Does LinkedIn send automated messages?
Well, it depends on what type of automated messages we’re talking about.
In case you want to set up an autoresponder or make the messaging a bit more prompt, LinkedIn offers a set of solutions to facilitate that. This includes smart response suggestions for quick reply.
If you want to automate LinkedIn messaging at scale, i.e., send a large number of personalized messages to your contacts or connect with people outside of your network, consider using third-party tools to orchestrate the process.
We will get to the software recommendations and overall process explanation later. But first, let’s address the most burning question about LinkedIn message automation – it’s safety.
Is it safe to send automated LinkedIn messages?
There’s a lot of speculation when it comes to LinkedIn automation. Some say that it’s a sure way to get your account blocked. Others have been successfully using various tools for years without any consequences.
Technically speaking, any form of automation falls into the don’ts of the platform’s User Agreement. This includes using “bots or other automated methods to access the Services, add or download contacts, send or redirect messages.”
Some sources even claim that there’s a list of such tools that have been officially banned by LinkedIn!
However, considering the abundance of LinkedIn automation tools out there, we can state that the policy isn’t so strict or it’s easy to bypass it. If you do your research on the subject, you can find a ton of information on how it works to make such tools safe to use.
Without getting into too many technical details, it all depends on the platform limits. This may include the number of API calls that the tools make when running tasks on LinkedIn to automate certain tasks as well as more common limits, e.g., messages and connection requests sent.
See how we handle LinkedIn limits here.
So, answering the initial question: Yes, sending automated LinkedIn messages can be safe if you use trusted tools and stay within the platform line to avoid setting off any alarms.
How do I create an automated message in LinkedIn?
Now, let’s get down to business and see how this works in practice. First of all, it’s worth noting that there are a few types of messages you can send via LinkedIn:
- InMails that you can send to anyone (as a paid option) and
- direct messages that can be sent to your 1st degree connections (absolutely free of charge).
You can also include short, personalized notes into your connection requests using automation tools. Depending on the type of message you want LinkedIn to automate, the templates and certain details of the process might vary.
As mentioned earlier, you can only send automated messages on LinkedIn using dedicated third-party tools. So, the first step of the process would be to connect your LinkedIn account to that tool.
You can find detailed instructions on how to do that with Reply here.
After that, the process is pretty much the same, regardless of the software you use:
- Get a list of contacts you want to message. You can either research the matching prospects manually or import a ready-made list from a trusted data provider. Just make sure the list contains valid LinkedIn profiles.
- Craft your template based on the type of message you will be sending. The most important element of any outreach message is personalization. Since you will be sending automated messages, you might want to use customization variables/snippets or advanced personalization options with images or video.
- Set up the sequence with automated LinkedIn messages. This involves the schedule – the number of messages you want to send to each prospect within the campaign and their frequency.
Once you’re set, you can launch the sequence and it will run on autopilot. If the prospect responds, most tools will stop sending automated messages immediately.
Pro tip: Amplify your LinkedIn messages with multichannel engagement
If you’re looking to get the most out of your outreach campaign, depending on just one channel isn’t the best strategy. Consider mixing a few channels and using various types of interactions instead.
For example, viewing a prospect’s profile or sending a connection request on LinkedIn prior to dialing them directly or reaching out via email can be a great way to break the ice. You can either refer to this in your introduction or use it as a read for outreach. This can also help you get your face and name in front of the prospect’s eyes so you don’t sound like a complete stranger.
The same logic can also be applied the other way around. A subtle LinkedIn touch can be a great follow-up strategy in case your previous email or call has been ignored.
Process automation solutions for LinkedIn
One of the emerging sales tech trends, LinkedIn automation has already become a battleground where dozens of tools compete with each other while trying to navigate the limitations set by the platform itself. And I’m definitely curious to see who will win!
At Reply, we’re always up for a challenge too. That is why we’ve built the automated LinkedIn touchpoints, including message sending, into our core sales engagement platform. Based on extensive research and in-depth technical understanding of the platform as well as the key aspects of cold outreach automation in general, this feature is fully operational and safe to use. And you’re welcome to try it out.