LinkedIn has become more popular now because of the pandemic. So many people lost their jobs or struggled to make ends meet. As a result, they used as many available tools as they could use to find jobs. Also, the pandemic put a halt to face-to-face meetings. So, companies and employees needed new ways to connect.
But even before the global health crisis, professionals have long used the platform to connect with each other. They use it to grow their networks and increase brand visibility.
LinkedIn now has more than 180 million members. And more than one in four adults in the US regularly use the platform. In turn, that makes millions of messages sent between users every day.
These conversations are about anything business related. That could range from recruitment to business collaborations to planning tech demos.
So, LinkedIn’s platform gives people a place to have these conversations. But it would not help you advance your brand or career if you don’t know what to say. Knowing how to reach out effectively will enable you to reap the rewards of the platform. Spoilers, a standard social media greeting is not enough.
If the messages you send on LinkedIn are not engaging, they may lead towards nothing. At best, all you will get is a lukewarm response. So, fine-tuning your copywriting style is more important than you would think. It will lead to making an impression that lasts. Furthermore, it will help lead to meaningful action with your connections.
Admittedly, this task sounds intimidating. But you need not worry. This guide will help you improve your messaging skills so that you can truly use LinkedIn to advance your professional career.
Here are five copywriting tips you should keep in mind to find success on LinkedIn:
When Should You Establish The Hook
If you were a movie maker, when would you release the trailer for your movie? The most logical answer is to release it early. And the trailer must be engaging. It will help you garner attention, which will help the movie avoid becoming a flop.
That’s also true for the hook in your messages – an important part of a message, whether it’s outreach or a sales pitch. You should establish it early, and it has to be engaging. If your hook is not intriguing, everything you say later in the message will not matter. The recipient may not even read the whole thing.
So, how can you establish the hook? There are plenty of ways to do that. Choose one that suits your style or the topic best. No matter the type you choose, remember to make the hook connected to the main topic.
Here are the proven ways to establish a hook.
Question Hook
Did you know that you can capture people’s attention by starting your speech with a question? It pushes them into thinking mode and makes them visualize. Wanting to find the answer to the question, they will continue reading or listening. That said, using a question hook is one of the most effective ways to start your message.
Quotation Hook
This type of hook uses a quote from a known and respected person, commonly influential people that lived in the past. They are sure to trigger your recipient’s curiosity. Make sure to explain the quote’s meaning and its relevance to the topic so it will not be confusing.
Statistic Hook
“Eight out of ten dentists recommend this.” You’ve probably seen something like that in an ad somewhere. That’s another type of hook you can use. Make sure these figures are relevant to the topic and are from credible sources.
Anecdotal Hook
An anecdotal hook is where the writer uses a short story to capture the reader’s attention. You can do this but make sure not to make it too long. Otherwise, your recipient may think you are rambling nonsense or trolling them.
The Content of The Message
Now, you have captured your reader’s attention. It is time to move to the body of the message. The best thing to do is to introduce yourself briefly. Don’t forget to share relevant credentials to prove the professional skills you claim to have. Then, inquire about your recipient’s background and goals. After that, you can proceed to the pitch.
It’s important to highlight how you and the recipient will benefit from your offer. People on LinkedIn are more open to pitches compared to people on other platforms. But not being too pushy will help you stand out.
Personalize Your Messages
You can write one message and send them to all the people you connected with on LinkedIn. But that will come across as spammy. They will think you don’t care about them and that all you want is their money or help. That will make them less likely to respond.
So while templates are great, take time to personalize the messages for each person. Check their LinkedIn profile to see if there’s an area where your interests overlap. And mention those in your messages to make it feel like you are serious about wanting to connect with them.
Leverage FOMO
Not all LinkedIn users are active on the platform. In fact, reports reveal that only 22% of its users visit LinkedIn daily. So, you must make the most of what little time you have to connect with them. You should make it lead to meaningful action, like making them purchase your products.
A good way to do that is by leveraging the fear of missing out. Make them think that your solution will help them be on top of the competition. And make them think they are missing out if they don’t buy it today.
Please be careful not to make the message so pushy. Admittedly, it is not easy to strike a balance between these two. But you should find it after enough tries.
Keep Messages Short
LinkedIn is unlike Facebook, so you should not talk about irrelevant work-related things. So, keep your messages short and impactful. Sending long messages to people you just connected with is also strongly discouraged. It may overwhelm your recipient.
You can send longer and more detailed messages to your contacts if things go well. But still, keep not-related things out of the message.
And that’s it. Follow these tips to make the people you message on LinkedIn more likely to respond.
Why Should You Improve Your Linkedin Conversations Anyway?
Improving your LinkedIn conversations can have several benefits for both your personal and professional life. Here are a few reasons why you should work on improving your LinkedIn conversations:
- Build your network: LinkedIn is all about connecting with other professionals, and engaging in meaningful conversations can help you build your network. By engaging with others on LinkedIn, you can make new connections, find potential collaborators or clients, and stay up to date with what’s happening in your industry.
- Improve your communication skills: Engaging in LinkedIn conversations can also help you improve your communication skills. By participating in discussions and sharing your thoughts and insights, you can learn how to communicate your ideas and opinions in a professional setting effectively.
- Showcase your expertise: Participating in LinkedIn conversations is a great way to showcase your expertise and thought leadership. You can demonstrate your knowledge and thoughtfulness to others in your industry by sharing valuable insights and engaging in discussions.
- Learn from others: LinkedIn is a great platform to learn from others. Engaging in discussions with professionals in your industry can help you gain new insights and perspectives on various topics and issues. This can help you stay updated with the latest trends and developments in your field and potentially open up new opportunities for growth and development.
Overall, improving your LinkedIn conversations can benefit your personal and professional life. By building your network, improving your communication skills, showcasing your expertise, and learning from others, you can use LinkedIn to advance your career and grow as a professional.