LinkedIn isn’t what it used to be. The days of stiff, overly formal messages are fading, and the platform feels more like a true social network where real conversations happen—from the way people post to the way they connect and engage.
Whether you’re looking to build stronger connections or bring in more leads, your messaging matters. To help, we’ve put together 8 LinkedIn message examples and templates that’ll get you more replies.
LinkedIn Cold Messages (InMail)
LinkedIn cold messages force marketers to shift from quantity to quality. With a LinkedIn Sales Navigator account, you can send up to 50 InMails monthly. So, you have to make each InMail count. Here are some example messages you can try:
Highlight Problem + Delivery Immediate Solution
Give leads immediate value by highlighting a specific issue and offering immediate solutions.
Subject line: A few ideas for {{pain point}}
Hey {{first name}},
I noticed {{specific detail about their company}}. I really liked how you're approaching {{goal}}. It got me thinking about how {{pain point}} can slow things down, especially when {{specific challenge}}. We’ve dealt with that over the years, and here are some things we’ve seen work:
- {{Tip 1}}
- {{Tip 2}}
- {{Tip 3}}
Curious if any of these resonate. Happy to share more if you’re interested.
Cheers,
{{your name}}
Webinar Invitation Message
Webinar invitations feel easier to accept than a pitch. Get more attendees with this message:
Subject line: Thought this webinar might be useful for {{company name}}
Hey {{first name}},
I’ve been in {{industry}} long enough to know how {{pain point}} affects {{goal}}, and trying to find the winning formula can get tricky. That’s why we’re having a webinar on {{date}} that goes in-depth on the strategies we’ve used to solve them.
- How to {{specific outcome}}
- Simple ways to {{specific outcome}}
- Strategies to {{specific outcome}}
I figured this might be helpful given {{specific challenge}} you're working on. If you’re interested, you can register here: {{registration link}}. You can share the link with your colleagues as well.
Would love to hear your thoughts if you decide to join!
Cheers,
{{your name}}
After Prospects Accept Your Connection Request
When you’re prospecting on LinkedIn, don’t just connect and leave them hanging when they accept. When they accept, thank them, do a bit of an introduction, and tell prospects why you reached out in the first place.
Thank You Follow-up + Reason For Connecting
A token of gratitude goes a long way, but be sure to specify your intentions for reaching out.
Appreciate you accepting the request! I was really interested in connecting because {{genuine reason for reaching out}}.
I’m also curious about how you’re approaching {{relevant pain point}}? I’ve been having some interesting conversations lately about {{related insight}} and would love to hear your take.
Either way, glad we connected!
Cheers,
{{your name}}
Thank You Follow-up + Flattery
Flattery works well if it feels genuine and not over the top. Here’s an example of what not to do. The message sent was clearly automated, vauge, and a little too lip servicey.
Be specific with your flattery. It should feel authentic and not forced. Here’s an example:
Thanks for connecting! I’ve been following {{recent post}}, and I love {{specific insight}}. You’re one of the few people that {{genuine compliment}}.
I’m looking forward to learning more. Glad we could connect!
Cheers,
{{your name}}
LinkedIn Follow-up Messages
There could be several reasons why prospects didn’t reply to your initial message. But you can’t spend too much time speculating. The best approach is to follow up. But don’t just follow-up just to say, “Hey, have you seen my message?” You have to add value. Here’s how:
Follow-up Message + Convenience
Prospects get busy. So, do your best to make your CTA convenient for them in the follow-up.
Just wanted to follow up in case my last message got buried—I know how busy things get.
To save you some time, I pulled together {{resources}} that breaks down {{solution}} into a few key takeaways. It’s a quick read and might help with {{pain point}}. Here’s the link: {{insert link}}.
Hope it makes things a little easier. Let me know if you'd like more info!
Follow-up Message + Value
Sometimes, prospects just need a little something extra for them to reply.
Just wanted to check back in about the webinar we’re hosting on {{date}} about {{topic}}. I know how packed schedules can get, so I wanted to add something extra that might make it more worthwhile:
After the session, we’re offering a free 1:1 consultation to walk through how these strategies could apply specifically to {{company}}. No pressure! But I’d love a chance to dig deeper into {{specific pain point}}. Here’s the link to register: {{link}}. I think you’ll walk away with solid ideas.
Hope to see you there!
LinkedIn Nurturing Examples
Nurturing prospects keeps you top-of-mind and even helps you gain more traction for your posts. According to the latest LinkedIn algorithm insights, people in your network are more likely to see your posts if they respond to your messages.
Sharing Articles + Value + Insight CTA
Sharing articles and asking for insights from prospects is a great way of getting engagement.
Hey {{first name}}, we just published this article on {{topic}}, and I thought you might be interested in it since {{reason why it’s relevant}}.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! {{article link}}
Just Checking In!
Let the people in your network know your thinking about them.
Hey, {{first name}}, it’s been a while since we last chatted. Thought I’d check in and see how business is going for you. Hope everything’s good!
The goal here isn’t just a quick check-in. Remember, you can use their answer as insights into how you can continue to provide value.
Key Takeaways
Generic LinkedIn messages won’t move the needle for your business. Getting replies means personalizing messaging, providing value, and building genuine connections. To recap, here are the strategies that help you achieve just that:
- LinkedIn cold messages: Focus on providing immediate value first before selling
- After connecting: Send a follow-up thanking them and explain why you’re reaching out
- Follow-up messages: Don’t just rely on a soft nudge; provide new value to entice replies
- Nurturing messages: Stay top-of-mind by sharing resources and engaging with leads
Doing all this manually for every lead will take up hours of your time. With Botdog, you can send LinkedIn messages at scale without sacrificing personalization and authenticity. Start building your network and try Botdog for free today!
