You've sent an important message on LinkedIn to a potential client, a hiring manager, or an industry connection. The message shows as "seen," but days pass with no response. Sound familiar? You know a follow-up could make all the difference, but in the whirlwind of daily tasks, you simply forget to send it.

If you're nodding along, you're not alone. Many professionals on LinkedIn feel "so overwhelmed" by their inbox and while "follow-ups are essential," they "often forget to send them." The challenge is real: LinkedIn's standard accounts lack a built-in reminder feature, creating a perfect storm of message overload, mixed priorities, and missed opportunities.

The stakes are higher than you might think. Did you know that 80% of sales require an average of five follow-ups to close a deal? Yet, a staggering 44% of sales professionals give up after just one follow-up. By simply being persistent, you place yourself in the top performers who actually convert connections into opportunities.

In this guide, you'll discover:

• Why LinkedIn follow-ups are non-negotiable for your professional success

• Simple DIY methods that require zero new tools

• Purpose-built solutions that automate your follow-up workflow

• Expert templates and strategies for crafting follow-ups that actually get replies

Let's turn your LinkedIn outreach from a leaky bucket into a well-oiled conversion machine.

The High Cost of Silence: Why LinkedIn Follow-Ups Are Non-Negotiable

Before diving into the "how," let's establish the "why." Following up on LinkedIn isn't just good etiquette—it's a strategic imperative that directly impacts your professional success:

Build Stronger Relationships: A single message rarely transforms a casual connection into a meaningful business relationship. Follow-ups demonstrate your commitment to cultivating the relationship, especially crucial in B2B marketing and networking.

Stay Top of Mind: In today's information-saturated world, even interested contacts might forget about your initial outreach. Timely reminders keep you relevant amidst the noise.

Demonstrate Professionalism: Consistent follow-through showcases your reliability and attention to detail—qualities valued in any professional context.

Foster Trust and Credibility: Each thoughtful follow-up builds your professional reputation, showing you're someone who follows through and values the connection.

The math supports this approach: While 80% of sales need five follow-ups, 94% of sales professionals have given up after four tries. By simply being persistent, you place yourself in the top 6% who actually close deals.

The DIY Approach: Manual Reminder Methods That Work

Not everyone needs a complex, expensive CRM system with "a million other things" you'll never use. If you're looking for a simple, effective solution without new software, these manual methods offer a solid starting point:

Method 1: Manual Calendar Reminders

This approach leverages tools you already use daily:

1. Immediately after sending or receiving an important LinkedIn message, open your calendar app (Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.)

2. Create a new event for the date you want to follow up (typically 3-5 days later)

3. In the event title, include the person's name and context (e.g., "Follow up with Jane Doe re: Project X")

4. In the event description, paste the link to the LinkedIn conversation for easy access

5. Set a specific time-based notification for the event

Pro Tip: As one user suggests, you can even "attach the original email to it" if the conversation started there, keeping all context in one place.

Pros: Simple, free, no additional tools required. Cons: Time-consuming, prone to human error, easy to forget to set the reminder in the first place.

Method 2: External Note-Taking & Task Management Systems

If you already use a note-taking or task management app, this method integrates with your existing workflow:

1. Use a note-taking app like Notion or a simple task manager

2. Create a dedicated page or list for "LinkedIn Follow-Ups"

3. After a key conversation, create a new task: "Follow up with [Name] about [Topic]"

4. Assign a due date to the task

5. Check this task list daily as part of your routine

Pros: Consolidates all follow-up tasks in one place. Cons: Requires manual data entry and context can be lost when switching between LinkedIn and your app.

Level Up Your Workflow: Purpose-Built Tools for LinkedIn Reminders

While manual methods work, they create friction in your workflow. For professionals who handle numerous conversations or need more reliability, purpose-built tools offer automation and efficiency:

Tool 1: Kondo (The Inbox Supercharger)

Kondo transforms LinkedIn messaging with Gmail-like functionality built directly into your LinkedIn inbox.

How It Works:

1. While viewing a LinkedIn conversation, simply press the H key

2. A menu appears allowing you to choose a preset follow-up time (e.g., "in 3 hours," "tomorrow morning") or type a custom one

3. The message is temporarily snoozed and disappears from your main inbox

4. It automatically reappears at the top of your inbox when the reminder is due

5. Smart Cancellation: The reminder is automatically canceled if the person replies before the due time

Key Benefits: Users report a 30% increase in meetings booked and a 2x increase in leads responded to. As Mark Kosoglow testimonials, "Kondo turns DMs into a full Gmail experience with shortcuts, reminders, and easy access profiles."

Advanced Features: Use Labels to categorize chats ("Hot Lead," "Candidate"), Shortcuts for quick navigation, and Snippets to create reusable message templates.

Tool 2: folk (The Lightweight CRM)

folk offers a lightweight CRM solution with powerful reminder capabilities:

How It Works:

1. Export LinkedIn Contacts: First, export your contacts from LinkedIn. folk provides a detailed guide on how to do this.

2. Import to folk: Import the contact list into your folk workspace.

3. Set Reminders: For any contact, you can set multiple reminders. Define a due date, add a description, choose the frequency (daily, weekly, annual), and select team members to be notified.

Key Features:

• Centralized View: See all upcoming reminders in a single table view or view them on individual contact profiles.

• Email Notifications: You receive an email notification on the reminder date, defaulting to 9 AM your local time.

Use Cases: Perfect for tracking internal events like team member birthdays or external touchpoints like a client's free trial expiration.

From Reminder to Reply: Crafting the Perfect Follow-Up Message

Setting reminders solves half the equation. The other half is knowing what to say when that reminder pops up. Here's how to craft follow-ups that get responses:

Best Practices for Timing and Cadence

• Initial Follow-Up: Send within 24-48 hours after an initial interaction (like a networking event) to maintain momentum.

• Structured Follow-Up Sequence (for outreach):

  • First follow-up: 3-5 days after initial message

  • Second follow-up: 7-10 days later

  • Final follow-up: 14-21 days after that

• Know When to Stop: Limit your attempts to 3-4 messages without a response to avoid being perceived as spam.

Best Practices for Content and Tone

• Keep it Concise: Aim for under 300 characters. Shorter messages have higher response rates.

• Personalize Each Message: Reference previous interactions or shared interests.

• Offer Value: Share a relevant article, insight, or resource.

• Clear Call to Action (CTA): End with a clear next step (e.g., "Are you free for a 15-minute call next week?").

Sample Follow-Up Templates

After Networking Event:

Hi [Name], it was great meeting you at [Event Name]. I really enjoyed our chat about [Topic]. As promised, here's that article on [Topic]. Would you be open to a brief call next week to discuss this further?

After No Response:

Hi [Name], hope you're having a productive week. Just wanted to gently follow up on my previous message about [Topic]. I'm still very interested in exploring how we could collaborate. Let me know if another time is better to connect

The Pro Playbook: Advanced Follow-Up Strategies for Tough Nuts to Crack

For prospects who have gone completely silent, standard follow-ups may not be enough. Here are five proven methods to re-engage them, based on strategies shared by Shawn Casemore on LinkedIn:

1. The "I Forgot to Mention" Follow-Up

A day after sending a proposal, send a brief message:

Hi [Name], I realized I forgot to mention a key point about [Feature/Benefit] that could be particularly valuable for you. Do you have 5 minutes to connect tomorrow so I can explain

This creates a natural reason to reconnect without appearing pushy.

2. The Customer Testimonial Follow-Up

If you haven't heard back, share a relevant customer success story:

Hi [Name], I was just thinking about our conversation and wanted to share how [Similar Company] achieved [Result] with us. Thought you might find it interesting. Happy to chat more when you have a moment

Social proof can often reignite interest where direct follow-ups fail.

3. The "Is Everything Okay?" Follow-Up

Use this carefully. Leave a sincere voicemail and send a matching email:

Hi [Name], I haven't heard back from you and just wanted to check in to make sure everything is okay. Let me know if I can help with anything.

This approach leverages people's natural inclination to respond to genuine concern.

4. The Courier Follow-Up

For high-value prospects, send a printed proposal via courier with a handwritten note: "Did my emails get lost in your spam folder? Let me know!"

The physical delivery demands attention in a way digital messages cannot.

5. The Co-Worker Follow-Up

As a last resort, reach out to an assistant or co-worker:

Hi [Assistant's Name], I've been trying to reach [Prospect's Name] regarding [Topic] and wanted to ensure my messages are getting through. Could you confirm if they've received them

Sometimes a different point of contact can create movement where direct follow-ups have stalled.

Overcoming Common Follow-Up Challenges

Even with reminders set and templates ready, you might encounter these common obstacles:

Challenge: You feel awkward or pushy following up multiple times. Solution: Remember the 80% statistic—most business outcomes require multiple follow-ups. You're not being pushy; you're being professional and thorough.

Challenge: You're overwhelmed by the volume of follow-ups needed. Solution: Batch process your follow-ups in dedicated time blocks rather than handling them individually throughout the day.

Challenge: Your follow-ups aren't getting responses despite multiple attempts. Solution: Experiment with different approaches—try asking a question, sharing valuable content, or changing your call to action to something lower-commitment.

Conclusion: From Forgetfulness to Follow-Through

LinkedIn's lack of a native reminder feature doesn't have to be a roadblock to your networking success. Whether you choose the simplicity of calendar reminders, the integration of note-taking apps, or the power of purpose-built tools like Kondo or folk, implementing a reliable follow-up system will transform your LinkedIn results.

Remember that following up isn't just about persistence—it's about demonstrating professionalism, building relationships, and standing out in a crowded digital landscape.

Stop letting opportunities slip through the cracks. Choose a method from this guide, implement it today, and turn your LinkedIn connections into meaningful conversations.

After all, in a world where 44% of professionals give up after just one follow-up, simply showing up consistently puts you ahead of the competition. The reminder system you choose today could be the difference between a missed opportunity and your next big break.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are LinkedIn follow-ups so important?

Following up on LinkedIn is crucial because it helps build stronger relationships, keeps you top-of-mind with your contacts, and significantly increases your chances of achieving your goals. The data shows that persistence pays off; for example, 80% of sales require an average of five follow-ups, yet nearly half of professionals give up after the first attempt. A consistent follow-up strategy demonstrates professionalism and reliability, helping you stand out in a crowded inbox.

How often should I follow up on LinkedIn?

A good rule of thumb is to send your first follow-up 3-5 days after your initial message, a second one 7-10 days later, and a final one 14-21 days after that. The key is to be persistent without being perceived as spam. It's generally best to limit your attempts to 3-4 messages if you don't receive a response.

Does LinkedIn have a built-in reminder feature?

No, standard LinkedIn accounts do not have a built-in feature to set reminders on messages. This limitation is why users often turn to other methods to manage their follow-ups, such as manual systems like calendar events or purpose-built browser extensions like Kondo, which adds this functionality directly into your LinkedIn inbox.

What is the best way to set a reminder for a LinkedIn message?

The best way to set a reminder depends on your workflow and message volume. For a few important conversations, creating a manual calendar event with a link to the conversation is simple and effective. For professionals who manage many conversations and want maximum efficiency, a tool like Kondo is ideal because it allows you to set reminders directly within the LinkedIn interface.

What should I say in a follow-up message if I get no response?

Your follow-up message should be concise, personalized, and add value. Gently remind them of your previous message's context and end with a clear, low-friction call to action. For example: "Hi [Name], hope you're having a productive week. Just wanted to gently follow up on my previous message about [Topic]. Let me know if another time is better to connect."

How can I follow up without being pushy?

To follow up without being pushy, focus on adding value with each interaction, keep your messages short, and maintain a friendly, professional tone. Instead of simply asking if they saw your last message, try sharing a relevant article or a useful insight related to your previous conversation. This reframes the follow-up from a demand for a response to a helpful gesture.

Which method will you implement first?