Messaging on LinkedIn is simple — open the app, sign in, search for the person’s name, and either hit “Message” (if they’re already a connection) or send a connection request if they’re not.
If you’re using LinkedIn Premium, you can even bypass the request and send an InMail instead.
Finally, type out your message and hit send. Easy, right? But you’re not here for the basics. You don’t just want to know how to message someone. You want to know how to message them well. And maybe, just maybe, you’re wondering how to scale your outreach without sacrificing personalization.
When messaging someone on LinkedIn, you want to stand out without being overly persistent or sounding like everyone else. In this guide, we’ll break down how to write LinkedIn messages that work, why email follow-ups are non-negotiable, and what new free tools we’ve found to streamline your outreach.
Because, let’s face it, no one wants to be the person sending, “Hi, [Name]. Hope this message finds you well…”
Why LinkedIn matters?
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for professionals. But with over 900 million users, the challenge is cutting through the noise.
A great LinkedIn message does more than just say hello — it starts a conversation, builds a connection, and creates opportunities.
Whether you’re in sales, recruitment, or networking, a thoughtful message shows you’re serious about building relationships, not just collecting connections like Pokémon Cards.
How to write LinkedIn messages that get results
A LinkedIn message should feel like it was written for the recipient — not copy-pasted from a template. The secret? Specificity, curiosity, and clarity.
General outreach
If you’re connecting to build your network or explore collaboration, focus on them — not you. Show genuine interest in their work and make it easy for them to reply.
Copy and paste example:
Hi [Name], I saw your recent post on [specific topic], and it really resonated with me. Your perspective on [specific challenge] is refreshing. Can we connect? I’d love to hear more about your approach — maybe it’ll spark ideas for my projects!
Sourcing a candidate for a job
Recruitment messages often fall flat because they sound like they were written for everyone — and no one. To stand out, start by thoroughly reviewing the candidate’s profile.
Look for insights that reveal what they might value most:
- Are they job hoppers? If they’ve moved frequently, they might be seeking stability or faster growth.
- What are their activities or skills? Look for signs that they’re interested in career advancement, learning opportunities, or better work-life balance.
- What do their achievements say? Do they seem driven by impact, leadership, or specialization?
Tailor your message to match their motivations and hook them with what matters most to them.
Copy and paste example:
Hi [Name], I was impressed by your experience in [specific skill/field] and the impact you’ve made at [current or past company].
At [Company Name], we’re building something exciting in [specific project/goal], and it seems like you’re someone who values [key motivator, e.g., growth opportunities, learning, work-life balance]. I’d love to explore if this could be the right next step for you.
Are you open to a quick chat?
Why it works: This approach goes beyond skills and taps into their potential motivations. It’s personalized engaging, and positions the role as a solution to what they might be looking for.
Selling them something
Nobody likes being sold to, so make the message feel like a conversation rather than a pitch. Hook them with a specific benefit or insight they can’t ignore.
Copy and paste example:
Hi [Name],
I noticed your team at [Company Name] recently achieved [specific accomplishment] — congratulations!
I work with companies like yours to tackle [specific challenge] using [solution].
Could we schedule a 10-minute call next week to see if this could help your team, too?
Why it works: It leads with a compliment, keeps the task light, and focuses on how you can help them.
According to most of the expert opinions we sourced and our own experience, cold outreach does work. You just need to make sure your product is great, and you’re sending enough targeted messages or emails.
Asking for their opinion
When you want their feedback or expertise, show that you value their insights and aren’t just asking for a favor.
Copy and paste example:
Hi [Name],
I’ve been following your work on [specific topic], and I admire how you’ve [specific accomplishment].
I’m working on [related topic] and would love your thoughts on [specific challenge].
If you’re open to a quick chat, I’d be happy to adjust to your schedule!
Why it works: It’s flattering without being over the top and positions them as an expert.
What makes these messages different?
- Specificity – Each example references something unique about the recipient or their work.
- Genuine curiosity – The tone shows real interest, not just a transactional mindset.
- Clarity – The request is clear and easy to respond to.
- Energy – The language feels personal and upbeat, not robotic or overly formal.
The key to standing out on LinkedIn is showing that you’ve done your homework and genuinely care about building a real connection.
We looked at real opinions from people about what convinced them to respond or sign up. This is what we found:
- Personalization
- Good copy
- Backing up claims with proof or value.
How to get the most from their profile
A verified LinkedIn profile with its contact information is a lot more than a digital résumé — it’s a map to meaningful conversations if you know where to look.
Most people skim it, send a template message, and hope for the best. You’re not “most people,” though. If you want to stand out, you’ve got to do better.
Here’s how to dig deeper into someone’s profile, uncover valuable insights, and draft messages that actually get responses.
Start with their posts — but don’t be a cheerleader
Commenting on their posts is LinkedIn 101, but let’s skip the basic “Great insights!” routine. Nobody remembers the 87th person to drop a generic compliment.
Instead, engage thoughtfully. If they’ve shared an opinion, challenge it — respectfully. If they’ve posted about an accomplishment, ask a specific question about their process.
Copy and paste example:
I saw your post about [topic], and it got me thinking. While I agree with your point on [specific aspect], do you think [alternative perspective] might also apply? Would love to hear your thoughts.
or
Congrats on [achievement]! It’s no small feat to [specific result]. How did you tackle [related challenge]? I’m curious because I’ve been exploring similar strategies.
Thoughtful comments stand out in a sea of generic praise. You’re not just engaging — you’re adding value.
Look beyond the basics
Everyone checks job titles and companies — but that’s where most people stop. Go deeper.
Use their skills to predict their needs
A skills section isn’t just a bragging board, it’s a peek into their priorities. Are they heavy on technical expertise but light on leadership? Are they showcasing marketing chops but not strategy? These gaps can guide your outreach.
Pay attention to gaps
Sometimes, what’s missing from their profile is just as telling. No posts? Minimal details in the About section? This might signal hesitation about personal branding — or just a lack of time. Acknowledge it gently.
Copy and paste example:
I noticed you don’t post often on LinkedIn — totally get it, not everyone has the time. I’d still love to connect and hear more about your work on [specific topic]. What’s been keeping you busy lately?
Should You Argue? Sometimes
Healthy debate can set you apart — but only if it’s grounded in respect and insight. If their posts or profile hint at an opinion you disagree with, use it as a conversation starter.
Copy and paste example:
Your perspective on [topic] was fascinating. I see it slightly differently — [brief explanation]. Do you think [alternative idea] could apply here too?
Why this works? It shows you’re thoughtful, confident, and capable of engaging in meaningful discussions — not just nodding along.
Be brave. Reference their “pain points”
Profiles often hint at challenges without saying it outright. Are they hiring for multiple roles? Leading a startup? These signals can guide your outreach.
Copy and paste example:
I noticed your team is scaling quickly — exciting but no doubt challenging! I’ve worked with teams facing similar growth and would love to share strategies that have worked for us. Open to a quick chat?
Quick tips to maximize their profile
- Don’t overthink it. Your message doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to be personal.
- Engage first. Comment on their post or like something they’ve shared before sending a message. It warms up the conversation.
- Respect boundaries. If their profile feels sparse, tread lightly. Not everyone lives their professional life on LinkedIn.
How to send bulk messages on LinkedIn
If you’re looking to scale your outreach, LinkedIn does offer ways to send messages in bulk. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.
The key is personalization at scale. In other words, email is better.
We looked at a few tools, such as Hunter, Apollo.io, and Snov.io, but ended up going with Wiza. A colleague swore by it, and after using it ourselves, we understood the hype.
The first way to use Wiza is by working directly from LinkedIn profiles:
- Install the Wiza Chrome extension.
- Manually find profiles on LinkedIn that match your target audience (e.g., decision-makers, sales professionals).
- Once on a LinkedIn profile, click the Wiza button in your browser. The tool instantly pulls the contact’s email address and verifies it to minimize bounce rates.
- Add the contact to a specific list in Wiza for easy tracking.
- Download the list as a CSV file or upload it directly into your CRM for streamlined outreach.
This method is ideal for smaller, highly targeted campaigns where you want to personally vet each contact.
For larger campaigns, Wiza lets you skip LinkedIn altogether and work directly within the platform.
- Log in to Wiza and go to the “Prospect” tab.
- Define your target audience using filters like job title, industry, location, and more. For example, you could filter for “Sales Professionals in Technology Companies.”
- Wiza will pull a list of LinkedIn profiles that match your criteria.
- Download the list as a CSV or sync it directly with your CRM.
This bulk option was perfect for us because we were running cold outreach campaigns and needed to scale efficiently.
Using Wiza for our contact sourcing, we closed four deals in just six weeks, thanks to accurate data and efficient follow-ups that kept conversations moving.
Final thoughts
Whether you’re sending a single message or scaling outreach to hundreds, the principles remain the same:
- Personalize. No one wants to feel like they’re part of a mass message.
- Add value. Make every message about them, not you.
- Follow up. Don’t let the first message be your last.
By combining thoughtful messaging with tools like Wiza to bridge LinkedIn and email, you’re not just networking — you’re building professional relationships that last.
So, the next time you sit down to message someone, ask yourself:
- Does this message stand out?
- Does it show I’ve done my homework?
- Does it make them want to reply?
If the answer is ‘yes,’ you’re already ahead of the game. Now, it’s your turn. Go message someone — but do it right.
Commonly asked questions
How do you message someone on LinkedIn that you are not connected with?
If you’re not connected, you can send a connection request with a personalized note or use LinkedIn Premium to send an InMail directly. Keep your message concise and relevant to their interests or expertise.
How do you start a conversation with someone on LinkedIn?
Start with something specific about them—like their recent post, a shared connection, or their professional achievements. For example, “I saw your post on [topic] and found your perspective insightful. Would love to connect and discuss [related topic].”
How do you politely message someone on LinkedIn?
Be respectful of their time and avoid being overly formal. Introduce yourself, explain why you’re reaching out, and keep the message clear and to the point. End with a friendly call to action, like “Let me know if this sounds interesting!”
What is a good first message on LinkedIn?
Copy and paste example:
Hi [Name], your profile made me pause — anyone with [specific skill or accomplishment] clearly knows their stuff. I’d love to connect and learn more about how you’ve mastered [specific topic]. Who knows, maybe I’ll pick up a trick or two!
