This blog is for you...
If you have been hesitant about how to reach out on LinkedIn.
Well, you’re not alone in this.
Whether you’re new to LinkedIn or have been around for a while, knowing the right way to reach out can be tricky.
Think about it.
Your first message can make or break the connection.
Are you sure your outreach approach leaves the right impression?
Or are you unknowingly pushing opportunities away?
But don’t worry!
In this blog, I’ve broken down everything you need to know.
From optimizing your LinkedIn profile (because yes, that matters) to crafting perfect messages for different scenarios, I’ve got you covered.
You’ll learn exactly…
- How to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn
- How to reach out to an alum for guidance or networking
- How to approach a potential client on LinkedIn
- What to say after applying for a job on LinkedIn
- How to ask for referrals the right way
- Mistakes to avoid during outreach
If you skip this blog, you might keep making the same mistakes that hold you back.
So stick with me!
Optimize these profile elements before you reach out on LinkedIn…
Before I share the exact steps on how to reach out on LinkedIn, you must fix your LinkedIn profile.
Here are 4 things to work on:
1. Optimize your LinkedIn profile:
Your LinkedIn profile will always be the first thing your prospect checks when you reach out to them.
After all, it is a landing page for you.
That’s why you need every profile element to be carefully optimized.
Here are a few elements that are a MUST-HAVE in your LinkedIn profile (if you haven’t already 😄):
- Profile picture
- LinkedIn Banner
- Headline
- About section
- Featured section
- Experience section
These are the major elements that need to be updated regularly. For minor elements, I have a detailed checklist that you can follow.
2. Identify your goal and target audience:
After you’ve optimized your LinkedIn profile, the next step is obviously to figure out who you is your ideal target audience.
In short, you need to choose WHO you’ll be talking to.
This will help you think about what you have in common and make it way easier to write the perfect first message that grabs their attention.
3. Create an outreach strategy (and follow up):
By now, you probably realize that messaging prospects on LinkedIn isn’t a one-time thing.
It takes some thought because there’s a lot to consider, like your prospect’s industry, job title, and the intent behind your message.
You might brainstorm the perfect message, but even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a response.
That’s why follow-up messages are a lifesaver.
They allow you to re-engage with your prospect quickly.
It’s a simple but powerful move to keep the conversation going!
4. Interact with your prospects’ content:
Since we’re already thinking ahead, let’s talk about building some good habits.
You should start engaging with your prospects’ posts also. Maybe drop a like, comment, or repost them.
This helps keep your name on their radar.
When you send that follow-up message, they’ll recognize you, and you’ll likely get a response.
With that covered up, let’s break down each scenario and discuss how to reach out on LinkedIn correctly.
How to reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn
So, you're reaching out to recruiters? Here’s what to do:
- First, send them a connection request with a short, friendly note.
- After they accept, follow up with a thank-you message.
Now, here's where it gets interesting:
Next, clearly state why you’re reaching out, avoid jargon, and be direct. WHY?
- You’ve got your prospect’s attention.
- But now you’ve got to keep them engaged.
- To do so, you need to share the reason behind your message.
This way, you stand out from your competitors.
LinkedIn message template
“Hey {FirstName},
I noticed you are hiring for a {Job Role}, and since you would likely work directly with this person, I’d love to get your insights on the role.
Before I apply, I’d like to clarify the responsibilities and expectations. Would you have a few minutes to chat sometime in the next week or two?
I appreciate your time and help!
Best regards,
[Your Name]”
How to reach out to alumni on LinkedIn
Alumni are your allies, like the UK, which has been an ally of the USA.
Alumnus open doors to valuable advice and career opportunities.
However, you must be thoughtful and professional when contacting them.
LinkedIn message template:
Hi [Alumni's Name],
I hope you're doing well! My name is [Your Name], and I’m currently a [mention your role or student status] at [University]. I noticed you’re an alum and have a successful career in [industry].
I’d love to get your insights on [specific question or area of interest]. Would you have time for a brief chat?
Thank you for your time!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
How to reach out on LinkedIn for maximum sales
Are you thinking of using LinkedIn for sales? Been there, done that.
2 critical reasons:
- It shows you’re genuinely interested in helping the prospect.
- It proves you’re not just throwing out a random cold pitch.
Keep a few things in mind:
- Your message should be friendly and understanding.
- Focus on how you can help them.
- Keep it short and sweet.
LinkedIn Message Example:
Hi [Their Name],
I noticed your company’s work in [mention relevant industry or sector] and really like what you’re doing. It seems like you might be dealing with some marketing campaign challenges, and I think something I’ve worked on could be helpful.
Would you be open to a quick demo to see how it could fit with your needs?
Let me know what you think!
Best,
[Your Name]
If you plan to use LinkedIn for sales, you’ll need to reach out to many people to see results.
That’s where SalesRobot comes in.
SalesRobot is an automation tool that helps you automate LinkedIn and email outreach.
You can easily add prospects from LinkedIn and Sales Navigator search URLs with just a URL or a CSV file.
Simply copy and paste the search URL into the platform, and SalesRobot will fetch your prospects.
Once you’ve got your list, you can create personalized message campaigns.
You can even set it up to like and comment on posts, give endorsements, or follow profiles—all automatically.
No more clicking through profiles one by one.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg of what you can make possible with SalesRobot.
Interested to know more?
Then why not test drive SalesRobot’s features to see everything I didn’t talk about with a 14-day risk-free trial? 😇
How to reach out to someone on LinkedIn after you applied for a job
If you’ve applied for a job and are getting too impatient, you can always follow up after applying for a job.
How to do it?
- If you’ve already spoken to the recruiter, reply in the same LinkedIn chat.
- Use their name and refer to something you previously discussed.
- Always keep it short and friendly.
- Politely ask about the next steps.
LinkedIn Message Example
Hi [Recruiter’s Name],
I wanted to follow up about the [Position Title] I applied for recently.
I’m really excited about joining [Company Name] and contributing to [something specific you discussed].
Let me know if there are updates or next steps. Thanks for your time!
Best,
[Your Name]
How to reach out on LinkedIn for referrals
The Best way to build connections is Referrals
Here are 2 common scenarios:
1. You know the person.
A friendly message is often all you need to ask for their help.
2. You don’t know the person.
Start by introducing yourself with a short, clear message.
Timing matters, so try to avoid reaching out during busy periods.
Keep your message personal—mention any shared experiences or common interests.
Remember, they’re doing you a favor, so let them know it’s absolutely fine to say no.
How to reach out to someone on LinkedIn after a long time
We all had moments where we saw an old friend or colleague but didn’t know how to reach out.
You start typing but think, "Will they remember me? What do I say?" It feels like a missed chance.
Reconnecting is easy!
Start with a friendly message and mention a memory you share.
OR
Compliment something they’ve achieved to show you’ve been following their journey.
LinkedIn Message Template
Hey [Name]!
It’s been so long since [shared experience]. I saw your recent [achievement]—amazing work! Let’s catch up soon. Virtual coffee?
Cheers,
[Your Name]
How to reach out to someone on LinkedIn who is not a connection
When you want to contact someone who isn’t your LinkedIn connection, start by sending a personalized request.
With a free LinkedIn account, you only get 5 invites. That’s hardly enough, especially if you’re networking regularly.
Here’s where LinkedIn InMail comes in handy.
It lets you message people directly without being connected.
However, free InMails only works with Premium users who have Open Profiles.
And finding these profiles manually is a consuming process.
That’s where SalesRobot saves the day.
With SalesRobot, you can:
- Easily find Open Profile users.
- Send personalized messages to them in bulk.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Log into SalesRobot and add your LinkedIn account
Step 2: Create a new campaign
Step 3: Select “I’m an Advanced User”
Step 4: Click “Add from Sales Navigator Search” or “Add for LinkedIn Search”
Step 5: Paste search URL and save it.
Step 6: Enable the “Premium Only” option.
With this option enabled, SalesRobot will send InMail to all the Open Profiles.
Step 7: Select “From Scratch” to create a sequence
Step 8: Cick “Advanced Steps” and select “Send InMail.”
Step 9: Write your InMail.
Step 10: Save it, start the campaign
And that is how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn like a pro!
While reaching out to people on LinkedIn, remember there are…
4 Things to AVOID when you reach out to someone on LinkedIn
1. Ditch the elevator pitch:
No one likes being sold to.
That’s why you must ditch the elevator sales pitch in your first outreach message.
2. Cookie-cutter message templates:
Write a generic message (Read: “Hi, nice to meet you [firstname]...”), and get ready to never hear back from your prospect.
Personalizing your messages helps you avoid this exact issue.
Write a message that shows you take time to research your prospect.
But writing a well-researched message for 100s of prospects is a time taking task.
SalesRobot lets you personalize outreach messages in bulk with our Hyperise integration.
3. Sending messages without proofreading:
It might seem obvious, but you’re probably not proofreading enough.
LinkedIn messages are your first impression, so they need some care.
You’re trying to introduce yourself, grab attention, and keep the conversation going—all while sounding like your brand.
And don’t forget, typos and grammar mistakes? Big turn-off.
4. Don’t get THAT personal:
Once you start personalizing, it’s hard to stop.
It’s great to be original, but remember, you’re still writing a professional message.
Asking about their day? Fine.
Asking about their ex? Not so much.
Keep it professional, and don’t get too personal.
How to reach out on LinkedIn: The definitive outreach strategy
Reaching out on LinkedIn doesn’t have to be scary.
Once I got the hang of it, it felt easy.
Here’s what to do:
- First, fix up your profile.
- When you message someone, keep it short and personal.
- Show them you care about connecting and don’t waste their time.
Here’s what not to do:
- Don’t use overused templates.
- Don’t pitch from 1st message.
- Don’t message and ghost.
People notice when you put in effort.
If doing this over and over feels like too much, there are tools out there to make it easier. Tools that can save you time while still keeping your messages thoughtful.
SalesRobot is one of them.
They make reaching out faster and still keep it personal.
You don’t need to be a tech genius to use our tool—it’s super simple. You can set up a campaign in less than 5 minutes, seriously!
Still unsure? Try it out for free with our 14-day trial and see how easy it is.
Don’t overthink it!
Start small, be yourself, and learn as you go.
Until next time,
Good luck!
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