LinkedIn Messaging Strategies for Networking

I tested 𝟭𝟬𝟬+ 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 (During my last job search and as a career coach). These 𝟱 get the highest response rates, especially from hiring managers👇 1. The Profile Viewer Message Check who viewed your LinkedIn profile. They’re already aware of you, don’t let that warm lead go cold. Try this: "Hey [Name], I noticed you stopped by my profile, appreciate you taking a look! Curious, was there something specific that caught your eye, or are you open to conversations around [industry/topic you're exploring]?" 👉 Tip: Warm > Cold. Always start with people who’ve already shown interest. 2. Acknowledge + Ask Find something unique about their background or a recent post, and ask a question. "Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic], your insight on [specific point] stuck with me. How did you land your current role at [Company]?" People love talking about themselves, especially when you show genuine interest. 3. Value First Offer a useful insight, article, or trend that aligns with their work. No ask, just value. "Hey [Name], I saw your post about [topic]. Just came across this article, it touches on a similar trend. Thought you might find it interesting." Position yourself as thoughtful, not transactional. 4. Mutual Connection Approach Bridge a real mutual connection or shared experience. "Hi [Name], I noticed we both worked with [Person] / went to [School] / worked in [Company or Industry]. I'd love to learn more about your path, especially how you made the transition to [Role/Company]." Relatability opens doors faster than credentials. 5. Compliment + Curiosity Start with a specific compliment, then open the door. "Hi [Name], really enjoyed your article on [topic], especially your point about [detail]. Are you open to connecting with people exploring similar roles in [industry]?" It’s respectful, direct, and makes it easy for them to respond. Reminder: You don’t need to spam 100 strangers. Start with 10 meaningful messages a week. Track responses. Iterate on what works. Focus on warm leads, shared interests, and genuine curiosity. What template would you like to see next? If you're ready to level up, let’s position you for the roles you actually want. ➕Follow Jaret André for more daily data job search tips.

Stop Sending Bad LinkedIn DMs! Here’s How to Network the Right Way As my LinkedIn has grown, I’ve been getting tons of DMs from people asking for tips, tricks, and advice on professional development. And I love helping when I can! But… I’ve also seen some really bad outreach messages—ones that could easily be ignored or leave a bad impression. So to save y’all from making the same mistakes, here’s exactly how to write LinkedIn messages that actually get responses: 🚫 The Wrong Way: “Hey.” Just one word. No introduction, no context, no question. It feels impersonal and makes it hard to know how to respond. ✅ The Right Way: “Hi [Name], I’m Abby, a sophomore at VCU studying Information Systems. I came across your profile and noticed your experience at [Company]. I’m really interested in [Industry] and would love to hear about how you got started. Would you be open to a 10-minute chat? Thanks for your time!” 💡 Why This Works: It’s clear, polite, and respectful of their time. It shows you’ve done your homework and have a genuine interest in learning from them. 🚫 The Wrong Way: “Can you refer me for a job?” This is a big ask from someone you’ve never interacted with before. It can come across as entitled and might make the person feel uncomfortable. ✅ The Right Way: “Hi [Name], I hope you’re doing well! I saw your work at [Company] and was really inspired by [specific project or initiative]. I’m currently exploring opportunities in [Industry] and would love any advice on how to break into the field. If you’re open to it, I’d appreciate a 15-minute chat to hear your insights!” 💡 Why This Works: It’s relationship-first instead of immediately asking for something. By showing genuine interest in their work, you open the door to a more natural conversation. Foster and Nurture Your Relationships One of the biggest mistakes I see is people not maintaining relationships once they’ve made a connection. A connection is not really a relationship unless you actively foster and nurture it. I truly appreciate when people consistently engage with my content, comment, reply, or even ask to set up a virtual coffee date. These small, regular interactions build rapport and make it feel like we’re genuinely building a relationship over time. Final Tips: ✅ Be Specific and Respectful of Time – Keep your message clear and concise. ✅ Personalize Your Approach – Reference details from the person’s profile to show you’ve done your homework. ✅ Don’t Rush for a Referral – Build rapport first before asking for favors. ✅ Nurture Your Connections – Engage regularly; remember, networking is about long-term relationships, not one-off interactions. Networking the right way opens doors. Let’s make sure you’re knocking in a way that leaves a lasting, positive impression. What has been your best and worst LinkedIn DM experience? Share below ⬇️

I get an 80% reply rate on LinkedIn Direct Messages. The industry average is 20%. Most LinkedIn DMs get ignored because they sound like sales pitches. They ask for meetings. They talk about themselves. They push. And prospects can smell it instantly. Here's what I learned after thousands of video messages: The best outreach doesn't ask for anything. It flips the power dynamic completely. They invite collaboration. They put the prospect in control. Here's the framework I use: ➡️ Part 1: Personalization (First 10 seconds) Start by saying their name and mentioning something specific from their profile. Like "Hey Sarah, I saw your post about scaling your coaching business. That resonated with me because..." This proves you actually looked at their profile. You're not blasting the same message to 100 people. ➡️ Part 2: The Invitation (Middle 20 seconds) Here's where most business owners mess up. They pitch. Instead, I do this: "I do have a very good network. And if you have a moment, take a look at my LinkedIn profile. If you see any dots to connect there, feel free to send me your booking link, and I'll schedule on your link." Notice what's happening: → You're offering access to YOUR network first → They're in full control → You're the one being evaluated ➡️ Part 3: The Close (Last 5 seconds) Keep it simple. Something like: "Looking forward to connecting. Have a great day!" That's it. No pressure. No urgency. Just human. Most outreach feels transactional. This way feels collaborative. You're making THEM the decision-maker. You're not pushing. You're inviting. People don't want to be sold to. But they do want to discover opportunities. This script lets them discover you and remember you. If you want the full video script framework, comment "SCRIPT" below and I'll send it over. Have you tried video outreach before? What's been your biggest challenge? #linkedinstrategy #videomarketing #b2bsales

I love getting LinkedIn messages. Seriously, I do. Whether it’s people asking for advice or wanting to chat, it’s always an honour to know someone thinks I might be able to help them. But I have to admit... at times, the volume can be overwhelming. I time-box an hour every day for communication, working through as much as I can. Sadly, I’ll never get through it all – managing my LinkedIn inbox could easily be a full-time job. Managing it this way allows me to chat with lots of interesting people on a daily basis, give back where I can, but also balance my responsibilities at Clear. So, why do I dedicate time to this? Because I’ve been (and often still am) on the other side; sending cold outreach to potential investors, customers, or brand partners. I know how daunting it is, and I’ve been lucky to benefit from the kindness of strangers who offered me their time and advice. For those reaching out cold, here are some tips to maximise your chances of success while also standing out in a sea of messages: 💡 Do your homework – don’t get the basics wrong. It might sound obvious, but this is critical. In just the last week, I’ve had messages starting with “It’s great you’re also a [university I didn’t attend] alum,” addressing me as someone else entirely, or saying “given your non-tech background”. All of this information is visible on my LinkedIn profile – my name, education, and professional experience. Taking 30 seconds to double-check these details makes a world of difference. 💡 Be clear about your ask. When you message someone, state what you’re hoping to achieve – whether it’s advice on a specific topic, insights about their industry, or an introduction. A concise and respectful message shows you value their time. 💡 Personalise your outreach. Instead of generic copy-pasting, reference something specific about the person – a shared interest, a recent post, or their career journey. It shows genuine interest and effort. 💡 Offer value where possible. If you can, offer something in return – whether it’s sharing a resource, insight, or even just a thoughtful perspective on their work. Relationships are a two-way street. 💡 Be patient and understanding. Many people have limited time to respond, so don’t be disheartened if you don’t hear back immediately (or at all). Persistence pays off, but so does empathy for the person’s bandwidth. Building meaningful connections takes effort, and thoughtful outreach can open incredible doors. If you’re sending that next message, remember: thoughtfulness, clarity, and respect go a long way. What’s the best cold LinkedIn message you've ever received? I’d love to hear them! 😄 #Networking #LinkedInTips #ColdOutreach #CareerGrowth

Let’s be real—I get a lot of DMs. And I genuinely love connecting with people! But if I’m being honest, most messages I receive feel… well, random. A generic “Hey” or “I’d love to connect” doesn’t tell me why you’re reaching out or how I can help. If you really want to make an impact, your outreach needs to be intentional and clear—especially if you’re networking for a job, collaboration, or mentorship. So, how do you stand out in a sea of messages? ✅ Be clear on your “why.” Are you looking for advice? A partnership? An introduction? Say it upfront! Something like: “Hey [Name], I admire your work in retail leadership and marketing. I’m looking to transition into a similar space and would love to hear your thoughts on XYZ.” ✅ Show you’ve done your research. Did we work in the same industry? Did a recent post resonate with you? Mention it! A little context goes a long way in making the message feel authentic. ✅ Make it easy to say yes. Instead of “Can I pick your brain?” (which can feel vague and time-consuming), try: “Would you be open to a 15-minute chat? I promise to keep it brief!” or “Could I email you a few quick questions?” ✅ Include links to your work. If you’re reaching out about a job, project, or collaboration, don’t make the recipient search for your experience—send them the links upfront! Whether it’s your website, portfolio, resume, or LinkedIn profile, make it easy to get a snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table. 👀 Want an example of how I present myself? Here’s my portfolio: https://lnkd.in/eZHdfQqZ 💼 Looking for my experience? Here’s my LinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn work experience section. 📢 Curious about my work in retail, marketing, and partnerships? Check out https://lnkd.in/g2wpvk9B Networking isn’t about transactional asks—it’s about building relationships. The more thoughtful and specific your outreach, the more likely you are to get a response (and make a lasting impression).

A quick note on cold messages: My LinkedIn DMs are open, but let's make the first message count! I often get messages that just say "Good Morning" or "Hi. How are you?" While I appreciate the thought, on a professional platform, a single word or phrase isn't enough to spark a conversation. My inbox is busy, and I value direct and clear communication. If you're reaching out, here's what works best: ✅ Give a quick intro. Tell me who you are. ✅ Share your "why." What's the purpose of your message? What do you hope to get out of our connection? ✅ Be concise. Get your point across clearly and respectfully. This approach not only saves time for both of us but also makes it much easier for me to see how I can genuinely help. Let's make our professional connections more productive. #linkedin #communication #networking