LinkedIn DM Templates That Get Responses (15 Copy-Paste Examples)

Most LinkedIn DMs get ignored. Not because the sender had bad intentions — but because the message felt templated, self-serving, or oddly formal for a platform where everyone is supposedly "just a human."

Here's the truth: a well-crafted LinkedIn DM can open doors that a cold email never would. The difference between a reply and silence usually comes down to three things — personalisation, brevity, and a clear reason why now.

This guide gives you 15 ready-to-use LinkedIn DM templates across five common scenarios: networking, job hunting, sales outreach, partnership pitches, and following up after connecting. Each one is designed to feel human, not copy-pasted (even though you're literally copy-pasting it).

Why Most LinkedIn DMs Fail

Before the templates, it's worth understanding why the inbox on LinkedIn is such a graveyard.

The average LinkedIn user in a professional role receives multiple unsolicited DMs per week. Most of them follow the same structure: "Hi [Name], I came across your profile and was really impressed. I'd love to connect and explore synergies."

Nobody replies to that. Here's why:

No specific hook. "I came across your profile" tells them nothing. What specifically caught your eye?
Vague ask. "Explore synergies" means nothing. What are you actually asking for?
Immediate value extraction. The message is about you, not them.

The templates below fix all three. They lead with something specific, ask for something concrete, and make it easy to say yes.

The 3 Rules for LinkedIn DMs That Work

1. Make the first line about them, not you. Reference something specific — a post they wrote, a job they just started, a company milestone, a shared connection.

2. Keep it under 100 words. If your DM requires a scroll to read, it requires effort to respond to. Friction kills reply rates.

3. One clear ask per message. Not "let's connect, explore a partnership, and jump on a call." Pick one. The clearest ask wins.

LinkedIn DM Templates for Networking

Template 1: After Seeing Their Post

Use when someone published a post that genuinely resonated with you.

Hi [Name], your post on [topic] hit home — especially the point about [specific thing]. I've been thinking about the same problem from the [your angle] side.

Would love to stay connected. No agenda, just genuinely found your take valuable.

Why it works: Specific reference + low-pressure close. You're not asking for anything.

Template 2: Mutual Connection Introduction

Use when a shared connection suggested you reach out.

Hi [Name], [Mutual Connection] mentioned you'd be a great person to know — specifically around [topic/industry].

I'm [one line about what you do]. Happy to connect and return the favour sometime.

Why it works: Social proof from someone they already trust does the heavy lifting.

Template 3: Same Event or Community

Use after a conference, LinkedIn event, or online community interaction.

Hi [Name], I saw your comment in [event/community] about [topic] — completely agreed with your take.

I'm building something adjacent in [space]. Would be great to stay in touch.

Why it works: Shared context creates instant common ground without cold-outreach energy.

LinkedIn DM Templates for Job Seekers

If you're actively looking for work, a well-timed LinkedIn DM to the right person can leapfrog your application past the ATS entirely. Check out our full guide to LinkedIn for job seekers for the bigger picture strategy.

Template 4: Reaching Out to a Hiring Manager

Use when you've applied (or are about to apply) and want to stand out.

Hi [Name], I just applied for the [Role] position at [Company]. I've been following [Company]'s work on [specific thing] and it aligns with exactly the kind of problem I've been working on at [current/past company].

Happy to share more context if helpful — just didn't want to be another resume in the pile.

Why it works: Shows you did your homework, and the last line is disarming.

Template 5: Informational Interview Request

Use when you want to learn about a company or role before applying.

Hi [Name], I'm exploring a move into [industry/role type] and your career path from [X to Y] is exactly the kind of transition I'm thinking about.

Would you be open to a 15-minute chat? I have specific questions and I'll keep it tight.

Why it works: "Specific questions" and "keep it tight" both signal you'll respect their time.

Template 6: Reconnecting with a Former Colleague

Use when you've fallen out of touch with someone who could be a reference or connector.

Hi [Name], it's been too long — I still think about [shared project/experience] often.

I'm exploring some new opportunities and would love to catch up briefly. Genuinely just to reconnect, not to immediately ask for something.

Why it works: Pre-empts the awkwardness of an obvious favour-ask by naming it directly.

LinkedIn DM Templates for Sales Outreach

This is where most people go wrong. Sales DMs on LinkedIn fail not because LinkedIn is the wrong channel — but because the messages treat it like a cold email blast. The platform rewards warmth and specificity.

For getting your opening line right on any outreach (DM or post), the Hooked AI LinkedIn Hook Generator is worth bookmarking — it's built to open with something that actually lands.

Template 7: Classic Warm Outreach (No Hard Sell)

Use for initial contact with a prospect who fits your ICP.

Hi [Name], I noticed [Company] just [milestone — hired, raised, launched, expanded]. Congrats on that.

We help [type of company] with [specific outcome]. Thought it was worth a note — happy to share more if timing is right.

Why it works: Ties the outreach to a triggering event, which makes it feel timely rather than random.

Template 8: Post-Engagement Outreach

Use when a prospect liked or commented on your post.

Hi [Name], thanks for the comment on my post about [topic] — appreciated your take.

I work with [type of company] on [specific problem]. Given your comment, thought there might be a connection worth exploring. Open to a quick chat?

Why it works: They've already opted into the conversation by engaging. The DM is just a natural next step.

Template 9: Referral-Style Opener

Use when someone at the prospect's company knows you or your product.

Hi [Name], [Name at their company] suggested I reach out — apparently you're the right person to talk to about [topic].

We [one-line value prop]. Would it make sense to connect for 20 minutes?

Why it works: Internal referral is the highest-trust opener available. If you don't have one, get one first.

Template 10: Content-Led Outreach

Use when you've created something (guide, report, template) that's directly relevant to them.

Hi [Name], I just published a [guide/report/template] on [topic] that I think would be useful for your team at [Company].

Happy to send it over — no strings, just thought it was relevant.

Why it works: Leads with value, not a pitch. The follow-up after they accept the resource is where the real conversation starts.

LinkedIn DM Templates for Partnerships and Collaborations

Template 11: Co-Marketing or Content Collaboration

Use with creators, newsletters, or brands that share your audience.

Hi [Name], I've been following your content on [topic] for a while — your post on [specific thing] was excellent.

I run [brand/platform] aimed at the same audience. Wondering if there's a collaboration angle worth exploring — a co-post, a shoutout swap, something low-lift to start.

Why it works: "Low-lift to start" removes commitment anxiety and makes yes easier.

Template 12: Podcast or Interview Guest Pitch

Use when pitching yourself as a guest or requesting to feature someone.

Hi [Name], I host [podcast/show] for [audience]. Your work on [specific topic] would genuinely resonate with our listeners.

Would you be open to a 30-minute conversation? Happy to send over details and a topic angle if you're interested.

Why it works: "Topic angle" shows you've thought past the logistics — you already have a plan.

LinkedIn DM Templates for Following Up

Template 13: Following Up After Connecting (No Prior Context)

Use when someone accepted your connection request but you haven't spoken.

Hi [Name], thanks for connecting.

I noticed you work in [area] — I'm doing something related at [your company/role]. Would love to know what you're currently focused on if you're open to it.

Why it works: Non-aggressive, curiosity-driven. Doesn't immediately pivot to a pitch.

Template 14: Following Up After No Reply

Use 5–7 days after an unanswered first message. One follow-up only.

Hi [Name], just wanted to bump this up in case it got buried.

Happy to share more context or come back at a better time — just let me know either way.

Why it works: Short, no guilt-tripping, easy to dismiss gracefully. The "either way" is key — it invites even a "not now" response, which is infinitely more useful than silence.

Template 15: The Re-Engagement (Long Lapsed Connection)

Use when you haven't spoken to someone in 6–12+ months but have a relevant reason to reconnect.

Hi [Name], hope things are going well. I saw [news about them / recent post / company update] and it made me think of you.

I've been working on [relevant thing] and it made sense to reconnect. No ask — just wanted to say hi and see how things are going.

Why it works: The trigger ("I saw...") justifies the outreach without it feeling transactional. Leaving the door open without a hard ask builds trust faster than forcing a close.

How to Personalise These Templates Without Spending Hours on Research

The templates above have placeholder brackets for a reason — they're starting points, not scripts. But that doesn't mean you need to spend 20 minutes on each message.

A quick 2-minute review before sending:

Scan their recent posts — did they publish anything in the last 30 days you can reference?
Check their About section — what's the one-line summary of what they do or care about?
Look at recent company news — fundraise, hire, product launch, or expansion?

That's usually enough to pull one specific detail that makes your message feel non-generic.

If you're sending outreach at scale, use a rotation of 3–4 templates and vary the personalisation trigger (post reference, mutual connection, company milestone). Never send the same template to two people who know each other.

What to Do After They Reply

The DM is the door-opener. What happens next depends on your goal, but a few universal principles:

Reply fast. Momentum in LinkedIn conversations fades quickly. Same-day reply is ideal.
Match their energy. If they're brief, be brief. If they wrote three paragraphs, write three paragraphs.
Move the conversation forward in one step. Don't ask three questions at once. Pick the most important one.

If you want help writing posts that attract inbound interest so you're DM-ing from a position of credibility, the Hooked AI LinkedIn Post Generator is worth trying — your content reputation directly affects your DM reply rate.

Ready to Write LinkedIn Content That Makes People Want to Reply?

Strong DMs start with a strong presence. If your profile and posts are working for you, people will recognise your name before they open your message — and that changes everything.

Try the Hooked AI LinkedIn Post Generator to create posts that build the credibility that makes your outreach land.