How to Write Follow-Up LinkedIn Messages: 21 Free Templates
Most LinkedIn outreach fails not because the first message was bad, but because there was no second one.
People are busy. Inboxes are noisy. A message that gets buried on a Tuesday afternoon isn't a rejection — it's just timing. The follow-up is where deals get made, conversations start, and relationships form.
Here's everything you need to know about LinkedIn follow-up timing, cadence, and 21 templates you can use today.
TL;DR
- Most replies come from follow-ups, not the first message
- The right cadence: Day 1, Day 4-5, Day 10-12, Day 18-21 (then stop)
- Every follow-up should add something new — never just "checking in"
- 21 templates across 8 scenarios: no-reply, post-connection, post-meeting, recruiters, networking, podcast invites, free resources, surveys, webinars, and cold calls
- Outly automates follow-up cadences so you never miss a window
Why Should You Follow Up on LinkedIn?
The data is clear: most positive responses to LinkedIn outreach come from the second, third, or fourth message — not the first. There are a few reasons for this.
First, timing. Your first message might arrive when someone is in back-to-back meetings, dealing with a deadline, or just not in the right headspace. A follow-up catches them at a better moment.
Second, familiarity. By the third touchpoint, your name isn't completely unknown. That small amount of recognition meaningfully increases the chance they'll engage.
Third, persistence signals seriousness. A single message can look like a mass blast. A thoughtful follow-up sequence signals that you've actually thought about this person specifically.
5 Tips to Write a Good Follow-Up LinkedIn Message
1. Add something new every time. "Just checking in" is the worst opener in the English language. It signals that you have nothing new to say. Every follow-up should add a new angle, a relevant piece of content, a question, or a time-sensitive hook.
2. Keep it short. A follow-up should rarely be longer than 3-4 sentences. If you need more space, you're probably over-explaining.
3. One ask per message. Don't ask for a call, a reply, and a referral in the same message. Pick one thing and ask for it clearly.
4. Don't apologize for following up. "Sorry to bother you again" is a confidence killer. You're reaching out because you have something valuable to offer. Own that.
5. Know when to stop. After three follow-ups with no response, stop. You've done your job. Continuing past that point damages your reputation and wastes your time.
21 Free Follow-Up LinkedIn Message Templates
Case 1: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message After No Response
These are for when you've sent a connection request or initial message and heard nothing back.
Template 1: The Simple Bump
"Hey [Name], wanted to make sure my last message didn't get lost. I'm reaching out because [one-sentence reason]. Worth a quick chat?"
Template 2: The New Angle
"Hi [Name], following up from last week. I came across [article/stat/insight] that made me think of our potential conversation. Still interested in connecting?"
Template 3: The Value Add
"Hey [Name], I know you're busy. I put together a quick [resource/guide/breakdown] on [topic relevant to them] — thought it might be useful regardless of whether we talk. Happy to share."
Case 2: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message to Recruiters
Template 4: The Application Follow-Up
"Hi [Name], I applied for the [Job Title] role at [Company] last week and wanted to follow up. I'm genuinely excited about this opportunity because [specific reason]. Happy to answer any questions or provide additional materials."
Template 5: The Proactive Reach-Out
"Hi [Name], I noticed you recruit for [type of role] at [Company]. I'm currently exploring new opportunities in [field] and think there could be a strong fit. Would you be open to a quick conversation?"
Template 6: The Post-Interview Follow-Up
"Hi [Name], thank you for the interview on [date]. I wanted to follow up and reiterate my interest in the [Job Title] role. Is there anything else I can provide to help with the decision?"
Case 3: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message After Networking
Template 7: The Event Follow-Up
"Great meeting you at [Event Name], [Name]! I really enjoyed our conversation about [specific topic]. Would love to continue the discussion — are you open to a quick call this week?"
Template 8: The Content Bridge
"Great to connect! I saw your recent post on [topic] and had a few thoughts. Would love to compare notes if you're up for it."
Template 9: The Shared Interest
"Happy to be connected! I've been following [their company/work] for a while. What's the most interesting challenge you're working through right now?"
Case 4: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message on a Podcast Invite
Template 10: The Initial Pitch Follow-Up
"Hi [Name], I reached out last week about having you on [Podcast Name]. I think your perspective on [specific topic] would resonate strongly with our audience of [audience description]. Still interested in exploring this?"
Template 11: The Specifics Follow-Up
"Hey [Name], following up on my podcast invite. I've been thinking about the angle — specifically, I'd love to dig into [specific topic from their work]. Would that be interesting to you?"
Case 5: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message on a Free Resource
Template 12: The Resource Delivery
"Hi [Name], I mentioned I'd share [resource name] — here it is: [link]. It covers [brief description of what's inside]. Let me know if you have questions or want to talk through any of it."
Template 13: The Resource Follow-Up
"Hey [Name], just checking in on the [resource] I sent over. Did you get a chance to look at it? Happy to walk through the key points if that would be useful."
Case 6: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message for a Survey
Template 14: The Survey Request
"Hi [Name], I'm doing research on [topic] and would love your perspective. It's a 3-minute survey — your input would be genuinely valuable. Here's the link: [link]. Thanks in advance!"
Template 15: The Survey Follow-Up
"Hey [Name], I sent a survey about [topic] last week. If you haven't had a chance yet, I'd really appreciate your input — it takes about 3 minutes. [link]"
Case 7: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message for Webinar Attendees
Template 16: The Post-Webinar Follow-Up
"Hi [Name], thanks for attending [Webinar Name]! I noticed you joined and wanted to follow up. Did you have any questions from the session? Happy to dig deeper on anything we covered."
Template 17: The Resource Share
"Hey [Name], great to have you at [Webinar Name]. I'm sharing the recording and slides with attendees — here they are: [link]. Let me know if anything sparked questions."
Case 8: Follow-Up LinkedIn Message After a Cold Call
Template 18: The Post-Call Follow-Up
"Hi [Name], great speaking with you earlier. As promised, here's [resource/proposal/next step we discussed]. Looking forward to [next step you agreed on]."
Template 19: The Voicemail Follow-Up
"Hi [Name], I left you a voicemail earlier about [topic]. Thought I'd follow up here too in case LinkedIn is easier. Happy to connect whenever works for you."
Bonus: Post-Meeting and Long-Term Nurture Templates
Template 20: The Stalled Deal Nudge
"Hi [Name], checking in on [proposal/next step]. I know things get busy — just want to make sure this doesn't fall through the cracks. What's the best way to move forward?"
Template 21: The Re-Engagement After Silence
"Hey [Name], it's been a few weeks since we spoke. I know priorities shift — is [the problem we discussed] still something you're focused on, or has the situation changed?"
The Follow-Up Timing Problem
There's a window. Follow up too soon and you look desperate. Wait too long and the context is gone.
For most LinkedIn outreach, this is the cadence that works:
- Day 1: Send the initial message
- Day 4-5: First follow-up (if no reply)
- Day 10-12: Second follow-up
- Day 18-21: Final follow-up (the "breakup" message)
After three follow-ups with no response, stop. One exception: if someone engages with your content (likes a post, comments) after you've messaged them, that's a signal. A fourth touch is reasonable in that case.
How to Automate Follow-Up Messages
If you're managing more than a handful of conversations, tracking follow-up timing manually breaks down fast.
Outly automates the cadence so you never miss a follow-up window. You set up your sequence once — initial message, follow-up 1, follow-up 2, breakup message — and Outly sends each message at the right time based on whether the prospect has replied.
If someone replies, the sequence stops automatically. You only see the conversations that need your attention.
Note: Outly's Starter plan starts at $39.99/mo and includes automated follow-up sequences, personalization variables, and reply detection. The Pro plan at $79.99/mo adds advanced AI personalization and higher volume limits.
The goal isn't to send more messages. It's to send the right message at the right time, consistently. That's what turns a cold contact into a warm conversation.
Conclusion
The templates above are starting points. What separates a follow-up that gets a reply from one that gets ignored comes down to specificity, brevity, and adding genuine value.
"I noticed you're expanding into [market]" beats "I thought you might be interested" every time. Generic follow-ups feel like mass mail because they are.
Pick the templates that fit your situation, customize them with specific details about each prospect, and send them at the right time. Then let Outly handle the cadence so you can focus on the conversations that matter.
Ready to automate your LinkedIn follow-ups? Start your free trial with Outly and set up your first sequence in under 10 minutes. Starter plan from $39.99/mo.
