You've found your ideal buyers on LinkedIn. You are ready to engage them with InMails and LinkedIn DMs. Here comes the most challenging part: crafting messages that will lead to replies, engagement and eventually, meeting booked.  

In this article, we will delve into the five essential components that make up impactful LinkedIn outreach messaging.

5 tips for writing effective LinkedIn outreach messages

Be Concise

People are busy and have short attention spans. Keep your messages short and to the point, ideally no more than a few sentences long. Just like your text messages. 

LinkedIn is flooded with information, and brevity is your greatest ally. Respect your recipient's time by getting straight to the heart of the matter. A pithy message ensures your points are understood clearly and increases the likelihood of your recipient engaging with your message.

Resonate with the recipient

Researching your recipient's background, role, and the industry they are in plays a critical role in crafting perfect outreach messages. Your message should indicate that you understand their challenges and offer a solution. This personal touch shows you've invested time in understanding their needs and fosters a sense of connection.

To resonate effectively, answer these questions first:

1. What problem are you solving for them? 
2. How can you help them achieve their goals? 
   

Be Direct

Cat pictures are cute. And subtle commentary about recent big sporting events is intriguing. But that's slightly more gimmicky than required. LinkedIn users are adept at spotting salesy, vague, or fluffy messages. 

Don't beat around the bush; be direct in your approach. Skip the soft pitch and avoid using generic phrases that hold no real value. Show your confidence in your offering and clarify how it can benefit the recipient. People are more likely to respond to straightforward messages that convey importance and relevance.

Create a Sense of Urgency

Creating a sense of urgency is a psychological trigger that can prompt action. Your outreach message should highlight why it's crucial for the recipient to act promptly. 

This urgency can stem from various factors – from time-sensitive industry trends to limited-time offers. By infusing your message with a sense of immediacy, you encourage your recipient to take action now rather than later.

Think along these lines: 

1. Why should the recipient take action right now? 
2. What's the benefit of doing so right away?
   

Give them a reason to act quickly.

Include a Call to Action

Your outreach message shouldn't leave your recipient hanging. After addressing the problem, offering a solution, and igniting a sense of urgency, guide them toward the next step. A clear and actionable call to action (CTA) is vital. Tell the recipient what you want them to do. Do you want them to reply to your message, schedule a call, or visit your website? Make it easy for them to take action.

If you're CTA is to schedule a demo, we've seen two things working great in these scenarios: 

1. Point to a specific time. "Hey Ted, how about a demo at 11.00 AM PST? Let me know if you have a better time in mind."
2. Share your calendar link or ask them for one. That way can be more convenient for both you and your prospects.

In addition to the above tips, here are a few more things to keep in mind when writing LinkedIn outreach messages:

• Personalize your messages. Address the recipient by name and mention something specific about their profile or company.
• Use keywords that the recipient will likely be searching for when possible. This will help your message get noticed.
• Proofread your messages. Typos and grammatical errors will make you look unprofessional.
• Be patient. Don't expect everyone to respond to your messages right away. Follow up with people who don't respond after a few days.
  

Bonus Tip: Optimizing for Sales Navigator: Crafting Attention-Grabbing Subject Lines

The subject line plays a crucial role in messages sent through Sales Navigator. It's the first thing your recipient sees, often determining whether they'll open the message. Well-crafted subject line increases the chances of your message being read and responded to.

• Keep it short and catchy. People are more likely to open a message with a short, attention-grabbing subject line.
• Use keywords. The subject line should include keywords relevant to the message and the recipient's interests.
• Be specific. The subject line should give the recipient a good idea of what the message is about.
• Make your subject line a tagline that encapsulates the value you bring or the problem you solve
• Create a sense of urgency. The subject line should make the recipient want to open the message immediately.
• Share real-life examples in subject lines 

Here are some examples of good sales nav subject lines:

• "How to Increase Sales by 10% in 30 Days"
• "The Ultimate Guide to Lead Generation"
• "Free Consultation: How to Grow Your Business in the Economic Downturn"
• "10 Ways to Boost Your Website Traffic"
• "Plena increased their traffic by 25% using this framework"
• "The Secret to Closing More Deals this Quarter"
  

Real Life Examples for LinkedIn Outreach That Works

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, crafting effective outreach messages on LinkedIn requires a strategic approach that incorporates brevity, resonance, directness, urgency, and a clear call to action. By mastering these components, you can stand out in a crowded digital space and build meaningful connections that lead to valuable opportunities.