So you’ve heard all the hype about LinkedIn, and you’ve decided to jump on the bandwagon. Welcome aboard!
Linkedin is a great place to grow your brand, your network, and, ultimately, your business.
That means you’ll need to connect with people and actually talk to them.
Thousands of LinkedIn messages are sent every hour. So there are constant connections, enquires, deals, and job offers in motion. If your company needs a boost, you need more sales, or you’re trying to get hired, you need to start reaching out to people.
But it’s easier said than done. Sometimes, you’re just not sure what to say. You don’t want to seem aggressive. At the same time, you’d want your connection to take some action, either a call, meetup, sale, or connecting you to a decision-maker. Here are a few templates to help you get started.
Messages to build relationships.
Linkedin is all about relationships. Getting connections does well for your ego, but you need to start cultivating those connections into meaningful ones. To do that, you need to break the ice with a new connection or reach out to some old ones. Make sure to find some common ground (like a favorite team or alma mater) or share some valuable information. You never know where the conversation will lead now or in the future. Try these examples in your message. Of course, you can replace the content with what’s relevant to you.
Example 1: Getting to know your connections.
Hi [Person’s First Name],
Thank you for connecting! Some LinkedIn connections end here, but I want to go beyond that. I want to get to know my network a bit more. What are you working on right now that’s interesting? Care to share?
Regards,
[Your Name]
P.S: I see that you’re a [alma mater/team fan]! Me too!
Example 2: Getting to know your connections.
Hi [Person’s First Name],
Appreciate that you accepted my connection request! From your profile, you have some amazing business experience. I’m particularly impressed with your time at [Employer/Company]. What’s next for you in the [niche] space?
Best,
[Your Name]
Messages to find top talent.
If you run a business, you should always be thinking about finding talent. You can only do so much. Hiring top talent helps you scale, improves your service, and helps you earn back some time. Here are some simple message templates you can use to set up a call or meet for some coffee:
Example 1: Hiring a content marketer
Hi [Person’s First Name],
I was impressed with the content you created for Hubspot. I run [Company] and we [selling proposition]. I’m interested in hiring you for a similar project. If you’re interested, I’d love it if we could arrange a phone call to discuss the details. Looking forward to your response!
[First Name]
Example 2: Hiring a web developer
Hi [Person’s First Name],
I was searching LinkedIn for a web developer, and I came across your profile. From your portfolio, you look like the no-nonsense developer my team is looking for.
Would you be open to speaking further about working together?
Cheers!
[First Name]
Messages to get to the decision-maker.
Sometimes, business with the right company can transform your business. Getting hired by your dream company can transform your career. So it’s great to find connections to that company on LinkedIn. However, those connections may not be the decision-maker, so you may want to ask them to connect you to the CFO, CMO, or CTO. Here are some ways you can do that:
Example 1: Get to the decision-maker
Hi [Person’s First Name],
Thanks for connecting with me. Right now, my team and I are working on [product], which helps [businesses/persons with pain point].
I want to discuss it further with you. If you’re not the point person at [company], can you direct me to your colleague?
Appreciate your time and looking forward to hearing from you!
[First Name]
Example 2: Finding the best person to speak with
Hi [Person’s First Name],
I see we have similar connections at [alma mater/former company].
Right now, I’ve been working on [company/product/service]. I’d like to request a call to discuss if we can help your company [benefit]. Are you available this week? If you’re not the person who can discuss this further, can you direct me to the best person in your department who can help?
Thanks in advance, and looking forward to your response!
[First Name]
Messages to get possible leads and sales.
Linkedin is great for lead generation. It’s 277% more effective at lead generation than any other social network, and 79% of B2B Marketers see success from the platform. A “lead” is someone who is interested in your products and services and could potentially become a client or customer. Through simple LinkedIn messaging, a connection can become a lead. Try these examples:
Example 1: Scheduling a call
Hi [Person’s First Name],
I’m [Your Name] from [Your Company]. We help [ideal client] with [problem+solution]. Our recent client, [company] saw massive success in just [timeframe].
If you’ve been struggling with it, I’ll be happy to connect with you to see how we can help.
Let’s chat for 15 mins next week. How does your calendar look? Here’s mine [send link to calendar].
Looking forward to hearing from you!
[First Name]
Example 2: Moving over to a sales call.
Hi [Person’s First Name],
Thank you for connecting. I see that you’re [Job Title] at [Company]. That’s great! I work at [your company], and we help [person’s Job Title] just like you [benefit].
I think there are some great ways our product can help you. Let’s speak for 20 minutes next week so that I can share some more with you.
Sounds good?
Best,
[First Name]
Tips on writing LinkedIn Messages
Sending direct messages could feel scary, but sometimes, you need to make the first move. There are people out there that need what you’re offering. By sparking that interaction, you can create long-term relationships that could transform into more revenue. If you’re still struggling to click send on these templates, here are some tips that can help:
Research goes a long way.
The reason you feel bad about direct messages is that you’ve got some smarmy messages yourself. You know how it feels to get generic messages from people who aren’t really interested in you. But a genuine message from someone who’s done their homework goes a long way. Make sure to read the profile of the connection. Go onto their company’s website or check their social media. That way, you’ll have something meaningful to add to these Linkedin messaging templates.
Be respectful at all times.
Most likely, you don’t know the person you are engaging with. So it helps to be respectful in your messages. It’s ok to use a casual tone, but you should not try to be cheeky or sarcastic. Even if you’re politely (or impolitely) declined, make sure to be gracious.
Rejection is part of the game.
Speaking of being declined, it’s inevitable that you will get ignored or turned away. Furthermore, the same message that was effective with one person may tick someone else off. Understand that rejection is a part of networking and cold messaging. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
Keep a record of your messages.
Make sure to note the persons who responded favorably or who asked that you follow up at a later date. Some persons may not be ready to connect or take that offline call until the 3rd or 4th attempt. Use a Google Sheet to keep track of dates and action items.
Start sending messages today.
When it comes to LinkedIn, adding connections is not enough if you want to leverage the platform for growth. You’ll need to start building meaningful relationships, asking for recommendations, and pitching your services. LinkedIn messages can do just that. Sometimes you don’t know what to say; it’s like walking up to a stranger at a party or networking event. These Linkedin messaging templates can help you break the ice or increase your revenue. Don’t hesitate to send your first message today!
If you need more LinkedIn help, let’s connect. Subscribe to my email list for help on content marketing, lead generation, and getting the best out of LinkedIn.
