Maximizing Your Outreach: 7 Key Tips for Effective LinkedIn InMail

Any company, business owner, or professional trying to find opportunities online is leaving money on the table by ignoring LinkedIn InMail. So, in this guide, we help you maximize this powerful LinkedIn feature and teach you some key ways to effectively use InMail to get more clients or reach prospective employers.

What’s LinkedIn InMail?

LinkedIn InMail is a feature that lets you send private messages to other LinkedIn members whether you’re connected or not. Accordingly, you expand your business networking, recruiting, job searching, or business development prospects.

So how is this different from normal LinkedIn messaging? Normally, LinkedIn only allows you to send messages to people you are connected with (your 1st-degree connections). InMail breaks this barrier, enabling you to reach out to any LinkedIn user, regardless of connection status. To date, LinkedIn has 1 billion users worldwide. InMail lets you access this massive network with no bounds.

InMail is primarily available to users with a LinkedIn Premium subscription. Premium accounts come with a certain number of monthly InMail credits. You used these credits to send InMail messages. 

7 Key Tips for Effective LinkedIn InMail Outreach

So how do you maximize this powerful LinkedIn feature for your outreach? Apart from subscribing, you should follow these best practices to get the best results:

1) Personalize Your Message

Effective InMail begins with personalization. This means going beyond just using the recipient's name. Research their profile, and understand their interests, career trajectory, and recent accomplishments. Reference something unique in their profile or work history to show that you've done your homework. 

For instance, if they've recently written an article, mention what you found insightful about it. This level of personalization demonstrates respect for their professional journey and sets the tone for a meaningful conversation. 

2) Be Clear and Concise

Professionals on LinkedIn are often time-constrained, so it's crucial to be clear and concise. Start with strong InMail subject lines that capture attention and clearly indicate the purpose of your message. Avoid any vague statements. In your message’s body, quickly get to the point. Explain why you are reaching out, what you are offering, or what you seek. 

Avoid jargon and overly complex language. Clarity will always trump complexity in professional communication. Remember, the goal is to convey your message effectively, not to showcase your vocabulary.

3) Provide Value

Your InMail should offer something of value to the recipient. Some valuable things you can share are a business opportunity, a piece of insightful information, a potential collaboration, or even a relevant introduction. Before sending the InMail, ask yourself, "What's in it for them?" 

We highly recommend tailoring your message to align with their interests or goals. If you're reaching out to people with counseling careers, for instance, share a unique insight into recent counseling trends or an offer to collaborate on a mental health advocacy. 

4) Establish Credibility

In your InMail, it's important to establish your credibility briefly. Mention your relevant experience, mutual connections, or shared affiliations. This doesn't mean boasting about your achievements but rather succinctly presenting why you are a credible and worthwhile contact. 

You should mention a successful project you spearheaded in a similar domain when reaching out for business development purposes. If you're seeking job opportunities, highlight a key accomplishment in your career. This helps build trust and demonstrates that your LinkedIn outreach is grounded in professional relevance.

5) End with a Clear Call to Action

The conclusion of your InMail should include a clear and specific call-to-action (CTA). What do you want the recipient to do next? Do you want them to get on a phone call, provide feedback, connect you with someone else, or simply reply to your message? 

Make it easy for them to understand the desired action and respond accordingly. For example, instead of vaguely asking for a meeting, propose two specific time slots and ask if they are available during those times. A clear CTA increases the likelihood of a response by reducing ambiguity about the next steps.

6) Follow LinkedIn Etiquette

Respecting LinkedIn's professional setting is something you must always bear in mind. One common etiquette that many professionals ignore is overly casual language or slang. Keep the tone respectful and professional. 

Also, respect the recipient's time and privacy. Don’t pester them with repeated follow-ups if they don't respond immediately. A good rule of thumb is to wait a week or two before sending a polite follow-up. And make sure that the follow-up isn’t over-aggressive. LinkedIn is a professional network, so maintaining professionalism is key to successful communication.

7) Leverage LinkedIn Analytics and Profile Tools

If you have a premium account, you’ll also have access to InMail analytics to see how your messages perform. Take advantage of this to evaluate your outreach methods. There are also LinkedIn’s profile tools to understand better who you're reaching out to, like seeing mutual connections or endorsements. 

These features can provide valuable context and help tailor your message more effectively. Being adept with LinkedIn's functionalities improves your InMail strategy and demonstrates your proficiency in using the platform, which can appeal to professional contacts.

LinkedIn Is Your Oyster

LinkedIn is everybody’s opportunity for growth. And only a small fraction of its users are actually opening a world of opportunities with it. The first step is creating a paid account and using InMail while following these key tips. You have very little to lose and so much to gain. So, why not take the leap of faith?