Why Use LinkedIn InMails- The benefits and some tips?

Many of you receive direct messages from your connections on your LinkedIn account.

In my experience, many users overlook the power of InMail - a tool that lets you send messages to individuals outside of your connection circle/network without sending a connection request that might not be accepted.

InMail is available across different premium accounts, each offering various allowances per month. For instance, Premium gives 5 InMails/month while LinkedIn Recruiter provides 150. Unused credits expire after 90 days but are renewed monthly.

Sales Navigator 50 a month

Source LinkedIn

Your InMails are refunded if they are accepted or declined or responded to within 90 days. This safeguard ensures users are not bombarded with spam and encourages quality messaging.

InMail can be an effective way to contact potential prospects who might not have responded via email or some other form of communication. So next time you are strategizing about reaching out to potential clients or partners, InMail is an option to get a response from the business community.

Tips to get LinkedIn InMail responses?

According to LinkedIn, people are more willing to respond to a InMail rather than email (three times higher response rate). This does make sense when our Gmail is crammed the good and the rubbish – Linkedin implies trust.

LinkedIn Stats Source LinkedIn

● The optimal time for sending an InMail is between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on weekdays - this time gets the highest response rate.

● Avoid sending InMails on Saturdays, as they are 16% less likely to get a response.

● Mentioning a former common employer in your InMail increases your chances of getting a reply by 27% - customisation is key!

● You are 21% more likely to get a response from someone who shares the same LinkedIn Group as you.

● People who follow your company on LinkedIn are 95% more likely to accept your InMail and also have an increased likelihood of responding (81%).

● Prospects connected with someone at your company are 46% more likely to accept an InMail.

Source LinkedIn

Use these stats, customize your communication and you can increase your open rate and lead to having successful conversations with prospects.

LinkedIn InMail is a feature that distinguishes premium LinkedIn memberships from the free version.

It allows you to reach out and send messages directly to users you are not connected with, expanding your network beyond your 1st-degree connections.

Imagine having the ability to contact to anyone just by knowing their address; this is what LinkedIn InMail offers, but in this case, it is their LinkedIn profile. There are so many uses for it, from networking, to job seeking, recruiting or for business development purposes.

It is important to note that while all premium plans include this feature, there is a monthly credit limit based on the specific plan you are subscribed to. It will make sense for many of you to include this powerful LinkedIn feature strategically as part of your LinkedIn Marketing plan.

Source Linkedin

Tips to make your InMail stand out and get a response.

- Personalize your message: Start by addressing the recipient by name as this creates an immediate connection and shows that you have taken the time to write a personal note rather than sending a general mass message.

- Make your subject line count: Keep it short, clear, and relevant. Your subject line is the first thing recipients see, so make sure it grabs their attention.

- Be concise: Respect and don’t waste your recipient's time. Keep your messages clear and straight to the point while providing enough information for them to understand why you are reaching out.

- Show genuine interest: Before sending an InMail, take some time to learn about the person you are contacting. Mention something specific from their profile that caught your interest.

- Call-to-action: End with a simple call-to-action like asking for a meeting or a call. Make it easy for them to respond with a calendar link.

Choosing your target wisely matters for any business, and LinkedIn InMails are no exception.

As tempting as it may be to reach out to everyone you encounter on LinkedIn, you really have to remember that you only have a limited number of InMails at your disposal.

Therefore think about how you can use them wisely. Make sure the person you are connecting with aligns with your business goals or could potentially provide value to your network before pressing send. This approach will not only save you from wasting your InMails but also increase the chances of establishing meaningful and productive connections.

Have you optimised your profile to make a strong impression?

- Start with a friendly yet professional profile image - it is the first thing people see.

- Use your banner to visually communicate who you are and what you do.

- Utilize your featured section to showcase your offerings and achievements.

- Your experience and about sections should tell a compelling story of your professional story

- Lastly, do not forget - to professionally customize your LinkedIn URL.

First impressions matter significantly. An optimized profile not only enhances credibility but also allows potential connections to understand exactly who you are and what you are about.

If you need help to optimise your profile send me a DM or book a Zoom call.

Another article I wrote you could find helpful.

Have you ever wanted to check someone's LinkedIn profile without them finding out?

Composing a compelling subject line that grabs attention is a skill learned.

It starts with personalisation - addressing your recipient by their first name can instantly establish a connection.

Keep it concise yet meaningful. A long-winded subject line might not be fully visible in the notification preview. Make sure your message comes across quickly.

Do not forget to make it relevant! Use specific keywords that resonate with your target audience.

Use power words which are persuasive, descriptive words that trigger a positive or negative emotional response. Examples of power words are Exclusive, Must-have, Premium, Guaranteed, and Limited-time.

Your subject line sets the tone for what follows in the body of your InMail –make every word count!

Personalisation is key. When reaching out via LinkedIn InMail.

Each message should be tailored to the recipient.

- Use information from their profile to show genuine interest.

- Address how you can specifically benefit them.

Research indicates that personalized InMails perform 15% better than general ones. This is not just about sending messages individually - it is about making your content relevant and engaging for each unique recipient.

Begin a conversation

An InMail should always be an invitation to have a conversation rather than a straightforward sales pitch.

Building relationships through conversation is the best method to generate and grow new businesses and prospects.

Did you know that more than 50% of InMails on LinkedIn are read on a mobile phone?

Given this trend, all the more need to keep your messages concise and straight to the point. Here are some quick tips:

- Keep your message under 400 characters for the best performance.

- Make your InMail an invitation to connect and discuss further.

- Avoid over-explaining why you are sending the InMail.

Interestingly, statistics have shown that shorter InMails perform better than longer ones.

The response rate for the shortest InMails is 22% higher than average, while the longest ones fall below 11%.

So next time you are drafting an InMail, remember less is more and increases responses!

Source LinkedIn

Your Call to Action

Simplicity and clarity make it easier for people to take action.

Be straightforward. Instead of presenting a complex proposal right away, start with a simple request that is easy for people to say yes.

For instance: "I would like to discuss how I can assist you in enhancing your LinkedIn profile. Let's have a 15-minute call on Wednesday at 11 AM .How does this sound?"

This approach not only respects your recipient’s time but also makes it easier for them to respond positively. Remember, the key is to transition smoothly from connection to action.

Here are a few things I think you should avoid when writing LinkedIn InMails.

● General InMails : Personalise your message by addressing the recipient by their name.

● Long Introductions: Get straight to the point. Lengthy introductions can deter recipients from reading further.

● Hard Selling: Avoid direct sales pitches in your first interaction.

● Multiple Questions: Stick to one or two key questions per message to keep it focused and easy for the recipient to respond.

● Neglecting Follow-up: If you have not heard back after a week or so ,send a polite follow-up message.

Avoid these faults and increase your chances of getting a positive response!

Remember InMail is about your reader not you.

A common mistake many professionals make when writing an InMail is opening a conversation by highlighting who they are, and their capabilities, and essentially turning the spotlight onto themselves. This approach can often lead to being disregarded or blocked.

The focus should be on your reader's challenges - what obstacles are they facing? Once these points have been addressed, you can then subtly introduce how your skills or services could help solve these problems.

Successful InMail conversations align with mutual benefits and shared interests. So next time before hitting that "send" button, ensure your message ticks these boxes for higher response rates.

Do not overwhelm and confuse because less is often more.

Lengthy messages and a number of questions can be overwhelming and may lead to your readers not responding. People are busy so make things easy.

Consider this:

- 90% of all InMails on LinkedIn are longer than 400 characters.

- Shorter InMails (400 characters or fewer) have a 22% higher response rate.

Create concise, engaging messages, you not only respect your prospect's time but also position yourself with top InMail performance.

Sending a general or automated message can often lead to missed opportunities.

It is important to note that the timing of your InMail messages can significantly affect their response rates and reach your audience

- Avoid sending InMails on weekends; Monday through Thursday are the best days for sending InMails.

- Monday narrowly takes the top spot: As the best day of the week to send an InMail.

- Saturday ranks as the least successful day to send an InMail: With 8% fewer responses than average. Friday follows closely behind with a response rate of 4% below average.

- Despite only 2% of InMails being sent on Saturdays, a surprising 15% still go out on Fridays.

Think before you send an InMail on Friday, why not send on Monday morning instead? When people are in the business mindset, not thinking about the weekend and personal lives like on Fridays.

Source LinkedIn

Increase your sales follow-up

Follow-up in a respectful and timely manner. Doing so shows your genuine interest and commitment, while also giving the recipient another opportunity for questions to be answered to move the sale process forward.

However, there is a fine line between persistent and spammy. Be respectful of your target's time and how they like to communicate.

“42% of prospective customers say they would be more likely to make purchase decisions if their sales reps kept their promise and called back in a timely fashion”.

Source Invespcro

“Sales professionals who follow up within 24 hours of their initial contact attempt get an average response rate of about 25%”.

Source Yesware

Not everyone will reply at first contact; people are busy and have other commitments, do not let that discourage you from trying again!

How to positively influence buying decisions.

Respond within 12 to 24 hours: Use this opportunity to clarify any questions or concerns your prospect may have.

Always Add Value: Is there extra information you can give that will help your potential client, a blog post or educational video for example?

Schedule Your Follow Ups: Consistent communication is key and havinga schedule helps maintain a professional manner, and be respectful of the other person's time

Close with a clear next step: Successful salespeople inform their prospective clients of actionable steps they can take at the end of their follow-ups.

After a call, send a summary email: It shows them that you understand their needs and have listened to them, which is very important to build a strong working relationship.

Do not let the potential of LinkedIn InMails go untapped. Send me a direct message on LinkedIn or book a call through my website today.

My name is Rosemary O’Shaughnessy, I am a Certified LinkedIn Marketing Insider and WordPress Website Designer

My mission is to support freelancers, coaches, and business owners to succeed and thrive.

Let’s make your online presence work for you rather than against you.

You can delegate to me and focus on growing your business.

● LinkedIn Marketing /Training

● Done-for-You Service: Let me take care of content creation / WordPress

● Done-With-You Service: Work with me to bring your ideas into reality.

● Personalised Training: that fits into your working schedule.

Send me a DM to discuss how I can help you or book a Zoom call on my site.

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