LinkedIn conversation ads allow advertisers to start conversations with people who have shown interest in their ads. These ads appear in members’ LinkedIn feeds and include a call-to-action button that invites them to send a message to the advertiser. This interactive format provides a way for brands to establish more personal connections with their target audience on LinkedIn. However, some users wonder whether they can actually respond to these ads and start a conversation with the advertiser. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how LinkedIn conversation ads work and whether you as a user can respond to them.
What are LinkedIn conversation ads?
LinkedIn conversation ads are a type of sponsored content on LinkedIn that promote engagement between brands and users. Here are some key things to know about them:
- They appear in the LinkedIn feed like regular sponsored posts.
- They include a call-to-action button labeled “Send Message” or “Start Conversation.”
- Clicking this button allows the user to send a private message to the advertiser.
- The advertiser can then respond, starting a 1:1 conversation with the interested user.
- Conversation ads can target users based on profile data like job title, industry, interests, etc.
The goal of these ads is to enable brands to establish more direct, personal connections with LinkedIn members. They provide a way to move interested users from seeing an ad to engaging in a private dialogue with the company.
Can users respond to LinkedIn conversation ads?
Yes, LinkedIn members can respond to and start conversations with advertisers through conversation ads. When you click on the call-to-action button, you’ll be redirected to the advertiser’s LinkedIn profile page. There you’ll see a pre-filled message box where you can type your response and send the first message.
The advertiser will then receive your message and can respond in turn, initiating a 1-on-1 chat conversation. So conversation ads do facilitate direct engagement between brands and interested users on LinkedIn.
What happens when you try to respond?
Here is a step-by-step look at what happens when you try to respond to a LinkedIn conversation ad:
- You’ll see the conversation ad in your LinkedIn feed on desktop or mobile.
- Clicking the call-to-action button will redirect you to the advertiser’s LinkedIn page.
- On their page, you’ll see a pre-filled message box to start the conversation.
- You can type a message into this text box and click “Send” to respond.
- Your message will be sent directly to the advertiser.
- The advertiser will get an alert that you’ve messaged them.
- They can then respond, starting a personal conversation with you.
So the process is quite straightforward. You simply click, type a message, and send to initiate a conversation with the brand advertised.
What are advertisers allowed to say?
LinkedIn does moderate conversations started through their conversation ads. Advertisers are expected to adhere to a few guidelines when responding:
- Responses must be relevant to the interested user’s initial message.
- Advertisers should not make unsolicited sales pitches or push promotional content.
- The tone should be conversational rather than pure advertising.
- Advertisers should aim to add value for the user in their responses.
- Responses must adhere to LinkedIn’s rules and community guidelines.
The goal is facilitating meaningful engagement rather thanpushy sales tactics. Advertisers reported for sending spammy or irrelevant messages in response can have their accounts restricted or banned by LinkedIn.
Best practices for responding to conversation ads
If you’re interested in connecting with a brand through a LinkedIn conversation ad, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Send an initial message that shows you’re a real person aiming for genuine conversation.
- Keep your first message clear and concise to set the right tone.
- Ask thoughtful questions or provide relevant commentary to get the dialogue started.
- Be polite and avoid offensive language or confrontational tones.
- Don’t share sensitive personal information upfront before establishing trust.
Following these tips will help ensure you have the best experience conversing with brands via LinkedIn ads. The advertiser will be more likely to respond helpfully if you initiate the chat in a professional, cordial manner.
Pros of responding to conversation ads
Replying to LinkedIn conversation ads can provide the following benefits:
- Opportunity to make valuable connections with brands you’re interested in.
- Chance to get direct answers to your questions about a company’s offerings.
- Potential to give helpful feedback or share ideas with brands.
- Possibility of special offers, discounts, or insider information if the dialogue goes well.
- Ability to establish yourself as an industry thought leader by engaging brands.
For marketers and sales professionals, conversing with brands via these ads can be especially advantageous for networking and relationship building.
Cons of responding to conversation ads
However, there are also a few potential downsides to consider:
- The advertiser may not respond or only provide unhelpful canned responses.
- You may receive spammy follow-up messages later on.
- It provides your contact information to the advertiser.
- The dialogue could veer into a sales pitch you didn’t ask for.
- You may waste time conversing with a brand that isn’t a good fit.
To avoid these pitfalls, use your best judgment when deciding which conversation ads are worth responding to for your own purposes.
How to unsubscribe after responding
If you engage with a conversation ad but later want to unsubscribe from the advertiser’s messages, here are a few options:
- Politely ask the brand to remove you from their messaging list.
- Use LinkedIn messaging settings to block the advertiser’s account.
- Report the advertiser to LinkedIn if they violate guidelines.
- Adjust notification settings to ignore future messages.
Brands should honor opt-out requests from users who no longer wish to communicate via conversation ads. LinkedIn also provides tools to prevent unwelcome messaging if needed.
Conclusion
LinkedIn conversation ads provide a unique way for brands and professionals to initiate meaningful dialogues via sponsored content. As a user, you can certainly respond to these ads and potentially make valuable connections. However, use discretion and avoid sharing sensitive information when starting conversations. With the right approach, conversing with brands through LinkedIn ads can yield fruitful networking and relationship-building opportunities. But disengage promptly if the dialogue heads in an unwanted sales-focused direction.