Have you ever been in this situation? You send a LinkedIn connection request, have a good first chat, and even share something useful. But then… nothing. Silence. You start wondering if your message got lost somewhere. Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Following up on LinkedIn can feel tricky. You don’t want to come across as pushy, but you also don’t want to be forgotten. The good news is, a thoughtful follow-up message can help restart the conversation and turn a simple connection into a real professional relationship.
This isn’t about sending a quick “Just checking in!” message that gets ignored. It’s about being thoughtful, helpful, and showing you care. Here’s how to write follow-up messages on LinkedIn that actually get replies.
1. Get the Timing Right
When you follow up matters. Here’s how to do it well:
- Don’t rush: Wait a few days or even a week after your first chat before following up. Sending too many messages too soon can feel overwhelming.
- Think about the situation: If you promised to send something, follow up soon after you’ve sent it. If it was just a general connection request, waiting a bit longer is fine.
- Check if they’re active: If you see they’ve been on LinkedIn recently, it might be a good time to reach out.
2. Make It Personal
Generic messages are easy to ignore. Make yours stand out by making it personal:
- Bring up your last chat: Remind them of what you talked about. This shows you were paying attention and helps them remember you.
- Mention something specific: Did they talk about a project they’re working on or a problem they’re trying to solve? Bring it up to show you’re interested.
- Avoid copying and pasting: While it’s okay to use a basic template, always tweak it to fit the person and the situation.
3. Be Helpful, Not Pushy
People are more likely to reply if they see your message as helpful, not just another request:
- Share something useful: If you find an article, report, or resource that relates to what they’re doing, share it with a quick note about why you thought they’d like it.
- Offer to help: If they mentioned a challenge, and you have an idea or know someone who could help, let them know.
- Ask a good question: Instead of a simple “How are you?”, ask something that shows you’re interested in what they’re working on.
4. Keep It Short and Clear
Busy people appreciate messages that get to the point:
- Be brief: Keep your message short but friendly.
- Use simple language: Avoid fancy words or slang unless you’ve already been chatting casually.
- Make it easy to reply: End with a simple question or suggestion, like asking if they’d like to chat briefly if they’re interested.
5. Be Patient, But Don’t Give Up Too Soon
Following up is about finding the right balance:
- Don’t expect a quick reply: People are busy, and it might take time for them to respond. Don’t worry if you don’t hear back right away.
- Try a second follow-up (if it makes sense): If you haven’t heard back after a week or two, it’s okay to send another message. Keep it friendly and remind them of your last chat.
- Know when to move on: If you’ve tried twice and still haven’t heard back, it’s probably best to focus on other connections.
The Bottom Line
Writing good follow-up messages on LinkedIn is about being thoughtful, respectful, and helpful. By making your messages personal, sharing something useful, and keeping them short, you’ll have a much better chance of getting a reply and building a real connection.
So, skip the boring “Just checking in!” messages and start writing follow-ups that show you care. LinkedIn is all about building relationships, not just adding names to your list. With the right approach, you can turn silence into meaningful conversations.