LinkedIn and Email Outreach That Gets Replies
Short, specific messages and polite follow-ups that start real conversations.
Keep the first message short
A good first message has three parts: a specific reason you are writing, one sentence on how you might help, and a light question. Keep it under eighty words. Avoid attachments and long company introductions. On LinkedIn, connect first with a short note or none, then message after they accept.
Subject lines and personalisation
For email, a short subject that sounds like a colleague wrote it works better than marketing language, for example: support hiring in Pune. Personalise the first line with your research, not with flattery. Every message should make sense only for that person.
Follow up politely
Many replies come after a follow-up. Space follow-ups a few days apart, add something new each time, such as a useful example or a different angle, and stop after a few attempts. End the sequence with a polite close that leaves the door open.
- Follow-up 1: a useful example
- Follow-up 2: a different angle
- Final: a polite close
Worked example: a three-message sequence
Message one mentions the company's new office in Dubai and asks how they plan to handle Arabic and English customer questions. Message two shares a two-line example of how a similar company handled it. Message three says this may not be a priority now and asks whether to check back next quarter. The prospect replies to the third message and books a call.
Common outreach mistakes
Generic messages are easy to ignore. If you could send it to anyone, rewrite it.
- Long first messages
- Pitching in the connection request
- Copying the same message to everyone
- Following up without adding anything
- Keep first messages under eighty words with one question.
- Personalise with research, not flattery.
- Add something new in every follow-up.
- End sequences with a polite close.
Write a three-message LinkedIn or email sequence for one real prospect using your research line. Ask a friend which message they would reply to and why.
Check your understanding
1. How long should a first message be?
2. What should each follow-up add?
3. What is a good test for personalisation?
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Templates from our playbooks
Copy ready templates with when to use each one and why it works.