--- name: linkedin-message-sequence description: "Use this skill when you need a LinkedIn outreach sequence that starts conversations instead of collecting ignored pitches: \"write a LinkedIn message sequence\", \"what do I send after they accept\", \"LinkedIn prospecting messages\". Designs the steps from connection to meeting (note, first message, value message, soft ask, close), writes each message in a conversational tone, sets timing and exit rules, and includes reply branches for the most common answers." license: MIT metadata: title: LinkedIn message sequence category: linkedin tags: "SDR, Founders, Agencies, Sales" author: prosyo version: "1.0.0" keywords: "linkedin message sequence, linkedin outreach templates, linkedin prospecting messages, claude linkedin outreach skill, linkedin follow up message" inputs: "Persona and problem, Offer and proof, Reason to connect" outputs: "Message sequence with timing, Reply branches, Exit rules" --- Use this to plan a LinkedIn campaign end to end. LinkedIn is a conversation channel; messages that read like emails pasted into a chat window get ignored. ## Inputs - Persona and the problem the campaign is about. - Offer and approved proof. - The reason to connect (from research, an event, content or a trigger). ## The play ### 1. Shape the sequence | Step | Timing | Job | Length | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Connection request | Day 0 | Get accepted | Under 200 characters, no pitch | | Message 1 | 1-3 days after accept | Start a conversation on the topic | 1-3 sentences, ends in a question | | Message 2 | 4-5 days later | Give value: an insight, resource or story | 2-4 sentences | | Message 3 | 5-7 days later | Soft ask tied to their answer or the topic | 2-3 sentences | | Message 4 | 7-10 days later | Close the loop warmly | 1-2 sentences | Voice notes and short videos can replace message 2 or 3 for Tier 1 contacts; they stand out because few people use them. ### 2. Write like a chat Short lines, no subject, no sign-off block, no bullet lists, no links in message 1. Ask questions people can answer from their phone in five seconds. ### 3. Bridge from topic to problem Message 1 is about the topic that made you connect. The bridge to your problem comes through their answer, or in message 2 with a peer insight. Read [references/linkedin-sequence-example.md](references/linkedin-sequence-example.md) for a full example with reply branches. ### 4. Handle replies fast LinkedIn replies expect a response within hours. Positive replies get a meeting link or two time options; questions get a direct answer, not a pitch. ### 5. Exit rules Stop on any reply (switch to manual), if they decline, or if someone at the same account books a meeting. Withdraw connection requests not accepted after 14-21 days. ## What good looks like - Message 1 gets a reply because it is a question about their world, not your product. - No message is longer than a phone screen. - Acceptance 30%+, reply rate on accepted connections 15-25%+ for a well-targeted list. - The common mistake is "Thanks for connecting! We help companies like yours..." sent seconds after acceptance. ## Rules - MUST wait at least a day after acceptance before the first message. - MUST stop automation the moment someone replies. - MUST stay within safe daily limits for invitations and messages. - NEVER pitch in the connection note or message 1. - NEVER send links in the first message. ## Example prompts - "Build a LinkedIn sequence for heads of finance at 50-200 person companies. Problem: slow month-end close." - "What should I send after people accept my connection request?" - "Rewrite our LinkedIn messages; they read like emails." --- # LinkedIn sequence example with reply branches Persona: Heads of Finance at 50-200 person companies. Topic: month-end close. **Connection note** > Your post on cutting close from 10 days to 6 had some smart ideas. Would be good to connect. **Message 1 (2 days after accept)** > Thanks for connecting, Maya. Curious: of the ideas in your post, which one actually saved the most time? The approval cut-off one surprised me. **Message 2 (5 days later, if no reply)** > One thing I keep hearing from finance leads at your size: the accounting is fast, it's the last-week approvals that drag. A controller at Contoso fixed it with a day-3 cut-off and one approval queue, and got to a 4-day close. Does that match what you see? **Message 3 (6 days later)** > If it's useful, I can send the checklist Contoso used. It's a one-pager, no strings. Want it? **Message 4 (8 days later)** > Will leave it here, Maya. If close time becomes a priority again, happy to compare notes anytime. ## Reply branches | Their reply | Your answer | | --- | --- | | Answers the question (engaged) | Respond to what they said first; then share one relevant insight; ask if the problem is live for them now | | "Sure, send it" | Send the asset, then: "Happy to walk you through how they rolled it out, 15 minutes this week or next?" | | "What do you do?" | One sentence of what you do and for whom, one proof point, then a question about their situation | | "Not a priority" | "Makes sense, thanks for saying so. Mind if I check back in a quarter?" | | "We already use a tool for that" | "Got it. Out of curiosity, how long does close take with it today?" (only if genuinely curious; otherwise thank them) | | "Not interested" / "Stop" | "Understood, I won't message again." Then stop everywhere. | ## Timing guardrails - Send during their working hours, weekdays. - No more than one unanswered message every 4 days. - Total LinkedIn messages without a reply: 4 at most.