How to Sell in DMs Without Being Pushy

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You’ve been told LinkedIn DMs are great for making connections and generating leads. But let’s be real—most “salesy” messages get ignored or marked as spam.

The truth is, sending cold, pushy DMs feels awkward, and it’s not the best way to make meaningful connections or close deals.

LinkedIn is all about meaningful connections.

So,

How do you use LinkedIn DMs to build genuine relationships that convert without coming off as salesy?

Let’s find the answer in today's edition.

Imagine this: You’re spending hours sending DMs, but you rarely get responses.

Or worse, people respond negatively.

You’re frustrated, feeling like your messages are just hitting a wall.

Without a clear strategy, all this effort seems wasted, and the opportunity to connect and convert leads slips away.

If you keep doing what everyone else is doing—sending cookie-cutter messages—you’re likely to stay invisible, with no real connections and certainly no sales.

Here’s how to do it right:

1. Engage & Respond

   • Acknowledge their interaction. Start with something genuine.

   • Example: “Hey [Name], I noticed you liked my post on [topic]. Are you interested in generating leads on LinkedIn?”

   • Follow up with a value offer that aligns with their interest, like a guide or resource.

2. Ask APQ (Affective, Procedural, Qualitative) Questions

   • Affective: Learn their motivation. “What inspired you to create content on LinkedIn?”

   • Procedural: Ask about tools they use. “What tools are you using for your posts?”

   • Qualitative: Find out their goals. “What goals are you trying to achieve?”

3. Offer Help

   • Shift from just chatting to actually offering value.

   • Example: “Are you looking for help with [goal]?”

4. Pre-Qualify

   • Before going further, understand if they’re a good fit.

   • Goals: “What are 3 specific goals you have?”

   • Past Efforts: “What have you tried before that didn’t work?”

   • Time Commitment: “How much time do you spend on LinkedIn weekly?”

   • Outcome: “What would an ideal outcome be in 3 months?”

5. Confirm Call

   • Ready to take it beyond DMs? Offer a call in a simple, clear way.

   • Example: “Let’s set up a call to dive into your goals.”

6. Follow-Up

   • Re-engage with value: “Thought of you while doing [activity]; here’s something that might help.”

   • Share success stories or ask how things are going.

   • Keep it light: “If you’re busy or not interested, just let me know.”

Additional Pro Tip: Use tools like Kondo to manage DMs, set follow-up reminders, label conversations, and create message snippets to save time.

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Selling in DMs doesn’t have to be pushy or uncomfortable. With the right approach, you can build real relationships that lead to conversions.

Try these steps and watch your LinkedIn DM game transform!

Cheers

Sabahudin.