Open-Ended messaging with Linq Blue

🧭 Using Guided Open-Ended Messages in Linq Blue

Audience: Linq Blue customers sending outbound iMessage/SMS campaigns
Goal: Increase replies, show rates, and keep your line healthy with Apple.

What Is a Guided Open-Ended Message?

A guided open-ended message is a short question that gives the reader 2–3 simple options to choose from.

Instead of:

“What’s happening in your business right now?”

You send:

“What’s happening in your business right now, are you looking to grow jobs, boost revenue, or find better people?”

You’re still asking an open question, but you’ve made it easy to answer by giving a few choices.

Why This Matters for Linq Blue

Customers using guided open-ended messages typically see:

35–40% more replies
Better iMessage deliverability and fewer carrier issues
More conversations that turn into booked calls and closed deals

Why?

Apple and carriers watch engagement.
- Low reply rates = your traffic looks spammy.
- High reply rates = your line looks healthy and trusted.
Replies create momentum.
Message → Reply → Conversation → Show → Close.

🎯 Aim for a 30–40% reply rate on your first message.
If you’re consistently under 15%, it’s a sign the script needs to change.

The Simple Formula

You can use this format for almost any campaign:

Hi ! It’s from {}.
Are you leaning more toward ___, ___, or ___?

Breakdown:

Personal greeting
- Use the person’s first name when possible.
Quick identity
- Say who you are and what company you’re with.
Guided question
- Ask what they’re focused on and give 2–3 options.

🪄 The goal is to make replying as easy as tapping one of the options.

Before & After Examples

Example 1 – General Business Check-In

Old style (low engagement):

“What’s happening in your business right now?”

Guided open-ended version:

“What’s happening in your business right now—are you looking to grow jobs, boost revenue, or find better people?”

Example 2 – Event Follow-Up

Old style:

“Did you get a chance to look at our offer from the event?”

Guided open-ended version:

“Hey , it’s from {}. After the event, are you more focused on training your team, onboarding new clients, or updating your tech?”

Example 3 – Product Interest

Old style:

“Are you interested in learning more about Linq?”

Guided open-ended version:

“Hi ! It’s from Linq. Are you mostly curious about digital cards, analytics, or integrations with your CRM?”

Best Practices

1. Keep It Short and Human

1–2 sentences max.
Use natural language, like you’d text a real contact—not a marketing blast.

2. Give 2–3 Clear Options

Good options are:

Broad enough to cover most people.
Specific enough to tell you what to talk about next.

Examples:

“Hiring, revenue, or operations?”
“Training your team, finding leads, or fixing follow-up?”
“Digital cards, integrations, or analytics?”

3. End with a Question

Always finish with a question mark ❓

Encourages a reply
Signals to Apple that this is a conversation, not a one-way blast

What to Avoid

To keep engagement high and your line healthy, avoid:

Yes/No questions
- “Are you interested?” → easy to ignore or say “No”
Links or media in the first message
- Start with the conversation; you can share links after they reply.
Long introductions or pitches
- Avoid multi-paragraph intros. Save details for the follow-up.
Aggressive or overly salesy language
- This drives down replies and can hurt deliverability over time.

Putting It All Together: A Simple Workflow

Draft your first message using the guided open-ended formula.
Send to your target list from your Linq Blue line.
Watch the replies:
- Tag common responses (e.g., “Revenue”, “Hiring”) in your CRM or notes.
Reply 1:1 based on their answer:
- Ask a follow-up question or offer a quick next step (call, demo, or resource).
Review performance after a few sends:
- If reply rate is below 20%, try:
  - Shortening the message
  - Changing the options
  - Making the tone more casual

FAQ

Do I always have to use three options?

No. Two options is often perfect.
Use three only when it’s natural and not overwhelming.

Can I use links at all?

Yes, but usually after they reply.
The first message should focus on starting the conversation, not driving a click. Links will not work on the first message.

Can I still ask follow-up questions?

Absolutely. Once they respond, you can:

Ask a clarifying question
Offer a call or demo
Share a link that matches what they picked