LinkedIn is a powerful platform that is designed to help professionals grow their network and connect with others in their industry. However, reaching out to strangers or cold messaging on LinkedIn can be intimidating.

In this article, we will discuss 12 best practices for how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn and get a positive response. Let’s dive in.

Contents hide

1 1. Personalize Your Message

2 2. Be Clear About Your Intentions

3 3. Keep It Short and Sweet

4 4. Be Professional

5 5. Follow Up

6 6. Don’t Expect a Response

7 7. Look for Common Goals and Interests

8 8. Offer Value

9 9. Show Gratitude

10 10. Don’t Overdo It

11 11. Using LinkedIn Groups

12 12. Consider Premium Membership

1. Personalize Your Message

Avoid using generic messages that can appear spammy. Cold messaging can seem impersonal. Take the time to read the recipient’s profile and find common ground. Look for shared interests, mutual connections, or similar experiences that you can reference in your message.

2. Be Clear About Your Intentions

When considering how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn, it is important to be clear about your intentions. Explain why you are reaching out and avoid vagueness. For example, if you are looking for a job, let them know specifically what type of position you are interested in and what skills you have to offer.

3. Keep It Short and Sweet

People are busy, and they don’t have time to read long messages on LinkedIn. Keep your message short and to the point. Avoid lengthy introductions or explanations. Instead, make sure your message is relevant to the recipient and get straight to the point.

4. Be Professional

When reaching out to someone on LinkedIn, it is important to maintain a professional tone. Avoid using slang or informal language. Instead, use proper grammar and spelling. Remember, you are reaching out to a professional contact, and you want to make a good impression. Don’t take too many liberties.

5. Follow Up

If you haven’t heard back from the person you reached out to, it is okay to follow up after a few days. However, don’t be pushy or aggressive. Simply send a polite message reminding them of your original message and asking if they had a chance to review it. This is an effective practice if you’re wondering how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn.

6. Don’t Expect a Response

Remember that not everyone will respond to your message, and that’s okay. People are busy, and they may not have the time or the interest to respond. Don’t take it personally if you don’t receive a response. Instead, move on to other potential contacts and continue to improve your strategy on LinkedIn.

7. Look for Common Goals and Interests

How to reach out to someone on LinkedIn? Well, finding common goals and interests is another good place to start. If you both share a passion for a particular industry or cause, it can be a great starting point to build a relationship. Look for ways to connect based on your shared interests and discuss how you might be able to work together. This can show the person that you are genuine about connecting with them and not just looking to sell them something.

cold messaging on linkedin — *Image Source: GetProspect*

8. Offer Value

Another key way to increase your chances of getting a positive response is by offering value. Think about how you can help the person you are reaching out to. What’s in it for them? Perhaps you have a skill or expertise that could benefit their business or project. Or maybe you’ve come across an article or resource that you think would be valuable to them. By offering something of value, you can demonstrate that you are interested in building a mutually beneficial relationship and not just looking to take and take.

9. Show Gratitude

If someone does respond to your message, make sure to show gratitude. Thank them for taking the time to respond and consider their offer. It’s important to acknowledge the effort they’ve put in to connect with you. If the person is willing to chat further, schedule a time to talk more and continue building your relationship.

10. Don’t Overdo It

While it’s important to follow up with someone, it’s important not to overdo it. If you’ve sent multiple messages without a response, it’s probably time to move on. You don’t want to come across as desperate or pushy. Instead, focus on building relationships with people who are engaged and interested in connecting with you.

11. Using LinkedIn Groups

Another answer to how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn is through LinkedIn groups. Joining groups that align with your professional interests and goals can be a great way to connect with others in your industry. Participate in group discussions, share information, and offer valuable insights. By becoming an active member of a group, you can position yourself as a valuable resource and attract new connections.

12. Consider Premium Membership

If you’re serious about building your professional network on LinkedIn, investing in a premium membership may be worth it. Premium members get access to additional search filters and the ability to see who has viewed their profile. This can be a great way to identify potential connections and reach out to them in a more personalized way.

In conclusion, considering how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn is a key question to start building your professional network and advancing your career goals. By investing time and effort into your LinkedIn networking and messaging strategy, you can set yourself up for long-term success in your industry.

WriterArmy is an awarded content marketing agency, and our team is ready to tell you more about how to reach out to someone on LinkedIn. With our effective LinkedIn Marketing strategies, we can help your business thrive. Feel free to contact us, we would love to hear from you.