When to Follow-Up LinkedIn Messages for Best Results

Follow up on LinkedIn messages within one to five business days. The exact timing depends on the specific situation you are in. This approach keeps your name fresh in the recipient’s mind and also shows that you’re organized and genuinely interested.

Waiting too long can make people forget your initial contact, while following up too quickly may come across as pushy.

Finding the right balance is crucial for successful networking and lead generation on LinkedIn. We will explain the best times for different scenarios to help you improve your response rates. Keep reading to learn more.

Key Takeaways

• Follow up within 1-2 days after a connection is accepted.
• Wait 3-5 days if someone views your profile but does not reply.
• Send only 2-3 follow-up messages before moving on.

Why Following Up Matters on LinkedIn

Not following up on LinkedIn is a common pain point. It means missed chances for new business and connections. A good follow up message shows you are genuinely interested. It keeps the conversation moving forward. Many people send an initial message but then stop. This is where opportunities are lost.

A thoughtful follow up can make a big difference. It can lead to a sales call or a new job opportunity. Without it, your first message might be forgotten. Following up is a key part of any LinkedIn outreach strategy. It is how you build relationships, not just collect connections.

• Turns a cold connection into a warm lead.
• Demonstrates your professionalism and persistence.
• Significantly increases your overall response rates.

Scenario 1: After a Connection Request is Accepted

You should send your first follow up message within one to two days after someone accepts your connection request. This is when your name is still fresh in their inbox. Your goal is to start a real conversation. Do not just say “thanks for connecting”. Make it meaningful.

For example, reference something from their LinkedIn profile to show you did your homework. This personal touch makes your message stand out. It shows genuine interest in who they are and what they do. A generic message is easy to ignore. A personalized message is much more likely to get a reply.

For example, you could say,

“Hi [Name], thanks for connecting. I was impressed by your recent post about [specific topic]. It really resonated with me”

This approach is far more effective, and it naturally opens the door for a real dialogue. You can then smoothly transition into the reason for your connection.

Scenario 2: After the Lead Replies Once

Sometimes a lead will reply to your initial message but then go quiet. This moment matters because the timing of your next step can shape the direction of the conversation.

Instead of responding too quickly, give it three to five days before sending a second follow-up. Waiting a little helps you avoid sounding impatient, while still keeping the conversation warm and active.

Your follow up message should directly reference their last reply. This shows you were listening and that the conversation is important to you. It is not just a script you are running through. You can add new information or a different angle to reignite their interest.

A good message might be,

“Hi [Name], following up on your comment about [topic]. I was thinking about our chat and found this article you might find useful”

This adds value and shows you are thinking about their needs. It is a low-pressure way to re-engage. This strategy works well for both LinkedIn sales outreach and general networking.

Scenario 3: After the Lead Views Your Profile or Message

When you see that someone has viewed your profile or read your message but did not reply, it is a good sign. It means you have their attention. In fact, in a 2025 outreach study, campaigns that combined a message with another action (like a profile visit) achieved reply rates of up to 11.87%.[1]

After that, wait two to three days before you follow up, and then send a thoughtful message. This gives them a little space but acts on their shown interest. Your message should be friendly and offer something of value.

Do not ask

“Why didn’t you reply?”

That puts them on the spot. Instead, provide a reason for them to respond now. Share a helpful resource or make a new, relevant point.

You could write,

“Hi [Name], I noticed you viewed my profile. Given your work in [their field], I thought you might be interested in this case study on [specific topic]”

This approach is helpful, not demanding. It turns a passive action (viewing your profile) into an opportunity for an active conversation. This is a key tactic in effective LinkedIn messaging.

Scenario 4: After Meetings, Calls, or Interviews

Following up after a meeting, call, or interview reinforces the positive interaction and shows you’re genuinely excited about the opportunity. It also keeps next steps clear for everyone, reducing friction in the conversation. A message like this feels grateful, confident, and action-oriented, the kind of note that strengthens the relationship.

Why Fast Follow-Ups Matter After Meetings

Timely follow-ups help maintain momentum. When you send your message within a short window, you show that you value the conversation and are committed to moving things forward.

This approach leaves a strong final impression and builds trust, whether you’re discussing a potential partnership, exploring a business opportunity, or moving through a job interview process. A fast follow-up keeps the connection warm and ensures the conversation continues naturally.

How to Structure Your Follow-Up After Meetings

Additionally, your message should thank them for their time and briefly summarize the key points or next steps you discussed. This demonstrates professionalism and ensures you are both aligned on what comes next.

When you highlight shared goals or clarify responsibilities, your follow-up feels purposeful rather than routine. It also gives the recipient a quick recap they can refer back to later, which is helpful in busy schedules.

A simple, effective example could be,

“Hi [Name], thank you again for your time today. I really enjoyed our discussion about [topic]. As we agreed, I will send over the proposal by Friday.”

Scenario 5: No Response to Your Initial Message

If you get no response at all to your first message, wait three to five business days before following up. According to LinkedIn follow-up data, a second follow-up can boost reply rates by an average of +4 percentage points, especially when it brings a new angle.[2]

In this case, the goal here is to try a different approach. Your second follow up should not just repeat the first message. It should offer a new angle, a piece of value, or a different reason to connect.

Perhaps you can share a relevant article or a quick tip related to their business. You might frame your value proposition in a new way. The idea is to give them another, slightly different, reason to engage with you. Persistence is good, but repetition is not.

A message like,

“Hi [Name], I’m circling back on my previous message about [topic]. I just came across this data point that relates to your goal of [their goal] and thought it might be helpful”

can be effective. This adds value and shows you are thoughtful, and the method is far better than repeating the same message again and hoping for a different result.

General Best Practices for LinkedIn Follow-ups

There are a few simple rules that apply to all your follow up messages on LinkedIn. First, know when to stop. Sending too many messages can hurt your reputation.

A good rule is to send two or three follow up messages total. If you get no response after that, it is best to pause and try again in a few months or through a different channel like email outreach.

Always be mindful of timing. Send your messages during business hours in the recipient’s time zone. A message sent at 10 PM on a Saturday might be seen as intrusive. The tone of your messages is also critical. Always be polite and professional, even if you are frustrated. You never want to burn a bridge.

Most importantly, always aim to provide value. Every message you send should give the recipient a reason to care. This could be a useful insight, a relevant resource, or a genuine compliment. Value is what turns a follow up message into a successful conversation. Tracking your response rates can help you see what works best.

• Limit your follow-ups to 2-3 messages per contact.
• Always send messages during appropriate business hours.
• Maintain a helpful and professional tone in every message.

How BrandJet Helps with LinkedIn Follow-ups

Managing the timing and content of multiple follow up messages can be time-consuming. This is where BrandJet can help. Our platform is designed to streamline your LinkedIn outreach. You can plan and schedule your follow up messages in advance. This ensures you follow up at the optimal time, every time.

BrandJet helps you maintain that crucial personal touch. You can create personalized message templates that pull in details from a contact’s profile. This saves you time while making each message feel unique and relevant. It is the best way to scale your LinkedIn messaging without sounding robotic.

We also provide insights into your campaign performance. You can see which messages get the best response rates. These insights become even stronger when paired with smart LinkedIn automation that adapts to competitor trends.

Using BrandJet for your LinkedIn follow up messages means you can focus on building relationships, not on remembering schedules. You can try these features with a free trial to see the difference it makes.

FAQ

How many business days should you wait before you follow up on LinkedIn?

We usually recommend waiting one to five business days before you send LinkedIn follow up messages. This timing helps you stay respectful while keeping your initial message fresh.

When we follow up on LinkedIn, we try to read the situation and respond at the right moment. This simple habit improves response rates and helps you maintain a personal touch.

How can you write an effective follow up message on LinkedIn without sounding pushy?

We suggest keeping your follow up message warm and clear. You can start with a personal touch, mention a specific topic from their LinkedIn profile, and remind them of your previous message.

This shows genuine interest and makes your LinkedIn messaging feel human. This approach works well for lead generation, thought leadership, and even email outreach.

What should you do when someone views your LinkedIn message but does not reply?

When someone views your LinkedIn profile or your message on LinkedIn but does not reply, we recommend waiting a few business days before sending LinkedIn messages again.

Your second follow can share a helpful insight or a specific topic that matters to them. This shows continued interest without pressure and keeps the conversation open.

How many follow up LinkedIn messages should you send before you stop?

We suggest sending two or three follow up messages total. This works well for LinkedIn outreach, a job application, and general lead generation. If the person does not reply after your second follow, you can switch to email outreach.

Many people respond better there, especially when your messages show genuine interest and thoughtful follow-through.

Can you automate follow up LinkedIn messages and still keep them personal?

Yes. You can automate follow up LinkedIn messages while keeping a personal touch. We use personalized messages and message templates that still feel natural. This works well with LinkedIn automation tools, sales navigator workflows, LinkedIn sales tasks, and linkedin and email campaigns.

Automation helps you save time while still showing genuine interest in every connection request.

Conclusion

Mastering the timing of your follow up LinkedIn messages is a powerful skill. It combines patience with strategic action. The guidelines provided here offer a clear framework for different situations.

Remember to always prioritize adding value and maintaining a professional tone. Consistency in your follow-up efforts will lead to better networking results and higher response rates over time.

For a more efficient way to manage this process, you can create an account with BrandJet to start optimizing your outreach strategy today.

References

1. https://belkins.io/blog/linkedin-outreach-study/
2. https://expandi.io/blog/linkedin-follow-up-message/

Related Articles

• https://brandjet.ai/blog/multichannel-outreach/
• https://brandjet.ai/blog/linkedin-outreach/
• https://brandjet.ai/blog/linkedin-competitor-monitoring-tactics/