Generic LinkedIn messages don’t work anymore. By 2025, professionals expect outreach to be more personal and focused. Simple greetings like “Hi [First Name]” often get ignored. Why? Over 50% of LinkedIn posts are AI-generated, and 63% of users prefer human-written responses. To stand out, you need hyper-personalized messages that feel relevant and thoughtful.
Here’s what works:
- Use AI tools to analyze LinkedIn profiles for work history, skills, and recent activity.
- Reference recent achievements or posts for a personal touch.
- Mention shared connections or mutual events to build trust.
- Combine LinkedIn data with insights from email platforms or CRM systems for deeper personalization.
Results speak for themselves:
- Personalized messages see up to a 30% reply rate.
- Combining LinkedIn and email outreach boosts engagement by 70%.
- Tailored campaigns lead to 37% higher engagement rates and larger deals.
The takeaway? Use AI to gather insights, but keep the human element in your outreach. Tools like Closely can help you scale this approach without sacrificing quality.
Generating LinkedIn Messages with AI
Using AI to Extract Profile Data
AI tools have completely changed how professionals gather insights from LinkedIn profiles. These tools can process and analyze profile data in seconds, uncovering patterns and details that would otherwise take hours to identify manually.
To make the most of this technology, focus on extracting key data points. AI evaluates work history, skills, and engagement trends, giving you a well-rounded view of your prospects before you even send that first message. Here’s how you can streamline your process to extract actionable insights using AI.
Steps to Analyze LinkedIn Profiles with AI
Using AI to analyze LinkedIn profiles can elevate your outreach strategy. By following a structured approach, you can extract meaningful insights that improve the quality of your engagement.
Go beyond the basics. Traditional methods often stop at job titles and company names, but AI digs deeper. It identifies patterns in career growth, skill development, and professional interests. For instance, AI can detect trends like a consistent move toward leadership roles or a focus on acquiring new skills.
Pay attention to recent activity. AI tools are particularly skilled at analyzing a prospect’s latest posts, comments, and shares. This information provides a window into their current priorities and interests – perfect for crafting personalized messages. In fact, outreach that references a prospect’s recent activity has been shown to generate 30% more responses compared to generic messages [5].
Spot connection opportunities. AI can quickly identify mutual connections, shared experiences, or common interests that serve as natural conversation starters. Messages that mention mutual connections see a 40% higher response rate than those that don’t [5].
Examine content engagement. Look at the type of content your prospects interact with most often. Whether they’re sharing industry updates, commenting on thought leadership posts, or celebrating team milestones, these insights can help you understand their communication style and what resonates with them professionally.
The most effective strategy focuses on data points that reveal professional interests, achievements, and challenges [1].
Closely‘s AI Features for Profile Analysis
Closely takes these strategies a step further, offering tools that refine insights to make personalization even more effective. The platform’s AI automatically highlights key data points, enabling you to tailor your outreach messages to each individual’s profile [1].
The results speak for themselves. Sarah Chen, a B2B SaaS sales executive, used AI-powered personalization tools to send customized messages to over 500 prospects weekly. Her response rate jumped from 8% to 27%, and her conversion rate from initial contact to sales-qualified leads increased by 35% over six months [1].
Similarly, Alex Patel, an independent management consultant, saw a 300% boost in engagement after adopting AI-powered personalization compared to his previous text-based outreach methods [1].
Closely’s platform processes profile URLs to generate detailed reports, offering actionable insights on each profile section [2]. Users have reported a 35% increase in response rates while saving up to 10 hours per team member each week on manual prospecting tasks [3].
The AI doesn’t just personalize message content – it also customizes elements like salutations, company references, and role-specific details based on profile data [4]. Rather than replacing human effort, this automation enhances it, allowing you to focus on crafting compelling value propositions while the AI handles the heavy lifting of data analysis.
What sets this approach apart is its ability to analyze activity patterns, such as posting frequency and engagement rates. This allows you to optimize not only the content of your messages but also the timing and delivery strategy, ensuring your outreach aligns with how each prospect engages on LinkedIn [4].
Writing Messages Based on Professional Interests and Achievements
Once you’ve gathered detailed insights about a prospect’s professional background, the next step is crafting messages that truly resonate with their career journey. By using these insights thoughtfully, you can create personalized outreach that feels authentic and meaningful, turning cold pitches into engaging professional conversations.
As Prasad Pimpalkar puts it:
"Personalization is not just adding someone’s name or job title to a generic message. It’s about showing that you have done your research, that you understand their pain points and goals, and that you have something valuable to offer them." [6]
This approach shifts your outreach from being transactional to conversational – something prospects are far more likely to respond to.
Personalization Using Achievements and Content
Acknowledging recent achievements is a fantastic way to start a conversation. Promotions, awards, or milestones reveal priorities and areas of focus, making them ideal touchpoints. Similarly, company accomplishments, like funding rounds or product launches, provide opportunities to recognize success while introducing your value.
Here’s an example of a message tailored around a company achievement:
Hi [First Name],
Congratulations on [Recent Company Achievement]!
At [Your Company], we’ve worked with organizations like yours to scale operations efficiently. I’d love to explore how we might support your growth.
Could we schedule a quick call this week?
Best,
[Your Name] [9]
Engaging with a prospect’s content is another effective strategy. Whether they’ve published an article, shared industry insights, or commented on a trending topic, referencing their work shows you’re paying attention. It also creates a natural segue into a meaningful conversation.
Here’s how you might approach this:
Hello [First Name],
I came across your recent post on [Topic] and found it insightful.
At [Your Company], we’ve been exploring similar ideas, and I believe we could exchange some valuable perspectives.
Would you be open to a quick chat?
Cheers,
[Your Name] [9]
This method works well because it demonstrates genuine interest in their professional thoughts, making your outreach feel less like a sales pitch and more like a collaborative opportunity.
Using Shared Connections or Events
Leaning on shared networks or events can also make your outreach more relatable and credible.
Mutual connections are especially powerful. Mentioning a shared contact adds an element of trust to your message, provided you’re specific about how you know the connection and why they suggested reaching out.
For example:
Hi Kath, Nico Prins mentioned you might be a great person to connect with about [topic]. Let’s chat! [7]
This approach is effective because it shows your outreach isn’t random and is backed by someone both parties trust.
Professional events offer another way to personalize your message. If you attended the same webinar or conference, referencing a specific session or speaker can demonstrate genuine engagement.
Here’s an example:
Hi [Name],
I attended [Event Name] last week and really enjoyed the session on [specific topic]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it and explore how our work aligns.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Additionally, being part of the same industry groups or associations can establish common ground. Mentioning this shared membership early in your message signals that you understand their professional world and its challenges [9].
Comparison of Personalization Methods
Each personalization method has its strengths, and understanding when to use them can make a big difference in response rates. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Personalization Method | Best Use Case | Response Rate Impact | Time Investment | Authenticity Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recent Achievements | Congratulating promotions, awards, or milestones | High – people enjoy recognition | Medium – requires research | High – feels genuine |
| Content Engagement | Responding to posts or articles | High – shows active interest | Low – content is easy to find | High – demonstrates attention |
| Mutual Connections | Warm introductions through shared contacts | High – leverages trust | Medium – needs research | High – builds credibility |
| Shared Events | Following up after conferences or webinars | Medium – depends on relevance | Low – shared experience is evident | Medium – can feel routine |
| Company Research | For B2B sales or partnerships | Medium – shows business interest | High – needs in-depth research | Medium – may seem sales-driven |
Achievement-based personalization works especially well for congratulatory messages, as it offers a personal touch that’s hard to ignore.
Content engagement often yields the highest response rates because it shows you’re paying attention to their contributions. Plus, it requires minimal time investment since the content is readily available.
Mutual connections add an extra layer of credibility, though they require more effort to identify and contextualize. The payoff is worth it, as these messages tend to feel warm and trustworthy.
Event-based outreach is most effective right after the event when the experience is still fresh. Delaying too long can make the message feel less relevant.
The best results often come from combining multiple personalization elements. For instance, referencing a mutual connection while congratulating a recent achievement creates a powerful and memorable message. Research indicates that personalization of this level can boost response rates by as much as 80% [9], making the extra effort worthwhile.
When deciding which approach to take, consider the prospect’s activity on LinkedIn, your relationship goals, and the time you can dedicate to research. The key is to match your message to both the situation and the individual, ensuring it resonates on a professional and personal level.
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Using Multichannel Data for Better LinkedIn Personalization
When it comes to personalization, LinkedIn profiles are a great starting point, but they only scratch the surface. To truly connect with prospects, integrating data from multiple channels – like email platforms, CRM systems, and website analytics – can take your outreach to the next level. By combining these insights, you get a more complete picture of your prospects, allowing for deeper personalization and more meaningful engagement.
This approach shifts your LinkedIn messaging from generic to tailored, creating interactions that resonate better. By weaving together data from various platforms, you can craft messages that feel relevant and intentional, showing prospects you truly understand their needs.
Combining Data from Multiple Channels
Each channel offers unique pieces of the puzzle. CRM systems, for instance, can reveal how a prospect discovered your company, their website activity, past communications, and even the challenges they’ve shared. Email marketing platforms provide insights into what content grabs their attention, which subject lines work, and when they’re most active. Website analytics add another layer, showing patterns like time spent on pricing pages or downloads of key resources. For example, one company found that scheduling LinkedIn follow-ups on Tuesday mornings – when email engagement was highest – increased connection rates by 27% [12].
Interestingly, automated emails outperform manual ones, achieving an average open rate of 45.7%, compared to just 18.8% for non-automated messages [10].
To make this work, centralizing data is critical. AI-powered tools can help fill in the gaps. For instance, platforms like Smartwriter.ai scan billions of web pages to uncover personalization opportunities, while Lyne.ai evaluates LinkedIn activity and company updates for more targeted outreach [10].
People also respond differently depending on the platform. Some prefer emails, others engage more on LinkedIn, and often, it takes multiple touchpoints to get a response. Pairing LinkedIn outreach with email has been shown to double reply rates and boost engagement by 70% compared to using just one channel [11]. The goal is to create a seamless experience where every interaction builds on the last.
Closely’s Multichannel Data Features
Closely simplifies the process of integrating multichannel data, making personalization more efficient. Its unified dashboard eliminates the hassle of switching between platforms and spreadsheets by automatically enriching prospect profiles with LinkedIn details, verified email addresses, phone numbers, and company data.
The platform’s AI-powered personalization engine analyzes data from all these sources at once, helping you pinpoint the best ways to connect with prospects. This saves hours of manual research while ensuring your outreach stays relevant. Plus, with all your campaign performance data in one place, you can easily see how LinkedIn messages stack up against email campaigns.
Closely also includes a unified inbox, which consolidates replies from LinkedIn and email, so you never miss a prospect’s response. CRM integrations automatically sync these interactions, improving sales by 29%, boosting productivity by 34%, and increasing forecast accuracy by 42% [10].
For teams, collaboration tools allow everyone to access the same enriched data, ensuring consistent messaging across all platforms. With 72% of consumers engaging only with personalized communication [10], having a centralized system like Closely is essential for scaling outreach while maintaining authenticity. This comprehensive integration not only enhances your personalization efforts but also sets the stage for scalable LinkedIn campaigns that truly connect with your audience.
Scaling Personalized Outreach with Closely’s Automation
When it comes to scaling personalized outreach, it’s not just about crafting one perfect message – it’s about creating hundreds of tailored ones. That’s where automation steps in. But here’s the catch: automation should enhance the human element, not replace it.
With 80% of consumers more likely to engage with brands that deliver personalized experiences [13], the need for a thoughtful approach is clear. The trick is setting up systems that feel personal, even when they’re automated.
Setting Up Automated Campaigns with Personalization
Automation, when paired with detailed profile insights, makes scaling personalized outreach easier. Closely’s platform uses AI to analyze each prospect’s profile and context, ensuring your messages feel custom-made rather than mass-produced. Instead of sending out the same generic message, you can deliver variations that speak directly to each person.
The process starts with dynamic message templates and variables. These templates include placeholders that automatically pull in relevant details from a prospect’s profile. For instance, instead of a basic "Hi [First Name]", your message could mention their recent promotion, a company milestone, or a shared connection – all sourced automatically from enriched data.
Automation also enables adaptive message sequences. For example, if someone views your LinkedIn profile after receiving your message, the follow-up can reference that interaction. On the other hand, if they don’t respond within a week, the system can send a different message or even switch from LinkedIn to email.
Closely’s AI goes beyond simple personalization. By analyzing roles, industries, and company activity, it identifies the most relevant talking points. This allows your messages to address specific industry challenges or highlight recent accomplishments without requiring hours of manual research.
"Closely is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their sales engagement. The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy." – Antonio D., Digital Strategist & Coach [3]
Tools to Improve Campaign Performance
To keep your automated outreach effective, it’s essential to track performance metrics. Closely offers tools to monitor key indicators, like connection acceptance rates, message reply rates, and positive reply rates.
For example:
- Connection acceptance rates of 50% or higher suggest your campaign is on the right track [15].
- Message reply rates above 30% indicate that your messaging resonates with your audience [15].
- A positive reply rate over 40% signals highly effective outreach [15].
The platform’s lead scoring feature helps prioritize your best prospects. By analyzing engagement patterns, profile completeness, and response history, Closely ranks prospects, ensuring your team focuses on high-value opportunities while automation manages the initial touchpoints.
Beyond basic metrics, Closely provides deeper insights. You can identify which message variations perform best, the times of day that generate the most engagement, and which industries respond well to specific approaches. This data is crucial for refining your strategy and improving future campaigns.
Additionally, A/B testing tools let you experiment with subject lines, message content, and timing. Since personalized emails are 26% more likely to be opened [13], testing different approaches helps you discover what works best for your audience.
Balancing Automation with Personal Touch
The best automated campaigns don’t feel automated – they feel authentic. The goal is to operate at scale while maintaining the personal connections that lead to meaningful business relationships.
Hyper-personalization is key, but it’s equally important not to lose the human element. Automation should handle the research and initial outreach, leaving room for genuine human interaction when prospects engage. Once someone responds positively, that’s your cue to step in and build the relationship.
"Authenticity is key in networking. Be yourself and let your personality shine through in your messages. People are more likely to connect with you if they feel you are genuine." – Marcus Chang [14]
Timing also plays a big role. Automated sequences should include natural pauses to allow for human intervention. For instance, if a prospect replies or interacts with your content, the automation should pause, giving you the chance to respond personally.
Closely’s AI also adapts the tone and formality of messages based on the recipient’s profile. A message to a startup founder might feel casual and direct, while outreach to an enterprise executive might take a more formal tone. This ensures your communication remains appropriate while still reflecting your authentic voice.
Finally, regular monitoring is crucial. Reviewing campaign performance and feedback helps ensure your messages stay relevant and engaging [8]. If response rates dip or feedback suggests your messages feel generic, it’s time to tweak your templates and personalization.
The ultimate goal isn’t to replace human connection – it’s to create more opportunities for it. By automating the repetitive tasks like research and initial outreach, you free up time to focus on meaningful conversations with prospects who show genuine interest. This way, you can scale your efforts without sacrificing the personal touch that drives success.
Key Takeaways for Advanced LinkedIn Personalization
AI-powered, multichannel strategies are reshaping the way professionals build LinkedIn connections. Companies that incorporate advanced AI-driven personalization into their LinkedIn ABM campaigns report 37% higher engagement rates compared to traditional methods. Even more compelling, deals influenced by these strategies tend to be 161% larger on average [16]. Tailored messages have a big impact too – personalized outreach improves response rates by 28%, while customized InMails see a 40% higher acceptance rate [17]. These numbers underscore the power of AI tools in making outreach both efficient and impactful.
The most effective personalization goes beyond surface-level efforts. It leverages multiple data layers to craft messaging that resonates deeply. Closely’s approach is a great example: by using LinkedIn Matched Audiences, they segmented 500 target accounts by industry and delivered tailored ads for each. This strategy resulted in 850 qualified leads, with 30% advancing to sales conversations and 15 enterprise deals closing within 90 days [16]. Instead of just addressing prospects by name, they focused on understanding industry-specific challenges and speaking directly to those pain points.
AI tools are critical for scaling personalization without losing authenticity. According to reports, 84% of sellers save at least 30 minutes daily using AI, and 83% of teams leveraging AI see increased revenue [17]. As highlighted earlier, Closely’s use of AI and multichannel data capabilities drives these kinds of results.
"Companies that embrace AI gain a crucial competitive advantage" – Karin Kimbrough, LinkedIn Chief Economist [17]
The winning formula lies in combining automation with genuine personalization. Closely’s strategy demonstrates this balance perfectly: they use AI to generate insights that engage prospects effectively, while still maintaining authentic, meaningful interactions. This approach highlights how advanced personalization can directly link LinkedIn engagement to measurable business outcomes.
To take your efforts further, focus on closed-loop reporting that tracks accounts from initial LinkedIn engagement through to deal closure. Start by segmenting your audience based on industry, job role, and company size. Then, use AI tools to dig deeper into profile data, uncovering insights beyond basic demographics. Develop unique value propositions for different buyer roles within the same organization, and always test your strategies – A/B testing is key to finding what resonates best. With these insights, you can refine your strategy into a more adaptive and responsive outreach process.
"Advanced personalization enables B2B companies to demonstrate clear connections between LinkedIn engagement and business outcomes. The key is implementing closed-loop reporting that tracks accounts from initial ad impression through deal closure." – B2B Marketing Attribution Expert [16]
The most successful professionals use AI for initial research and outreach, stepping in personally when prospects show genuine interest. This approach ensures meaningful human connections, even at scale. Businesses that adopt AI-enhanced outreach see a 25% boost in lead conversions and a 10% increase in sales productivity [17]. Top-performing professionals are also 2.5 times more likely to rely on AI regularly [17], making advanced personalization a must for staying competitive in today’s LinkedIn-driven business environment.
FAQs
How can AI tools help personalize LinkedIn messages while keeping them authentic?
AI tools can play a big role in making your LinkedIn messages more personal. By analyzing profiles, these tools can pull out useful details like career milestones, interests, or mutual connections. This makes it easier to create messages that feel specific and relevant to the person you’re reaching out to.
Instead of spending hours on research and drafting, AI can take care of those tasks for you. This frees up your time to add meaningful, personal touches – like a thoughtful comment or a unique observation. Combining AI’s efficiency with your personal input keeps your outreach feeling sincere and respectful, making it easier to build strong professional connections.
How does combining LinkedIn data with insights from email platforms and CRM systems improve outreach efforts?
Integrating LinkedIn data with insights from email platforms and CRM systems offers a well-rounded perspective on your prospects, allowing for highly tailored and effective communication. By merging these data sources, you can customize your outreach to align with professional interests, engagement history, and previous interactions, ensuring your messages resonate on a deeper level.
This strategy also enhances segmentation, improves the timing of follow-ups, and pinpoints the most engaged prospects. The outcome? Stronger professional relationships, more refined communication strategies, and increased success rates in your outreach efforts.
How can mentioning shared connections or events in LinkedIn messages boost response rates?
Mentioning shared connections or experiences in your LinkedIn messages can immediately create a sense of common ground. When someone notices a mutual connection or a familiar event, it adds a personal touch that builds a layer of trust and relatability.
This strategy doesn’t just catch attention – it makes your outreach feel tailored and relevant. By focusing on these shared elements, you increase the chances of sparking interest and receiving a positive reply.