on LinkedIn across different use cases:
Reaching out to someone you know
Hi [name],
I hope this note finds you well! It was great running into you at [context where you met] the other week. I enjoyed learning about your background in [field]. LinkedIn is an ideal place for us to stay connected, and I would be excited to follow along with your new role at [company name]. Please feel free to reach out in the future if I can ever be a resource! I’m looking forward to staying in touch.
Best,
[Your name]
Introducing yourself
Dear [name],
My name is [your name], and I’m an [your occupation] at [your company]. I noticed we’re both members of the [name of LinkedIn group or shared connection] group, so I wanted to reach out and introduce myself. I’m particularly interested in [area of shared interest, mission, etc.] and thought based on your background in [their field] that we might have some great synergies. I’d love to connect on LinkedIn if you’re open to it and learn more about your experience with [area of interest]. Let me know if you’d ever like to set up a call or meet up in person. I’m looking forward to getting to know you!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Asking for advice
Hi [name],
I hope you’re doing well! My name is [your name] and I’m [1-2 sentence summary of your background]. I greatly admire the work you’ve done with [company/initiative] and your extensive expertise in [their field]. I just [launched a new company, accepted a role, started a project, etc.] focused on [relevant details]. I would love to learn more about your insights on [specific area of expertise] as I [build out this function on my team, develop this product, etc.]. Would you have any time in the next few weeks for a brief call? Or if calls are tough, I’d welcome any advice over email! Thanks so much for considering. I look forward to hopefully connecting.
Best,
[Your name]
Following up after meeting someone
Hi [name],
It was a pleasure meeting you at [event or context] last week! I really enjoyed learning more about your work with [company/initiative] and your perspectives on [topic discussed]. Per our conversation, I wanted to follow up and connect over LinkedIn to continue the dialogue. Please feel free to reach out if you would ever like to bounce ideas around [relevant shared interest]. Thanks again for taking the time to chat last week!
Best,
[Your name]
Requesting an introduction
Dear [mutual connection’s name],
I hope you’re doing well! I wanted to reach out because I noticed you’re connected with [target connection’s name], who I’d love to connect with on LinkedIn. I lead [your occupation] at [your company] focused on [relevant details about your role and expertise]. [Target connection’s name] seems to be doing fantastic work around [their area of expertise] based on their experience at [their company]. I’m really looking to expand my network in this space and gain their perspective.
Would you feel comfortable making an introduction? I’d be happy to send over my background and what I’m hoping to gain via an introductory message for context. Let me know if that would work for you or if you have any other suggestions on engaging them! I sincerely appreciate any support here.
Best,
[Your name]
LinkedIn Opening Message Templates
Here are a few template formats you can model your LinkedIn opening messages after:
Basic Template
Dear [name],
[1-2 sentences summarizing who you are and how you found them]
[1-2 sentences expressing interest in connecting and why their background is relevant]
[1 sentence proposing the value of connecting]
Please let me know if you would be open to connecting! I look forward to hearing from you.
[Sign off with your name]
Following Up Template
Hi [name],
It was great [running into, speaking, meeting] you at [context]. I really enjoyed learning more about [topic discussed].
[Optional: As discussed, I wanted to follow up about [topic]]. I think we have a lot of great [synergies, shared interests, etc] when it comes to [relevant area]. I’d love to stay in touch on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.
Please feel free to reach out if you ever want to [bounce ideas, discuss further, etc]!
Best,
[Your name]
Advice Seeking Template
Dear [name],
I hope this note finds you well! We have yet to meet, but I wanted to reach out because I greatly admire your impressive background as [their occupation and company].
I am [1-2 sentence summary of your background] and recently [started a new role, project, etc.] focused on [details]. I know you have extensive expertise when it comes to [their area of specialty], and I would love to learn more about your experience with [specific topic].
Do you have any time coming up for a quick call? Or if easier, I’d welcome any advice over email! Thank you for considering.
Best,
[Your name]
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips for crafting effective opening messages on LinkedIn:
Focus on personalization
– Research the person’s background and company before reaching out
– Reference shared connections, groups, interests, employers, etc.
– Use their name and include thoughtful details on why you want to connect
Establish value
– Explain who you are and why connecting would be mutually beneficial
– Offer to share ideas, resources, or opportunities that align with their goals
Keep it concise and scannable
– Get to the point within 1-2 paragraphs
– Use formatting, lists, and bolding to highlight key details
Use a warm and enthusiastic tone
– Come across as genuine and interested, not overly salesy
– Incorporate politeness and humanity
Proofread carefully
– Fix any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors before sending
– Ask someone else to review your message with a fresh perspective
Following these best practices can help your opening messages make a fantastic first impression! The examples and templates in this guide offer a model for crafting engaging outreach. With a thoughtful, value-focused approach, you can connect with key contacts and expand your network on LinkedIn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about crafting effective opening messages on LinkedIn:
How long should a LinkedIn opening message be?
Aim for 2-5 concise paragraphs or 3-5 sentences in your opening message. You want to be brief but include enough detail and personalization. Avoid overly long messages.
Should I customize each message or use templates?
It’s ideal to fully customize and personalize each opening message. If using templates for efficiency, ensure you swap out names, companies, interests, and change wording so each feels unique.
What’s the best time to send LinkedIn messages?
Aim to send your messages during typical business hours (8 am – 6 pm) Tuesday through Thursday. Mornings tend to have higher response rates. Avoid weekends or late nights.
How often should I follow up if I don’t get a response?
Only follow up once if you don’t receive a response, about 1-2 weeks after your initial outreach. Any more than one follow up risks coming across as spammy.
What response rate is typical for LinkedIn outreach?
Expect a 10-30% response rate on average. The more you personalize messages and target recipients well aligned to your goals, the higher your response rate will likely be.
Conclusion
Making a fantastic first impression with your opening message on LinkedIn is crucial to connecting with your desired contacts. By taking a personalized, value-focused approach; crafting scannable, concise content; and conveying genuine enthusiasm, you can increase your chances of standing out in someone’s inbox. Use the examples and templates in this guide as models when brainstorming your own outreach. With thoughtful strategy, your opening messages can help build relationships with your ideal connections.