To capitalize on these numbers for yourself, it\u2019s important to play up the \u201csocial\u201d aspect of social selling \u2013 and connecting directly with users is the first step. If you’re not quite sure how to get the ball rolling, check out these best practices for sending LinkedIn connection request messages, along with templates you can copy to get started.<\/p>\n
LinkedIn Connection Request Message Templates<\/h2>\nPersonalize Your Message<\/h3>\n
When you go to send a connection request message, you\u2019ll see something like this:<\/p>\n
![](\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/kmbrian.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/word-image-9.png?resize=700%2C256&ssl=1\")
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Image Source<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s tempting to click \u201cSend Now\u201d because it requires no extra effort, but you\u2019ll see better results if you tailor your message to the user. Cookie-cutter messages are ineffective at best.<\/p>\n When you don\u2019t customize your connection request, your recipient sees something along the lines of \u201cI\u2019d like to add you to my professional network.\u201d This gives the user no context as to who you are, or why you want to connect.<\/p>\n Personalization can go much further in building the relationship. Use the person\u2019s name and write something unique and specific to them. For example:<\/p>\n Hi Jan!<\/em><\/p>\n It was great meeting you at yesterday\u2019s seminar. I\u2019d love to connect and learn more about ABCSolutions and stay up to date with what your company is doing.<\/em><\/p>\n Talk soon!<\/em><\/p>\n John<\/em><\/p>\n This is more time-consuming, but it’s completely worth it if it means making a strong first impression.<\/p>\n One of the biggest advantages of connecting on LinkedIn is that you can seek out some common ground to add authenticity to your introduction<\/a>. It\u2019s not always easy to break the ice with someone you don\u2019t know, but sales reps are continually reaching out to people with little to no knowledge of who they are.<\/p>\n Do a little recon on their LinkedIn profile and see if you can find something you have in common. Then, share that information in your introduction:<\/p>\n Hi Jack!<\/em><\/p>\n I noticed you went to Clemson University \u2013 I graduated from there myself four years ago! I\u2019d love to connect with you and see how we might be able to support each other professionally. <\/em><\/p>\n To your success,<\/em><\/p>\n Mark<\/em><\/p>\n This helps you avoid copying and pasting the same message to every prospect, and it shows you took the time to learn more about them and are genuinely interested in establishing a connection.<\/p>\n You can also check them out on other social channels like Facebook or Twitter first, both to find out information about them, and to try to establish a connection by liking some of their posts, retweeting them, or commenting on an article they wrote. That way, when you reach out on LinkedIn, your name will already sound familiar to them.<\/p>\n One of the best features of LinkedIn is seeing who knows the same people you do \u2013 or if a connection knows someone you want <\/em>to know.<\/p>\n If you have a shared connection, ask for an introduction. Here\u2019s an example from Social Sales Link CEO Brynne Tillman:<\/p>\n Image Source<\/a><\/p>\n Alternatively, if you can\u2019t get an introduction, use your shared connection as a talking point:<\/p>\n Hi Mike,<\/em><\/p>\n I noticed we\u2019re both connected to Jim Clark, the CEO of 123 Packaging Inc. Jim and I collaborated on a project and he spoke highly of you. I\u2019d love to add you to my professional network so we can support each other. <\/em><\/p>\n Looking forward to connecting,<\/em><\/p>\n Abby <\/em><\/p>\n There\u2019s a reason why you chose to connect with certain people. How did you find them and what specifically prompted you to connect?<\/p>\n These are questions your recipient will likely have, so address them up front in your message, like this:<\/p>\n Hi Suzie,<\/em><\/p>\n I see you\u2019re the new HR manager at Team Sports \u2013 congratulations! I\u2019ve worked with your company on projects in the past and would love to connect with you. Feel free to reach out anytime!<\/em><\/p>\n Miranda<\/em><\/p>\n When you send a connection request message, you\u2019re automatically limited to 300 characters<\/a> \u2013 slightly longer than a tweet. This forces you to get creative from the start and carefully choose what you want to say.<\/p>\n To maximize those 300 characters, follow the 5 P\u2019s<\/a>. Your request should be:<\/p>\n You should have enough room to include their name<\/strong>, something personal<\/strong>, a reason <\/strong>for connecting, an invitation <\/strong>to connect, a closing phrase<\/strong> (such as thanks, talk soon, etc.), and your name<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Each of the example templates above follow this same format and are within the 300 character limit. But even if your message ends up under the limit, look for ways to tighten it up even further. Take out extra words and read it out loud to make sure it flows.<\/p>\n Studies show that 54% of social sellers<\/a> can trace their social media efforts back to at least one closed deal. But interestingly, social selling isn\u2019t really about selling \u2013 it\u2019s about building connections and relationships.<\/p>\n For a salesperson, it\u2019s tempting to start pitching immediately. But beginning the conversation with a sales pitch<\/a> can destroy all the authenticity and trust you’re trying to build.<\/p>\n More than 60% of employees at large companies<\/a> agree that social selling<\/a> allows them to create more authentic relationships with prospects and customers. When done correctly, sales become a natural byproduct of a strong, valuable relationship.<\/p>\n Valuable connections are never one-sided. Granted, you\u2019re making the initial effort to reach out, but you also want your prospect to participate in the process. You believe they could be valuable to you, so you also want to show why you could be valuable to them.<\/p>\n To facilitate this, make sure you not only give them a reason to connect, but also to reply. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n Hi Sally!<\/em><\/p>\n One of our mutual connections, Kathy, shared an article you wrote on the basics of supply chain management. I really like the insights you shared and wanted to reach out and connect. I\u2019ve actually worked with companies in this area myself and would love to discuss over coffee sometime. Let me know when we might be able to chat.<\/em><\/p>\n Alisa<\/em><\/p>\n Follow-up is one of the most critical actions in sales, and similar rules apply to the initial outreach. Studies show that 92% of sales reps give up after four attempts<\/a>, but 80% of sales require more than four attempts to close.<\/p>\n There could be a number of reasons you don\u2019t get a response to your initial invitation:<\/p>\n Any of these can kill your chances of making a successful connection. If you were guilty of one (or all) of the above on your first attempt, make sure you don\u2019t make the same mistakes when you follow up.<\/p>\n Silence is not an answer during any part of the sales cycle<\/a>, including the initial outreach. Keep in mind it can take more than one attempt to make the connection. Use this template to send a polite yet encouraging follow-up message via InMail:<\/p>\n Hi Sam,<\/em><\/p>\n I know you\u2019re probably as busy as I am, but I wanted to check to see if you got my initial request to connect. I noticed you work at XYZ Inc. and would love to explore ways we can help each other in the future. <\/em><\/p>\n Hope to hear from you soon.<\/em><\/p>\n Sarah<\/em><\/p>\n LinkedIn is just one channel you should be using to connect with prospects.<\/p>\n You should be living everywhere your prospects are; that means email, other social channels, and over the phone, depending on who you’re targeting.<\/p>\n Companies with an\u00a0omni-channel\u00a0engagement process\u00a0see a 9.5% year-over-year growth<\/a>\u00a0in annual revenue \u2013 almost 3x more than those that do not \u2013 in addition to increasing the engagement itself.<\/p>\n An\u00a0omni-channel\u00a0experience\u00a0delivers the goods on prospecting, nurturing,\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0retention<\/a>.<\/p>\n Which channels do they seem to prefer and\/or where did you first engage with them, what do they do on each (just shooting the breeze on social, business on email, vice versa)? Take your cue from them. Engage with them where and how they seem to prefer.<\/p>\n If you’re reaching out to hundreds of prospects every week, it’s impossible to manually stay on top of following up with all of them.<\/p>\n That’s why a sales engagement<\/a> tool like Mailshake<\/a> is essential to creating an effective, scalable follow-up sequence.<\/p>\n With Mailshake, you can personalize your emails and LinkedIn connection request messages in bulk with powerful mail merge features<\/a>, schedule follow-up emails<\/a> and social messages that are paused or triggered based on whether a a recipient opens an email, clicks a link, or replies, and reply to leads straight from your Mailshake dashboard with Lead Catcher<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also set the amount of time between follow-ups (5 days between the first and second email, 7 days between the second and third, etc.), and the days and times you want them to send (for instance, between 8 am and 6 pm on weekdays).<\/p>\nConnect on Common Ground<\/h3>\n
Ask a Mutual Connection for an Introduction
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<\/h3>\n![](\"http:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kmbrian.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/word-image-10.png?resize=700%2C383&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nBe Clear About Why You Chose Them<\/h3>\n
Get Straight to the Point<\/h3>\n
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Don\u2019t Sell
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<\/h3>\nKeep the Conversation Alive<\/h3>\n
Didn\u2019t Connect? Don\u2019t Forget to Follow Up<\/h2>\n
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Go Omni-Channel<\/h3>\n
Automate, automate, automate<\/h3>\n