Receiving an InMail on LinkedIn can be an exciting opportunity to connect with someone new who is interested in your background and expertise. However, thoughtfully crafting your response is key to making a great first impression. Here are some tips on how to best respond to an InMail message.
Read the Message Carefully
The first step is to read over the InMail carefully. Pay attention to what the sender says about why they want to connect with you specifically. Look for details they share about themselves, their role, and their company. This context will help you craft a relevant response.
Thank the Sender
Start your reply by thanking the sender for reaching out and expressing interest in connecting. A simple opening like “Thank you for your InMail. It was great to hear from you,” helps kick off the dialogue in a friendly way.
Reference Something Specific in Their Note
Next, try to reference something specific the sender said in their note. For example, “I appreciate you mentioning our shared interest in digital marketing trends – that’s a passion of mine as well.” This shows you paid close attention to their message.
Explain Why You’re Interested in Connecting
After thanking them, explain why you are interested in connecting based on what you know about their role, company, or background. You could say “I’d love to connect given our similar experience in social media strategy for healthcare brands.” This paints a picture of the value you see in connecting.
Suggest Next Steps for the Relationship
Rather than just saying yes to connecting, suggest next steps to advance the relationship. You could propose meeting for a quick virtual coffee chat to learn more about their goals or experiences. Or, you could offer to connect them with someone in your network who has complementary expertise. This shows you are interested in an ongoing partnership.
Keep it Conversational but Professional
While you want to maintain a professional tone, keep the response conversational by using “I” and “you” language. This helps create a warm, approachable voice. Avoid using overly formal language or stiff sales copy.
Respond Promptly
Try to respond to the InMail within a few days. Leaving too much time between the initial outreach and your response can leave the door open for the opportunity to go cold.
Close with a Call to Action
End your reply with a specific call to action, such as requesting to connect on LinkedIn or scheduling a meeting. This gives the sender clarity on what the next step would be.
Proofread Before Sending
Be sure to proofread your response before hitting send. Check for typos, formatting problems, and unclear language. You want to come across as polished and professional.
Personalize for Each Recipient
If you receive multiple InMails, take time to personalize each response based on the sender and what you know about their unique situation. Generic, copy-and-paste replies will be obvious and make you seem disingenuous.
Express Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm goes a long way in relationship-building. Allow your tone to convey excitement about the potential opportunity to connect with this new contact. Avoid seeming overly formal or terse in your reply. Warmth and positivity is key.
Follow Up After Connecting
Don’t let the conversation end after accepting the InMail request to connect. Follow up with them after connecting by sending a message re-emphasizing your shared interests and suggesting meeting over coffee or hopping on a quick call.
InMail Response Do’s | InMail Response Don’ts |
---|---|
Thank the sender for reaching out | Forget to say thank you |
Note something specific from their message | Send a generic reply |
Explain why you want to connect | Leave them wondering why you connected |
Suggest next steps for the relationship | End the dialogue after connecting |
Respond promptly within a few days | Wait weeks to respond |
Proofread before sending | Send a sloppy reply |
Personalize each response | Copy and paste the same reply |
Project enthusiasm | Seem overly formal or terse |
Follow up after connecting | Let the conversation end after connecting |
Conclusion
Responding thoughtfully to LinkedIn InMail messages is an art that takes practice. By starting with a friendly tone, personalizing your reply, suggesting next steps, and following up after connecting, you can craft messages that make a strong first impression. With each response, focus on advancing the relationship and nurturing an ongoing, mutually beneficial partnership.
Key best practices include reading the initial InMail closely, thanking the sender for reaching out, explaining your genuine interest in connecting, proposing ideas to strengthen the partnership like meeting for coffee, and avoiding stiff, overly formal language. Proofreading before hitting send and following up after connecting also help take the relationship to the next level.
By mastering the art of warm, professional InMail responses, you can stand out from the crowd and forge strong new bonds that will pay dividends for your career. Each message is an opportunity to put your best foot forward. With practice and attention to detail, your InMail reply skills will only continue to improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of professional closing lines for an InMail response?
Here are some examples of professional closing lines you can use when responding to an InMail:
- I look forward to connecting soon.
- Let me know if you would like to hop on a quick call to discuss further.
- Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of any assistance.
- Looking forward to staying in touch in the future.
- I hope we have the chance to meet in person at an upcoming industry event.
How long should you wait before following up after connecting from an InMail?
It’s best practice to follow up within 2-3 days after connecting from an InMail. You want to strike a balance between reaching out while the conversation is still fresh but allowing a day or two for the recipient to settle the new connection. Follow up by suggesting meeting for coffee or a quick call to get better acquainted.
What are some red flags to watch for in incoming InMails?
Some red flags to watch for include:
- Generic messages that were clearly copied and pasted
- Profiles that seem fake, incomplete or suspicious
- Requests that seem focused solely on selling you something
- Messages from people completely unrelated to your industry or interests
- InMails sent through an automated bot rather than a real person
What’s the best way to integrate humor or personal details into an InMail response?
The best way is to keep it professional first and foremost. If there is an obvious personal connection or humorous moment to lightly call out, you can integrate it subtly but avoid anything inappropriate, overly casual or unrelated to the conversation. Humor and personal details should enhance the professional tone rather than detract from it.