Back

LinkedIn Tips

Write a LinkedIn Follow-Up Message That Will Get You a Reply

Feb 21, 2024

5 mins read

Write a LinkedIn Follow-Up Message That Will Get You a Reply

LinkedIn prospecting can sometimes feel like a game. If anything, it’s a numbers game. It’s the question, “How many messages do I have to send before I book a demo?” But what if we told you that LinkedIn prospecting didn’t need to be a game? That if you’re writing high-quality, valuable messages you’re more likely to receive a response. 


While we’ve already covered sending mass messages and connection messages in detail, this blog post will focus on the second half of that process – writing a LinkedIn connection follow-up message. 



Why Send Follow-Up Messages?



Sending follow-up messages on LinkedIn is essential for prospecting. Here are a few reasons that’s the case:


  • It continues the conversation: The goal when prospecting is to build relationships with your prospects. By continuing the conversation, you can learn more about their needs and gain their trust.

  • It shows interest: Following up shows that you genuinely want to work with your prospects. Just make sure you’re sending an authentic and engaging message.

  • It helps to stand out: In today’s competitive market, following up can help you stand out from your competitors. It shows that you’re persistent, dedicated, and on top of things.

  • It can increase conversion: Sometimes, your prospects may overlook your first message. A follow-up message is perfect for pushing prospects to check your message and respond.


Before you learn to send the follow-up, you should nail your original message. Learn how to do that here.


On average it takes 5 follow-ups to close a deal

4 Tips for To Get a Response on Your Follow-Up Message



You can’t deny that follow-up messages are important. But what should you focus on when writing them? Here’s what we recommend:



Personalize, Personalize, Personalize 


The first step in writing a follow-up message is to make it personal (you saw that coming… didn’t you?). Instead of using a generic message, start by addressing your connection by their first name. While this is a great first step, we recommend going further than just using their first name.


Mentioning their company, industry, job title, or location is another great way to connect with a prospect.


Personalize your follow-ups just like you would a connection request!



Express Your Interest and Provide Value


In your follow-up message, summarize your interest in connecting. Additionally, make sure to provide value by offering a resource or insight that can be helpful to them. This can be anything from a relevant article, blog post, ebook, or any type of free prospecting resources your company might use. 



Shorter is Better


Your follow-up message should be concise and to the point. Avoid long-winded messages that may come across as pushy or self-promotional. Keep in mind that most people have received plenty of prospects before and don’t have time to read your own little novella. 


Review these three things before you send a follow-up message on LinkedIn:


  • Is your message more than 3-4 sentences? 

  • Do you use short paragraphs and bullet points to make your message easier to read?

  • Can you convey the same message in fewer words? If so, do it!



Close with a Call-to-Action


End your follow-up message with a clear call to action that encourages your connection to respond. This can be as simple as asking them a question related to their work or inviting them to a virtual networking event or webinar. 


Here are some examples of call-to-actions you can use:


  • “I would love to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think?”

  • “Would you be interested in connecting for a quick virtual coffee chat?”

  • “We are hosting a virtual event on [specific topic]. Would you be interested in attending?”


If you’re wondering how we write engaging call-to-actions, you might benefit from reading our detailed guide.



2 Examples of LinkedIn Follow-Up Messages



Here are two LinkedIn follow-up messages that I’ve actually received in my InMail (and responded to). Feel free to use these as templates for your own messages.



1. The Professional Offer

Hi [Prospect Name],

Hope you’re doing well. 

I just wanted to quickly follow up on my previous InMail and wanted to know if you’d be interested in participating in the paid consultation opportunity that I have mentioned above.

Regards,

[Name + Contact Info]


2. Interested Customer Follow-Up

[Name], 

I noticed two of your colleagues were looking at our product page this week. 

I’d love to jump on a 10 minutes call to discuss what your team is looking for. Do you think your team would be interested in joining? If so, what does your calendar look like?

Thanks,

[Name + Contact Info]


How Soon Should You Send a Follow-Up?



After sending your initial prospecting message, it’s important to give your connection time to respond. However, you don’t want to wait too long before following up again. Here’s a recommended timeline for sending follow-up messages:


  • Send your initial follow-up message within 24-48 hours of your connection accepting your request.

  • If you don’t receive a response within 1 week, send a polite follow-up message.

  • If you still don’t receive a response within 2 weeks, it’s okay to move on and focus your efforts on other connections.



How Should You Manage Follow-Up Messages?



For any sales, BDR, or marketing team, managing your follow-up messages is a world of spreadsheets, tables, and specific tools. 


Obviously, the two biggest tools for managing your prospects are Hubspot and Salesforce – both of which have a sleuth of other features helpful to your sales efforts. However, if you’re focusing specifically on LinkedIn messaging, you might benefit from a more specified tool. 


You can use We-Connect to organize your prospects, automate your campaigns, and set up smart sequences to follow up with prospects after certain events or a set amount of time. With over 10 different campaigns and a wealth of analytics, you’ll save time and effort automating these processes. 



Conclusion:



Writing a LinkedIn connection follow-up message may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can write a personalized and effective message that engages your connections and leads to meaningful conversations. 


And, of course, if you want to save time and automate the process – we’re here for you. Test our a 14-day trial of We-Connect on us

Dots Background
Left Gradient Background
Right Gradient Background

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to get expert tips, industry trends, and growth strategies delivered straight to your inbox.

Dots Background
Left Gradient Background
Right Gradient Background

It's easy to get started

Start connecting with new prospects in just a few clicks.