The problem with LinkedIn message follow-ups
LinkedIn doesn't surface stalled conversations. Once a thread drops below the fold, it's gone until you scroll to find it. Starred messages don't expire. Marking unread is a blunt tool.
What a reminder on a LinkedIn message looks like
- Open any LinkedIn conversation.
- Click Remind me in the message thread header.
- Choose a date — later today, tomorrow, next Monday, or custom.
- When the time comes, the reminder appears with a direct link to the thread.
Who this is for
For the timing of each touch, see the LinkedIn DM follow-up playbook. Recruiters waiting on a candidate, salespeople chasing a quiet prospect, founders managing investor conversations, BD folks running long partnership cycles — anyone whose LinkedIn DMs carry real money or real opportunity.
How long to wait before you follow up
There is no perfect number, but a few rough guidelines help when you follow up on LinkedIn messages. For a first follow-up, three to five working days is usually enough time for a busy person to see the message without the thread going cold. For a second follow-up, wait about a week. After that, space messages out to two weeks or more.
- Warm conversation that stopped mid-thread: 2–3 days.
- Cold first message with no reply: 4–5 working days.
- Second follow-up: about a week later.
- Final message: two weeks or more after that.
Knowing when to stop
Following up is polite; following up forever is not. After two or three unanswered messages, send one friendly closing note that makes it easy to reply later — for example, "I'll leave it here for now. If this becomes a priority, I'm happy to pick it up." Then set a reminder for a few months out and move on.
A respectful exit protects your reputation and often brings replies later, because you left on good terms. A reminder makes this easy: you don't have to remember the thread, only act when the date comes back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set a follow-up reminder on a LinkedIn message?
Yes. With the LinkedIn Reminders Chrome extension, every conversation gets a Remind Me button. Pick a time and the reminder appears in your panel with a link back to the thread.
What's the best way to follow up on a LinkedIn DM?
Wait 3–5 business days, reference the original thread, and keep it short. A reminder system makes this easy because the message context is one click away.