I recently heard someone say: “I never respond to those annoying sales messages on LinkedIn, but yours really appealed to me.” And honestly? That’s the secret. LinkedIn is not a sales platform, but a networking platform. Yet many people send messages that feel like spam. How do you ensure that your messages are actually valuable?
1. Be authentic and personal
LinkedIn is about real connections. Leave the standard ‘Hey, I saw your profile and I have a fantastic offer’ tone behind. For example, start with:
“Nice to connect! I’m curious about your story. Should we schedule something sometime?”
2. Keep it short and sweet
Nobody wants to scroll through reams of text. Make your message short, relevant and to the point. A question like:
“Shall we spar soon? I think we can help each other!”
works better than a long sales pitch.
3. Show genuine interest
A successful message doesn’t feel one-sided. Show genuine interest in the other person and focus on what they need. For example, ask:
“What are your biggest challenges at the moment? Maybe we can learn from each other.”
4. Avoid sales pitches
Selling something directly is off-putting. Instead, share valuable content, such as a relevant update, an invitation to an event, or simply a good article. Build the relationship first.
Practical steps to improve your approach
Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Focus on the right target group and create valuable lists. Share them with your team to work in a structured way.
Test your messages with A/B tests: Try different DM variants and discover which style and tone perform better. Optimize continuously!
LinkedIn is not a sprint, but a marathon. Build valuable relationships and let the results speak for themselves. Do you want to know how we can help you on the right track? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
