If you’re sending LinkedIn messages through automation and getting nothing but crickets, you’re not alone. Most cold outreach is ignored—and honestly, most of it deserves to be. This guide is for anyone using Heyreach who wants their LinkedIn message templates to stand out for the right reasons and actually get real replies. Whether you’re in sales, recruiting, or just trying to grow your network, you’ll get honest advice here—no buzzwords, no empty promises, just what works (and what doesn’t).
Why Most LinkedIn Outreach Fails
Let’s get this out of the way: most people hate getting generic sales pitches in their DMs. LinkedIn inboxes are full of “Hi [First Name], I help companies like yours achieve 10x growth”—and you know where those messages end up.
What really works? Messages that sound like an actual human wrote them, sent to the right people, at the right time. Heyreach can help with the mechanics, but the words are still up to you.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Goal
Before you write a single message, ask yourself: what do I actually want from this person? Set one clear, realistic goal for your sequence. Examples:
- Book a quick intro call
- Get a reply to a specific question
- Share a resource and start a conversation
Don’t try to do everything at once. If your message looks like a wall of text with five calls to action, you’ll lose them.
Pro Tip: Be honest about what’s in it for them. If you can’t answer that, you’re not ready to message.
Step 2: Build a Target List That Makes Sense
Even the best-written message template won’t save you if you’re blasting it out to the wrong crowd. Before you set up your Heyreach campaign, make sure your LinkedIn search filters are tight.
- Use job titles and industries that actually match your offer.
- Exclude obvious mismatches (recruiters, students, people outside your region).
- Check a sample of profiles before you hit “go.”
This is basic, but it’s the most common mistake. No amount of personalization will fix bad targeting.
Step 3: Write Like a Human (Ditch the Robot Talk)
Now, let’s get to the message itself. Templates are fine, but you need to sound like yourself—not like a robot trained on 10,000 B2B emails.
What to avoid:
- “I hope this message finds you well.” (No one talks like this.)
- Buzzwords: “synergy,” “innovative solutions,” “industry-leading.”
- Long paragraphs. People skim.
What to do instead:
- Use simple words and short sentences.
- Get to the point quickly.
- Personalize in a way that makes sense (more on that next).
Example (bad):
Hi [First Name],
I wanted to reach out because I help businesses leverage cutting-edge solutions to drive success and maximize ROI. Let’s connect to synergize!
Example (better):
Hey [First Name],
Saw you’re working on [something specific from their profile]. Quick question—are you open to chatting about [specific value/offering]?
Step 4: Personalization—But Not the Fake Kind
Everyone says “personalize your outreach,” but most personalization is just slapping someone’s name or company into a template. That’s table stakes.
What really works:
- Mention something real from their profile. A recent post, a mutual connection, or a detail about their role.
- Reference a challenge they might actually have (but don’t pretend you know everything about their business).
What to ignore:
- Over-the-top flattery (“Your profile is impressive!”) comes off as fake.
- Canned “I noticed we’re both in [industry]” intros. Everyone uses these.
Pro Tip: If you can’t think of a real reason to message them, don’t send it.
Step 5: Craft a Short, Clear First Message
The first message is the hardest. If it’s too long, it won’t get read. If it’s too vague, it won’t get a reply.
Keep it to 2-3 short sentences. Your goal is a reply, not a sale.
Template framework:
- Greet them naturally.
- Mention something specific/relevant.
- Ask a low-commitment question or make a clear, reasonable ask.
Example:
Hey [First Name],
Noticed you’re leading sales at [Company]—curious, are you using any tools for outbound right now?
If you’re open to quick ideas, let me know.
Why this works: - It’s short and specific. - You’re not asking for a meeting right away. - It’s easy to reply (“Yes” or “No” is enough).
Step 6: Follow-Up Without Being Annoying
Most replies come after a follow-up—usually the second or third touch. But don’t just copy-paste the first message again.
Smart follow-ups:
- Reference your last message (“Just bumping this up in case it got buried.”)
- Add a new angle or bit of value (“Saw your company just announced [news]. Congrats!”)
- Keep it short. Two sentences, max.
What not to do:
- Don’t guilt-trip (“I haven’t heard back—did I offend you?”)
- Don’t send more than 2-3 follow-ups. If they’re not interested, let it go.
Example follow-up:
Hey [First Name],
Just wanted to check if outbound tools are on your radar this quarter.
No worries if not—happy to share a quick tip if you’re interested.
Step 7: Test, Track, and Tweak
Don’t trust anyone (including me) who tells you there’s a “perfect” template. What works for one audience might bomb with another.
If you’re using Heyreach, take advantage of A/B testing. Set up two versions of your message and see which gets more replies. Look at:
- Response rates (not just connection acceptances)
- Quality of replies—are people actually interested, or just being polite?
- Where people drop off in your sequence
Pro Tip: Don’t change everything at once. Tweak one thing, test, then tweak again.
What to Ignore (and What to Double Down On)
A few things you can safely ignore:
- Fancy formatting or emojis. They don’t move the needle.
- Overly complex sequences. Two to three messages are enough.
- “Growth hacks” that promise to 10x your reply rate overnight.
What to do instead:
- Focus on clarity and relevance.
- Keep improving your targeting.
- Write like you’re talking to a real person.
A Note on LinkedIn Limits and Deliverability
LinkedIn is cracking down on spammy automation. Even with a tool like Heyreach, keep your daily limits reasonable and don’t blast thousands at once. Quality beats quantity every time.
- Start slow, especially with new accounts.
- Warm up your LinkedIn profile with real activity (liking, commenting) before going full automation.
- Regularly prune your audience to avoid hitting dead ends.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Keep Improving
Don’t overthink it. The best Heyreach message templates are the ones that sound like you—and that respect the person on the other end. Write short, specific messages, send them to the right people, and don’t be afraid to keep tweaking.
Most importantly, don’t get discouraged by low reply rates. Most outreach gets ignored, but if you stay real and keep improving, you’ll stand out from the noise. Start simple, and get better as you go.