The Ultimate LinkedIn Messaging Guide

CHAPTER 9WHEN TO SEND A MESSAGE ON LINKEDIN

Timing is very important when it comes to sending messages on LinkedIn; we've all seen the memes showing someone disappointed with the text, “That moment you accept a connection request and then instantly get hit with a sales pitch.”

• Some call it spray and pray.
• Some call it spamming.
• Some call it pitch slapping.

It actually can get worse than that…

Some people now connect and then send a really nice, well‐written and personalised message. “What's wrong with that, Dan?” I hear you ask…

Well, this is what usually happens:

• SALESPERSON: “Hi, Dan, I really loved your post last week. Thank you for connecting. Was the sales manager you mentioned really that bad?”
• ME: “Ah, thank you. I'm glad you like the post. Yes, they really were. It's scary to think there are managers out there like that.”
• SALESPERSON: “Yes, I agree. By the way, I saw you're the CEO of The Daily Sales, and I wondered if you were free tomorrow to discuss a new email platform for your business?”

Insert Ron Burgandy saying, “Well, that escalated quickly” (an Anchorman reference for anyone who didn't get it).

So, when I say timing is important, it's really important.

There are a few factors that will determine the best time to message a prospect. Some prospects are best messaged quite soon after connecting, such as C‐Level, VPs and senior leadership roles. They are often too busy to do the social selling “dance” of engagement and content sharing and often prefer that ...