# What do I say when a LinkedIn lead says not right now?
> Ask one clarifying question about timing, then stop pitching. Put them on a longer follow-up. "Not now" is not "never," and it is also not "keep selling."
- HTML: https://omentir.com/help/what-to-say-when-a-linkedin-lead-says-not-right-now
- Markdown: https://omentir.com/help/what-to-say-when-a-linkedin-lead-says-not-right-now.md

"Not right now" is a gift because they replied. Do not punish that with three more bubbles of proof. Thank them, ask whether it is timing, budget, or priority, and accept a short answer.

If they name a quarter or a project, write it down and come back then with a new reason, not the old thread dumped on them. If they are vague, ask if you can check in in 60 or 90 days. Then actually wait.

A useful check-in later is a new public signal (they hired, they shipped, they posted) or a single useful artifact with no form. "Bumping this" in month three is how you become the person they mute.

Keep them in a list you trust. CRM, a spreadsheet, or Omentir, as long as a human can see the last note. Sequences that ignore "not now" and keep asking for 15 minutes are how you earn spam marks.

There is a longer playbook in [how to nurture LinkedIn leads who say not right now](/blogs/how-to-nurture-linkedin-leads-who-say-not-right-now).

## Related

- [How do I follow up on LinkedIn without sounding spammy?](https://omentir.com/help/how-to-follow-up-on-linkedin-without-being-spammy.md)
- [How do I book a meeting from a LinkedIn message?](https://omentir.com/help/how-to-book-a-meeting-from-a-linkedin-message.md)
- [How should I reply when they already use a competitor?](https://omentir.com/help/how-to-reply-when-prospect-already-uses-a-competitor.md)

## Frequently asked questions

**Should I offer a discount when they delay?**

Not in the same breath. A random discount trains them to wait for one. Revisit price when timing is real.

**What if "not now" is a polite no?**

If they also say they are happy with the current setup and do not want mail, treat it as a no. Close cleanly.

**Can I keep commenting on their posts in the meantime?**

If the comments are real, yes. If they are a pretext to DM again next week, no.

**Do I send a breakup or a nurture?**

Nurture if they gave a time. Breakup if they went vague and you already asked once. Do not run both.

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