What You Need in a LinkedIn InMail to Get a Response
Have you ever wanted to connect to a LinkedIn member but was unable to because LinkedIn didn’t allow you to send a direct message? The next time you feel helpless, use LinkedIn’s premium messaging feature, InMail.
The feature allows users to send messages to LinkedIn members they are not connected to. Users who want to use this feature must upgrade their membership. LinkedIn InMail can help you expand your professional network. Recruiters, marketers, and corporates use the feature to connect to prospects. Sending an InMail, however, won’t mean anything if your recipients do not open your message. We, in this post, impart a few simple yet handy tips that you can follow to improve your InMail response rate.
1. Come up with an impactful subject line
They say the first impression is the last impression. Your InMail subject line is the first thing the recipient will notice about your InMail. To create a positive first impression, you need to use an impactful subject line that aptly summarizes the content of the message.
Keep the subject line short and sweet (though LinkedIn allows users to use up to 80 characters, we suggest that you keep the character count between 25 and 40 characters). To personalize your subject line, refer to a mutual contact who recommended connecting to the recipient or compliment them for an article they have recently published on LinkedIn or a micro-blogging website or any other digital platform.
If the InMail is directed to a job candidate, give the recipient reasons (can be a benefit, reward, or a promise to solve a problem) to open the message. Avoid using overused phrases and statements in the subject line.
2. Introduce yourself
When composing your message, do not assume that your recipient will check your profile after receiving your message. Your recipient may not have enough time to take a look at who you are or what you do. Before launching into your pitch, set the tone by writing a short and crisp introduction that explains who you are, what you do, and why you want to connect to the recipient.
3. Keep your InMails short
No one has the time to read long, boring messages. Keep your message short and sweet. Avoid beating around the bush and come to the point immediately after introducing yourself. End your message with a call to action. Try to summarize your message in three sentences.
4. Personalise your message
Generic messages fail to create the desired impact. To make your recipient feel that the message was intended just for them, include at least two unique things about them in the InMail. Including unique things about the intended recipient shows that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in connecting to them.
Before composing an InMail, go through the recipient’s profile. Once you have collected enough information about them, you can use their professional details such as their current job title, their accomplishments (can be an award that they won recently), or their current employer as a reference.
To connect with the recipient on a personal level, remember to point out hobbies, if any, that you two share. Remember to mention mutual connections. You can also talk about an article/post that the recipient uploaded recently on a digital platform.
Mentioning personal details is a surefire way to make the recipient feel that you care about them, giving them one more reason to open your message. Most importantly, ensure that the message talks more about the recipient and less about you (or your company).
5. Show your funny side
A little humor doesn’t hurt anyone. Including a humorous line or a witty phrase in your InMails will make you look more approachable and personable. If you are a recruiter, who is pitching a job opening, adding humor can set the tone for a joyful professional relationship in the future.
Include humor only if it comes naturally to you. If you try too hard to add humor to your messages, you might end up sounding insincere and idiotic. If you are unsure about a particular line or phrase, ask someone from your team to read it.
6. Use a compelling call to action
Studies show that people are more willing to act when they are given clear instructions. Instead of using a boring and overused closing line such as let me know if you’re interested, use a call to action that compels the recipient to act (can you call by 5 to discuss further).
