LinkedIn Cold Outreach Sequence Builder
Plan your multi-touch LinkedIn cold outreach sequence with recommended timing, message types, and follow-up cadence. Build sequences that book meetings.
Choose Your Sequence Type
Standard B2B Outreach
The classic LinkedIn outreach sequence. 5 touches over 4 weeks with a mix of value-add and direct close messages.
Best for: Most B2B sales teams
Multi-Channel Sequence
Alternate between LinkedIn and email touches for higher visibility. Ideal for mid-market and SMB outreach where deals close faster.
Best for: Higher-velocity sales
Enterprise Account Sequence
Longer, research-heavy sequence for enterprise accounts. Includes phone calls, deeper personalization, and multi-stakeholder engagement.
Best for: Enterprise deals ($50K+)
Recruiting Outreach
Shorter sequence focused on getting a response from passive candidates. Lead with the role opportunity and company story.
Best for: Passive candidate outreach
Standard B2B LinkedIn Outreach Sequence
The proven 6-touch LinkedIn cold outreach sequence used by top B2B sales teams. Customize each step with our free message generator.
Connection Request
Send Personalized Connection Request
Target: 25–40% acceptance rateGoal: Get accepted into their network
Key Tips
- Keep under 300 characters
- Reference something specific about them
- No pitch in the connection note
- Mention a mutual connection or shared interest if possible
Example Message
“Hi {{first_name}}, I noticed your work on {{specific_topic}} at {{company}} — really impressive. I work in {{your_industry}} and would love to connect!”
First Message
Thank You + Value Opener
Target: 10–20% reply rateGoal: Start a conversation, not pitch
Key Tips
- Thank them for connecting
- Lead with value — share an insight or resource
- Do NOT pitch your product yet
- Ask a curiosity-piquing question
Example Message
“Thanks for connecting, {{first_name}}! I recently put together a guide on {{relevant_topic}} for {{their_role}}s — happy to share it if useful. No strings attached!”
Follow-Up
Value-Add Follow-Up
Target: 8–15% reply rateGoal: Re-engage with a fresh angle
Key Tips
- Don't just say 'following up'
- Offer a new piece of value or insight
- Reference something from their recent LinkedIn activity
- Make it easy to say yes with a simple question
Example Message
“Hi {{first_name}}, I saw {{company}} recently {{trigger_event}} — congrats! I thought of a specific way we've helped similar companies in your position. Worth sharing?”
Soft Close
Direct Ask — Meeting Request
Target: 5–10% reply rateGoal: Book a call or meeting
Key Tips
- Make a clear, direct ask for a call
- Keep the ask low-friction (15 minutes)
- Offer specific times or use a scheduling link
- Reference the value you've already provided
Example Message
“Hi {{first_name}}, I've been thinking about {{company}}'s {{challenge}}. I'd love to share what's worked for {{similar_companies}} in 15 minutes. Would Tuesday or Wednesday work?”
New Angle
Different Approach
Target: 4–8% reply rateGoal: Re-engage cold prospects with a new frame
Key Tips
- Try a completely different angle
- Ask a question rather than pitching
- Reference industry news or trends relevant to them
- Shorter is better at this stage
Example Message
“Hi {{first_name}}, rather than pitch — what's the biggest challenge your team faces with {{relevant_topic}} right now? Happy to share what others in your space are doing.”
Break-Up Message
Final Touch — Break-Up Message
Target: 2–5% reply rateGoal: Get a response from fence-sitters
Key Tips
- Signal this is your last message
- Keep it short and genuine
- Leave the door open for the future
- No pressure or guilt-tripping
Example Message
“Hi {{first_name}}, I'll leave you in peace after this — I know timing isn't always right! If {{pain_point}} ever becomes a priority, I'd love to be your first call. All the best!”
LinkedIn Outreach Sequence Benchmarks
Connection acceptance rate
Improve with personalized connection notes
Reply rate (accepted connections)
Lead with value, not a pitch
Meeting booking rate
A/B test different CTAs and timings
Average touches to get a reply
Most replies come from follow-ups
LinkedIn Outreach Sequence Best Practices
Personalize every touch
Use dynamic variables ({first_name}, {company}, {role}) in every message. Generic sequences get ignored.
Space messages 4–7 days apart
Don't follow up the next day — give prospects time to respond. Too-frequent messages get reported as spam.
Never pitch on the first message
Build rapport first. Save your pitch for the 3rd or 4th touch after you've established some trust.
A/B test two variants per step
Always run at least two message variants for each sequence step. Track reply rates and kill underperformers after 50 sends.
Stay under 25 connections/day
For safe automated LinkedIn outreach, keep connection requests to 20–25 per day to avoid account restrictions.
Monitor and optimize weekly
Review acceptance rates, reply rates, and meeting bookings weekly. If acceptance drops below 20%, pause and revise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many touches should a LinkedIn outreach sequence have?
A high-converting LinkedIn cold outreach sequence typically has 4–6 touches over 3–4 weeks. This includes a connection request, a follow-up after acceptance, 1–2 value-add messages, a soft close, and a final break-up message.
How long should I wait between LinkedIn outreach messages?
Wait 2–3 days between the connection request and first message after acceptance. Space follow-up messages 4–7 days apart. The final break-up message should come 3–4 weeks after the first touch.
What is a LinkedIn outreach cadence?
A LinkedIn outreach cadence is the planned timing and sequence of messages you send to a prospect. It defines when to send each touch, what type of message to send, and when to stop following up.
Should I combine LinkedIn outreach with email in my sequence?
Yes — multi-channel sequences combining LinkedIn and email get 2–3x higher reply rates than single-channel outreach. Tools like Lemlist and MeetAlfred support combined LinkedIn + email sequences.
Ready to Write Your Sequence Messages?
Use our free LinkedIn outreach message generator to create personalized messages for every step of your sequence.