Linkedin Outreach Strategy: A Calm Way to Start DM Outreach

If you’re staring at the screen because you don’t know what to say in a DM, you’re probably skipping the prep.

That’s the often-missing big idea behind LinkedIn outreach strategy, and it’s making most founders struggle with DM outreach. You assume you need better words. Better scripts. Better templates.

You don’t.

You need confidence, and confidence comes from process and practice, not inspiration.

The Reframe: DM Outreach Isn’t a Content Problem

When founders hit an inbound lull or realize great-fit clients aren’t magically showing up, the reflex is predictable: it’s time to claim the projects that aren’t coming to you. But then it hits you:

“I don’t know what to say.”

So you plan to copy/paste a few scripts, even if they feel robotic, awkward, or vaguely pickup-artist-adjacent. The result? Messages that don’t sound like you and outreach you avoid altogether.

This isn’t a copy problem.
It’s a confidence problem. Once the prep is done, knowing how to approach people on LinkedIn becomes surprisingly calm.

The Moment That Breaks the Fear Loop

In my 1:1 work, I walk my clients straight into their first DM outreach at the end of our first call.

Live.

We screen-share. We write together. We read the message out loud in their voice. And then we press send.

Every time, I see the same reaction:

• The pause
• The sweat
• The “Wait…we’re doing this now?”

But sending one DM, not 100, not 50, is enough to break the pretend, post, and pray cycle.

You realize:

• You won’t die
• You won’t be publicly shamed
• You won’t get banned from LinkedIn

And no, the first DM doesn’t need to close the deal.
It just needs to open a door.

Mistakes happen. One client once sent the wrong name and thought it was the end of her professional life. She owned it, regulated, followed up, and learned how to prevent it next time. That’s the point.
DM outreach is a skill. A muscle. A habit.

A sustainable LinkedIn outreach strategy is built on four foundations (not scripts).

1. Mindset (Where Outreach Really Starts)

Outreach begins before you sit at the keyboard. Outreach starts with beliefs.

Before you message anyone, you need to believe:

• Quantity has a quality of its own, measure success by inputs, not results
• Curveballs are normal (and survivable), expect them
• Sales is a learnable skill, not a personality trait

If you’ve ever built a relationship, you already know how to sell.
You’re just not doing it on purpose, yet.

2. Narrative (Messaging-Lite, Not a Rebrand)

You don’t need a full positioning overhaul.
You need just enough narrative clarity to answer three questions without freezing:

• Who do you serve?
• What’s their before and after?
• What’s your unique approach?

Frameworks like Billy Broas’s 5 Lightbulbs or Pixar-style story arcs work well because they create repeatable language you can pull from in DM outreach.

This is what lets you:

• Write faster
• Respond without spiraling
• Talk about your work without sounding rehearsed

This is the muscle behind confident messaging, especially when learning how to approach people on LinkedIn without sounding transactional.

3. Materials (Your Silent Sales Team)

Good DM outreach is supported, not carried, by assets.

Start with a simple leadership library:

• Text: Blog posts, case studies, sales page PDFs
• Audio: Podcast interviews or private audio notes
• Video: Looms, webinars/workshops, or TikTok-style FAQs, 

One of each type is enough to start.
As conversations evolve, your materials will do the explaining, helping your potential buyers and believers to sell themselves on you.

4. List (Buyers and Believers)

There are three lists every founder needs:

• Email list: Your green room
• Waitlist: Where you nurture handraisers
• Outreach list: Where momentum is created

But here’s the part most people miss:

DM outreach isn’t just for buyers.

It’s for believers, people who run rooms, host podcasts, lead communities, or gather your audience in ways you can’t.

A handful of aligned believers will outperform 2,000 cold DMs every time.

That’s a smarter LinkedIn outreach strategy (and a calmer one).

Why This Exists

This isn’t a step-by-step tutorial.

It’s a start here.

It’s the link I send when someone asks,

“What do I say in a DM?”

And it’s the foundation of the work I do in my 1:1 advisory.

Because Founder brands need systems, not slogans, and not scripts.

DM outreach works when you’ve done the prepwork that keeps you from panicking.

What’s Coming Next

• Individual deeper dives into mindset, messaging, materials, and lists
• Ask me anything sessions to snap you out of overthinking
• A downloadable outreach prep checklist

Let’s build the habits without creating havoc.

~tara

Frequently Asked Questions About LinkedIn Outreach & DM Outreach

What is the best LinkedIn outreach strategy for founders?

The best LinkedIn outreach strategy starts with preparation. Founders get better results when they focus on mindset, clear positioning, supportive materials, and a thoughtful list of buyers and believers. Outreach works best when it’s relational, not transactional, and when the goal of a DM is to open a conversation, not close a deal.

How do I approach people on LinkedIn without sounding salesy?

If you’re worried about sounding salesy, you’re likely trying to sell too early. The key to how to approach people on LinkedIn is to lead with relevance and curiosity. Reference something specific, share perspective when helpful, and treat the DM like the start of a relationship. Sales pressure comes from skipping the prep and rushing the relationship, not from the message itself.

What should I say in a LinkedIn DM if I don’t know the person?

You don’t need a perfect opener. Effective DM outreach simply acknowledges context, shows alignment, and opens the door. A short, human message that reflects why you’re reaching out works better than a long explanation. Remember: the purpose of the first DM is connection before conversion. If you need a few examples, download my DM Confidence Kit.

How many LinkedIn DMs should I send per day?

There’s no magic number. A sustainable LinkedIn outreach strategy prioritizes consistency over volume. Sending a small number of thoughtful messages regularly is more effective than blasting hundreds at once. Outreach is a long game, and quantity builds confidence over time. If you notice your messages are becoming lazy, sloppy, or generic, you’ve gone too far.

Do I need scripts for DM outreach?

Scripts can help you practice, but relying on them too heavily often backfires. The strongest DM outreach comes from having a clear narrative and repeatable language you understand. When you know who you serve and how you help, writing messages becomes easier and more natural. With time, you’ll be able to create your own scripts, reusing snippets that led to success. That said, one size fits all fits no one. Instead, focus on building your conversational muscle and sharpening your skills over time.

Why does LinkedIn outreach feel so uncomfortable?

Most discomfort around DM outreach comes from fear. Outreach triggers vulnerability: fear of rejection, embarrassment, or being ignored. Once you send a few messages and survive the outcome, your nervous system learns that nothing bad happens. Confidence follows completion, not the other way around.