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Best Practices for LinkedIn DMs in 2025

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LinkedIn DMs are more powerful than ever in 2025, but only if you use them the right way. With inboxes more crowded and algorithms smarter, personalized and strategic outreach is the key to building real connections and winning new business. Here are the latest best practices to make your LinkedIn messaging stand out and convert.

WHY LINKEDIN DMS MATTER IN 2025 LinkedIn has evolved into the world’s most powerful professional networking platform, and DMs are the gateway to meaningful business conversations. In 2025, the importance of LinkedIn messaging has skyrocketed due to three major trends:

  • Remote networking dominance: With in-person events less frequent, LinkedIn remains the go-to for relationship building.
  • AI-powered personalization: Buyers expect hyper-personalized communication, and generic templates are a thing of the past.
  • Increased competition: Decision-makers receive dozens of messages daily, so standing out requires strategy and effort.

LinkedIn messaging is no longer optional—it’s essential for sales, recruiting, and partnerships. Done well, DMs can help you:

  • Generate qualified leads
  • Shorten the sales cycle
  • Build long-term professional relationships

Try Friendli to Automate Your LinkedIn Outreach

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DO’S OF LINKEDIN DMS IN 2025

1. Personalize Every Message Personalization is the single most important factor in LinkedIn outreach. In 2025, AI tools can help, but authenticity matters most.

How to personalize effectively:

  • Mention a recent post or article they wrote.
  • Reference shared connections or groups.
  • Highlight their role and how your solution adds value.

Example: “Hi Sarah, I saw your recent post on scaling SaaS sales teams—great insights! I work with companies like [Company] to streamline outreach using automation. Curious, how’s your current process working?”

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2. Keep It Short and Clear Busy professionals don’t have time for essays. Aim for 2–4 concise sentences that:

  • Greet them by name
  • State why you’re reaching out
  • Offer value, not a pitch

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3. Lead with Value, Not a Pitch Instead of asking for time immediately, share something helpful:

  • A free resource
  • A quick insight
  • An invitation to a relevant event

Example: “Hi John, I noticed you lead partnerships at [Company]. We just released a report on 2025 SaaS trends—happy to share the link if you’re interested!”

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4. Use a Soft Call-to-Action (CTA) Hard sells turn people off. Instead, use CTAs like:

  • “Would it make sense to chat?”
  • “Open to learning more?”

These feel less pushy and increase response rates.

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5. Follow Up (Strategically) Don’t stop at one message. Use a sequence:

  • Day 1: Initial message
  • Day 3: Share a resource
  • Day 7: Light follow-up

Pro Tip: Tools like Friendli help you automate these sequences without crossing LinkedIn limits.

Try Friendli to Automate Your LinkedIn Outreach

LinkedIn DM

DON’TS OF LINKEDIN DMS IN 2025

1. Don’t Use Generic Templates “Hi, I’d like to add you to my network” or “Can we hop on a quick call?” screams spam. In 2025, buyers ignore these instantly.

2. Don’t Pitch Immediately After Connecting Build rapport first. Jumping into a sales pitch kills trust. Instead, engage with their content before sending your message.

3. Don’t Overload Messages with Links or Attachments LinkedIn’s algorithm flags spammy messages. Keep it clean and professional.

4. Don’t Send Multiple Messages in a Day This feels desperate. Space out your follow-ups for better engagement.

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REAL EXAMPLES OF GOOD VS BAD DMS

Bad Example: “Hi, I’m [Name] from [Company]. We offer [Product]. Let me know a good time for a call.”

Why it’s bad: Generic, self-centered, zero value.

Good Example: “Hi Lisa, I saw your comment on AI in healthcare. We recently published a guide on AI-driven patient engagement—I’d be happy to share it if that’s useful.”

Why it’s good: Relevant, value-first, and starts a conversation.

Insert a high-quality image of a professional LinkedIn DM exchange with personalization highlighted

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THE ROLE OF AUTOMATION IN 2025 Manual outreach is time-consuming and inefficient. In 2025, automation tools like Friendli are essential for:

  • Managing multi-step campaigns
  • Staying within LinkedIn’s limits
  • Scaling personalization using AI

But remember: automation should enhance personalization, not replace it.

Try Friendli to Automate Your LinkedIn Outreach

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WRAP-UP: MASTER LINKEDIN DMS IN 2025 LinkedIn DMs remain the fastest route to new business opportunities, but only if you follow best practices:

  • Personalize your approach
  • Keep messages short and value-driven
  • Use soft CTAs and strategic follow-ups
  • Avoid spammy tactics at all costs

The right outreach strategy combined with smart automation can help you dominate LinkedIn in 2025. If you’re ready to save time, stay compliant, and boost conversions, the solution is clear.

Try Friendli to Automate Your LinkedIn Outreach

Matt Anderson