Your LinkedIn inbox is a crowded, noisy place. So is everyone else’s. Generic sales pitches get ignored. Spray-and-pray outreach damages your reputation. But thoughtful, personalized messaging can open doors to valuable conversations.
This guide covers how to write LinkedIn messages that actually get responses.
Why Most LinkedIn Messages Fail
Before discussing what works, understand what fails.
The Generic Pitch
“Hi, I noticed your profile and thought we should connect. My company helps businesses like yours increase revenue. Would you be interested in a call?”
This message fails because:
- No personalization beyond company name
- Immediately jumps to a sales ask
- Provides no value to the recipient
- Reads like a template
The Novel-Length Intro
Three paragraphs about your company, your features, your customers, your awards. Nobody reads these. Delete.
The Fake Personalization
“I loved your recent post about…” when the sender clearly did not read it. Recipients recognize insincerity instantly.
The Pushy Follow-Up
“Just checking in…” followed by “Floating this back up…” followed by “I guess you’re not interested…”
Aggressive follow-ups kill relationships before they start.
The Psychology of Effective Messaging
Understanding why people respond helps you craft better messages.
Reciprocity
When you give something valuable, people feel inclined to respond. Lead with value, not asks.
Relevance
Messages that clearly relate to the recipient’s specific situation get attention. Generic messages get ignored.
Respect for Time
Short, scannable messages respect busy schedules. Walls of text signal disrespect for their time.
Human Connection
Messages that feel human, not automated, create connection. Authenticity matters.
The Elements of a Strong LinkedIn Message
Great messages share common elements.
A Compelling Opening Line
Your first line determines whether they keep reading. Make it relevant and interesting.
Weak openings:
- “Hope you’re doing well”
- “I came across your profile”
- “I wanted to reach out because…”
Strong openings:
- “Your comment on [specific post] made me think about…”
- “I noticed [company] just announced [specific news]…”
- “Your post about [topic] resonated because…”
Reference something specific that shows you did your research.
Clear Relevance
Within the first few sentences, the recipient should understand why you are messaging them specifically.
Connect your message to:
- Their role and responsibilities
- Their company’s situation
- Content they have shared
- Challenges they face
Value Before Ask
Provide something useful before requesting anything:
- A relevant insight or resource
- An introduction or connection
- A genuine compliment with specificity
- A thoughtful question that shows expertise
A Single, Clear Ask
If you have an ask, make it one thing. Make it easy to answer.
Weak asks:
- “Would love to explore synergies”
- “Can we schedule a call to discuss?”
- “Let me know if you’re interested in learning more”
Strong asks:
- “Would a 15-minute call next Tuesday work?”
- “Mind if I send over a one-page overview?”
- “What’s the best way to get this to your team?”
Specific asks get specific answers.
Message Templates That Work
Use these frameworks, but always personalize.
The Insight Opener
“Hi [Name],
I saw your post about [specific topic]. Your point about [specific insight] stood out because I’ve seen similar patterns at [relevant context].
I’ve been working on [related work] and thought you might find [specific resource or insight] useful.
Would you be open to connecting?”
The Common Ground Approach
“Hi [Name],
We both know [mutual connection/group/background], and I noticed your work at [company] focusing on [specific initiative].
I work with similar companies on [specific challenge], and thought there might be some interesting overlap to explore.
Open to a quick conversation?”
The Genuine Compliment
“Hi [Name],
Your recent article about [topic] was one of the most practical things I’ve read on the subject. Particularly the section on [specific point].
I’m curious how you’ve applied this at [company]. Would love to hear more about what you’ve learned.
Mind if we connect?”
The Event Follow-Up
“Hi [Name],
Great meeting you at [event]. Your perspective on [topic discussed] has stuck with me.
I’d love to continue the conversation. Would a call next week work?
[Specific day/time] on my end, but flexible.”
The Content Response
“Hi [Name],
Your comment on [post] caught my attention, especially your point about [specific insight].
I’ve been thinking about this issue a lot and have a few thoughts that might be useful for [their situation].
Would you be interested if I shared them?”
Personalization at Scale
You cannot write completely custom messages for everyone. But you can personalize efficiently.
Tiered Personalization
High-touch (top prospects): Fully custom messages with deep research
Medium-touch (qualified prospects): Template with 2-3 personalized elements
Low-touch (broad outreach): Template with 1 personalized element
Match effort to opportunity value.
Research Efficiency
Spend 2-3 minutes per prospect:
- Check recent posts and activity
- Review company news
- Look for mutual connections
- Note role tenure and background
This yields enough material for meaningful personalization.
Tools That Help
Use tools to accelerate research:
- Warmr for engagement history and signals
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator for account intelligence
- News alerts for company updates
- CRM for past interactions
Timing and Cadence
When and how often you message matters.
Best Times to Message
General patterns:
- Tuesday through Thursday perform best
- 8-10 AM and 3-5 PM show higher response rates
- Avoid Monday morning and Friday afternoon
- Consider recipient’s timezone
Test and track what works for your audience.
Follow-Up Strategy
Most responses do not come from the first message. Plan a sequence:
Message 1: Initial outreach with value and soft ask
Message 2 (5-7 days later): Add new value, reference first message briefly
Message 3 (7-10 days later): Different angle or format, final attempt
After 3 messages: Stop messaging directly. Engage through content instead.
What Not to Do
- Do not message daily
- Do not use guilt or pressure
- Do not send “just checking in” messages with no value
- Do not follow up the same day they did not respond
Respect their inbox and your reputation.
Handling Common Scenarios
Different situations require different approaches.
Warm Connections (Previous Engagement)
Reference your previous interaction:
“Hi [Name], We connected after [context]. I’ve been following your work on [topic] and wanted to continue our conversation…”
Cold Connections (No Prior Contact)
Work harder on the hook:
“Hi [Name], I realize we haven’t met, but your work at [company] on [specific initiative] caught my attention…”
Reconnecting with Old Contacts
Acknowledge the gap:
“Hi [Name], It’s been a while since we last connected. I’ve been following [their updates] and wanted to reconnect…”
Asking for Referrals
Be direct but gracious:
“Hi [Name], I really enjoyed working together on [project]. I’m looking to connect with more [type of company/role]. Any chance you might know someone who’d benefit from [what you do]?”
Following Up After No Response
Add value, not pressure:
“Hi [Name], I wanted to share [new relevant insight/resource] that relates to our earlier conversation about [topic]. Thought you might find it useful regardless of whether we connect.”
Conversation Continuation
Getting a response is just the beginning.
Responding to Positive Replies
- Thank them briefly
- Answer any questions they asked
- Advance the conversation with a next step
- Keep the momentum
Responding to Questions or Hesitation
- Address their specific concerns
- Provide additional context
- Reduce friction in your ask
- Be patient, not pushy
Transitioning to Calls
When moving to a call:
- Propose specific times
- Keep the call scope clear
- Confirm the value they will get
- Make scheduling easy
Measuring Message Effectiveness
Track what works and iterate.
Metrics to Monitor
Response rate: What percentage of messages get replies?
Positive response rate: What percentage lead to productive conversations?
Meeting conversion: What percentage result in scheduled calls?
Cycle time: How long from first message to meeting?
A/B Testing
Test variations:
- Different opening lines
- Various value propositions
- Different asks
- Varying message lengths
Keep one variable constant to measure impact.
Continuous Improvement
Review your messages regularly:
- Which templates perform best?
- What personalization elements matter most?
- Where do conversations stall?
- What objections repeat?
Use insights to refine your approach.
Building Long-Term Messaging Habits
Sustainable outreach requires good habits.
Daily Rhythm
Set aside focused time for messaging:
- Research prospects in batches
- Write messages when fresh
- Follow up systematically
- Track everything
Message Library
Build a library of:
- Proven opening lines
- Effective value statements
- Strong calls to action
- Follow-up templates
Customize from your library rather than starting from scratch.
Quality Over Quantity
Ten thoughtful messages beat 100 generic ones:
- Higher response rates
- Better conversations
- Stronger relationships
- Protected reputation
The Mindset Shift
Effective LinkedIn messaging requires a fundamental mindset shift.
From: “How do I get what I want from this person?”
To: “How can I start a valuable relationship with this person?”
Lead with curiosity about their world. Provide genuine value. Build real connections. The business results follow.
Your LinkedIn messages are not just outreach. They are the first impression of every potential relationship. Make them count.