When reaching out to someone on LinkedIn, the message you send can make or break your chance of getting a response. A thoughtful, personalized message shows you put effort into engaging that person, while a generic outreach may be ignored. The best LinkedIn messages create an opening for a productive conversation.
Tailor your message to the recipient
Avoid copying and pasting the same message to multiple people. Take a minute to personalize your note based on who you’re contacting. Reference their background, industry, company, or profile details to show you did your homework. Ask about topics that interest both of you. This shows you respect their time and aren’t spamming your network.
Introduce yourself
Even if you and the recipient are connected, briefly explain who you are and how you found them. Context helps the person understand why you want to connect. Share key details about your professional background and what you’re currently working on. A sentence or two is all it takes.
Explain why you’re reaching out
State the purpose of your message upfront. Are you seeking career advice? Hoping to discuss industry trends? Looking to partner on an initiative? Sharing your goals guides the conversation. Avoid vagueness. If you wait too long to get to the point, the recipient may disengage.
Ask an open-ended question
Pose a question that encourages back-and-forth dialogue, rather than a simple yes/no response. “What advice would you give someone starting out in this field?” or “Have you noticed any exciting industry developments I should know about?” spark discussion. Follow up on their answers with further questions to keep the exchange flowing.
Offer value
Think about how you can add value for the recipient. Share an interesting article, recommend an insightful book, or provide a tip relevant to their work. Helping others builds goodwill and shows expertise. Just make sure your input is on-point and useful.
Keep it short
Get straight to the point within 2-3 concise paragraphs. Respect the recipient’s busy schedule. Long-winded notes that make them scroll may go unanswered. Review your message to cut any unnecessary words before hitting send.
Proofread carefully
Grammatical or spelling mistakes give the impression you lack professionalism or rushed the note. Re-read the message to catch errors the spell checker misses. Ask someone else to review it if needed. Put your best foot forward.
Customize your greeting
“Hi {name}” shows more care than a generic “Hello” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” Verify you’re using the correct name pronunciation. Nicknames are fine for existing connections in a casual context. Otherwise, stick to proper names.
Close with a call to action
End your note by clearly stating any next steps. For instance: “I’d love to grab coffee and hear your thoughts on my career transition. Are you free for a quick phone call on Tuesday or Wednesday?” This smooths the path to connecting.
Send a follow-up if needed
If you don’t receive a reply within a week or two, consider a brief, polite follow-up. Thank them again for their time and reiterate your interest in connecting. But don’t bug someone who seems disinterested. Take the hint and move on if your attempts are ignored.
Connect first for cold outreach
When contacting someone you don’t know, connect via LinkedIn before messaging so they recognize you. Briefly explain why you want to connect in your invitation note. Sending an unsolicited message without connecting often gets no response.
Personalize at scale using merge fields
When reaching out to multiple people at once, use merge fields to insert their name, company, etc. into a template message. This allows personalization without fully custom crafting each note. But don’t go overboard with automation. Some personal touches are still ideal.
Focus on quality over quantity
Spamming tons of generic messages won’t get you far. It’s better to thoughtfully engage a smaller number of well-targeted prospects. Pursue only those connections aligned with your goals so you can nurture deeper relationships.
Add value before asking for favors
Build trust with someone before immediately hitting them up for something. First, offer advice or contacts that help them. Once you have a relationship, they’ll be more open to assisting you. Seek mutual benefit, not just what you can get.
Follow up after connecting
Don’t let new connections languish. After connecting, follow up to start a dialogue. Comment on their recent updates, share an interesting article, or ask a thoughtful question to get the ball rolling.
Avoid hard selling or self-promotion
Resist the urge to pitch your business or overly tout your skills. This annoys recipients and kills engagement. Establish a solid relationship before subtly promoting your offerings or expertise.
Express appreciation
Thank the person for their time and insights. If the conversation leads to something helpful for you, like a job interview, let them know. Gratitude for how they assisted you goes a long way in nurturing an ongoing relationship.
Stay in touch
Periodically check in with new connections to grow the relationship. Share relevant updates, articles, and tips. Comment on their posts and congratulate major accomplishments. Don’t just reach out when you need something.
Align with their interests
Notice what your connections are reading, posting, and engaged in on LinkedIn. Tailor your outreach and conversation topics around their priorities and passions. This gets their attention faster.
Be authentic
Show your genuine personality and interest in the person. Forced, overly formal language comes across insincere. Relax and communicate in a natural, friendly way. The more authentic you are, the better the conversation flows.