Mastering LinkedIn messaging etiquette is key to unlocking the full potential of this platform for professional networking and communication. LinkedIn boasts millions of members, offering unparalleled opportunities for connecting with colleagues, partners, and clients. However, effective communication on this platform lies in understanding and adhering to specific etiquette.

This article explores the best practices of LinkedIn messaging, equipping you with the knowledge to make the right impression and foster meaningful professional relationships.

What Are the LinkedIn messaging best practices?

When to Send Messages

• Optimal timing
• Frequency and length

Message Content

• Professional tone
• Personalisation
• Call-to-action

Following Up

• If no response
• Nurturing connections

And more. By the end, you will have clarity on the LinkedIn messaging etiquette for productive conversations.

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When to Send Messages

Deciding when and how often to send messages on LinkedIn matters. Here are some guidelines on optimal timing and frequency:

Optimal Timing

The best time to send LinkedIn messages is on weekdays in the early morning or late afternoon. People check their messages before starting work or after winding down.

Avoid messaging over the weekends when people are unlikely to be checking notifications.

Frequency and Length

When connecting with someone for the first time:

• Send an initial message under 300 words
• Follow up only once if you don’t receive an answer after a week

When messaging existing connections:

• Keep regular conversations under 150 words
• Send two messages a week to avoid spamming

In summary, the ideal LinkedIn messaging frequency with concise messages is 1-2 times per week.

Message Content

The way you draft LinkedIn messages also impacts how the receiver perceives you:

Professional Tone

• Use a formal tone akin to writing an email
• Open with a warm greeting like “Hi [Name],”
• Use clear, concise language
• Avoid slang or informal tone

Personalisation

• Address the receiver by name
• Reference any common connections
• Bring up relevant details you may know about them
• Make contextualised requests or offers aligning with their interest

Call-to-Action

• Clearly state the purpose of your message
• Include a specific call-to-action to increase response rate, E.g. “Would you be open to a 20-minute chat about [topic] on [date/time]?”

In short, well-personalised polite messages in a professional tone work best.

Following Up

If your carefully crafted LinkedIn messages get ignored, don’t worry. There are still ways to get responses:

If No Response

• Wait at least a week before following up
• Send a short follow-up message
• Change the subject line to indicate it’s a follow-up request
• Politely highlight previous unanswered request

If you still don’t hear back, move on. Over-messaging will make you appear salesy or needy.

Nurturing Connections

Even if someone isn’t interested in your initial request, stay connected by:

• Liking and commenting on their posts
• Sending them valuable resources periodically
• Following up 2-3 months later with another offer

This helps build relationships organically over time.

So, while your first message outreach may fail, using the right nurturing tactics afterwards can increase future response rates.

Dos	Don’ts
Keep it short and concise	Don’t over message
Personalise each message	Don’t copy-paste generic messages
Use a warm and polite tone	Avoid an overly casual or informal tone
Follow up respectfully if needed	Don’t get pushy or demanding if unanswered
Add value first before asking for favours	Don’t directly pitch without context

Additional LinkedIn Messaging Tips

Here are some additional guidelines to further improve your LinkedIn messaging:

Check Profiles Before Connecting

Review someone’s full profile before reaching out on LinkedIn to reference details that attract their attention. This also prevents messaging people irrelevant offers.

Offer Value

Don’t start conversations by only asking for favours. Before making requests, offer insights, resources or connections that add value for the other person first.

Use Messaging Sparingly

Don’t rely solely on LinkedIn messaging to build relationships. Participate actively on LinkedIn by commenting on posts, liking content, joining groups, etc. Messaging should only support wider engagement.

Follow Up Offline

Once you have built some initial rapport on LinkedIn, follow up via email or phone/Zoom for better response rates to convert conversations into meaningful relationships.

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Using LinkedIn Message Templates Effectively

While personalised messages are ideal, crafting a unique message for every connection can be time-consuming. Using pre-made templates can optimise your efforts.

However, blanket messaging with generic templates tends to have poor results. The key is customising each template before sending it by incorporating personal details.

Here are some best practices when using LinkedIn message templates:

Best Practices	Examples
Include name, company, role etc. to contextualise	“Hi [Name], as a [Role] at [Company], I wanted to…”
Reference specific shared connections	“Since we are both connected with [Name], I wanted to reach out.”
Bring up a recent news update about their company	“I read about your company’s latest [news]. Let’s connect…”
Tailor your call-to-action or request as per their profile	“As you mention specialising in [area], would a [specific request] be of interest?”

The goal is to align every outreach to the receiver’s context so it doesn’t come across as a generic blanket message. Follow these personalisation guidelines with LinkedIn templates for improved open and response rates.

Conclusion

Applying proper LinkedIn messaging etiquette allows you to effectively leverage this channel for meaningful professional engagement and relationship development. You can be a trusted, value-adding community member by avoiding common faux pas and following the best practices outlined.

If you need assistance optimising your LinkedIn outreach strategy, Lou Assist offers specialised services to help businesses generate more qualified leads via the LinkedIn platform. Request a quote to learn more.

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