CS leaders - stop wasting time on LinkedIn messages that go nowhere.
Today I'm sharing my complete "Response Arsenal"—13 proven templates that have generated meetings, opportunities, and job offers across 2,500+ real-world messages.
No fluff, no "hope you're doing well" generic lines. Just copy, customize, and watch your network grow.
Why LinkedIn Outreach Matters for CS Professionals
Your network directly impacts your career growth.
LinkedIn messages have an average 10-20% reply rate, which is about twice as high as traditional cold email (typically 5-10%).
A strong LinkedIn outreach strategy helps you:
Connect with hiring managers at target companies
Build relationships with industry leaders
Discover new opportunities before they're posted
The 3-Part Formula for Messages That Get Responses
Every high-converting message follows this simple structure:
Personal connection: Show you've done your homework
Clear value: What's in it for them?
Easy response path: Ask one simple question they can answer quickly
Note: The templates I’m sharing below achieve 40-49% when: (1) highly personalized, (2) sent to researched prospects, (3) following my 3-part formula, and (4) using consistent follow-up. Even at half these rates, you'll still outperform standard outreach by 300%.
Check out my complete Customer Success Communication Skills Guide to master all aspects of customer communication.
Connection Requests vs. Direct Messages: A Key Distinction
Connection Requests (Limited to 300 Characters)
Initial touchpoint with new contacts
Must be brief and focus on establishing a compelling reason to connect
Require different templates than regular messages
Direct Messages (After Connection)
Sent after your connection is accepted
No character limit restrictions
Can include more detailed value propositions
Where you can use most of the templates in this newsletter
Connection Request Templates (Keep Under 300 Characters)
The Brief Value Add
Hi, enjoyed your post about customer health scoring. I lead CS at ..and would love to connect about retention strategies.
The Mutual Connection
Hi, John suggested we connect. We both work in CS operations. Would love to exchange ideas on customer success metrics.
The Event Follow-Up
Hi, great meeting you at CS100 Summit. Would like to continue our chat about enterprise journey mapping.
Strategic Approach
Start with the connection request (68% of people prefer this approach - No InMail)
Wait for acceptance (typically 1-3 days)
Then send one of the detailed templates from the main collection
Follow up using the schedule I shared below.
3 Direct Message Templates You Can Use Today
1. The Content Connector (48% Response Rate)
Hi, your post about customer health metrics caught my eye. We are also in HR Tech. Any tips on implementing predictive indicators?
2. The Mutual Connection (45% Response Rate)
Hi, Sarah mentioned you're expert in customer onboarding strategies. What's one approach that's worked best for reducing time-to-value in your experience?
3. The Career Move (47% Response Rate)
Hi, your CS organization has impressive retention numbers. As I explore new leadership roles, what one quality do you value most in your CS leaders?
Best Times to Send LinkedIn Messages
For maximum response rates:
Peak Days & Times:
Tuesday to Thursday (highest engagement)
9-11 AM and 1-2 PM in recipient's time zone
Thursday for best replies (20.32% response rate)
Monday for connection requests
When to Avoid:
Weekends (Saturday: only 2.65% response rate)
Holidays and after business hours
Schedule your outreach during mid-week business hours when people are in work mode. Draft weekend messages but save them to send Monday morning.
Basic Implementation Tips
Do research before messaging
Customize each template with specific details
Follow up after 3-4 days if you don't get a response
Track which templates work best for you
For more advanced strategies on building professional relationships, check out my Customer Relationship Revival Guide where I explore the principles that apply to LinkedIn outreach as well.
Need Help Securing Your Next Outreach On LinkedIn?
Get A Free Review From Me
I'll personally review one of your outreach approaches/challenges and provide specific feedback.
Here's what you'll get:
Custom advice on how to boost your message and open rates
Specific wording suggestions based on your target contact
Proven tips to increase response rate by 20-30%
This is the same review process I use with my coaching clients who land $120K+ roles.
Just email me your draft message with the subject line "Outreach Review" and your context - I'll get back to you within 48 hours with a plan you can implement right away.
Limited to 3 reviews per week, first comes first served - so send yours today!
Want to master LinkedIn outreach and land those $120K+ roles?
The templates above are just the beginning.
Our premium members get access to my complete "Response Arsenal" below with:
All 13 high-converting templates (including ones with 40-50% response rates)
Advanced follow-up sequences that turn initial connections into meetings
Situation-specific scripts for different career stages and goals
Step-by-step customization guides with real examples
Last month, a CS pro I’ve been coaching used my premium templates to land connections with 3 VPs at her dream company. Two weeks later, she was interviewing for a Senior CS role paying $175K.
If you’re serious about landing high-paying roles, combine these outreach strategies with my CSM Interview Questions Guide to prepare for the interviews your successful outreach will generate.
Need personalized guidance with these templates? Try my email-based coaching service where I'll review and suggest powerful customizations, and help you land your next dream $120K-$200K role. CS pros who use my email coaching see 40% higher response rates within two weeks.
If you've recently experienced a layoff, these templates can be especially valuable when paired with my Layoff Recovery Strategy Guide to turn your network into your next opportunity.
The Complete Response Arsenal: All 13 High-Converting Templates
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