Starting an InMail message on LinkedIn allows you to directly contact other members, even if you are not connected. InMail messages bypass the member’s inbox and are prioritized in their Messages section, giving you a better chance of getting a response compared to sending a standard connection request. However, InMail credits are limited, so it’s important to craft an effective InMail introduction to make the most of them.
Know when to use InMail
InMail is best reserved for reaching out to contacts you truly want to connect with but have no existing relationship with. This includes prospective clients, passive candidates, industry experts and executives. Avoid overusing InMail to spam people with generic connection requests.
Only send InMails when you have a specific purpose, such as requesting an informational interview, asking for career advice or pitching business opportunities. Personalize each message to the recipient’s interests and background. Make it clear why you want to connect with this particular person and how they would benefit from responding.
Craft an attention-grabbing subject line
You only have a few seconds to get someone’s attention, so the subject line is critical. Summarize the purpose of your message in a few compelling words. Pique their curiosity to open the message while remaining professional.
For outreach to a passive candidate, the subject could be “Seeking JavaScript developers at [Your Company]”. When pitching a partnership, “Exploring collaboration opportunities with [Your Company]” is clear and benefit-focused.
Avoid spammy subject lines like “Hope you’re well!” or “Question for you”. Save the small talk for the message itself. The subject line should inspire them to take action.
Personalize the greeting
Always address the recipient by name in the opening greeting. This immediately catches their eye and shows you respect their time. Use their full name if you know it, or their first name only if you’re already acquainted.
“Hi [First Name]” strikes the right balance of familiarity and professionalism if you’ve met them before. If not, “Dear [Full Name]” keeps it formal while personalized.
Avoid greeting them with just “Hi” or “Hello”, which seems impersonal. And never use “To whom it may concern”, which is far too generic for an InMail introduction.
Explain who you are and why you’re reaching out
After the greeting, briefly introduce yourself, your company and your role. This context helps them understand why you want to connect. If you share any connections on LinkedIn, mention those people to establish trust.
Next, explain your purpose for writing. What potential value do you see in connecting? How could you help them solve a problem or achieve a goal? Focus on their needs rather than yours.
For example, “I came across your profile and saw you have extensive experience with digital marketing in the retail industry. I’m responsible for leading marketing at an ecommerce startup aiming to disrupt brick-and-mortar retail. I would love to learn more about your insights into engaging digitally savvy customers.” This shows you did your research and establishes common ground.
Make your ask clear and specific
Don’t make them guess why you’re reaching out. State your “ask” clearly toward the top of the message. Do you want to schedule a call? Connect on LinkedIn? Get advice? Pitch a partnership? Know exactly what you want from them.
For instance, “I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to schedule a 20-minute phone call with you to learn more about your experience modernizing marketing strategies at established retailers. Your perspective would be invaluable as I look to drive growth for our ecommerce startup in a highly competitive space.”
This makes it easy for them to quickly decide if they’re willing and able to help. If your ask is vague, they’re more likely to put off responding.
Highlight what’s in it for them
Emphasize how accepting your request would be worthwhile for them. Avoid framing it as simply doing you a favor. What mutual benefits could this new connection lead to?
Maybe you could provide valuable intel from your experience at a competitor, collaborate on thought leadership, or make introductions that expand their network. Focus on their interests and goals, not just yours.
For example, “I’d love to learn from your experience modernizing legacy brands. In return, I’m happy to share our insights on acquiring Gen Z customers who are new to ecommerce. I could also connect you with our VP of Product who came from [Insert Company Name] and understands the challenges of innovating within established organizations.”
Keep it brief
InMail messages are most effective when concise, about 3-4 paragraphs at most. Get to the point quickly since busy recipients may only skim the message before deciding to respond.
Stick to the essentials – who you are, why you want to connect, what you’re asking for, and what’s in it for them. Additional context can always be discussed over the phone or in future messages once they respond.
Avoid giant blocks of text. Break it up into scannable paragraphs focused on making your case persuasively and efficiently. Streamline wordy passages to highlight your main ideas.
Close with a call to action
Wrap up by clearly stating any requested next steps, such as scheduling a call or meeting. Provide multiple options for days and times that work with your schedule.
Give a timeline for follow up if you don’t hear back after 1-2 weeks. For example, “I’ll follow up with you next week in case you didn’t get a chance to respond yet.”
Finally, thank them for their time and consideration. Sign off with your full name and contact info to make responding simple.
Proofread before sending
Typos or grammatical errors in an introductory message look unprofessional. Always proofread carefully before hitting send. Double check that you used the right name, company, and any other key details.
Reading your message aloud catches mistakes your eyes may gloss over. You can also ask a colleague to review it with fresh eyes. Using Grammarly or Hemingway Editor also helps spot errors.
With a well-crafted, personalized InMail message, you can effectively engage even the most selective LinkedIn members. Follow these tips to start productive new conversations that advance your career or business goals.
InMail Message Best Practices
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Personalize the greeting | Use a generic greeting like “To whom it may concern” |
Introduce yourself and your purpose | Jump straight into a sales pitch or request |
Make a specific ask or request | Make a vague, open-ended ask |
Highlight mutual benefits | Only focus on your own agenda |
Keep it concise at 3-4 paragraphs | Include dense blocks of text |
Proofread for errors before sending | Send without thoroughly proofreading |
Example InMail Message
Here is an example InMail message applying these best practices:
Dear [Recipient’s Full Name],
My name is [Your Name] and I’m a [Your Role] at [Your Company], a [Your Industry] startup aiming to [Your Mission]. I noticed you have extensive experience [Highlight Their Relevant Experience]. Your perspective would be extremely helpful as we look to [Summarize Your Ask].
[Expand on Your Shared Interests or Connections]
I would love to schedule a 30 minute call to [State Your Ask Clearly]. In exchange, I’m happy to share our insights on [Offer Value]. Please let me know if you have any time next week or the following week. I’m flexible to schedule whenever works best for you.
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to your reply.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Info]
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile
Having an optimized LinkedIn profile improves your chances of getting InMail responses:
- Use an eye-catching professional profile photo
- Write an engaging headline and summary
- Showcase relevant skills, accomplishments and recommendations
- Highlight examples of your work
- Join active groups and engage in discussions
Proactively managing your profile makes you appear more credible to prospective contacts researching you after receiving your InMail.
Headline
Your headline appears right below your name in search results. Use keywords relevant to your industry and role to catch employers’ attention.
Summary
Flesh out your background, skills and goals in the summary section. Share career highlights, passions and what motivates you. Give readers a reason to connect.
Experience
For each position, briefly explain your role, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Quantify achievements with metrics like “Increased sales by 30%”.
Skills
Add at least 5 key skills – these are keyword searchable. Include technical expertise, soft skills like communication, and industry-specific buzzwords.
Education
List your degrees, including the degree name, university, graduation year and areas of study. You can also include relevant coursework and grades if desired.
Recommendations
Ask managers, colleagues and clients to write recommendations highlighting your strengths. This social proof builds credibility.
Accomplishments
Showcase achievements like publications, patents, certifications, awards, and languages. Visually represent your wins.
Projects
Highlight relevant work samples and presentations to showcase your skills in action to visitors.
Groups
Join LinkedIn Groups in your industry and engage in discussions to expand your reach and establish expertise.
Following Up on InMail
If you haven’t received a response within 1-2 weeks, follow up politely. Maybe your original message got lost in their inbox. Reiterate your request and keep it brief.
If they connect but don’t respond, wait 1-2 weeks before following up. They may need a friendly nudge. Then move on if you still don’t get a response.
Don’t harass people who never replied. Accept that InMail won’t always work out. Focus your efforts on more receptive prospects.
Troubleshooting InMail Issues
Issue | Solution |
---|---|
InMail recipient limits reached | Upgrade to a premium LinkedIn account with more credits |
Unable to send InMails | Make sure your account is not restricted |
InMail not delivered | Check for typos in the recipient’s name/email |
No response | Follow up once after 1-2 weeks |
Message marked as spam | Avoid spammy language and keep messages relevant |
Unable to write InMails | Make sure you have available credits |
Key Takeaways
- Use InMail sparingly to contact LinkedIn members you truly want to connect with
- Craft a compelling, personalized subject line and greeting
- Briefly introduce yourself and explain why you want to connect
- Make a specific request and highlight what’s in it for them
- Proofread carefully before sending your InMail
- Follow up once if needed, but avoid harassing unresponsive prospects
Following these best practices will lead to more productive InMail exchanges. The most powerful connections start with meaningful conversations.