How to Follow Up on LinkedIn (Without Being Annoying)

We've All Been There

You sent a thoughtful connection request. They accepted. You had a great initial conversation. Then... silence.

Now you're staring at their message thread, wondering: Should I follow up? Is it too soon? Will I seem desperate? What if they're just busy and I'm being annoying?

Following up on LinkedIn is one of the most awkward parts of professional networking. Follow up too soon, and you risk seeming pushy. Wait too long, and the conversation goes cold. Send the wrong message, and you might damage the relationship entirely.

But here's the truth: Most professionals under-follow-up, not over-follow-up. The fear of being annoying causes more missed opportunities than actual annoying behavior ever does.

This post breaks down the science, timing, and psychology of LinkedIn follow-ups that keep conversations alive—without crossing into spam territory. You'll learn when to follow up, what to say, and how to stay top-of-mind without being overbearing.

Why Most Follow-Ups Fail

Before we get into what works, let's talk about what doesn't. Most LinkedIn follow-ups fail for one of these four reasons:

1. They're all about you. "Just checking in to see if you had a chance to think about my offer" translates to "I want something from you." Nobody enjoys feeling like a to-do item.

2. They're too generic. "Just wanted to circle back" or "Following up on my last message" doesn't give the recipient any reason to engage. There's no hook, no value, no curiosity.

3. They're too soon (or too late). Following up the next day feels desperate. Waiting three months feels like you forgot they existed. Timing matters more than most people realize.

4. They ignore context. If someone just posted about being buried in work, a "quick call?" follow-up will land poorly. Good follow-ups acknowledge the other person's reality.

The common thread? Lack of empathy. Most follow-ups are transactional, self-centered, and tone-deaf. The ones that work are relational, curious, and value-driven. For deeper insights, read about why LinkedIn connections fade and how to prevent it.

The Real Goal of a Follow-Up

Here's the mindset shift that changes everything:

A follow-up isn't about getting a reply. It's about staying present without being pushy.

Think of follow-ups as gentle reminders that you exist, that you're thinking about them, and that you're someone worth staying connected to. The goal isn't to force a response—it's to keep the door open for future conversation when the timing is right for them.

This reframe takes the pressure off. You're not begging for attention—you're maintaining a relationship. And that's a completely different vibe.

When to Follow Up (Timing Matters)

Timing is everything. Follow up too soon, and you seem impatient. Wait too long, and you're forgotten. Here's a practical guide:

Pro tip: Don't follow up on Mondays (inboxes are flooded) or late Fridays (people are checked out). Mid-week mornings (Tuesday–Thursday, 8–10 AM) tend to get the best response rates.

3 Follow-Up Styles That Work (and Why)

Not all follow-ups are created equal. Here are three proven approaches, when to use each, and why they work.

1️⃣ The "Shared Curiosity" Follow-Up

When to use it: After an initial connection or conversation where you discussed a shared interest.

Why it works: You're giving before asking. The recipient gets value (a useful resource, article, or insight) without feeling like they owe you anything.

Example:
"Hey [Name], I was reading this case study on [topic you discussed] and immediately thought of our conversation last week. Thought you might find it interesting: [link]. No reply needed—just wanted to share!"

The psychology: By adding "No reply needed," you reduce pressure and make the message feel generous, not transactional. Ironically, this often increases reply rates.

2️⃣ The "Value Add" Follow-Up

When to use it: When you want to re-engage someone who's gone quiet, but you don't want to sound needy.

Why it works: You're solving a problem or offering insight without asking for anything in return. This positions you as helpful, not salesy.

Example:
"Hey [Name], I saw your post about [specific challenge]. I actually dealt with something similar last quarter—here's what worked for us: [brief insight]. Happy to share more context if useful, but no worries if you're swamped!"

The psychology: You're referencing something they care about (their own content or stated challenge), which shows you're paying attention. That alone earns goodwill.

3️⃣ The "Friendly Reminder" Follow-Up

When to use it: After a call or meeting where you agreed on next steps, but the other person hasn't followed through.

Why it works: It's direct but warm. You're acknowledging that life gets busy without making them feel guilty.

Example:
"Hey [Name], I know things get hectic—just wanted to gently bump this back to the top of your inbox. If now's not the right time, totally understand. Let me know if there's a better time to reconnect!"

The psychology: You're giving them an out ("if now's not the right time"), which paradoxically makes them more likely to engage because there's no pressure.

Use LinkedIn's Ecosystem to Stay Present

Here's a secret: the best follow-ups don't happen in DMs—they happen in the feed.

Instead of sending a message every time you want to stay top-of-mind, try these "micro-touches":

• Like their posts: Simple, no-pressure way to show you're paying attention.
• Leave thoughtful comments: Add value in public. This keeps you visible without being intrusive. Learn the comment strategy that drives replies.
• React to their milestones: New job? Work anniversary? Send a quick "Congrats!" DM. It's timely, relevant, and appreciated.
• Share their content: Repost something they wrote with your own take. This amplifies them while keeping you on their radar.

These actions accumulate goodwill without feeling like "another follow-up message." When you do send a DM, it feels natural because you've already been present in their world.

How to Follow Up After a Discovery Call

Post-call follow-ups are critical—and often botched. Here's a simple 3-part structure:

1. Recap key points. "Great connecting today! Just to recap, you mentioned [specific challenge] and we discussed [solution approach]."

2. Clarify next steps. "I'll send over [resource/proposal/intro] by [date]. From your end, you mentioned you'd [specific action]."

3. Make it easy. "Let me know if I missed anything or if there's a better way to move this forward. No rush—just want to make sure we're aligned."

Why this works: It shows you were listening, keeps the ball moving, and makes it easy for them to respond (or not) without guilt.

Personalize With "Trigger-Based" Follow-Ups

The best follow-ups are triggered by something the other person did or said—not by your arbitrary timeline. Here are three powerful triggers:

1. They posted about a relevant topic.
"Saw your post about [topic]—this resonates with what we talked about last month. Mind if I add a thought?"

2. Their company announced something.
"Just saw [Company] launched [Product]. Congrats! This must be a big milestone for the team."

3. You found something valuable for them.
"I came across this [tool/article/person] and immediately thought of you. Figured I'd pass it along."

Why this works: Trigger-based follow-ups feel spontaneous, not scripted. They show you're thinking about the person beyond "what can they do for me?"

The Role of Tools (Used Wisely)

Following up at the right time is easier when you have a system. Here's how tools can help—without making you sound robotic:

• Use a CRM (like ANDI) to set follow-up reminders. Tag connections by priority, set reminders based on context (e.g., "follow up in 2 weeks"), and track past interactions so you never lose context.
• Track engagement patterns. If someone consistently likes your posts but never replies to DMs, they're probably not a DM person. Shift your approach to public engagement.
• Automate reminders, not messages. Never auto-send follow-ups. Use tools to remind you to follow up, then write a personalized message every time.

The rule: Tools should help you be more human, not replace your humanity.

5 Do's and Don'ts of LinkedIn Follow-Ups

Example Sequence (You Can Copy)

Here's a real-world follow-up sequence you can adapt:

Message 1 (Day 0): Initial connection/conversation
"Hey [Name], great connecting! Really enjoyed hearing about [specific topic]. Would love to stay in touch—let me know if I can ever be helpful."

Message 2 (Day 5): Value-add follow-up
"Hey [Name], I was reading this article on [topic you discussed] and thought of you: [link]. No reply needed—just thought you'd find it interesting!"

Message 3 (Day 14): Friendly close-out or new hook
"Hey [Name], I know you're probably swamped, so I won't keep pinging. If you ever want to revisit [topic], I'm around. Otherwise, best of luck with [project/goal they mentioned]!"

Why this works: You've followed up twice, added value both times, and closed gracefully. If they don't respond, you're not left hanging—you've ended on a positive note.

The Golden Rule: Be Remembered for the Right Reasons

The goal of a LinkedIn follow-up isn't to get a reply—it's to be remembered as someone who's thoughtful, helpful, and easy to work with.

Even if they don't respond now, they'll remember:

• You shared something valuable with them
• You gave them space when they were busy
• You weren't pushy or transactional

And when they do need someone like you—whether it's next month or next year—you'll be the first person they think of.

That's the power of good follow-ups. Not forced replies. Not awkward pressure. Just genuine connection, built over time, that leads to real opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I follow up on LinkedIn?

It depends on the context. After an initial connection, wait 3–5 days before following up. After a call or meeting, follow up within 24–48 hours to recap and confirm next steps. If someone doesn't reply to your first follow-up, wait 7–10 days before trying again. The key is balancing persistence with patience—follow up enough to stay top-of-mind, but not so often that you become a nuisance.

What's the best way to follow up without sounding pushy?

Lead with value, not asks. Instead of "Just checking in," share something relevant to their interests, congratulate them on a recent achievement, or reference a conversation you had. Give them an easy out by saying things like "No pressure if now's not the right time" or "No reply needed—just wanted to share." This removes the transactional pressure and makes your follow-up feel generous rather than demanding.

Should I use automation to follow up on LinkedIn?

Use automation for reminders, not messages. Tools like ANDI can help you set follow-up reminders based on context (e.g., "Check in after 2 weeks"), but never auto-send follow-up messages. Automated messages feel generic and impersonal, which defeats the purpose of relationship-building. Always write personalized follow-ups that reference specific details from your previous interactions.

What if someone never replies?

Follow up 2–3 times over a few weeks, then let it go gracefully. Send a friendly close-out message like "I know you're busy, so I won't keep pinging. If you ever want to revisit this, I'm around!" This leaves the door open without being awkward. Meanwhile, stay present by engaging with their content—like, comment, share. They may not reply to DMs now, but they'll remember you when the timing is right.

Next step: Take control of your LinkedIn relationships — Try ANDI Free.