LinkedIn is a powerful professional networking platform that allows individuals to connect with colleagues, industry professionals, and potential employers. One of the key features of LinkedIn is its messaging system, which enables users to send emails directly to their connections. However, it has its limitations, as its free account only allows users to send messages to first-degree connections.
In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of sending an email on LinkedIn and provide valuable tips to ensure your messages are professional and effective. We will also show you how to use folk to reach second and third-degree connections.
Introducing LinkedIn's messaging system
Sending a message on LinkedIn is relatively simple if you want to reach out to a first-degree connection. It is a lot more challenging if you want to reach out to a second-degree or third-degree contact unless you have one of LinkedIn’s premium plans.
Using LinkedIn to send messages
There are a few things you should keep in mind before you use LinkedIn to send messages. Even if they are your first-degree connections.
Keeping your messages professional
When communicating with someone, it's crucial to maintain a professional tone in your messages. LinkedIn is a platform primarily used for professional networking, making it essential to present yourself in a manner that reflects your expertise and professionalism. Otherwise, you might find yourself considered spam – or blocked.
When writing a professional message to someone, it's important to be concise and to the point. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to the recipient. Instead, focus on clear and concise language that effectively conveys your message.
In addition to maintaining a professional tone, it's also important to be respectful and considerate in your communication. Always address the recipient by name and use a polite and friendly tone. Remember to proofread your message for spelling or grammatical errors before hitting the send button. Simple things such as spelling someone’s name correctly can make a huge difference to how well your message is received.
Furthermore, it's essential to personalize your message whenever possible. Take the time to research the recipient's background and interests, and mention any relevant information in your message. This shows that you have made the effort to understand their profile and makes your message more engaging and memorable.
Crafting a professional LinkedIn email
When reaching out to someone on LinkedIn, it's important to make a strong first impression. Your email should not only be well-written but also personalized and relevant to the recipient. By following a few tips and best practices, you can ensure that your LinkedIn email stands out from the rest.
Tips for writing a compelling subject line
Start by writing a compelling subject line that grabs the recipient's attention. Your subject line should be concise, clear, and relevant to the content of the email. Personalize it whenever possible, addressing the recipient by name or mentioning a common connection or interest.
For example, instead of using a generic subject line like "Networking Opportunity," you could personalize it by saying, "Mutual Connection Recommended I Reach Out." This shows that you have taken the time to research and find common ground, making your email more likely to be opened and read.
Tips for writing the email body
When writing the body of your LinkedIn email, keep it concise and focused. Start with a personalized greeting and introduce yourself if necessary. Clearly state the purpose of your email and provide any necessary context.
For instance, if you are reaching out to someone for a job opportunity, briefly mention why you are interested in their company and how your skills align with their needs. This shows that you have done your research and are genuinely interested in their organization.
It's important to maintain a professional tone throughout your email. Avoid using jargon or unnecessary technical language that may confuse or alienate the recipient. Keep in mind that not everyone may be familiar with industry-specific terms.
Additionally, consider using bullet points or numbered lists to break up the text and make it easier to read. This helps the recipient quickly grasp the main points of your email and enhances readability.
Lastly, always remember to proofread your email before sending it. Typos and grammatical errors can make you appear careless or unprofessional. Take the time to review and edit your email to ensure that it is error-free and polished.
By following these tips and best practices, you can craft a professional LinkedIn email that effectively communicates your message and leaves a positive impression on the recipient. Remember to be genuine, concise, and respectful in your communication, and you'll increase your chances of receiving a favorable response.
Introducing folk’s messaging system
Sending a message using folk’s all-in-one messaging tool is easy whether you’re familiar with the contact - or not. You can use it to import second and third degree leads you want to talk to directly from LinkedIn into folk’s intelligent CRM. Then, use hunter.io to find and verify someone’s email address.
By sending them messages from a CRM, you can easily keep it up to date and update it so you know exactly when your last interaction with them was, have all your notes in one place and set reminders for you or your team to follow up.
Use folk to send ultra-personalized messages to multiple recipients
Unlike LinkedIn, folk’s CRM system has an all-in-one messaging tool that helps users save time and craft personalized messages to make that first impression count.
It has powerful features such as a built-in AI integration called ‘Magic Field’ that allows users to create custom prompts. This tells the AI what data to pull out from your database so that you can send ultra-personalized messages to multiple recipients. We’ve got more on that here.
Know exactly when to follow up
If you don't receive a response within a certain time frame, you may consider sending a polite follow-up message to ensure your email was received and to reiterate your request or intention.
After sending your message, LinkedIn provides read receipts that indicate whether the recipient has read your message, but folk goes one step further.
folk’s intelligent CRM allows users to create a reminder against each contact so that you can tag your teammates and set a date so they know when it’s time to follow up.
Conclusion
LinkedIn’s messaging service is great if you only intend to use it to contact your first-degree connections. folk’s intelligent CRM helps you go that extra mile by giving you the tools to make the first impression to second and third-degree contacts you have on LinkedIn. What’s more, you’ll be able to easily import these contacts directly from your search list by using our Chrome extension, folkX. Try folk today, free.