How to Follow Up on LinkedIn Messages Without Being Pushy for B2B Partnerships

Building relationships on LinkedIn is one of the most effective ways to establish business-to-business (B2B) partnerships. However, following up on your initial message can be tricky. You want to remain professional, assertive, and persistent without crossing the line into being pushy. Striking the right balance between these elements is key to nurturing relationships and cultivating long-term partnerships.

In this actionable guide, we'll explore effective strategies for following up on LinkedIn messages in a way that builds rapport, encourages engagement, and leaves a lasting positive impression, without irritating the recipient. Whether you're reaching out for the first time or following up after an initial message, these tips will help you maintain professionalism and increase your chances of success.

Understand the Timing and Frequency of Your Follow-Up

Timing is a crucial factor when following up. You don't want to seem like you're pestering someone, nor do you want to let the conversation go cold. Here's a good rule of thumb when it comes to timing your follow-ups:

• Initial Message : After sending an introductory message, give the recipient at least 3-5 business days to respond. People are busy, and your message might have gotten lost in the shuffle.
• First Follow-Up: If you haven't received a response after a week, it's appropriate to follow up. Keep this message brief and courteous.
• Second Follow-Up: If there's still no response after another week or two, a second follow-up is fine. However, at this point, you should include something of value in your message, such as a resource or an interesting insight relevant to their business.
• Third and Final Follow-Up: If you've sent two follow-up messages without getting a response, it's time to consider leaving the conversation. Sending a third follow-up should only be done if there's a strong reason to believe that the prospect would be interested.

In general, aim for no more than three follow-ups. If no one responds after the third attempt, it's usually best to move on. It's about being persistent without being overwhelming.

Craft Your Follow-Up Message with Purpose

When following up, make sure your message is clear, relevant, and concise. A good follow-up message adds value and doesn't simply remind the recipient that they haven't responded. You want to provide a reason for them to engage with you.

Acknowledge the Lack of Response

Starting by acknowledging that the person may have missed your original message helps you come across as considerate and polite. Here's an example:

"Hi [Name], I realize you're probably really busy, so I just wanted to follow up on my previous message. I completely understand if this isn't the right time, but I wanted to see if you had a chance to take a look at my initial inquiry regarding [briefly state what you proposed]."

This shows empathy and patience, and it doesn't make the recipient feel bad about not replying earlier.

Offer Value in Every Message

Each follow-up should offer something valuable. Don't make the mistake of merely asking for a response. Instead, think about how you can benefit the person you're reaching out to. Here are some ideas:

• Share useful resources: Articles, case studies, webinars, or whitepapers that could be of interest.
• Offer a free consultation or insight: For example, offering a 15-minute call to discuss how your product can solve a specific problem they may face.
• Provide a new angle: If you have a new perspective on their business or challenges, share it with them. People appreciate fresh ideas that can help them grow their business.

Example:

"Hi [Name], I wanted to share this article that might help you streamline your workflow, as I know efficiency is important in [their industry]. Here's a link: [insert link]. Let me know what you think!"

This provides real value and positions you as a resource, not just someone trying to sell something.

Keep It Short and Sweet

Everyone's time is precious, especially in a professional setting. The more concise and to the point your follow-up message is, the better. Avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary details. The goal is to spark interest and get a response, not overwhelm the recipient with information.

Here's an example of an ideal follow-up message:

"Hi [Name], I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to follow up on my earlier message and see if you had any thoughts on the potential partnership between [your company] and [their company]. Let me know if you're interested in discussing this further."

This is short, clear, and to the point. You make it easy for the recipient to understand what you're offering and how they can respond.

Personalize the Follow-Up

Personalization is key to making sure your follow-up doesn't seem generic. Always refer to something specific about the person or their business to show that you've taken the time to research them before reaching out. It could be something you saw on their LinkedIn profile, a recent post they shared, or their company's latest achievements.

Example:

"Hi [Name], I saw your recent post about [topic], and it really resonated with me. At [your company], we specialize in [service], and I think it could be a great fit for what you're working on. I'd love to explore how we can collaborate and provide value to your team."

This makes the follow-up feel more genuine and thoughtful. It's not just about what you want but about how you understand and appreciate their work.

Use the "Soft Close" Technique

Instead of pushing for a definitive "yes" or "no," aim to leave the door open for further discussion. A "soft close" invites the recipient to engage without feeling cornered or pressured.

For example:

"I completely understand if now's not the right time for a partnership. However, I'd love to hear your thoughts or know if there's a better time to revisit this."

This phrasing shows respect for their time while leaving space for them to respond on their terms. You're not pressuring them for an answer but still keeping the conversation open.

Be Clear About Your Desired Outcome

While it's important to keep things low-pressure, you should still be clear about the outcome you're hoping for. Whether it's scheduling a meeting, discussing a potential partnership, or receiving feedback, don't leave the recipient guessing what you want. The more specific you are, the easier it will be for them to respond.

Example:

"Hi [Name], I'd love to schedule a quick 15-minute call to discuss how our partnership could benefit both of our companies. Are you available sometime this week?"

This clear request makes it easy for the recipient to take the next step without needing to figure out what you want.

Know When to Stop

After one or two follow-up attempts, if you don't receive a response, it's crucial to know when to step back. Continuing to follow up after multiple ignored messages can lead to frustration and harm your reputation. While it's tempting to keep pushing, sometimes the best course of action is to let the conversation go and revisit it at a later time.

If you don't get a response after your second follow-up, try to:

• Wait a few months before following up again (if you feel there's potential value in reconnecting).
• Engage with their content on LinkedIn in a non-intrusive way. Like, comment, or share their posts to stay on their radar.

This helps you stay on their radar without directly asking for a response. It shows that you respect their time and that you're genuinely interested in their work.

Always End on a Positive Note

Regardless of whether you receive a response or not, always end your follow-up messages on a positive, open-ended note. This keeps the door open for future conversations.

Example:

"I completely understand if now's not the right time. Please don't hesitate to reach out if anything changes. Wishing you continued success!"

This approach leaves the conversation on a friendly note, and you never know when a future opportunity might arise. It ensures that you part ways on good terms, even if the current moment isn't ideal for a partnership.

Conclusion

Following up on LinkedIn messages for B2B partnerships requires tact and professionalism. You want to be persistent without being pushy, and that's where the art of following up comes in. By timing your follow-ups appropriately, offering value, keeping your messages concise and personalized, and knowing when to step back, you can cultivate meaningful, lasting business relationships.

Remember that each follow-up is an opportunity to build rapport and show your value. By adopting a thoughtful, respectful approach, you'll increase your chances of turning a simple LinkedIn connection into a fruitful B2B partnership.

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