The best LinkedIn cold messages open with the recipient, not you, stay under about 500 characters, and ask one easy question instead of pitching. Because LinkedIn has no subject line, the first sentence does all the work, so make it specific and about them. Below are ten by scenario, each with the video version that consistently outperforms text in the DM.
Send these after your connection is accepted. The first line is everything: LinkedIn shows it as the preview, so open with something specific about them, never a pitch. Keep the whole message shorter than you think it should be.
Thanks for connecting, {{firstName}}. I reached out because your work on {{topic}} lines up with what I do all day. Curious, how are you currently handling {{problem}} at {{company}}?When to use: The first message after they accept. Reference why you connected, then ask a genuine question about their world. Do not pitch on message one.
Your post on {{topic}} stuck with me, especially {{detail}}. We are seeing the same thing with {{role}} teams. Have you found anything that actually moves the needle on {{relatedProblem}}?When to use: When they have posted recently. Quoting a specific detail proves you read it and makes replying feel like continuing a conversation.
Hi {{firstName}}, most {{role}} teams I talk to are sending more and hearing back less, because everyone runs the same templated sequences now. Is that showing up for you at {{company}}, or have you cracked it?When to use: When you know the role well. Naming a pain they feel daily earns credibility, and the either-or question is easy to answer.
Saw {{company}} just {{trigger}}, {{firstName}}. Exciting. Teams usually hit {{challenge}} right at this stage. How are you planning to handle it?When to use: Right after a funding round, hire, or launch. The trigger makes the message timely and relevant instead of random.
Hi {{firstName}}, I pulled together a short breakdown of what is working for {{role}} teams on outbound right now. Want me to send it over? No strings, thought it might be useful for {{company}}.When to use: When you have something genuinely helpful to share. The promise of a useful resource, not a demo, makes replying worthwhile.
Noticed {{company}} runs outbound on {{competitor}}, {{firstName}}. Solid tool. Most teams hit a wall when they want to actually convert, though: no video, no reply pipeline. Curious whether that has come up for you yet?When to use: When you have a signal they use a specific rival. Respect the incumbent, then open the gap gently with a question rather than a pitch.
Hi {{firstName}}, your background in {{skill}} is exactly what a team I work with is looking for. No hard pitch, just wanted to open the door. Would it be worth a quick chat about what they are building?When to use: For recruiters reaching passive candidates. Lead with genuine interest in their skills and keep the pressure low.
Hi {{firstName}}, we are both close with {{mutual}}, who spoke highly of you. I help {{role}} teams {{outcome}}, and it felt like a conversation worth having. Open to it?When to use: When you have a real mutual connection. Borrowed trust does the heavy lifting, so lead with the name.
This has been a good exchange, {{firstName}}. Rather than keep it in the DMs, want to grab 15 minutes so I can show you exactly how it would work for {{company}}? Here is my calendar: {{bookingLink}}.When to use: After a couple of exchanges, when there is real interest. Offer the call with a direct link so they can book in one tap.
Hi {{firstName}}, we chatted a while back and the timing was not right. Things have moved since: {{whatChanged}}. Felt worth circling back given where {{company}} is now. Still on your radar?When to use: For conversations that went quiet. Name what has changed so the revive feels earned, not like a random bump.
Text blends in. A personalized video does not. Weezly clones your face and voice from one two-minute recording, then sends a unique video to every prospect, with their name and your booking page underneath. In our data that lifts replies about 2.7x, with a 68% watch rate.
Under about 500 characters, and shorter is better. LinkedIn messages are read in the notification preview and on mobile, so a message you can take in at a glance gets more replies than a wall of text.
No. The first message after connecting should reference why you reached out and ask one genuine question about them. Pitching immediately is the fastest way to get ignored. Earn the conversation first, then introduce your value when it is welcome.
Yes. A personalized video in a LinkedIn DM stands out because almost nobody sends them, and it proves a real person is behind the message. In our data, video lifts replies about 2.7x with a 68% watch rate. Weezly sends real video files natively in the DM, not links or GIFs.
Three to four touches after connecting, spaced a few days apart, each adding something new. End with a soft break-up rather than repeating the same ask. If they engage at any point, slow down and have a real conversation.
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