LinkedIn InMail is a powerful tool for connecting with professionals and prospects on LinkedIn. With InMail, you can directly contact LinkedIn members outside of your network. This allows you to expand your reach and connect with the right people for your business goals.
But what if you send an InMail and then realize you made a mistake or want to add something? Is it possible to edit or change an InMail after you’ve already sent it?
Can InMails Be Edited After Sending?
The short answer is no, you cannot edit or change an InMail message once you have sent it. LinkedIn does not provide the ability to revise or modify InMails after they have been delivered.
Once you hit send on an InMail, it is permanently sent to the recipient’s inbox as-is. This applies whether you are sending individual InMails or using LinkedIn’s campaign features to send InMails in bulk.
So it’s important to carefully review your InMails before sending to check for any errors or information you want to add. You only get one chance to get it right.
Why You Can’t Edit InMails After Sending
There are a few reasons why LinkedIn does not allow editing sent InMails:
- Authenticity – Allowing edits after sending could enable scams or misleading messages. Sending an initial harmless message, then editing it later to add malicious links or content.
- User Expectations – Recipients expect messages to be unaltered from what the sender initially sent.
- Technical Limitations – LinkedIn’s infrastructure may not easily facilitate editing already sent messages.
These reasons make sense from LinkedIn’s perspective. The inability to edit provides authenticity and meets user expectations.
What to Do If You Need to Change a Sent InMail
If you realize you need to modify a sent InMail, here are some options:
- Send a follow-up InMail – Explain that you need to add or change some information from your previous message. Keep it brief and polite.
- Connect via another method – If appropriate, try contacting the recipient via email or phone to communicate the additional details.
- Adjust future InMails – Learn from your mistake and be extra careful when crafting your next InMails.
While not ideal, a follow-up message is better than no communication at all in most cases. The recipient will usually understand mistakes happen on occasion.
Best Practices for Avoiding Needing to Edit InMails
Here are some tips to avoid needing to edit an InMail after sending:
- Proofread carefully – Check thoroughly for typos, grammar issues, and unclear phrasing.
- Read out loud – This can help catch awkward wording.
- Check for accuracy – Double check that all information you provide is correct.
- Sleep on it – If possible, wait to send until the next day so you review with fresh eyes.
- Send a draft – Have a colleague review a draft InMail before sending.
Rushing an InMail can often lead to mistakes. Taking your time to carefully craft the message can prevent the need for any edits later.
Tools to Help Craft Better InMails
Here are some tools that can help you create solid InMails the first time:
- Grammarly – Catches grammar mistakes, typos, and other writing errors.
- Hemingway Editor – Improves readability and highlights complex sentences.
- RescueTime – Helps manage distractions to allow focus on writing.
- Boomerang – Allows scheduling InMails to send later after review.
Using tools like these can take your InMail game to the next level. The time invested will pay off by preventing the need for any edits after sending.
Alternatives If You Really Need to Edit
If you absolutely must modify an InMail for some reason, two options could be:
- Cancel the original – You may be able to cancel the initial InMail if the recipient has not opened it yet. This would allow you to craft and send an entirely new message.
- Delete and re-send – As a last resort, you could delete the InMail then pay to send an entirely new one.
However, these should be used sparingly, if ever. Repeatedly sending InMails to someone can appear spammy.
Key Takeaways
- LinkedIn does not allow editing or modifying InMails after they have been sent.
- This inability to edit is due to authenticity concerns and user expectations.
- Carefully craft your InMail before sending or schedule it to send later after review.
- If needed, send a polite follow-up InMail to provide clarification or additional details.
- Use writing tools and best practices to prevent needing edits.
Conclusion
While the inability to tweak sent InMails may be frustrating at times, it ultimately improves the LinkedIn messaging experience.
With extra care and preparation, you can send stellar InMails that require no further editing. The time invested up front will pay off with more successful recipient engagement and fewer mistakes down the road.
Implement these InMail best practices, and you can connect with your top prospects on LinkedIn smoothly and effectively.