LinkedIn InMail provides a way for LinkedIn members to directly contact other members, even if they are not connected. InMail messages allow you to establish new professional relationships and open up conversations with people you otherwise may not have been able to reach. But once you send an InMail message, can the recipient reply?
What is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is LinkedIn’s internal messaging system that allows you to contact any LinkedIn member directly, whether they are in your network or not. Regular LinkedIn members get a limited number of InMail credits per month that allow them to send a certain amount of InMail messages. LinkedIn Premium members get more credits and the ability to send unlimited InMails.
An InMail is similar to an email, but is sent and received completely within the LinkedIn platform. InMail provides a way to make important business connections by reaching members you otherwise would not be able to contact. InMail messages also have high open and response rates compared to cold emails or calls.
Key Features of LinkedIn InMail
- Directly contact any LinkedIn member without needing to connect first
- Higher open and response rates than cold outreach
- Limited number of credits per month for regular members
- Unlimited InMails for Premium members
- InMails are sent and received within LinkedIn
Can Recipients Reply to InMail?
Yes, recipients of your InMail messages can reply directly to your message. When you send an InMail, it will show up in the LinkedIn Message section of the recipient’s account. They can open it, read it, and choose to reply just like they would any other LinkedIn message.
There are a few requirements in order for a recipient to be able to reply:
- The recipient must have an active LinkedIn account
- They must have InMail messaging enabled
- Your message did not get marked as spam or phishing by LinkedIn’s filters
As long as those conditions are met, the recipient can reply directly to your InMail message from within LinkedIn. This allows you to establish 2-way conversations and relationships using InMail as your starting point.
How to Tell if Someone Read Your InMail
LinkedIn does provide read receipts for InMail messages. As the sender, you can see if your message has been read or if it is still unread. Here is how to check the read status:
- Go to the My Network section of LinkedIn and select “Messages” in the left sidebar.
- Go to the “InMail” tab to see sent messages.
- The inbox shows which messages have been read or unread.
There will be an open envelope icon next to unread InMail messages. Read messages will show the date and time they were read. Using this feature, you can see if your message has caught your recipient’s attention and been opened.
Read Receipts Limitations
While InMail read receipts provide useful information, there are some limitations:
- It only shows the message was opened, not if it was actually read
- The recipient may have set options to automatically mark messages as read
- You won’t get notifications if the recipient deleted the message without opening
So while helpful, read receipts don’t give you the full picture. You’ll need to wait and see if the recipient actually takes the time to reply to your message.
Tips for Writing Effective InMail
To boost your chances of getting a reply, here are some tips for writing engaging InMail messages:
- Personalize the message and relate it to their work/interests
- Keep it succinct but detailed enough to add value
- Ask questions that encourage a response
- Provide recommendations or make specific asks
- Include a clear call-to-action for following up
Additionally, make sure to avoid spam triggers like overused phrases, excessive punctuation, and generic greetings. Taking the time to craft personalized, detailed messages shows you respect their time and will help spur responses.
InMail Etiquette
To ensure your InMail comes across positively, be sure to follow proper InMail etiquette. Here are some key etiquette tips:
- Use a professional greeting and the recipient’s name
- Introduce yourself if you have no existing connection
- Be clear on the purpose of your message
- Make requests rather than demands
- Thank them for considering your request
- Only follow up once if you get no reply after 1-2 weeks
Avoid overly aggressive language, spammy behavior like mass messages, or trying to bait the recipient. With good manners and consideration, your InMail is more likely to get a positive response.
Alternatives if You Get No InMail Reply
If you don’t get a response to your well-crafted InMail, don’t lose hope. You can take other actions to make a connection, including:
- Connecting with someone who knows them to get an introduction
- Commenting thoughtfully on their posts to get noticed
- Viewing their profile for shared connections to ask for an intro
- Joining LinkedIn groups they are in to connect there
While InMail is a great tool, it isn’t guaranteed to work every time. Tap into other parts of LinkedIn’s extensive networking capabilities to open new doors.
Can You Message Someone Without InMail?
If you are out of InMail credits, you can message LinkedIn members without InMail in a couple ways:
- LinkedIn messaging – You can send free messages to any of your 1st degree connections.
- Group messaging – Engage with connections and others in common LinkedIn groups.
The main drawback is that you can only message people already in your network, unlike with InMail. But these provide options for ongoing conversations with your existing connections.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn InMail provides a powerful way to reach people you otherwise couldn’t connect with. Recipients can reply to InMail messages directly from their inbox. Read receipts let you see if they have opened the message. To boost responses, personalize your InMail, focus on value, and follow proper etiquette. While not guaranteed, quality InMail outreach gives you a great shot at expanding your network and opportunities.