The average response rate to LinkedIn cold messaging process is 85%, but you can’t just find leads and write them the first thing that springs to your mind. There are still a lot of reasons your message may be ignored: a too big pitch, the subject is not catchy, no personalization, etc.
You need to think carefully about what your very first message. We'll give you some tips and a number of Linkedin connect message examples so you can start generating the results you want!
What do you need to do before starting cold messaging on LinkedIn?
- To make a choice – sending cold messages on LinkedIn for free or choosing the Premium tariff plan.
- Be sure to optimize your profile prior to creating a cold LinkedIn sales message.
- Create Linkedin messaging templates.
Which is the best way to cold message on LinkedIn? Sending cold messages on LinkedIn for free or choosing the Premium tariff plan
Option 1. Paid plans LinkedIn with InMails feature
To send messages directly to contacts who are still not connected to your profile anyhow, you need to use the premium plan of this social network. The number of messages depends on the plan – Career, Business, Sales Navigator Core, Recruiter Lite. You have an option from 5 to 50 InMails per month. In this case the recipient will get the notification about your message not only in their personal account on LinkedIn but also in the Inbox on email.
Take note. For people who have opted out of receiving InMail messages in their preference settings, you will not be able to use such a system. But you can make «Connect» with those people, wait to be added as a friend, and make your offer to leads who are in your personal contacts list.
Option 2. Start cold messaging on LinkedIn for free
If your company has a limited budget, you can also work with a basic (free) account.
And here, it is extremely important, to increase the flow of those who do accept you into their network, to write a good cold LinkedIn connection request, not just click «Connect». Without this, the lead will not understand who you are and why you want to add them to your contacts. Send a request only with a message and keep it short and to the point.
Be sure to optimize your profile prior to creating a сold LinkedIn sales message
Before you create a LinkedIn cold message template and start sending mailings to this social network – you need first of all to optimize your profile according to your goal.
Why do you need to optimize your LinkedIn account?
When the recipients read the cold message, they will definitely visit your profile to analyze how trustworthy you are, to see if you are really the one you’re saying. Usually, they pay attention to your LinkedIn photo and banner, description, professional experience, education, certificates, and references. And after that, the lead will decide whether to reply to you or not.
Create Linkedin messaging templates
To optimize your work, make templates of cold messages. You can simply keep all the templates in one document and share it with colleagues who are also responsible for the mailings, or if you have a paid subscription (LinkedIn Recruiter), you can create up to 500 templates in your LinkedIn account.
You need message outlines so that you don't waste time composing mailing lists for each of the prospects. Use a unified style of address that will come from you and your company.
Next, we'll tell you what a cold message to the leads should be and give examples.
Few recommendations on Linkedin templates creation
You need to have a plan before creating it. Here are some tips to follow.
- The cold LinkedIn message should have the right subject.
- Get the correct structure, and don't lengthen the cold LinkedIn message.
The cold LinkedIn message should be the right subject
The subject forms the first impression and influences whether or not the recipient reads the message. If you want to attract the attention of the lead, it is essential to pay due attention to this point, so you can count on further building a dialogue with the person.
Make the subject short and catchy. Include something that's relevant to the potential client – compliment the lead's article or, for example, the webinar they conducted, fulfill a need, and so on.
How to cold message someone on LinkedIn? Make the brief and correct structure
A proper Linkedin message should have such a structure:
- Part 1. Introduction.
- Part 2. Pitch.
- Part 3. CTA.
Part 1. Introduction to cold LinkedIn message
Here, you have to introduce yourself, and tell them briefly about yourself. Obviously, before you make any kind of offer to people, you need a short presentation – who you are, and what company you represent.
Part 2. Pitch to cold LinkedIn message
Now, you can cut to the chase and explain why you approached these people and tell them what you want.
- Describe the main benefits of the product/service and the possibilities it provides. You want the recipient to answer the question when they are reading your message – why they need you.
- Don't focus solely on the business value of your offer, draw the lead's attention to the personal value you can create just for them. It may appear to be much more valuable. Show that you are interested in the prospect and that you have researched the available information about the person. In InMail/request message, refer to the facts in their profile.
Personalization is the key when sending cold messages on LinkedIn. It doesn’t have to be anything major, but throwing in a line about the recipient's past work, the city they live in, or the company they work for can make a huge difference.
You can find out more data using the GetProspect extension. All you have to do is:
- Download the extension.
- Click on it while on Linkedin.
- Then click on Import links, paste the links to the lead accounts, and click on Import.
The information you get as a result of Import Profiles is connected with email, location, data about the company where the potential client works, and so on.
Remember. Pitch shouldn't be long, value potential customers' time and your own. Make your InMail message short because no one will just read a big one. The average reader's attention span is 8 seconds. So there is no point in writing a huge text.
Part 3. CTA to cold LinkedIn message
At the end of the message, call the customer to action – further conversation with you about what your product can give them, suggest a call where you show a demo of the product, how to register or download a free feature, and so on.
Jess Pingrey, Content Producer at Fit Small Business: «If the goal is to schedule a product demo with them, ask for 15 minutes of their time and include a scheduling link so they can easily pick a mutually convenient time to meet.»
Notice. Sending cold message on LinkedIn is intended to open the initial communication period with prospects, establish contact, and get to know potential customers, not to make an immediate sale and close a deal. Don't pressure your recipients.
The best LinkedIn cold message examples that work perfectly for first contact with leads
What to keep in mind when creating templates for cold messaging on LinkedIn? According to Richard Lubicky, founder/CEO of RealPeopleSearch:
«People don't really like being offered to. But they do want to speak. One way to get them to take down their guard is to position requests as a simple networking call. What else? Don’t forget about personalization, don't be obtrusive in your message, and don't go overboard with the text.»
So, the admonition is there, and now let's move on to LinkedIn connect message examples.
Linkedin connect message examples to send a request to be added to your contacts
Interest the person in adding you to your contacts. Make the invitation short but captivating so the person wants to continue communicating with you.
Here are some LinkedIn connect message examples.
Short cold LinkedIn connection request #1
Short cold LinkedIn connection request #2
Short cold LinkedIn connection request #3
Short cold LinkedIn connection request #4
Inmail LinkedIn cold message examples to attract new customers
Template #1 of a great cold message to use on LinkedIn with CTA «Quick call»
Template #2 of a great cold message to use on LinkedIn with an invitation to call
Template #3 of a great cold message to use on LinkedIn with an offer to exchange experiences
Template #4 of cold LinkedIn message: the lead's pain point and suggesting a solution
Just do detailed research beforehand to hit the target. As we said before – analyze the page in detail on Linkedin Prospect and use our Linkedin Email Finder extension.
Template #5 of a great cold message to use on LinkedIn with an offer to solve the problem
Template #6 of a great cold message to use on LinkedIn with a valuable offer for the lead
Different examples of LinkedIn cold outreach message
Sample #1 of a cold LinkedIn message: mention that you were with a lead at a known event/webinar
Sample #2 of a cold LinkedIn message: mention that you and the lead are in the same LinkedIn Group
Sample #3 of a cold LinkedIn message: add flattery to your InMail
Sample #4 of a cold message LinkedIn: recruiter first message to candidate
Sample #5 of a cold message LinkedIn: recruiter first message to candidate
Summary
- The average response rate to the LinkedIn cold messaging process is 85%.
- Before starting cold messaging, you need to choose between sending cold messages for free or choosing the Premium tariff plan, optimizing your profile, and creating LinkedIn messaging templates.
- The best way to create a perfect cold message on LinkedIn is to make the right subject, use personalization, get the correct structure, and don't lengthen the cold LinkedIn message.
- A proper Linkedin message should have this structure: Introduction, Pitch, CTA.
