If you’re in sales, you know that LinkedIn prospecting is important for finding qualified leads. But here’s the thing: just being on LinkedIn isn’t enough.
You have to stand out in a sea of LinkedIn posts and messages flooding the inboxes of decision-makers every single day. So, how do you write a LinkedIn message that converts?
Let’s break it down step by step.
In this article, you’ll learn how to write messages that get responses, avoid common mistakes, and even use LinkedIn prospecting tools and automation tools like Podawaa to streamline your prospecting efforts.
What Is a LinkedIn Prospect Message?
A LinkedIn prospect message is a direct, targeted communication sent to potential customers or professional network members.
The goal? To connect, build professional relationships, or introduce your product or service in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Unlike cold emails, LinkedIn messages feel more personal and relevant—if done right. A great message isn’t pushy or salesy.
Instead, it’s clear, friendly, and tailored to the recipient’s job title, company, or prospect’s interests.
For example:
- Not great: “Hi, I sell software. Want to buy?”
- Much better: “Hi Sarah, I noticed your recent post about streamlining workflows at XYZ Co. Our tool has helped similar companies reduce manual tasks by 40%. Would you be open to a quick chat?”
Recommended Reading: Best Time to Post on LinkedIn in 2025
Steps to Write LinkedIn Messages That Convert
1. Do Your Research
Before sending a connection request or message, take time to research your prospect's LinkedIn profile and activity.
Look for relevant information, such as their LinkedIn posts, company names, or shared connections.
Tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator or other social media platforms can also provide deeper insights into their role, company size, or business goals.
Example: “Hi Jake, I saw that your company just raised Series A funding—congratulations! Scaling can be tricky, especially when it comes to team productivity. We’ve helped similar startups streamline operations and would love to see if we can help.”
2. Write a Strong Subject Line
Your subject line is like a headline—it’s what makes someone decide whether to open your message. Keep it short, relevant, and intriguing.
Do:
“Boosting Your Digital Marketing ROI”
“Congrats on [Achievement]—Here’s an Idea to Build On That”
Don’t:
“Quick Question”
“Important Opportunity for You”
3. Make It Personal
Personalization goes beyond using someone’s name. Reference something specific about them or their company.
Maybe they recently posted about a new project, shared an article, or achieved a milestone. Mention it in your message.
Example: “Hi Lisa, I loved your recent article about improving customer retention. At ABC Co., we’ve been working on a tool that aligns perfectly with the strategies you mentioned. Would you be open to learning more?”
4. Lead with Relevance
Get to the point quickly. Mention why you’re reaching out within the first two sentences. Nobody wants to read through fluff.
Here's an example: “Hi Sam, I noticed your team is focused on expanding into European markets. Our solution has helped companies like yours navigate the complexities of cross-border operations. Would you like to hear more?”
5. Offer Value First
Before asking for a meeting or call, give them something valuable. Share insights, a free resource, or even a tailored suggestion.
Example: “Hi Emma, I noticed you’re exploring ways to boost employee engagement. Here’s a quick guide we created with actionable tips—thought it might be useful!”
6. End with a Clear CTA
Always end your message with a call to action (CTA). Make it specific, polite, and easy to follow.
Example: “Would you be open to a quick 20-minute call next week? Let me know what works for you!”
7. Follow Up Thoughtfully
Not everyone will reply right away, and that’s okay. A polite follow-up can make all the difference.
Example: “Hi Alex, just following up on my previous message. I wanted to share a quick case study about how we helped XYZ Co. double its lead generation in 6 months. Let me know if you’d like to explore something similar!”
Prospecting Tips to Make Your Messages Even Better
Writing LinkedIn messages that truly connect with your audience requires a mix of strategy and authenticity.
Think of it like having a meaningful conversation—you want to be clear, concise, and engaging. Here’s how you can take your LinkedIn messaging game to the next level:
Keep It Short and Sweet
When it comes to LinkedIn, clarity and concision is key. Messages under 300 characters tend to perform best because they’re quick to read and easy to digest.
Imagine receiving a long paragraph from someone you don’t know—it’s tempting to put it off or skip it altogether, right? Instead, aim to get to the point quickly while still making every word count.
Why it works: Short messages respect the reader’s time and demonstrate clarity in your communication.
Be Friendly, But Stay Professional
The tone of your message is everything.
You want to sound approachable, yet polished—like someone they’d enjoy talking to, but who also means business. A conversational style can help break the ice without coming across as too casual or stiff.
Here are some examples:
Friendly and professional: “Hi Robert, I’d love to learn more about your current sales strategy and see how we might collaborate.”
Too formal: “Dear Ms. Robert, I am writing to inquire about your sales approach as part of my professional outreach.”
Pro tip: Adding a personal touch—like mentioning something specific about their profile or company—can make your message feel tailored and thoughtful.
Qualify Your Lead Early
Not every connection will be a good fit, and that’s okay. Save both parties time by including a quick question to assess alignment. This makes the conversation more purposeful and shows you’re focused on their needs.
Example: “Do you often deal with challenges in managing remote teams? If so, we might have a solution that could help.”
It invites engagement and positions you as someone offering value, not just pitching blindly.
Steer Clear of Jargon
Buzzwords and industry lingo might seem impressive, but they can often confuse the person you’re trying to reach. Use plain, simple language that clearly communicates your message and the value you bring.
Instead of: “We leverage cutting-edge synergies to optimize operational scalability.”
Try: “We help businesses streamline their operations to save time and money.”
Think about how you’d explain your idea to a friend. If it sounds too technical or vague, simplify it.
Be Authentic and Personal
People can tell when a message feels copied and pasted.
Take a moment to personalize your outreach and explain why you’re reaching out to them specifically. A genuine message can go a long way in building trust and fostering a meaningful connection.
Authenticity stands out in a sea of generic pitches. Show them you’re genuinely interested in their work, and they’re more likely to engage.
Example: “Hi James, I noticed your recent post about launching a new product line—congrats! I’d love to hear more about the process and explore how we might collaborate to reach your target audience effectively.”
Following these tips, you’ll create messages that feel thoughtful, relevant, and worth responding to. Remember, LinkedIn is about building relationships, not just making pitches—approach each interaction with that mindset, and you’ll see better results.
Grow Your LinkedIn Presence with Podawaa's Engagement Pods
Building a strong LinkedIn presence takes consistent effort—but with Podawaa, you can supercharge your growth by leveraging LinkedIn pods.
These engagement pods are groups of LinkedIn users who support each other by liking, commenting, and sharing each other’s posts, helping to boost visibility and engagement.
Here’s how Podawaa makes it easy to grow your LinkedIn connections and interactions:
Join or Create Engagement Pods
With Podawaa, you can either join an existing pod or create your own with specific criteria, such as industry or topics of interest.
This ensures you’re engaging with relevant users who can provide meaningful feedback and interactions.
Posts with higher engagement are prioritized by LinkedIn’s algorithm, making them more likely to appear in others’ feeds.
Automate Your Engagements
Podawaa simplifies the process by automating likes, comments, and shares within your pod. You can set up your preferences so that your interactions feel natural and aligned with your tone and goals.
Pro tip: Use Podawaa’s AI suggestions to craft authentic comments, saving you time while maintaining a personal touch.
Expand Your Network
As your posts gain more visibility through increased engagement, your profile becomes more attractive to potential connections.
Podawaa helps you grow your network by connecting with like-minded professionals who are likely to engage with your content.
Track Your Progress
Podawaa provides detailed analytics to help you monitor the success of your posts.
You can see metrics like the number of LinkedIn profile views, likes, comments, and shares, helping you understand what type of content resonates most with your audience.
Why it matters: Data-driven insights allow you to refine your content strategy and focus on what works.
Save Time and Maximize Impact
Engaging manually with your LinkedIn community can be time-consuming. Podawaa automates repetitive tasks, giving you more time to create quality content and connect meaningfully with your audience.
Using Podawaa’s LinkedIn pods effectively means you can grow your reach, strengthen your presence, and build relationships with professionals in your field—all while boosting the impact of your LinkedIn strategy.
15 Other LinkedIn Prospecting Message Templates for Different Use Cases
Here are 15 LinkedIn prospecting tips and examples tailored to different scenarios. These templates are concise, conversational, and designed to grab attention while maintaining professionalism.
1. Connecting with a Prospect for the First Time
Hi [First Name],
I came across your LinkedIn profile while researching [Industry/Topic] and was impressed by your work.
I’d love to connect and exchange ideas about [Specific Interest]. Looking forward to learning from your insights!
2. Following Up After a Connection Request
Hi [First Name],
Thank you for connecting! I noticed you’re [recent achievement or focus, e.g., “expanding into digital marketing”]. I specialize in [Your Expertise] and thought I’d reach out to explore how we could collaborate. Let me know if you’d like to chat!
3. Reaching Out to a Decision-Maker
Hi [First Name],
I noticed you’re leading [Team/Project] at [Company Name], and I admire the innovative work you’re doing. I specialize in helping sales teams and sales reps like yours [solve pain point].
Are you open to a 10-minute call to discuss strategies to [specific benefit]?
4. Congratulating a Prospect on an Achievement
Hi [First Name],
Congratulations on [recent accomplishment, e.g., “winning the XYZ award”]! It’s inspiring to see how [specific detail]. I’d love to connect and discuss ways we can support your continued success at [Company Name].
5. Engaging with a Prospect’s Recent Post
Hi [First Name],
I just read your recent post about [topic], and it really resonated with me. [Share quick comment or takeaway.] I’ve been working on similar initiatives and would love to share insights. Are you open to connecting?
6. Offering Value Upfront
Hi [First Name],
I recently came across [valuable resource, e.g., “a guide on optimizing sales processes”] and thought it might be helpful for your team at [Company Name].
Let me know if you’d like me to share it. Happy to connect and explore more ways to help!
7. Reference a Shared Interest
Hi [First Name],
I noticed we both have an interest in [shared interest, e.g., “sustainable practices in business”]. I’d love to connect and share some ideas about [specific topic]. Let me know if that sounds interesting to you!
8. Introducing Your Solution
Hi [First Name],
I’ve been following your work at [Company Name], and I noticed [specific challenge or goal they might have].
Our solution has helped target companies like yours [specific benefit, e.g., “reduce costs by 25%”]. Would you be open to a quick chat to explore this further?
9. Reconnecting with an Old Contact
Hi [First Name],
It’s been a while since we last connected! I saw your recent move to [new role or company]—congratulations!
I’d love to catch up and explore how we can work together again. Let me know if you’re open to a quick call.
10. Asking for Feedback
Hi [First Name],
I noticed your expertise in [topic], and I’d love your thoughts on [specific challenge or topic]. Would you mind if I sent over a quick idea or resource to get your feedback? I really value your perspective.
11. Inviting a Prospect to an Event
Hi [First Name],
I’m hosting a [LinkedIn event type, e.g., “webinar on optimizing marketing ROI”] next week, and I think it could be valuable for your team at [Company Name].
Let me know if you’d like me to send over the details—it’d be great to have you join!
12. Offering a Free Audit or Consultation
Hi [First Name],
I specialize in [your area of expertise], and I’d love to offer a quick audit of your [specific process, e.g., “sales funnel”] at [Company Name]. No strings attached—just insights that might help your team.
Let me know if you’re interested!
13. Mentioning a Mutual Connection
Hi [First Name],
[Mutual Connection’s Name] mentioned your work at [Company Name], and I’m impressed by what you’ve achieved. I’d love to connect and explore how we can collaborate on [specific topic].
14. Highlighting Social Proof
Hi [First Name],
I’ve worked with [specific companies or industries] to help them [specific achievement, e.g., “increase customer retention by 20%”].
I’d love to explore if we could achieve similar results for [Company Name]. Let me know if a quick chat works!
Ready to Boost Your LinkedIn Engagement?
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