# Linkedin Outreach > - Running a LinkedIn connection or prospecting campaign targeting decision-makers - Skill: `uitbreidenos/linkedin-outreach` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add uitbreidenos/linkedin-outreach` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/uitbreidenos/linkedin-outreach/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Marketing & Growth - Author: UitbreidenOS (https://skillmd.com/u/uitbreidenos) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/uitbreidenos/linkedin-outreach --- # LinkedIn Outreach ## When to activate - Running a LinkedIn connection or prospecting campaign targeting decision-makers - Scaling outreach to warm audiences without email addresses - Building a B2B sales or partnerships pipeline using social selling - Testing content-led demand generation with DM follow-ups - Activating Sales Navigator to filter and prioritize high-intent prospects ## When NOT to use - Email is the primary channel and LinkedIn is a secondary validation tool (use email-first sequences instead) - You don't have time to commit to the 48-72 hour engagement cadence (LinkedIn requires warmth; cold batching fails) - Your product or service is not suitable for professional networking (B2C consumer goods, low-LTV offers) - You are unable to create or actively engage with valuable content before launching outreach (content-led tactic requires real participation) ## Instructions ### 1. Connection Request Formula: No Pitch, One Specific Hook **Core principle**: A connection request is not a sales moment. It is a permission request. Prospects accept because they see a reason to know you, not because you showed them a benefit. **Structure**: - Personal note (10-20 words max) - Exactly one specific reference: their post, your shared group, or mutual connection name - No call-to-action, no LinkedIn value prop, no job description language **Examples of strong hooks**: - "Loved your post on [specific take/finding]. We're solving the same problem in [domain]." - "I see we both follow [person] and care about [topic]. Worth connecting." - "Your 2-part thread on [subject] changed how I think about [angle]. Let's connect." **What kills acceptance**: - "I see you work at [company]. Let's talk about [service]." - "I'd love to learn more about your business and see how we can help." - Anything mentioning a discount, demo, or meeting. --- ### 2. The 3-Step Warm-Up Cadence (7-10 Days) This is the sequence that unlocks reply rates. Skip any step and you are back to cold outreach. **Step 1 — Engage Their Content (Days 1-3)** - Find a recent post they authored (LinkedIn algo favors creators). - Write a 1-2 sentence comment that adds new information or asks a thoughtful question. - Do NOT tag them or ask them to respond. Just signal intelligence. **Step 2 — Send Connection Request (Day 4-5)** - Use the hook formula above. - Wait 24-48 hours after your comment so it doesn't look automated. **Step 3 — Send First Message (Day 3-4 After Accept)** - Do not message the instant they accept; wait 48-72 hours. - Timing is behavioral signal: you're not desperate, you're intentional. - Message structure is defined in section 3 below. **Why this works**: You are already top-of-mind from your comment. You've shown domain knowledge. The delay demonstrates respect for their time. Acceptance is a yes; the message is the ask. --- ### 3. LinkedIn Message Structure: 50 Words, One Question, No Links **Length**: 40-50 words. Anything longer drops reply rate by 40%. **Structure**: 1. Micro-personalization (1 line): reference something they said, did, or built. 2. One relevant question (1-2 lines): about their work, challenge, or perspective. Not "How are you?" 3. No links, no PDFs, no attachments in the first message. 4. No CTA. No "let's hop on a call." No "I'd love to chat." Let them respond naturally. **Message template**: ``` [Name], noticed your thread on [specific insight]. Quick q: [specific question about their domain/role/challenge]? ``` **Real example**: ``` Sarah, your post on customer retention vs. acquisition spend was refreshing. Quick q: At [company], are you seeing unit economics improve faster with retention loops, or is CAC still your bottleneck? ``` **What kills replies**: - "I've been following your content for a while..." (generic stalker energy) - "I work at [company] selling [solution]..." (pitch in first message) - Links to your site, case study, or demo video (screams sales) - "Let me know if you're open to exploring this." (no specificity, no reason to respond) --- ### 4. Social Selling Index (SSI): Why 70+ Matters for InMail Deliverability LinkedIn's algorithm uses SSI to rank sender credibility. InMail reach and acceptance rates are tied directly to your SSI. **What SSI measures** (out of 100): - Professional brand (25 points): Profile completeness, keyword relevance, recommendations - Finding the right people (25 points): Meaningful connections, search filters used, quality engagement - Engaging with insights (25 points): Comments on posts, thoughtful reactions, shares - Establishing credibility (25 points): Endorsements, recommendations, profile credibility signals **Minimum threshold**: 70+. Below 70, your InMails land in spam or are heavily deprioritized. **How to build SSI before a campaign** (2-3 weeks): - Post 1-2 times per week on your expertise. - Comment meaningfully (not emoji-reacting) on 5-10 posts daily. - Endorse 20-30 connections for skills aligned to your position. - Get 2-3 recommendations refreshed (ask existing clients or colleagues). - Complete your profile with a professional headline that includes keywords. **Maintenance during outreach**: Your SSI will drop if you only message and don't engage. Spend 10 minutes daily on genuine engagement to keep SSI above 75. --- ### 5. Content-Led Outreach: Demand Generation via DM **The sequence**: **Week 1-2**: Publish valuable content - 1-2 posts on a problem your ICP faces, with a unique angle (not commodity advice). - Target high engagement: honest frameworks, unpopular opinions, data, or storytelling. - Optimal length: 5-8 bullet points or a short narrative. Aim for 50+ comments. **Week 2-3**: Identify engagers - Scan comments. Note who wrote multi-word comments (signal of real interest, not bot activity). - Pull a list of engagers' profiles. - Cross-reference against your ICP filters (seniority, company size, function). **Week 3-4**: Send warm DM - Use the same 50-word message structure. - Start with: "Saw your comment on my post about [topic]. Your take on [their comment] was spot-on." - Ask a follow-up question tied to their comment. - No pitch. No link to your offering. **Why it works**: They engaged with your content before you reached out. They chose you first. Reply rates are 3-4x higher than cold outreach. --- ### 6. Sales Navigator Filters: The Exact Sequence That Works **Step 1: Base ICP Filters** - **Location**: Filter to geographic markets you serve (or have successful case studies in). - **Seniority**: Director+ (or your ICP's role level). Exclude Interns, Coordinators. - **Company size**: Headcount range tied to your product fit (e.g., 50-500 for SMB, 500-5000 for mid-market). - **Industry**: If applicable. Leave blank if your product is cross-industry. **Step 2: Intent Signals (most important)** - **Posted in last 30 days**: Creates recent intent. Recent posters = active, engaged, top-of-feed. - **Engagement level**: Filter to 2nd or 3rd-degree connections (warmer than 4th-degree). - **Keywords**: Search for roles that include your buyer function (e.g., "VP Sales," "Sales Ops," "GTM"). **Step 3: Exclude Noise** - **Company size floor**: Remove micro-companies if your ACV doesn't support small deals. - **Avoid job transitions**: If someone just changed roles (< 3 months), they may still be onboarding. **Step 4: Export & Segment** - Export 100-150 profiles per week (not all at once). - Segment by seniority + function for personalization (director-level demand gen reps vs. director-level marketing ops). - Prioritize "Recently posted" — they're warm. **Realistic cadence**: 20-30 outreaches per day (mix of messages to recent acceptances and new connection requests). Never batch blast; spread over 2-3 weeks. --- ### 7. Voice Note Tactic: 30-Second DM Audio for 2-3x Higher Reply Rates **When to use**: After connection accept, instead of your first text message (or as a follow-up to a text message that got no reply). **Why voice works**: - Rare. Most outreach is text. Voice signals effort and authenticity. - Tonality matters. They hear your confidence, not your pitch. Confidence builds trust. - Harder to ignore than text (slight notification friction). - 2-3x higher reply rate than text messages in B2B sales data (limited but consistent). **Structure** (30 seconds, no more): 1. First 5 seconds: Warm greeting, reference specific insight (post, role, company). 2. Next 15 seconds: One focused problem or observation tied to their world. 3. Last 10 seconds: One question. Keep it open-ended, not leading. **Script template** (read this aloud; takes ~30 seconds): ``` "Hi [name], [your name] here. I saw your post on [specific topic] — loved your perspective on [angle]. I'm curious: at [company size/stage companies], are you seeing [specific challenge they likely face] get harder or easier to solve? Would love your take. Talk soon." ``` **How to record**: - Use LinkedIn's voice message feature (camera icon > audio). - Do one take. Imperfections (slight pauses, natural cadence) = authenticity. - Under 30 seconds. Test the duration in a draft first. **Follow-up if no reply (1 week later)**: - Send a single-line text: "No pressure, but curious on your thoughts from the voice note. Let me know if I missed the mark." - Offer an out gracefully. --- ## Example **Scenario**: You work for a mid-market PLG company selling a data platform to product ops leaders. Your ICP: Product Ops, Analytics Manager at B2B SaaS with 50-500 employees, and they're in growth phase. You want to run a 3-week LinkedIn campaign targeting 30 prospects. --- **Week 1: Setup and Content** *Day 1-3: Build SSI* - Post once: "Why most companies measure DAU but optimize for CAU (customer acquisition unit). Here's why that misses the funnel's real bottleneck." (5-bullet thread, framework-driven). - Engage: Comment on 5 posts from thought leaders in product and data. Write 2-3 sentence comments with added insight (no emojis, no "love this"). - Endorse: Add 20 connections for "Product Analytics," "Data Strategy," "Product Ops." Refresh 2 recommendations. *Day 4-7: Sales Navigator Setup* - Filter: - Seniority: Director+, Manager level. - Company size: 50-500 headcount. - Industry: B2B SaaS. - Posted in last 30 days. - Avoid companies with < 10 employees. - Export 30 profiles. Tag them by seniority (15 directors, 15 managers). --- **Week 2: Phase 1 — Engagement & Connection** *Day 8-12: Engage Their Content* - For each of your 30 prospects, find a recent post (published in last 14 days). - Comment with a 2-line insight. Example: - *Their post*: "Struggling to get product ops buy-in for data governance." - *Your comment*: "The gap is usually between what product ops needs (speed) and what data needs (structure). The teams talking past each other. What's your team optimizing for—data quality or velocity?" *Day 13-15: Send Connection Requests* - Wait 48 hours after your comment. - Use this template: "[Name], loved your take on [their specific insight]. We're building in the same space—worth connecting." - Personalize the "insight" — make it real to their post, not generic. --- **Week 2-3: Phase 2 — First Message After Accept** *Day 3-4 after accept (roughly Day 16-20):* **For acceptances who posted recently** (textual message): ``` Sarah, your thread on building a single source of truth for product metrics resonated. Quick q: are you finding that orgs prioritize metric standardization, or does every team still maintain their own version? ``` **For your hottest 5 prospects** (voice message instead): - Script: "Hi Sarah, [your name] here. I read your post on metric standardization last week — really smart framing on the organizational debt angle. I'm curious: at your company size, are you dealing more with tool sprawl making it worse, or is the real issue teams not wanting to adopt a standard? Would love your take. Talk soon." - Record, send. --- **Week 3: Phase 3 — Content-Led Warm Follow-Up** - Your Week 1 post performed well: 150+ comments. - Scan for engaged commenters who fit your ICP. - Identify 10-15 new prospects from commenters. - Send warm DM: "Sarah, saw your comment on my post about [topic]—your point on [their specific comment] is exactly what we're seeing with our customers too. Quick q: [relevant question tied to their comment]?" - No pitch. No link. --- **Week 3 Results (realistic)**: - Connection accept rate: 35-45% (warm comments drive this). - First message reply rate: 12-18% (voice messages 2-3x higher if you use them). - Qualified conversations (not just replies): 3-5. - Sales conversations started: 1-2 (enough to justify the 3-week effort). --- **Key numbers to track**: - SSI: Should stay 75+ throughout (if it drops, pause outreach and engage for a week). - Comment-to-accept: Days 2-4 (should see accepts by Day 5-6). - Accept-to-first-reply: Days 3-10 (longest conversion window). - Voice vs. text reply rate: 2-3x gap (validate this for your ICP). --- 📺 **[Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more deep dives](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcvK8pHyqeR7Q_0lYkuHlUg)**