If you're on LinkedIn, you're probably like a lot of folks with dozens, if not hundreds of unanswered DM messages. When you're trying to grow your brand and build your presence on LinkedIn, responding to DMs is a huge part of that. So how can we maintain our professionalism and reputation while making sure we take care of our bizness? You need LinkedIn auto reply messages.
This handy feature is like having an always-on-duty secretary, ready to step in when you're out hustling deals or just enjoying some downtime. Think about it--how many connection requests and LinkedIn messages do we let slip through our fingers because we’re simply too busy?
Since so many people use LinkedIn for business purposes or generating leads, you need a way to reply quickly that shares information and still has a human touch. LinkedIn messages have a 300% higher response rate than emails, so you need to learn how to use these auto replies effectively.
The beauty of automated replies is that they help maintain your professional image while keeping those important connections warm. In this article, we'll show you how to write the perfect LinkedIn auto reply that makes you look like the pro you are.
Why Use LinkedIn Auto Reply?
Using LinkedIn auto reply serves as an extension of your professional image and personal brand. Consider this scenario: You're on vacation or in back-to-back meetings, and you receive several important LinkedIn messages. Now, these aren't spam—they are genuine connection requests or questions from potential clients or colleagues in your network.
Using LinkedIn auto reply makes sure no one feels ignored—a sentiment that could inadvertently harm relationships before they've even had the chance to blossom. After all, effective networking isn’t merely about expanding connections. It’s also about nurturing them with respect and attention.
You Can Use LinkedIn Auto Reply For Sales and Marketing
Beyond networking benefits though, auto replies can be quite useful for making sales. If used strategically, these automatic responses can become part of marketing initiatives by subtly promoting services or products without sounding too pushy or robotic.
An automated response could include a brief mention of your latest service offering or direct them to your most recent post on Linkedin. With the right balance of information and tact, you can pique their interest enough for them to explore further when you're back online.
How To Set Up Your LinkedIn Auto Reply
Let's go step by step to make sure your LinkedIn away message is on point. Keep in mind here that LinkedIn messages are NOT to be used for spam, alright? Alright. The last thing anyone wants is to feel like they're reading a sales pitch from a robot.
Setting Up Your Away Message
Using "away" auto replies is a Premium feature so if you have that, click on the "More" symbol in your LinkedIn account's settings to find a range of options, including the ability to establish an away message. This feature allows anyone who sends you a LinkedIn message, whether it's a recruiter message or a lead, to receive an automatic response from you.
Once selected, this opens another window where you start creating your automated message. Here’s where some strategic thinking comes in handy. The purpose of these automated LinkedIn messages isn't just about telling people that we’re not available at the moment but also maintaining engagement even during times when we are busy or unavailable.
Editing Your Auto Reply
Now let’s say you need to make some changes--no problem. To edit your auto reply, navigate back to the “More” button and select “Edit away message”. This gives you full control over what every person sees after they send you their initial contact request or sales navigator pitch on LinkedIn.
Now that you've set up your LinkedIn auto reply, let's make sure it works. To do this, simply send a message to yourself from another account or ask another LinkedIn colleague to do so. If everything is in order, they should receive the automated response you’ve crafted.
Editor's Note: With Magical, setting up an away message on Linkedin can be even more effective. Magical lets you create personalized messages based on different scenarios and templates which help keep your outreach campaign alive and kicking even when we’re not around.
Crafting an Effective LinkedIn Auto Reply
Creating a compelling LinkedIn auto reply isn't just about letting your network know when you're away. It's also about continuing the conversation, even in your absence. Keep the following points in mind to nail your auto reply (and get more responses in return.)
1. Personalization Is Key
To make sure your automatic responses resonate with every recipient, it's crucial to add personal touches where possible. Consider addressing the sender by their first name or referencing specific details from their message or profile. This approach can transform generic replies into personalized messages that foster engagement and strengthen connections.
2. Be Specific About Why They Reached Out To You
Another strategy is to include elements unique to each individual situation--whether it’s acknowledging a connection request, responding to a recruiter message, or engaging in lead generation activities on Linkedin Sales Navigator.
For instance, if someone reaches out regarding sales tech trends you recently shared on LinkedIn Business page – acknowledge this context within your automated response for increased relevance and effectiveness.
3. Keep it Short and Sweet
You don't need a full-on dissertation. In fact, going that route may hurt you!
LinkedIn found messages with 100 words or less increase your chances at getting a response, but those with over 200 words decrease the likelihood.
-Blair Decembrele, LinkedIn' in-house career expert
Making Your Life Easier with Magical Automation Software
If creating templates for Linkedin auto-reply seems daunting then fear not! With the assistance of AI-powered automation software like Magical, crafting effective response templates becomes easy as pie!
Magical provides an intuitive platform that helps you create, manage and automate your LinkedIn auto-reply messages. With a user-friendly interface and customizable templates, Magical allows you to maintain the personal touch in your automated responses while saving precious time.
The integration of automation software like Magical with powerful tools like La Growth Machine can revolutionize how businesses interact on LinkedIn - making it more efficient, personalized and ultimately leading to better engagement and growth.
What Goes Into A LinkedIn Auto Reply Message?
A strong auto-reply contains several key components:
1. Greeting:
A warm hello can set the tone for the rest of your communication. Don't try to force it, either.
2. Reason for Absence:
If you want, mention why you’re not available at that moment but reassure them they are valued through an empathetic expression such as "I'm currently unavailable but I appreciate you reaching out."
3. Actionable Next Steps:
Guide them towards productive next steps while waiting for your response--perhaps direct them towards helpful resources related to their query.
Suggest scheduling time using your calendar link, encourage email opt-in etc.. This part ensures there’s no dead-end in communication flow. This could include giving them a heads up about when you'll be back, pointing them to another person who can help, or linking to some resources that might be related to the content of their original message to you.
Templates to Kickstart Your Auto Reply Crafting Process
If you're unsure where to start, consider these templates:
"Hi [Name], I'm currently out of the office but your message is important. In the meantime, feel free to check out my recent blog post on ________."
"Hello [Name], thanks for reaching out. I'm not around right now. But, if you're curious about our lead management process or need some more details, don't hesitate to ask."
A Final Word
Setting up LinkedIn auto reply messages is quick and simple. Plus it helps you stay connected to your leads. You can use your message to point your lead to your content or other ways they can reach you.
Setting up your LinkedIn auto reply message with Magical is a breeze. Just download the Chrome extension (it's free) and in a few clicks you can be set up and ready to rock and roll. Plus Magical is a great tool to use to automate other areas of your business--the average Magical user saves 7 hours a week.
