Turn a LinkedIn post into a first message

Use what prospects already said in public to start a real conversation, not a pitch.

SDR Founder Agency owner⏱ 15 minDifficulty: EasyUpdated 2026-11-09

What you'll have at the end

Five personal first messages based on prospects' recent posts, and a follow-up ready for anyone who replies.

Tools you need

LinkedIn or Sales Navigator

Find prospects who posted recently and send the message.

ChatGPT or Claude

Check the post is a good hook and draft the message.

HeyReach

When you're ready to run LinkedIn outreach across several accounts.

Step-by-step workflow

Find 5 prospects who posted in the last 2 weeks

LinkedIn or Sales Navigator

Search LinkedIn for people in your target roles and open their "Activity" tab. Recent, work-related posts make the best hooks. Skip anyone who only reshares.

Check if the post is a good hook

ChatGPT or Claude

Not every post should be referenced. Personal news, sad events and political posts are off limits.

Prompt · Step 2

Here is a LinkedIn post by [NAME], [TITLE] at [COMPANY]:
[PASTE POST]

Answer briefly:
1. Is this a work topic that's appropriate to reply to in a sales context? Yes or no, and why.
2. What is their main point or opinion, in one line?
3. What does it suggest they care about at work right now?
4. How does that connect to [PROBLEM MY PRODUCT SOLVES], if at all? Say "no clear link" if there isn't one.

Free Companion Spreadsheet (.xlsx)

LinkedIn opener swipe file

A spreadsheet with 12 opener patterns you can adapt, a "post hook" checklist, a 5-a-day tracker and every prompt from this workflow.

Write the first message

ChatGPT or Claude

React to their point, add your own perspective, ask a question. No pitch and no link in the first message.

Prompt · Step 3

Write a LinkedIn message to [NAME] about their post: [ONE-LINE SUMMARY OF THEIR POINT].
Rules:
- under 50 words
- first sentence reacts to something specific in the post
- second sentence adds my own view or experience: [YOUR VIEW, OR "write a fair one"]
- end with one genuine question about their work
- no compliments like "great post", no pitch, no link, no emoji
Give me 2 versions.

Send it the right way

LinkedIn or Sales Navigator

If you're already connected, send it as a message. If not, send a connection request with a shortened version as the note, or engage with a thoughtful comment first and message after they accept.

Follow up when they reply

ChatGPT or Claude

When they reply, keep the conversation about their problem. Only bring up what you sell once they've told you something you can help with.

Prompt · Step 5

[NAME] replied to my message with: [PASTE REPLY]
I sell [PRODUCT], which helps with [PROBLEM].
Write a reply under 60 words that responds to what they said, asks one follow-up question about their situation, and only mentions my product if their reply shows a clear need. If it does, suggest a short call, without a calendar link.

Turn this into a system

Once this workflow is working manually, connect it into an automated GTM playbook or stack.

Playbook · Outbound

Multi-Channel Cold Email & LinkedIn Outreach Sequences

Coordinate outbound touches across email and LinkedIn to reach decision-makers across channels without sending overlapping messages.

Open playbook →

Reference Stack · $67 – $317 / mo

The Founder-Led B2B Sales Stack

Streamlined sales operations stack designed for founders closing their initial customer cohorts without CRM configuration complexity.

Explore stack →

Want this running for you?

GPTify builds it on your tools, with a fixed scope and price.

Lead-Finder Agent →

Frequently asked questions

Isn't it creepy to mention someone's post?

Not if you respond to the point they made, the way you would at an event. It's creepy when you mention personal details or quote something unrelated to work.

Should I like or comment before messaging?

A thoughtful comment a day or two earlier often helps, because your name is familiar when the message arrives. A like on its own adds little.

Can this be automated?

Finding prospects and tracking replies can be. Keep the message itself personal, because a generic "loved your post" is easy to spot.