To succeed on LinkedIn, prioritize genuine human connection over spammy DMs. Personalize messages, keep them short, ask thoughtful questions, and offer value first. Build rapport naturally before discussing business. Consistent, authentic engagement fosters trust, leading to sales through service, not pushiness.
Every connection in your LinkedIn network represents a potential client, partner, or opportunity. Yet most people burn these relationships with generic copy-paste messages that scream desperation. There's a world of difference between spammy-sounding messages and successful outreach, and it doesn't involve fancy scripts or perfect timing. Just treat people like humans, keep it real, and ask the exact right questions.
Since January 2024 I increased my LinkedIn following from 7k to 43k with consistent action and genuine engagement. My AI for Coaches LinkedIn newsletter hit 8,000 subscribers in under three months without a single pushy DM. I focused on building relationships first, business second. Approach LinkedIn DMs with service instead of selfishness, so sales become a natural byproduct of connection.
Open every conversation with something specific about the person. Reference their recent post about scaling their startup. Mention the article they shared on leadership challenges. Comment on their impressive career transition.
When you nail this, your message stands out immediately. Your prospect sees you've taken time to understand them. The conversation starts from shared ground instead of a cold request or generic greeting. People respond to being seen, not sold to.
Forget the three-paragraph pitch about your revolutionary solution. Write one or two lines maximum. Save the life story for later. Your first message should feel like a natural conversation starter, not a sales presentation. Think WhatsApp, not email.
Imagine how you'd approach someone at a conference. You wouldn't launch into a 10-minute monologue about your product. You'd introduce yourself, find common ground, and see where the conversation leads. Apply this same principle to LinkedIn DMs. Response rates inevitably improve.
Questions are better than statements. But not just any question. Ask something that shows genuine interest in their expertise or experience. Make it easy to answer but interesting enough to spark conversation. Avoid a fact-finding question that feels like you're profiling them.
"How did you manage the transition from corporate to consulting?" beats "Can I pick your brain about business?" The first question shows you've done homework and value their specific journey. The second sounds like every other LinkedIn message disturbing their peace and cluttering their inbox.
Lead with generosity. Send an article relevant to their recent post. Share a resource that solves a problem they mentioned. Introduce them to someone in your network who could help their business.
Position yourself as someone who adds value first, and people naturally want to reciprocate. You're each working LinkedIn to grow your business, so make it easy for each other. Build genuine professional relationships that benefit everyone involved.
Once rapport exists, explaining what you do feels natural. No awkward pivots or forced segues needed. The conversation flows from personal connection to professional opportunity because you've established trust first.
Frame your work in terms of problems you solve, not services you sell. "I help coaches scale without burning out" connects better than "I sell AI automation tools." When your prospect sees themselves in the problem, they ask about your solution.
Find the intersection between your journey and theirs. Maybe you both transitioned from corporate to entrepreneurship. Perhaps you share similar challenges with scaling. These connection points create instant rapport.
"I noticed you left consulting to build your startup. Made the same jump two years ago, and the identity shift was harder than expected. How are you finding the transition?" Make it personal and relatable to open space for genuine exchange.
In a dream world, they ask for you to share your offer. You chat about their challenges and pains, what they've tried so far, and you've built sufficient rapport that they have made the enquiry. But what if that doesn't happen?
Practice sharing your offer in a variety of ways before you do. How would you say it to a friend who was sitting right in front of you? That's the line. That's how to present it. Be real. Give them an out. Make it easy for them to take the next step.
The worst time to network is when you desperately need something. The best time is when you're relaxed. So practice this process before you need it. Every day, spend ten minutes in your DMs. Message people and keep the conversations going. Relationships take time to build.
Share helpful content regularly. Engage authentically with others' posts. Ask about their challenges when you have nothing to sell. When you do have something to offer, you're reaching out to warm connections who already know and trust you.
Selling in DMs works when you prioritize relationships over transactions. Your next client is probably in your network right now, waiting for someone to approach them with genuine interest and real value. Yes, personalised outreach takes time. But quality is your friend, not quantity. Stop spraying generic messages and hoping they stick. Start having conversations worth having. The sales begin when you get the human part right.