We hate these opening lines, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your prospect sees a LinkedIn message that opens with a boring-to-bone line like the ones above, they\u2019d log out, shut the computer, change their address, and move to a different city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe not quite so dramatic, but you get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look, we\u2019re not asking you not to cold contact your prospects on LinkedIn. In fact, there are 3 good ways<\/strong> to do so without coming across as a spammer. We\u2019ll break down that and give you a framework to follow every time you have to cold email someone on LinkedIn<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can cold message your prospects on LinkedIn in 3 ways<\/strong>: a connection request, a cold DM, or through InMail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you send a connection request to your prospect<\/a>, LinkedIn asks whether you want to add a note. This note allows you to introduce yourself and give context <\/strong>as to why you want to connect with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, don’t make it appear boring with messages like: \u201cHi Jane, I\u2019d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.\u201d We’ll see in the next section why this is a bad idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Character Limit: 300 (Characters include letters, numbers, symbols, and spaces)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By default, you can send a direct message on LinkedIn to all your direct connections (aka 1st-degree connections), to fellow group members within group pages, and to those of your prospects that allow you to message them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s more, LinkedIn has no sending limits for DMing users<\/strong>. But don\u2019t go ballistic sending those sales messages<\/a>. You don\u2019t want to seem like a spammer and have them un-connect with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Character Limit: Nil<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To send a direct InMail message to someone<\/a> not in your connection, you need to buy InMail credits. And for that, you need LinkedIn\u2019s Premium membership or a <\/strong>LinkedIn Sales Navigator subscription<\/a>. Note both plans give different limits on InMail credits. You can start with as low as 5 InMail credits with a Premium Career Subscription and go up to 120 InMail Credits with a Recruiter Lite subscription<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re considering prospecting on LinkedIn, we suggest opting for a subscription that allows for higher sending limits. That\u2019s because InMail has open rates above 85% and clickthrough rates over 5%<\/a>, which means it\u2019s more likely to convert than a regular cold email. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Character Limit: 1900 (body text), 200 (subject line)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For every connection request you send on LinkedIn, you can ‘Add a note<\/strong>.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n This note lets you personalize your invitation and show interest in the prospect<\/strong>. But when you have a mere 300 characters to wow them (even less because they\u2019ll have to click on see more<\/em> to view the whole message), long messages are out the window. So, are done-to-death messages like, \u2018Hi Melonie. I\u2019d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2019 Please add me…\u2019 is a command, and I don’t know you, and I get WAYY too many of that. Better to just request to connect with no note<\/a> instead of that or make a thoughtful note,\u201d tweeted Mor Assouline, Founder of From Demo To Close and sales coach. So how do you make a thoughtful note? <\/em>Well, you can do it in 2 ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep your notes crisp and personalized<\/strong>. Start your note with a polite hello and mention how you found your prospect. Did you find them through a LinkedIn post? (While you\u2019re here, throw in a compliment). Maybe you went to the same school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Connect on common ground. This will help your prospect develop a familiarity with you. That means greater chances of accepting your connection request and engaging with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what that can look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Resist the urge to include a sales pitch. Your prospects are not on LinkedIn to solicit a sale. They\u2019re on the platform to make business connections. So, share value and get straight to the point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How to do it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 1:<\/strong> Put up a social post regarding a resource that solves a prospect’s pain point on LinkedIn. Then add a call to action asking prospects to comment if they need the resource. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Step 2:<\/strong> Send the prospects the resource via email or LinkedIn and 1-2 follow-up messages via LinkedIn. You\u2019d first want to send them the resource, and then in the follow-ups, you can qualify these prospects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re doing this on LinkedIn, you\u2019re message can look like this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip:<\/strong> Before sending the connection request, visit your prospect\u2019s LinkedIn profile. Check what type of content they have engaged with, which recent events they visited, and what milestones they have conquered. Doing this will help you craft a timely yet relevant personalized note for your connection request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re sending a DM or an InMail, your message is bound to land in your prospect\u2019s LinkedIn inbox. If they decide to open it, the message will show in a small pop-up box displaying only the last couple of dozen of characters<\/strong>. That means despite the higher character limits, you ought to keep your messages short. (Preferably 400 characters or less.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Send a longer message than that, and you\u2019re asking your prospect to work for you by making them scroll up\/down. Not to mention, you\u2019re probably loading them with unnecessary information. The obvious question, then, is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is necessary information, and how to add it?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to LinkedIn\u2019s own Best Practices cheatsheet<\/a>, it boils down to this – make it about their needs, actions, and goals, and not just your product\/service.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sales leaders like Morgan Ingram<\/a> suggest treating InMails like cold emails<\/a>. So, that means following the same processes whether you\u2019re writing a DM or an InMail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our recommendation: What\u2019s The Best Approach to Writing Cold Messages on LinkedIn? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Asking for advice or opinions. For one, it performs well. Gong\u2019s study<\/a> suggests CTAs asking for the prospect\u2019s interest works better<\/strong> than Specific CTAs and open-ended CTAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More specifically because it adopts the principle of selling the conversation, not the meeting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your prospects value their time and won\u2019t spend their time devouring your resources (much less hop on a meeting) with a complete stranger. By asking them if they\u2019re interested in your ask, whether that\u2019s sending additional resources, hopping on a meeting, or considering your solution, you\u2019re giving them the opportunity to back out. Plus, you\u2019re leaving it up to them to consume the content you shared in their own time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s what that could look like: \u2018I\u2019d love to hear your perspective on [topic].\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But with all that said, what does a good <\/em>cold LinkedIn message look like?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This message adheres to the law of reciprocity.<\/strong> Offering something to your prospect increases your chances of getting something in return. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 76% of respondents<\/strong> in a study by McKinsey & Company<\/a> say they get frustrated when they receive non-personalized messages<\/strong>. So, walk the extra mile to craft one. Here\u2019s one way to do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this message example<\/strong>, the prospect is an event manager, and this message focuses on her recent experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you tell prospects about Beyonc\u00e9 using your product, you\u2019ll definitely have some curious ears. This bandwagon effect<\/a> can make them believe you and take your words seriously. Here\u2019s an example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If your prospects are active on LinkedIn and posting their insights, chances are they\u2019re looking to develop a following on the platform. One way to connect with these prospects is to massage their ego gently<\/em>. You want to seem like an honest admirer, so referencing their recent achievements (preferably something they\u2019ve posted about) helps. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong>Don\u2019t follow up with a pitch soon after you send this message. Ask thorough follow-up questions and show genuine interest. Then once you build trust, pitch your product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your LinkedIn cold outreach efforts froze with your prospect accepting your connection request, warm your prospects up with a simple re-engagement message. This can help you connect <\/em>with your prospect once again and sometimes further a conversation too. Here\u2019s one way to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 50% of buyers won\u2019t engage with you<\/a> if you have an incomplete profile<\/strong>. A well-crafted profile highlighting your expertise and unique value proposition increases your credibility. On why it\u2019s important, LinkedIn<\/a> says, \u201cIt\u2019s not just your brand that your audience is interacting with. People do business with other people, so profiles matter.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n You must aim for close to 100% profile completion and regularly update it with new achievements and skills. But as the platform points out, authenticity is supreme. Here\u2019s how you can improve your LinkedIn profile in 5 easy steps:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding a dash of humor to your sales outreach strategy<\/strong> can serve as a pattern interrupt, yanking your potential customers out of a sea of sore formal messages asking for a meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vervotech\u2019s Aamir Sohail<\/a> says he uses GIFs while reaching out to prospects on LinkedIn<\/a> as his audience is more receptive to them. You can even infuse your messages with humor, wit, or clever wordplay and see your reply rate shoot up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong>Humor is subjective and differs depending on your prospect\u2019s age and culture. So, exercise caution before sending a funny GIF to just any prospect. Do your research, check their social media activity, and use your intuition to figure out if your prospect will be receptive to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> Use AI tools like ChatGPT to add some humor to your messages. With the right prompts these tools can help you come up with jokes, adopt a suitable tone of voice and even whip up fun analogies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding humor to your DMs can be a hit or a miss, but sending over a voice message will definitely grab your prospect\u2019s attention<\/strong>. Sales experts we interviewed have tried it and found this outreach method quite successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wondering what you should be saying in your voice message?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Morgan Ingram<\/a> suggests coming up with an insight or a trigger within the first 10 seconds of the voice message<\/strong>\u2013anything to grab their attention. So, take a look at your prospect\u2019s recent activity on LinkedIn or on other social platforms like Twitter or YouTube, or even their website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the next 30 seconds, he suggests adding your value proposition or elevator pitch (anything you\u2019d otherwise say on a cold call if you ask us). Finally, he suggests adding a CTA depending on what action you\u2019d like for the prospect to take next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note: <\/strong>You can send LinkedIn voice notes only to a 1st-degree connection. Plus, you can do it only on mobile (iOS or Android).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing how to cold email someone on LinkedIn is essential, but it doesn\u2019t necessarily make you relevant. Engaging with your network does. Share valuable content or insights regularly to showcase your expertise and connect with your target audience on a deeper level. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Nanditha Menon<\/a>, BDR at G2, actively posts on LinkedIn and leverages it<\/strong> to maximize her chances of booking meetings<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n She posts content relevant to her organization at least once a week to stay at the top of her prospects’ LinkedIn feeds. This also helps remind them to reply to her emails or LinkedIn messages. “I had a prospect who saw a LinkedIn post of mine, emailed me, and then we got a meeting,” she recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From sending short messages to Inmail, these tips will help you master the art of cold outreach on LinkedIn and boost lead generation. Couple your efforts with powerful LinkedIn automation tools<\/a>, and you have the best recipe for successful LinkedIn outreach. Remember the three secret weapons to expand your reach\u2013engage with prospects meaningfully by personalizing your messages to their pain points, offering genuine compliments, and communicating clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can send free cold messages with a LinkedIn basic account only to your 1st-degree connections or if they are in the same LinkedIn group. To reach out to prospects outside your network, you can send a cold message with a connection request or upgrade to LinkedIn Premium to get monthly message credits, depending on your membership type.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHow to Cold Message Someone on LinkedIn?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to Craft the Perfect Message for Each of These LinkedIn Outreach Methods<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. The Subtle Art of Writing the ‘Add a Note’ Message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Hi, (Name). I read your post on (pain point) that you had put up. Loved how you brought it all together to highlight (a specific aspect of the pain point). I cannot agree more with what you\u2019ve mentioned. Would love to keep in touch. <\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n\n
Hi {name}, \n\nLike we noted in the {resource}, {write a key takeaway you gave out in the resource}. If you\u2019d like some help solving {problem}, I\u2019d be more than happy to help.\n\nCheers.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n2. Always Keep Cold LinkedIn DMs and InMails Short<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"insight](\"https:\/\/www.klenty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/infographic-for-shorter-inmails-get-better-response-rates-1024x797.webp\")
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5 Examples of Great Cold LinkedIn Messages<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Value-Driven Message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Noticed your team onboarded a bunch of new reps this week, Martin! How's the onboarding coming along? \n\nP.S. You can use the attached free productivity tracker if you face any challenges. It\u2019s easy to use and effective.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n2. Personalized Message <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hi Kayla, It was nice meeting you at FEDEXPO in Kansas. Our conversation about event management really got me thinking about how our company can manage our in-office events better.\n\nI\u2019d like to keep in touch and stay in the loop about what you\u2019re up to. Let\u2019s connect!<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n3. Name-Drop Message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hey John, I saw you know Sarah? I think you two would have a lot to talk about.\n\nSarah is currently using our sales automation tool, and I know she\u2019s very happy about it. I was wondering if you were looking for a new software application at BoomAI?<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n4. Ego-massage Message<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hey John, I noticed your profile was at the top of search results for our industry. I would love to talk more with an expert in the field and get some solid advice.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n5. Re-engagement Message for Connections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hey Bob,\n\nWe\u2019ve connected here on LinkedIn for a while but don\u2019t really know each other. As much as I love all this social media stuff, I actually like to get to know my connections.\n\nWould you be open to a call or maybe grabbing a coffee sometime soon? Just to get to know about each other\u2019s businesses and see how we might be able to help each other.<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nExpert Tips From Industry Leaders For LinkedIn Messaging<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Convert Your LinkedIn Profile to an Online Portfolio<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Infographic](\"https:\/\/www.klenty.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/5-Easy-Steps-to-Improve-Your-LinkedIn-Profile-4.webp\")
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2. Have Fun with Your Writing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Send Voice Notes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Stay active on LinkedIn if Your Prospects are on the Platform<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Elevate Your LinkedIn Messaging Game<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Resources You’ll Love <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
1. How Do I Send a Cold Message on LinkedIn Without a Premium?<\/h3>\n
2. What Is the Success Rate of Cold Outreach Through LinkedIn?<\/h3>\n