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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/9708
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Different roles call for different styles of writing, and how to phrase an email like this will hinge on whether you're a job seeker, someone who's networking, a recruiter, etc. But the techniques laid out in the question [How to write a polite reminder email?](https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/1284/26) will also apply here.

I suggest that you:

- Focus on easy questions that will save them time. (Hopefully you've already done this in your original reply.) For example, a simple question is more likely to be answered than a multipage questionnaire. 
- Include the original message for reference. (Most email programs do this automatically, I'm not sure what the LinkedIn message editor does.) This will be helpful and will save time for the recipient. If they have to look up your original message, they're less likely to take the time to answer you. 
- Let the recipient know that you have a specific reason for messaging them a second time. Saying that you're waiting for them before you can do [something in particular] may remove the "annoyance factor" and help them prioritize. So, "Since I emailed you last, I've discovered that I need this information to do the thingamajig" can come across as friendly when compared to "It's been a week and you have not replied." 
- Make it easy for them. If you want them to refer you to someone else, make it a simple matter for them to do this quickly. Laying out the sort of people you're looking for may help. 

Also, keep in mind that if you're messaging people cold, you just may not hear back from them.

Original score: 3