Sending a great InMail message is crucial for connecting with potential clients or partners on LinkedIn. With over 722 million members on LinkedIn, standing out in someone’s crowded inbox can be a challenge. This article will provide tips and strategies to craft an effective InMail that leaves a positive and memorable impression.
Know Your Objective
Before writing your InMail, think carefully about what you want to accomplish. Are you reaching out to request an informational interview to learn more about someone’s career path? Are you hoping to discuss a potential job opportunity? Or do you want to introduce yourself and your business to see if there could be a mutual fit for collaboration? Having a clear objective will allow you to write an InMail that is tailored and relevant.
Personalize the Message
One of the biggest mistakes people make with InMail is sending overly generic messages. Always personalize your note based on the recipient’s profile and interests. Reference their work history, education, skills, shared connections, or organizations. Let them know why you are reaching out specifically to them versus a blanket InMail blast.
Introduce Yourself
Briefly explain who you are and why you wanted to connect. Share a bit about your professional background that is relevant to why you are reaching out. Providing context on your role and expertise helps establish credibility.
Explain Why You Are Reaching Out
Articulate your purpose in the first paragraph or two. Get right to the point about why you wanted to connect with this person. Whether you are interested in discussing career opportunities, exploring collaboration, or learning more about their industry, state your intent clearly upfront.
Make Your Ask
Instead of vaguely suggesting that you should “connect,” make a specific ask or request that matches your objective. For example: “Would you be open to a 20 minute phone call to discuss your career journey?” Or: “Is this an appropriate time to explore if we might be a fit for partnership on upcoming projects?” The recipient will appreciate understanding clearly what you are hoping to achieve.
Keep It Concise
InMail messages should be focused and succinct. Avoid huge blocks of text. Narrow in on the key details relevant to your ask while keeping additional background information brief. Aim to express your purpose in a few concise, compelling paragraphs.
Close With Next Steps
Wrap up your note by proposing next steps, based on the ask you made earlier. For example: “If you’re open to it, I’d love to schedule a call next week to discuss further. Please let me know if you might have 30 minutes available.” Providing a specific but flexible suggestion for follow up leaves the ball in their court.
Proofread Carefully
Before hitting send, carefully proofread your InMail. Check for any spelling, grammar, or formatting errors. Read the note aloud to ensure the tone and flow makes sense. A polished, professional InMail will make a great first impression.
Follow Up
If you don’t hear back within a week or two, consider sending a polite follow-up InMail. Remind them of when you connected and reiterate your interest in talking or working together. But avoid pestering someone who may simply be too busy to respond.
Analyze Your Results
Pay attention to response rates from your InMails. Note which messages and approaches are most effective. Refine your strategy over time based on what achieves the best results. Successful InMailing takes experimentation and practice.
Sample InMail Template
Here is a sample InMail template that incorporates many of these best practices:
Hi [Recipient Name],
I hope this note finds you well! I came across your profile while researching [industry or company], and was very impressed by your background in [relevant experience or skills].
As a [bit about your role/expertise], I am particularly interested in [detail their experience or specialty that interests you]. I am reaching out to see if you might have 30 minutes for an informational interview to hear more about your career journey and industry insights.
Please let me know if an informational call could potentially work with your schedule in the next couple weeks. I’m happy to connect over phone or video chat – whatever works best for you.
I look forward to hopefully connecting soon!
Best,
[Your Name]
This template provides a personalized introduction, brief background context, a specific ask for an informational interview, and next steps for following up. It can be easily customized for your own outreach goals.
Key Takeaways
Following these InMail best practices will help your messages stand out:
- Know your specific objective before reaching out
- Personalize the message based on their profile and interests
- Introduce yourself and provide relevant context
- Articulate your purpose clearly upfront
- Make a specific ask or request
- Keep the length focused and concise
- Close with suggested next steps
- Proofread carefully before sending
- Follow up if needed
- Analyze results and refine your approach
With a thoughtful, tailored approach, your InMail can grab attention and spur positive engagement. Standing out among the masses starts with crafting messages that show genuine interest and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about writing effective InMail messages:
Question | Answer |
---|---|
How long should an InMail be? | Ideally 150-200 words or less. Avoid giant walls of text. |
How personalized should I make it? | Very personalized. Reference specifics from their profile to show you read it. |
How soon should I follow up? | Follow up within 1-2 weeks if no response. |
What if they don’t respond? | Try one more follow up, then move on if no response. |
Should I send InMails to strangers? | Best practice is to only contact people you share connections with. |
What’s the ideal time to send? | Tuesday – Thursday during business hours. |
Conclusion
Standing out with your InMail comes down to personalization, brevity, clarity, and thoughtfulness. Follow these best practices, do your research, and craft messages tailored specifically to each recipient. With a strategic approach, you can use InMail effectively to expand your network and advance your career or business goals.