Yes, it is possible to edit an inMail message on LinkedIn after you have sent it. However, there is a time limit to edit inMails on LinkedIn. You can only edit an inMail within 10 minutes after sending it. After 10 minutes, the edit option will disappear and you won’t be able to make any changes to the inMail.
How to edit an inMail on LinkedIn
Here are the steps to edit an inMail on LinkedIn within 10 minutes of sending it:
- Go to the ‘My Network’ tab and click on ‘InMail’ in the left sidebar.
- This will open your ‘Sent’ folder showing all the inMails you have sent recently.
- Locate the inMail you want to edit and click on it to open it.
- In the opened inMail, you will see a downward arrow icon next to the ‘Send’ button. Click on it.
- A drop-down menu will open. Click on ‘Edit’ in the drop-down menu.
- This will open the inMail in edit mode allowing you to make changes to it.
- Edit the inMail as required – change the subject line, update the message body, modify the closing.
- Once done editing, click ‘Send’ again to resend the modified inMail.
The edited inMail will now be delivered to the recipient again reflecting the changes you made. As long as you edit and resend the inMail within 10 minutes of originally sending it, the edit will go through.
However, after 10 minutes, LinkedIn does not allow editing sent inMails. The ‘Edit’ option disappears from the drop-down menu after 10 minutes. At that point, you won’t be able modify or update the sent inMail in any way.
Why is there a time limit to edit inMails?
LinkedIn has set a 10 minute time window to edit inMails to prevent misuse. Some of the reasons why this restriction is there are:
- To maintain authenticity of conversations: Allowing edits without any time limitations can lead to changing the narrative completely. People may edit inMails multiple times after sending to alter the original tone and context which can be misused.
- Avoid confusion or misunderstandings: Recipients may get confused if they receive multiple revised versions of the same inMail at very different times. The 10 minute window helps avoid such situations.
- Prevent harassment: Giving unlimited time to edit inMails may lead some people to harass recipients by repeatedly modifying and resending an unwanted message.
The 10 minute limit ensures none of these unfavorable situations arise and maintains the credibility of inMail conversations on LinkedIn.
What are some best practices around editing LinkedIn inMails?
Here are some tips on best practices to follow for editing inMails on LinkedIn:
- Proofread before sending: Avoid the need to edit by thoroughly proofreading your inMail before hitting send. Check for errors in spellings, grammar, punctuation etc.
- Edit sparingly: Don’t get into the habit of constantly modifying sent inMails. Edit only if absolutely necessary.
- Stay professional: Any edits you make should uphold the professional nature of the platforms. Don’t change the tone and tenor drastically.
- Be quick: If you need to make changes, do it as soon as possible within the 10 minute window. Don’t wait until the last minute.
- Inform recipients: If you do make any significant edits, inform the recipients so they are aware.
- Use editing window only if required: The 10 minute edit window should be used judiciously only for genuine mistakes or updates.
What happens when you try to edit an inMail after 10 minutes?
If you try to edit an inMail after more than 10 minutes of sending it, LinkedIn will not allow you to make any changes. Here is what happens:
- The ‘Edit’ option will not be available in the drop-down menu after 10 minutes of sending the inMail. Only ‘Copy’ and ‘Delete’ options will be shown.
- Since ‘Edit’ is not available, when you open the sent inMail, you will not see any way to edit it. The content will be shown in read-only mode.
- If you try to copy-paste the content into a new inMail to modify it, LinkedIn will also not allow that. You cannot send the exact same content in a new inMail once 10 minutes have passed.
- The original sent inMail will remain with the same content as initially sent. No edits or modifications will be possible now.
- The only option you have is to send a follow-up inMail clarifying or correcting any points in the original message that need to be updated.
So in summary, LinkedIn blocks the ability to edit inMails after 10 minutes completely. Your only recourse after that is to send a new inMail to provide clarifications or corrections, if needed.
Can you delete a sent inMail?
Yes, it is possible to delete sent inMails on LinkedIn anytime. Unlike editing, there is no time limitation set by LinkedIn on deleting inMails.
To delete a sent inMail:
- Go to ‘My Network’ > ‘InMail’
- Open the sent inMail you want to delete
- Click on the downward arrow next to the ‘Send’ button
- Select ‘Delete’ from the drop-down menu
- Confirm deletion in the pop-up prompt
This will permanently delete the inMail from your ‘Sent’ folder. However, the recipient would still be able to see the message in their inbox until they delete it themselves.
Can you recall a sent inMail?
No, LinkedIn does not have an option to recall or request deletion of an inMail you have sent. Once you send an inMail, it will be delivered to the recipient’s inbox right away. Some points to note:
- You cannot prevent delivery of a sent inMail or revoke access to it from the recipient’s inbox.
- Deleting the inMail from your ‘Sent’ folder does not remove it from the recipient’s inbox.
- You have to request the recipient directly to delete the message from their inbox.
- You can send a follow-up inMail politely asking the recipient to disregard the earlier message.
So in summary, while you can delete a sent inMail from your own records, you cannot prevent its delivery or recall it once sent via LinkedIn. Be mindful of this when drafting and sending your inMails.
Other inMail insights
Here are some additional points worth knowing about LinkedIn’s inMail messaging feature:
- You can save inMails as drafts to send later. Drafts can be edited multiple times before sending.
- Sending the same inMail to multiple recipients is not allowed. Each inMail has to be customized.
- Each LinkedIn account gets a limited number of inMail credits per month. Sending inMails consumes these credits.
- Premium subscribers get more inMail credits compared to free members.
- Personalizing each inMail improves open and response rates compared to mass messaging.
- inMail open and response metrics help gauge the effectiveness of your messaging.
- inMail is considered more effective for making first contact compared to connecting directly.
So in summary, inMail is a powerful LinkedIn communication tool when used judiciously. Follow best practices around editing, personalization and recipent relevance to get the best out of it.