DM Auditing
The Trusted Voice · 7 October 2026
On The Trusted Voice Replay Hub →
Start here · 0 to 5 min
Open your LinkedIn messages, count the threads you haven't answered and drop the number in chat.
Watching the replay? Pause here, count yours and write the number down.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Inbound · 5 to 20 min
The conversations LinkedIn thinks matter most to you.
Everything it ranked lower, which can include real people.
Threads you filed away, where old leads can sit.
Messages it filtered out. Real inbound lands here too.
On the mobile app, tap Focused at the top of your messages to switch folders.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Inbound · 5 to 20 min
They show buying intent or mention a problem you solve.
Someone you already work with needs something from you.
Cold sellers and lead-gen bots that need no reply.
Real people with nothing urgent, like compliments and invites.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Inbound · 5 to 20 min
If you're unsure, put it in Reply later and never in spam.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Inbound · A real invitation with a note
Hi String, in case you don't know about me, I am a writer who began writing after [a major life event]. I'd be grateful if you could read my work on my LinkedIn account and help me reach more people. I'd also be grateful if you could check out my books on Amazon. Thanks
Your call
Type your bucket in chat before the next slide.
Watching the replay? Pause and decide first.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Inbound · The answer
Hi String, in case you don't know about me, I am a writer who began writing after [a major life event]. I'd be grateful if you could read my work on my LinkedIn account and help me reach more people. I'd also be grateful if you could check out my books on Amazon. Thanks
Why
It's from a real person, so it isn't spam.
It makes three asks and has no question for you, so it isn't a warm lead.
Invitations with a note count as inbound, so check those too.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Inbound · 5 to 20 min
Warm lead
Add it to your CRM too, if you have one.
Client or member question
Reply, and it stays where you'll see it.
Pitch spam
It needs no reply from you.
Reply later
Check it in your weekly DM block.
Track next steps in the DM tracker sheet, which has an Inbound tab and an Outbound tab.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Your turn · 8 minutes
1
Start in Focused, then check Other and Spam for real people.
2
Put each of the last 10 conversations into a bucket.
3
Star the warm leads and share your four counts in chat.
Watching the replay? Pause here and sort yours before you press play.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Outbound · 20 to 35 min · Your turn
1
Scroll back through the last 10 conversations you started.
2
Mark each one where your message was the last word.
3
Add the people you'd still like to hear from to the DM tracker.
Haven't started outbound? List your top 5 to 10 potential prospects in the Outbound tab instead.
Watching the replay? Pause here and audit yours before you press play.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Top 5 to 10 · 35 to 50 min
1
2
3
4
Pick from your starred list and your spreadsheet, and stop at ten names.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Before you hit send
Give each message one job and end it with a question they can answer. The pitch and the link can wait until they reply.
The next two slides are starters to adapt in your own words, not scripts to paste.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Starters · Following up
A warm inbound waiting on you
Hey [Name], sorry for the slow reply, this got buried in my inbox. You asked about [their question]. [Your one-line answer]. What's prompted it for you right now?
Someone who went quiet
Hey [Name], following up on [topic]. Any update?
An old conversation
Hey [Name], it's been a while. How are things going?
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Starters · New prospects · Draft only
Someone new
Hey [Name], saw your post on [topic], great perspective! Curious to hear more about your take on [related point]. Would love to connect!
They already engage with you
Hey [Name], appreciate you engaging with my posts! Working on anything exciting right now?
They've named a problem you solve
Hey [Name], appreciate your comment on [topic]. Saw you mention [challenge], I help people solve that. Happy to share a few quick ideas, want me to?
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Your turn · 10 minutes
1
Open your top 5 to 10 and start with the first name.
2
Adapt the starter that fits so it sounds like you.
3
Send it, then type your sent count in chat.
Working from a prospect list? Draft your first messages now and send them after the session.
Watching the replay? Pause here and send yours before you press play.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Weekly rhythm · 50 to 60 min
One 20-minute block on the same day each week keeps the pipeline moving.
Step 1
Put new inbound into the four buckets.
Step 2
Answer warm leads and client or member questions first.
Step 3
Work through your starred list and your spreadsheet.
Step 4
Add next week's outbound names to your spreadsheet.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Your commitment
Type your version in chat so we can hold you to it.
Watching the replay? Put your DM block in your calendar before you close this tab.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing
Recap · Q&A
1
Checked all four LinkedIn folders for inbound you'd missed.
2
Sorted your inbound into four buckets and starred the warm leads.
3
Audited your outbound and added follow-ups to your tracker.
4
Sent or drafted messages to your top 5 to 10 people.
5
Set a weekly DM block to keep it going.
Your next step
Send it to the TTV DM group. Collective feedback is great for accountability.
The Trusted Voice · DM Auditing