To excel in the B2B space today, advanced tools are essential — and generative AI is at the top of the list. With more platforms incorporating gen AI capabilities into their software, the applications tend to be easy to use and straightforward. This is the case with LinkedIn AI, and if you know how to leverage its features, it can pay off big time for your sales program.
By using LinkedIn’s AI tools, your sales team can become more efficient, implement better personalization, and target leads with refined precision. Let’s look at three features and how to make the best use of them to improve your sales results.
Enhance Outreach with AI-Powered Writing Suggestions
LinkedIn’s AI writing suggestions can be helpful for writing persuasive InMail messages and posts. This feature, currently available only to LinkedIn Premium users, analyzes your profile and the context of your message to generate tailored content — helping streamline the writing process and ensuring your writing is professional.
For example, when you’re composing an InMail message to a potential client, the AI tool can suggest personalized introductions and relevant talking points, helping save you time while enhancing engagement.
To optimize these AI-generated suggestions, make sure to:
- Adjust to maintain authenticity: While the AI tool provides a foundation, take the time to customize your message to reflect your unique voice, your actual relationship with the contact, and the recipient’s specific interests.
- Align with brand tone: Ensure the language and style are consistent with your company’s brand to maintain a cohesive image.
- Review and edit: Always proofread AI-generated content to correct any inaccuracies or awkward phrasing.
Engage Prospects with Smart Replies
When it’s time to deepen a conversation, LinkedIn AI can also help. LinkedIn’s Smart Replies feature offers AI-generated response options in conversations, so you can engage with contacts in a quick and relevant way.
By analyzing the context of incoming messages, Smart Replies suggest appropriate responses, helping your sales team maintain timely communication without skipping the personalization.
Using Smart Replies can lead to faster response times and higher engagement rates. Use them effectively by:
- Personalizing responses: Even with AI suggestions, add a personal touch to avoid sounding impersonal.
- Use as a starting point: Treat Smart Replies as a foundation, and then expand upon them to provide more detailed and meaningful information with a focus on the desired action you want the recipient to take.
- Stay contextual: Double check that the suggested reply aligns with the conversation’s context to maintain relevance.
Say a prospect inquires about scheduling a demo; Smart Replies might suggest responses like “Sure, when are you available?” or “I’d be happy to set that up.” You can select a suggestion and then add specific details, like proposing a time or sharing a calendar link to move the conversation forward effectively.
Identify Leads with AI-Driven Job and Candidate Recommendations
LinkedIn’s AI-powered job and candidate recommendations are extremely useful for identifying new leads and decision-makers at target accounts. These tools analyze user data to flag individuals who’ve recently changed roles, been promoted, or joined companies that align with your target market.
This feature enables you to focus on prospects most likely to need your solutions. For example, a newly promoted VP of Operations may be in a position to advocate for fresh vendor relationships or process improvements — opening the door for your pitch.
In another scenario, a Marketing lead you were friendly with at one company moves to a new organization as the Chief Marketing Officer. After LinkedIn flags this career move for you, you reach out and reconnect, congratulating them while at the same time refreshing their memory about your service offering.
Here’s how to integrate AI recommendations into your workflow:
- Set up notifications for role changes: Use LinkedIn’s filters to monitor job updates for connections in your target industry. The LinkedIn AI tool helps surface these opportunities in real time.
- Research and personalize: Dive deeper into recommended candidates’ profiles to understand their pain points and compose personalized outreach messages.
- Engage proactively: Congratulate individuals on job changes or promotions to start a warm conversation. Then use the transition as a hook to introduce your solutions.
Best Practices for Using LinkedIn AI in Sales
While LinkedIn’s AI tools are powerful, they work when they complement — not replace — your sales strategy. Here’s how to maximize their value:
- Balance automation with personalization: Automation speeds up repetitive tasks, but personalization is where connections are made. Make sure to refine AI-generated messages to include specific details that humanize your writing and show you’ve done your homework.
- Stay authentic: AI tools are incredibly efficient, but overly robotic communication can alienate prospects. Best practice is to use AI suggestions as a starting point, then adapt the tone to sound genuine and conversational.
- Use analytics: Make sure to measure the impact of your AI-powered strategies. LinkedIn’s data analytics can tell you which AI-generated messages perform best so you can continue to fine-tune your approach.
Tip: Track open rates and engagement on AI-enhanced InMails and posts. Use this data to consistently optimize your outreach efforts.
Elevate Your Sales Game with LinkedIn AI
LinkedIn’s AI-powered features, including writing suggestions, Smart Replies, and job/candidate recommendations, offer a big advantage in the competitive B2B sales landscape. These tools can help you streamline outreach, ensure timelier engagement, and identify high-potential leads, all while saving time.
Experiment with these features and find ways to integrate them into your existing sales strategy. The key is to use LinkedIn AI as a powerful assistant to enhance rather than replace the human touch that’s so essential to successful sales relationships.
If you’re ready to take your LinkedIn prospecting to the next level, explore how LeadLander can help you turn website insights into sales opportunities via LinkedIn.