LinkedIn InMail Messages: The Key to Expanding Your Professional Network
You know that growing your professional network is key to career success, but reaching out to new connections can be intimidating. What if there was an easy way to start meaningful conversations with people you admire in your industry without feeling like a pest?
LinkedIn InMail messages are the answer. InMail allows you to send private messages to anyone on LinkedIn, even if you're not connected. With a personalized, value driven InMail, you can introduce yourself to key influencers, land new clients, find mentors, and make valuable new contacts. In this article, we'll walk you through how to craft an effective InMail campaign to expand your network and open new doors. Get ready to boost your connections and opportunities.
Outline
What Is LinkedIn InMail?
Best Practices for Sending InMails
How to Write an Effective InMail Message With Examples
FAQ: Answering Your LinkedIn InMail Questions
What Is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is LinkedIn's internal messaging system that allows you to reach out to anyone on the network, even if you're not connected. It's a game changer for expanding your professional network and connecting with people you otherwise may never reach.
To use InMail, you'll need a LinkedIn Premium subscription. Once you have that, you can send up to 15 InMails per month to anyone on LinkedIn. When composing your message, make sure to:
Personalize the subject line and greeting, express a genuine interest in them and their work, explain why you're reaching out, keep your message concise yet friendly, and close by suggesting a next step.
Using InMail thoughtfully and strategically is the key to making meaningful new connections on LinkedIn. While response rates vary, focusing on personalization, expressing genuine interest, and suggesting low-key next steps will increase your chances of getting a reply. And every new connection could lead to exciting opportunities, so start crafting your InMails today!
Best Practices for Sending InMails
When reaching out to new connections on LinkedIn, your InMail message is your first impression. To make it a good one, follow these best practices in details:
•Personalize each message. Mention something specific you have in common or that interests you about their experience. People can spot a generic message a mile away.
•Keep it brief. Aim for 2 short paragraphs, about 3 to 4 sentences each. Get to the point and be concise while being friendly.
•Explain why you're connecting. Help them understand how you might mutually benefit from networking or discussing a potential opportunity. But avoid being too salesy. You can check how to create a perfect sales pitch here.
•Ask an open-ended question. Give them a reason to respond by asking about their role, experience in a particular area, or opinion on an industry trend. Then they'll have an easy way to continue the conversation.
•Review for errors. Double check for any typos or grammar issues before sending. An InMail with mistakes will damage your credibility and reflect poorly on your communication skills.
•Follow up appropriately. If they respond, great! Continue the dialog and look for ways to build the new relationship. If not, don't badger them with repeat messages. Sometimes people are just too busy to reply.
•Track your results. See which kinds of InMails and messages get the best response rates over time. Then you can refine your outreach approach to be as effective as possible.
With the right strategy, and after using LinkedIn scrapper, InMail can be an invaluable tool for expanding your professional network. Craft thoughtful, personalized messages, focus on value, and make genuine connections with your new contacts.
How to Write an Effective InMail Message With Examples
Keep It Short and Sweet
When composing your InMail message, keep it concise and scannable. Aim for 2 to 3 short paragraphs at most. Your prospect is busy, so get to the point quickly while still being personable. Mention something you have in common or express genuine interest in their work. For example:
“Hi [Name], I noticed we’re both members of the [Group Name] LinkedIn group and have similar interests in [Shared Interest]. I wanted to reach out and introduce myself. My name is [Your Name] and I’m the [Your Title] at [Your Company].”
Highlight the Benefit
Explain how connecting could be mutually beneficial. For example, mention how your services or products could help their business, or discuss potential opportunities for collaboration or partnership. Keep this high-level without a hard sell. For example:
“I thought we might find some synergies between our companies. [Your Company] helps [Your Company’s Clients and Specialties], which could complement your work with [Their Company’s Clients and Specialties]. I’d welcome the opportunity to explore ways we might support each other.”
Issue an Invitation
End your message with a call to action, like inviting them to connect on LinkedIn, grab coffee, or schedule a call. For example:
“Would you be open to connecting on LinkedIn? I’d enjoy following your work and exchanging ideas. If there’s interest, we could also meet for coffee or chat on the phone. Let me know if you’d like to discuss further.”
Using an effective yet friendly approach in your InMail messages will make a good first impression and increase the likelihood of a response. With some luck, that initial digital outreach could develop into a valuable new professional connection! Keep your messages concise, highlight mutual benefits, issue a friendly invitation, and always maintain a courteous and helpful tone.
Follow Up
If you don’t receive a response within a week or so, send a short follow up message. Reiterate your interest in connecting and provide some additional details on your offerings or company news to stay on their radar. Be persistent but not pushy—follow up 2-3 times maximum with a few weeks in between messages before moving on. With consistent outreach over time, they may become more receptive to your messages.
Using these techniques can significantly impact your InMail open and response rates over time. Focus on personalization, compelling subject lines, highlighting benefits, and strategic follow up to build new relationships and expand your professional network. With practice, your outreach will become more effective and lead to more meaningful connections.
FAQ: Answering Your LinkedIn InMail Questions
How many InMails do I get?
As a LinkedIn member, you get a limited number of InMails you can send each month. The number depends on your LinkedIn membership level. With a free Basic account, you get 3 InMails per month. Upgrade to a Premium Business account and you’ll receive up to 30 InMails monthly.
Who can I send InMails to?
You can send InMails to any LinkedIn member that you’re not already connected with. However, keep in mind that InMails are meant for professional networking and prospecting. Don’t send InMails to people you know personally or have a prior relationship with. Save those connections for a more personal outreach.
What should I say in an InMail message?
An effective InMail introduction should be:
- Brief but personalized. Mention something specific you have in common or a shared interest.
- Explain why you're reaching out. For example, you came across their profile and wanted to connect, or you have a business opportunity or partnership to discuss.
- Ask an open-ended question to start a conversation. For example, ask what they think about a recent industry trend or news item.
- Provide context about yourself and your role. But keep this high-level; no need to give your full bio.
- Suggest next steps, e.g. grabbing coffee or a quick call. But don’t be pushy; let them determine the pace of your connection.
- Close politely and professionally, e.g. “I look forward to your thoughts. Best regards, [Your Name]”
How often should I send InMails?
As with any outreach, you don’t want to bombard your prospects or come across as spammy. A good rule of thumb is:
•Send no more than 5-10 InMails per week.
•Spread them out over a few days rather than all at once.
•Focus on quality over quantity. Do some research to find the best potential connections and personalize your messages.
•Monitor your open and response rates. If they start to drop, you may be sending too many InMails. Scale back and re-focus your efforts.
With the right approach, LinkedIn InMail can be an effective way to expand your network and uncover new opportunities. But use it strategically and avoid the hard sell. Build genuine connections and relationships, not just contacts.
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to know about using LinkedIn InMail messages to expand your professional network. Reach out to new connections and start building mutually beneficial relationships. Don't be afraid to start a conversation - the worst that can happen is they don't respond, but the best is you gain a new client or make a valuable new contact.
Take a chance and see where that first message might lead. With a little time and effort put into crafting a personal note, you'll be well on your way to boosting your connections and expanding your reach. Now get out there and start messaging! The opportunities are waiting.
