Perfect LinkedIn Message: Best Practices [+3 Templates]

Lead generation is tough—let's be honest, it can feel about as exciting as watching paint dry.

But fear not!

There are smarter ways to spice things up, especially when using LinkedIn.

But let's face it, most people mess it up. Ever get those generic, copy-pasted LinkedIn messages and think, "Do people actually reply to these?" Spoiler: They don't.

If you want to level up your LinkedIn game without losing your sanity, we recommend trying out a slick LinkedIn automation tool like Leadplay—it'll handle the repetitive stuff so you can focus on being awesome.

Why Do Most LinkedIn Messages Suck?

Here's a brutal truth: LinkedIn messages have a notoriously low response rate—usually around 15-25%. Why so low? Because most marketers are still sending generic messages hoping for miracles.

If you want better results, you've got to ditch the spray-and-pray method. Getting those precious replies is about standing out, being creative, and showing people you actually care (or at least pretending really well!).

LinkedIn Messaging Hacks for People Who Aren’t Connections (Yet)

Here's where things get tricky: you can't just slide into someone's LinkedIn inbox if you're not already connected. Bummer, right? But don't sweat it. Here's how to get around this tiny LinkedIn inconvenience:

1. Crash the Group Party

Join LinkedIn groups where your target hangs out. Once you’re in, you can casually slide into their messages like you were invited all along.

2. Go Premium (Fancy, eh?)

Yeah, it'll cost you between $19.95 to $99.95 a month, but LinkedIn Premium lets you send InMails directly to anyone. It's like LinkedIn giving you backstage passes.

3. Be Sneaky With an Intro

Got mutual connections? Sweet! Use them to introduce you. It's way less creepy than stalking someone’s profile repeatedly hoping they notice.

3½. Old-school Email

Did they list an email on their profile? Great—fire off an email. Just don’t be creepy. Keep it professional and friendly.

You've Connected… Now What?

Congrats, you landed a shiny new LinkedIn connection! But wait—don’t let the conversation die. Now's your chance to keep things moving. Here's how you get chatting naturally:

Break the Ice (Without Being Awkward)

Start with something simple and natural, like:

• “Loved your post yesterday!”
• “Nice bumping into you at that dull networking thing—how much free coffee did you drink?”

Or even the old classic:

“Thanks for connecting! What's your secret talent? Mine's binge-watching Netflix.”

You get the drift—be conversational and authentic.

Get Personal (Without Stalking!)

Always introduce yourself and ask them something genuine. Show actual curiosity. For instance:

“Hey, great to connect! I noticed you’re into marketing automation. I'm secretly obsessed with it—what’s your favorite tool so far?”

Offer Help (And Actually Mean It)

Nothing strengthens a new connection more than genuine offers of help. Try simple, friendly lines like:

“Let me know if there's ever anything I can help you with. I promise I won’t send spammy sales pitches.”

Being helpful gets people to remember you—in a good way!

What NOT to Say on LinkedIn (Unless You Love Being Ignored)

If you’re wondering how to tank your LinkedIn outreach fast, do these:

• Asking for favors immediately (unless you're Oprah-level influential, avoid this).
• Spam links to stuff no one asked for.
• Asking obvious stuff like, “Where do you work?” (It’s right there, genius!)
• Bland intros like “How are you?”—please, do better.

Top Tips for LinkedIn Messaging (That Actually Get Replies!)

Grab Them With Your Subject Line

Your message headline is your first impression—make it good. No pressure, but if it’s boring, they’ll never open it. Instead of “Hey,” try something intriguing like, “Saw your talk, now I’m inspired and stalking you (but in a good way).”

Introduce Yourself Like a Human

Be a human, not a robot. Introduce yourself, and briefly mention why you're reaching out. Keep it light, friendly, and short.

Keep it Short & Sweet

Aim for about 100 words or less. People have the attention span of goldfish (sorry, goldfish)—so get to the point.

Find Common Ground

Got shared interests? Great! Mention them. It makes you instantly relatable, and they’ll actually want to reply.

Include a Call to Action (Politely!)

Clearly tell your new connection what you’d like next. For instance, “Fancy a quick chat this week to share ideas?” beats “Let me know what you think.”

Automate Your Outreach (Smartly!)

You don’t have to type the same message hundreds of times. Tools like Leadplay (yes, I know, shameless plug!) automate this process. You can create super-personalized messages using placeholders for their first name, position, or even mutual connections. It's automation that actually sounds human!

Here’s how easy it is:

• Write one killer message.
• Let Leadplay customize each message for every prospect automatically.
• Sit back, drink your coffee, and watch replies roll in.

Need inspiration? Try These Proven LinkedIn Templates:

Template #1: The Mutual Friend

Hey {{Name}},

I saw we both know [Mutual Friend’s Name]. Any friend of theirs is surely worth connecting with! Thought we could swap ideas sometime—interested?

Template 2: The Group Buddy

Hi [Name],
Loved your insights in [LinkedIn Group]. That comment on [specific topic] really stood out. Fancy connecting and continuing the chat sometime?

Template 3: The Polite Flattery (aka Everyone’s Favorite)

Hey [Name],
I've been following your awesome work at [company]. Gotta say, super impressed! How about a quick chat to exchange some thoughts?

See? Easy, friendly, and irresistibly reply-worthy.

Final Thoughts (You Made It!)

LinkedIn messaging isn't rocket science—but you’d be surprised how many get it wrong.

With the right approach, some personalization, and maybe a little help from a LinkedIn automation tool like Leadplay.io, you’ll be rocking LinkedIn outreach like a pro in no time.

Now go on, get connecting!