I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.
Five minutes after sending a single LinkedIn message, a complete stranger wrote back saying they wanted to hire our agency for our “Done For You” LinkedIn Lead Generation services.
No lengthy sales pitch. No back-and-forth qualifying questions. No scheduling hassles.
Just one simple message that turned into a five-figure client.
And here’s the kicker – the entire strategy revolves around a simple LinkedIn DM strategy you can deploy right now.
The Problem With Traditional LinkedIn Outreach
Listen, if you’re like most business owners trying to generate leads on LinkedIn, you’re probably drowning in noise.
Every day, scores of people send you connection requests with zero context.
You accept a few, hoping they might be potential clients or valuable connections.
Then comes the inevitable flood of generic messages:
“Thanks for connecting! I help businesses like yours achieve 10X growth…”
“Hey! I noticed you’re a business owner. Can we hop on a quick call?”
“Hi! I’d love to learn more about your business…”
Sound familiar?
These messages fail because they require too much mental energy from the recipient. They’re asking for time, attention, and commitment before establishing any value or relevance.
Good news: There’s a ridiculously simple approach that helps you move new, inbound connections into the proper sales funnel – FAST.
The “This or That” Strategy That Changes Everything
As I mentioned earlier, a Small Business Owner sent me a blank LinkedIn invitation – no note, no context, nothing. Their profile looked decent in terms of being a potential prospect for our agency, so I accepted.
However, instead of launching into my usual “thanks for connecting” routine with a handful of questions, I tried something different.
I sent this:
Hi [NAME] – were you wanting to connect for my best free LinkedIn tips? Or are you interested in done for you level help?
That’s it. One sentence. Two choices.
Within five minutes, the prospect replied: “I’m interested in done for you help.”
Boom!
No dancing around. No wasted time. Just straight to the point.
The psychology behind this strategy is brilliant (even though I stumbled onto it by accident).
When you give people two clear choices, you eliminate decision fatigue. You’re not asking them to think hard or compose a lengthy response. You’re making it easy for them to self-select their path.
Think about it – when someone connects with you on LinkedIn without context, they fall into one of these categories:
- They want free value and tips
- They’re potentially interested in your services
- They’re trying to sell you something
- They’re just networking
By offering the “this or that” choice between free tips and paid services, you immediately identify categories 1 and 2 – the only ones that matter for your business.
The Secret Strategy? Keep it Simple!
Remember, the LinkedIn inbox has become a nonstop zone of noise. Long messages get ignored. Multiple questions overwhelm people.
But a single sentence with two clear options?
That’s manageable.
That’s answerable.
That gets responses.
How to Implement This Strategy for Inbound LinkedIn Invites
Here’s your step-by-step blueprint for using this with people who reach out to connect with you:
Step 1: Quick Profile Assessment
When someone sends you a connection request, do a 10-second profile scan:
- Are they in your target market?
- Do they look like a potential client or referral source?
- Are there any obvious red flags (i.e., maybe they’re clearly trying to sell something)?
If they pass this quick check, accept the invitation.
Step 2: Send Your “This or That” Message Immediately
Don’t wait. Don’t overthink. As soon as you accept, send your version of the two-choice message.
Skip all the formalities. No “thanks for connecting” or “great to meet you” fluff. Just cut straight to the chase.
Here are some templates based on your business:
For Coaches/Consultants: “Hi [Name], were you looking to connect for free coaching tips, or are you exploring working with a coach?”
For Service Providers: “Hi [Name], did you want to connect for free [your expertise] resources, or are you looking for DFY-level help?”
For B2B Companies: “Hi [Name], were you interested in our free guides on [Topic], or exploring our [specific service]?”
Step 3: Have Your Funnels Ready
This is crucial – you need to be prepared for both responses!
If they choose free tips:
- Have a high-value lead magnet ready (book, checklist, template)
- Add them to your email nurture sequence
- Deliver massive value to build trust over time
If they choose paid services:
- Move immediately to your sales process
- Offer a discovery call or send your services overview
- Strike while the iron is hot
The Power of Pre-Qualifying Your Prospects
What I love about this approach is how it instantly segments your LinkedIn connections.
In my case, when someone says they want free tips, I know they’re not ready to buy today.
So I don’t waste time trying to sell them.
Instead, I say:
“Great! I’ll send you a free copy of my book LinkedIn Riches. It has all my best strategies, frameworks, and scripts. You can download the audiobook, Kindle, or PDF version.”
I then find the email associated with their LinkedIn account (or ask them for the best email to send it to) and add them to my email list. That way, I can deliver the free resource and follow up tips / insights / ideas to help warm up the prospect before I ever see if they’re interested in our DFY services.
But when someone says they want “Done For You” level help?
That’s a hot lead.
I immediately move them into my sales conversation.
Advanced Variations: The Three-Choice Test
I’ve been experimenting with adding a third option (though I recommend starting with just two):
Hi [Name], were you looking to connect for my free tips, interested in done-for-you services, or just here to network and make friends?
The third option helps identify people who will never become clients, saving you from wasting time on dead-end conversations.
Some people respond with “just here to network,” and that’s perfectly fine. Now I know not to invest any sales energy into that relationship.
The Outbound Challenge
Now, using this strategy for outbound invitations (where YOU reach out to connect) requires more finesse.
You can’t immediately ask “what do you want from me?” when you’re the one who initiated contact. 😂
I’m still testing approaches, but here’s what’s showing promise:
After they accept your invitation, try this:
[Name], would you find more value in free [your expertise] tips, or are you looking for more direct help with [specific problem you solve]?
It’s less direct, but still gives them an easy choice to make.
The Hidden Psychology of Choice Architecture
Here’s what most people miss about this strategy – it’s not just about qualification. It’s about positioning yourself as the prize.
When you ask someone to choose between your free tips or paid services, you’re subtly communicating:
- You have valuable knowledge to share
- You have paid services that people want
- You’re not desperate for their business
- You respect their time and yours
Compare that to the typical LinkedIn message that basically screams “Please talk to me! Please buy from me!”
See the difference?
So while everyone else is deploying their AI armies and chasing vanity metrics, you can be having actual conversations with actual prospects who actually want to buy what you’re selling.
The choice is yours: Be another robot in the feed, or be the human who stands out.
Want More LinkedIn Tips? Start Here.
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