What To Say In A Follow-Up Message On LinkedIn

Sending a follow-up message doesn’t mean trying again it could mean your first message was sent at the wrong time for an immediate response. There are a number of different follow-up messages as well. Some are simpler than others. Here is what you should say in a follow-up message on LinkedIn. 

You Shouldn’t Pitch In Messages The Goal Should Be a Call 

Before we get started let’s make something clear, you shouldn’t pitch people in your first message to them. If you’re sending follow-up messages on LinkedIn to chase up a pitch you’re only opening yourself up to get left on “read” again. The best way to move someone along the process to buy into your services is to get them on a one-to-one video or phone call. This is why follow-up messages based around purchasing services or looking at brochures will be set up to fail.

There is no follow-up message that will turn someone from a no into a yes unless it promises something extra in the first couple of sentences. This is also depending on the person reading your message. If your first messages to someone solely focus on sales and not their needs you’ll get ignored, blocked or removed as a connection. 

Send a Thanks For Connecting Follow-Up Message

One of the simplest ways to follow up on LinkedIn is by sending a thank you message after connecting. It may seem strange to thank someone for clicking accept, but it’s another way to generate a touch point with a prospect and remind them you exist and are now a part of their network. You’re reminding them that you as a knowledge resource are available to message. Sending the follow-up on LinkedIn messaging also shows them their LinkedIn messages are the best place to find you. 

Here are a few examples –

• Thanks for connecting Luke, look forward to seeing you on my feed. Here’s the latest resource we’re handing out
• Thanks for accepting John, glad to have you in the network.
• Hey Paul, thanks for connecting how’re things on your end?
• Thanks Peter saw you posted about … found it interesting.

Make sure your followup message matches the tone of your own voice. If you don’t use “hey” or “cheers”, don’t start now. Start how you mean to go on.

Keep It Simple and Conversational 

The longer the text, the more difficult you’re making it for the other person to respond. Lead with value, and give them a reason to stay connected and engage. This could mean following up with a lead magnet packed with value or information that they can put into action immediately. 

When Should You Send a Follow-Up Message

You don’t want to spam or push people with your messages. People have lives outside of the platforms you’re working on. The best practice is to first check they have seen your original message. If they have, leave it a few days before reengaging. If your last message was for a call and it was seen but there was no response, you’ll have a more effective response by engaging outside of private messages and engagement with their content. Make it relevant to their post of course. Another option is through providing free resources with no obligation for a call. 

The more aggressive you are with your follow-ups the greater the chance you’ll burn a bridge. So you have to make your follow-ups on LinkedIn as value-driven as possible.