LinkedIn follow-up message templates for sales
Once someone accepts your connection request, the first message decides whether this becomes a conversation. This template thanks them, asks one question about their work that's easy and interesting to answer, and holds the pitch back. If they reply, the move-to-email version takes it somewhere you can share details.
;sl-li-followup;sl-li-followup in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
When you have a genuinely relevant article, report or post to pass on.
After they've replied with interest. Moves the conversation to email.
When to use it
- A prospect just accepted your connection request.
- They've posted about a problem you can help with.
- They've replied and you want to move to email.
What to avoid
- Don't send a pitch deck in the first message.
- Don't ask "what are your goals for this year?". It's too broad to answer in a chat.
- Don't send a second message if the first got no reply within a week or two.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- First name
{fill:First name} - Their first name.
- Company
{fill:Company} - Their company name.
- Problem
{fill:Problem} - A problem common to their role, in plain words.
- Cursor
{cursor} - Where your cursor lands after the snippet expands, so you can start typing the personal part straight away.
- Their role
{fill:Their role} - Their job function, e.g. "ops lead". The template adds the plural "s".
- Topic they raised
{fill:Topic they raised} - The subject of the post you're responding to.
- Clipboard
{clipboard} - Pastes whatever you last copied, such as an order number or a link, into that spot.
- Similar customer
{fill:Similar customer} - A customer they'd see as a peer. Only names you're allowed to share.
Tips
- •The question should be answerable in one or two sentences. That's what makes it easy to reply on a phone.
- •Both LinkedIn triggers start with ;sl-li-, followed by connect or followup, so they're easy to tell apart.
- •Copy the article link first, then ;sl-li-followup fills it into the share version with {clipboard}.
Works in LinkedIn, Safari, Chrome and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
Share LinkedIn templates in the team pack and ask reps which of them they actually use. LinkedIn messages tend to drift into pitches over time, and a shared version keeps them in check.
See Retext for TeamsQuestions
What should my first LinkedIn message say after connecting?
Thank them, then ask one specific, easy question about their work. Save the pitch until they've replied and shown interest.
When should I move a LinkedIn conversation to email?
Once they've replied with interest and you have something to send: an example, a proposal, a calendar invite. Ask for the best address rather than guessing.
Related templates
LinkedIn connection request
;sl-li-connectSales
Hi [First name], I work with [Their role]s at companies like [Company] and would like to follow what you share. Happy to…
Cold email
;sl-coldopenSales
Hi [First name], Teams in that spot usually run into [Problem]. We help companies like [Similar customer] fix that witho…
Referral request
;sl-referralSales
Hi [First name], Glad [Result] is working well for [Company]. A quick ask: do you know one or two people in [Ideal conta…
Type ;sl-li-followup, get the whole reply
Retext expands your snippets in every Mac app and fills in names, dates and order numbers for you.
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