The 16-Day Plan: A Simple Framework for Warming Up Any Prospect

From Theory to Action: The Need for a Plan

You understand the core idea of "warming up" prospects. You know it’s about building a genuine connection before you make an ask. But when you sit down to actually do it, the questions start piling up. Is it too soon to send a connection request? Should I comment again, or is that too much? This uncertainty leads to hesitation, and hesitation leads to doing nothing at all.

Without a clear framework, your efforts will be inconsistent. You might come on too strong and seem aggressive, or do too little and remain completely invisible. You end up wasting precious mental energy every day just deciding what to do instead of actually doing it.

A Simple 16-Day Warming Protocol

Relationship-building shouldn't be random. It should be a repeatable craft. Here is a simple, 16-day framework you can follow that focuses on gentle, consistent touchpoints to build familiarity and trust.

• Days 1-3 (Observe & Nod): Your first goal is to get on their radar silently. Visit their profile, follow the prospect, then like one of their relevant posts or comments.
• Days 4-7 (Engage): Now it's time for a small, active step. Leave one meaningful, non-promotional comment on one of their posts. A day or two later, like another one of their posts.
• Day 8 (Connect): The groundwork is laid. Send a personalized connection request that briefly references their content or a shared interest.
• Day 9 (Acknowledge): Once they accept, send a simple, no-pitch first DM. Just a quick "Thanks for connecting" to open a friendly, private channel.
• Days 10-16 (Nurture): The pressure is off. Stay on their radar by occasionally liking new posts. Keep an eye out for a natural opportunity to re-engage in the DMs with something helpful or relevant.

Removing the Guesswork from Your Networking

This framework removes the guesswork and anxiety from the process. It gives you a clear, actionable plan for every prospect, so you can be confident you're building the relationship at the right pace without being pushy. It turns the chaotic process of juggling your LinkedIn conversations into a calm, repeatable system.

Of course, this protocol provides the "what," but you still need a way to manage the "who" and "when," especially with multiple prospects. That's why having a simple way to track your networking without spreadsheets is the other essential half of the equation.

Your Task Today: Take the First Step

Ready to bring some structure to your networking?

Pick one ideal prospect you haven't interacted with yet. Just one. Start them on Day 1 of this plan today: follow them. That’s your only task. Tomorrow, you'll know exactly what to do next.