LinkedIn

Master LinkedIn InMail: Drive Sales & Connections like a Pro

lemlist team
LAST UPDATED
May 9, 2024
READING TIME
7 min.

Unlock the transformative power of LinkedIn InMail, an indispensable tool in the modern professional's arsenal. Whether you're honing your networking finesse or amplifying your sales strategy, understanding the nuances of InMail can elevate your professional trajectory. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the mechanics and strategies that will empower you to wield LinkedIn InMails with unparalleled proficiency.

The Power of LinkedIn InMail

The realm of professional communication has been revolutionized by LinkedIn InMail, a feature that transcends the limitations of traditional networking. Grasping the role and potential of LinkedIn InMails can be transformative for your career and business goals. But what sets InMail apart from regular LinkedIn messages? Let's explore:

           
  • Exclusivity: LinkedIn InMails offer a direct line to decision-makers and potential collaborators beyond your immediate network.
  •        
  • Visibility: InMails enjoy higher visibility in recipients' inboxes, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
  •        
  • Analytics: Track the performance of your InMail outreach with insightful metrics that regular messages lack.
  •    

As we navigate through the intricacies of InMail LinkedIn strategies, this guide will serve as your compass, ensuring your messages not only reach their destination but also resonate with their intended audience. Ready to transform your approach and achieve remarkable results? Let's embark on this journey together.

LinkedIn Premium, Recruiter Lite, and Free InMail Credits

Before you can harness the full potential of LinkedIn InMail, it's essential to understand how access is granted. Unlike standard LinkedIn messages, InMails are a premium feature. Fortunately, there are multiple avenues to explore:

How LinkedIn Premium and Recruiter Lite Allow You to Send InMail

Subscribing to LinkedIn Premium or Recruiter Lite not only enhances your visibility and access to insights but also awards you a certain number of InMail credits each month. These credits are your currency to send InMail messages to individuals outside your network.

LinkedIn Profile and Number of InMail Credits

The more robust and complete your LinkedIn profile is, the more likely you are to receive bonus InMail credits. LinkedIn rewards users who maintain comprehensive profiles with additional credits, acknowledging their commitment to the platform's networking ethos.

Free InMail Credits

Even without a premium subscription, LinkedIn occasionally offers free InMail credits as part of promotional events or through other criteria such as the 'Open Profile' network. These credits can be a valuable opportunity to test the waters and gauge the effectiveness of your InMail strategy before committing financially.

As you consider upgrading to LinkedIn Premium or Recruiter Lite, remember that the number of InMail credits you receive can be a game-changer for your outreach efforts. Use these credits wisely, and you'll unlock the ability to initiate conversations that could lead to lucrative opportunities.

LinkedIn InMail Messaging

Once you've secured the means to send LinkedIn InMails, the next step is to master the art of crafting messages that resonate. A well-composed InMail can be the key to unlocking new business opportunities and expanding your professional network.

Effective LinkedIn InMail Messages

An effective InMail message is concise, personalized, and provides clear value to the recipient. Start with a compelling subject line, introduce yourself briefly, and get straight to the point. Make sure to mention any common connections or interests to establish rapport and trust.

Sending Cold Emails using LinkedIn InMail

Sending a cold email via InMail can be daunting, but by following best practices, you can increase your chances of getting a response. Personalize your message, keep it professional, and focus on how you can help the recipient rather than what you want from them. A call-to-action that invites a response can also be particularly effective.

Increasing InMail Response Rate

Improving your InMail response rate requires strategy and finesse. Use LinkedIn insights to tailor your message to the recipient's interests or current business needs. Follow-up messages should be considerate of their time and always provide additional value or context that might have been missed in the initial InMail.

By understanding the subtleties of LinkedIn InMail messaging, you can send messages that not only get read but also elicit responses. Remember, the goal is to start a conversation, not just to send a message. With the right approach, each InMail you send can be a stepping stone towards achieving your professional objectives.

LinkedIn InMail for Business and Recruitment Objectives

LinkedIn InMail is not just a tool for networking; it's a powerful instrument for achieving specific business and recruitment goals. Whether you're on the hunt for top talent or aiming to hit sales targets, LinkedIn InMail can be a game-changer.

LinkedIn Recruiter for Talent Scouting

For recruitment professionals, LinkedIn Recruiter is an indispensable tool. It allows you to send personalized InMails to potential candidates, even those outside your network. With advanced search filters and the ability to track candidate responses, LinkedIn Recruiter streamlines the talent acquisition process significantly.

Sales Targets with LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is designed for sales professionals looking to enhance their sales strategies. This platform provides tailored lead recommendations and allows for direct InMail communication with prospects. By leveraging Sales Navigator, sales teams can effectively nurture leads and close deals through targeted and personalized outreach.

Open Profile to Directly Message LinkedIn Members

Members with an Open Profile can receive InMail messages from anyone on LinkedIn, regardless of connection status. This feature broadens your reach, enabling you to directly message LinkedIn members who are most relevant to your business or recruitment needs without the constraint of connection limits.

Whether you're a recruiter or a sales professional, mastering the use of LinkedIn InMail can lead to more successful outcomes. By utilizing tools like LinkedIn Recruiter and Sales Navigator, and by understanding the opportunities provided by Open Profile, you can tailor your InMail strategy to meet your specific objectives and drive real results.

LinkedIn InMail Etiquette and Best Practices

Effective communication on LinkedIn requires more than just sending messages; it demands adherence to certain etiquette and best practices. To ensure your LinkedIn InMails stand out and encourage a response, it's essential to craft them with professionalism and care.

Professional InMail Messages

Professionalism is key when composing InMail messages. Start with a clear subject line that grabs attention and clearly states the purpose of your message. Keep the tone respectful and personable, and personalize the content to show that you've done your homework on the recipient. A well-crafted InMail reflects your professionalism and increases the chances of a favorable reply.

How to Avoid Sending Spammy InMail Messages that Will Get Ignored

To prevent your messages from being perceived as spam, avoid generic templates and mass messaging. Each InMail message should be tailored to the recipient, demonstrating genuine interest and relevance. By focusing on quality over quantity and providing value in your InMails, you're more likely to engage your recipients and avoid the dreaded ignore button.

LinkedIn’s InMail Policies for Better Connection Requests

LinkedIn has specific InMail policies designed to maintain a professional and respectful networking environment. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure your connection requests and messages are compliant. Adhering to these policies not only helps you avoid penalties but also signals to recipients that you are a trustworthy and credible LinkedIn member.

By implementing these etiquette tips and best practices, your LinkedIn InMails will be well-received and more effective. Remember that the ultimate goal is to build meaningful connections and foster professional relationships, so always communicate with integrity and respect.

Additional Features & Toolbox: LinkedIn InMail Plus

LinkedIn InMail is more than just a messaging tool; it's a feature-rich platform designed to enhance your professional outreach. With additional features like Sponsored InMail and A/B testing, LinkedIn InMail Plus can significantly boost your messaging strategy.

Benefits of Sponsored InMail and Templates

Sponsored InMail allows you to reach a broader audience beyond your connections by sending targeted, promotional messages directly to LinkedIn members' inboxes. This feature is perfect for driving conversions with personalized content. Templates, on the other hand, can save time while still allowing for customization. Use templates as a starting point, then tailor your message to each recipient to maintain a personal touch.

LinkedIn’s Mobile Experience for Instant Response

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it's crucial to consider the mobile experience when sending InMails. LinkedIn's mobile app ensures that your messages are accessible and easy to respond to, no matter where the recipient is. Optimize your InMail content for mobile viewing to encourage quicker and more frequent responses.

How A/B Tests can Enhance InMail Success Rates

A/B testing is a powerful way to refine your InMail strategy. By sending out variations of your messages to different segments of your audience, you can gather data on what works best. Test different subject lines, message lengths, and calls to action to discover the most effective approach. This data-driven method can lead to higher average response rates and ensure your InMails perform better over time.

Embracing these advanced features and tools can elevate your LinkedIn InMail campaigns, turning them into a strategic asset for your professional goals. With the right approach, LinkedIn InMail Plus can be a game-changer in how you connect and communicate in the professional world.

Troubleshooting LinkedIn InMail and Frequently Asked Questions

As with any platform, users may occasionally encounter challenges or have questions about LinkedIn InMail. Understanding how to navigate these issues is essential for maintaining an efficient and effective InMail strategy.

Addressing Common LinkedIn InMail Technical Issues

Technical issues with LinkedIn InMail can range from delivery failures to notification problems. If your InMails are not being delivered, check to ensure you have enough credits and that your messages comply with LinkedIn's size and content limitations. For notification issues, verify your email and app notification settings. Remember, LinkedIn continuously updates its platform, so keeping your app up to date can prevent many technical glitches.

Help and Advice from LinkedIn's Help Resources

If you're facing persistent issues or have specific questions, LinkedIn's Help Center is a valuable resource. It offers a wide range of articles and FAQs that can assist you in troubleshooting problems or learning more about the features of InMail. For more personalized support, you can also contact LinkedIn's customer service or seek advice from the LinkedIn community by participating in discussions and forums.

By staying informed about common issues and knowing where to find help, you can minimize disruptions and continue to use LinkedIn InMail as a powerful tool for professional communication. Whether it's a minor hiccup or a need for deeper understanding, LinkedIn's resources are designed to support your journey to InMail mastery.

Showcasing Success Stories and Case Studies

One of the most compelling ways to understand the value and impact of LinkedIn InMail is through real-world success stories and case studies. These narratives not only inspire but also offer practical insights into how InMail can be leveraged to achieve professional objectives.

Inspiring Examples of Effective LinkedIn InMail Use

Success stories of LinkedIn InMail often feature individuals and businesses that have crafted compelling messages leading to significant connections or sales. For instance, a sales professional might share how a personalized InMail campaign resulted in a 30% increase in response rates, opening the door to valuable partnerships. Similarly, a recruiter may recount a story where a well-timed InMail message led to hiring a top-tier candidate. These examples serve as a testament to the strategic use of InMail and its potential to drive meaningful results.

Key Insights from InMail Masterminds

Case studies from InMail masterminds provide an in-depth look at the strategies and tactics that have proven successful. These studies often include details like the message's tone, timing, and follow-up practices that contributed to high engagement rates. By analyzing these key insights, LinkedIn members can refine their own InMail approaches, learning from the best practices that have already paved the way to success.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your InMail strategy, these success stories and case studies can be invaluable resources. They not only illustrate the platform's potential but also encourage users to think creatively and strategically about their InMail campaigns. Embrace the lessons learned from these LinkedIn members connected through impactful InMail communication, and consider how you might apply similar tactics to your professional endeavors.

Empowering Yourself with LinkedIn InMail

As we wrap up our in-depth exploration of LinkedIn InMail, it's clear that this powerful tool holds the potential to transform your professional outreach endeavors. By understanding the nuances of InMail and applying the strategies discussed, you're well on your way to mastering this platform's unique messaging capabilities.

Recap and Next Steps to Beginning Your LinkedIn InMail Journey

Throughout this guide, we've covered everything from accessing InMail credits to the anatomy of effective messages, and how to abide by LinkedIn's policies. The next steps are simple: start applying these insights to your LinkedIn strategy. Begin by crafting personalized, professional InMail messages that resonate with your recipients. Test different approaches, utilize A/B testing, and always keep an eye on your response rates to gauge and improve your success. Remember, the journey to LinkedIn InMail proficiency is ongoing, and there's always room for refinement and growth.

Share Your Success Story in Boosting Sales

Your experiences with LinkedIn InMail are valuable, not just to you, but to the broader community of professionals seeking to enhance their digital networking and sales tactics. We encourage you to share your success stories. Did you close a deal, make a pivotal connection, or recruit a star candidate thanks to a well-crafted InMail? Your insights could inspire and guide others on their path to LinkedIn InMail success.

In closing, LinkedIn InMail is more than just a messaging tool—it's a gateway to expanding your professional network, driving sales, and connecting with prospects in a meaningful way. By harnessing the power of LinkedIn InMail, you are equipped to boost your sales and professional relationships like a pro. Now, it's your turn to take the reins and start your LinkedIn InMail journey. Share your success stories and continue to elevate your professional outreach with confidence and finesse.

lemlist team
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G2 Rating
Price
Best for
Standout feature
Con
4.9
star
star
star
star
star
$30/mo
$75/mo
$2,999/mo
Large, distributed sales teams
AI evaluation precision, gamified KPIs
Lack of tracking system
4.6
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Sales operations and finance teams
Powerful configurability
Limited training resources and complex to navigate
4.4
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Mid-market and enterprise businesses
Comprehensive incentive management
Potentially high cost and steep learning curve
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
$15/user/mo
$40/user/mo
Enterprise: custom price
Complex sales structures and businesses of all sizes
Complex sales structures and businesses of all sizes
Steep learning curve
4.6
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Collaborative teams
Connected planning
Complexity and steep learning curve
4.6
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies with complex sales structures
Complex incentive compensation management (ICM) with high efficiency and accuracy
Complexity for smaller teams and potentially high costs
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies who want to automate commission calculations and payouts
Simplicity and ease of use
Lack of features like redirection
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
$30/user/mo
$35/user/mo
Custom: upon request
Businesses that need a comprehensive and user-friendly sales compensation management software
Ease of use and adoption
Lack of ability to configure the product based on user needs
4.8
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies with modern sales culture and businesses who want real-time insights
A built-in dispute management and real-time visibility
Users say it works slowly, customer support is slow
4.9
star
star
star
star
star
$30/user/mo
$50/user/mo
Smaller sales teams
Powerful automation
Lesser user base and average user interface
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Not publicly available
Companies with scalable needs
Automated Commission Calculations
Lack of filtering by date, no mobile app
ERP vs. CRM
ERP
CRM
Summary
Backbone of a business's internal operations.
Backbone of customer-centric interactions and operations.
Goal
To centralize and streamline core business processes in a company.
To increase customer experience, satisfaction and loyalty, and boost sales.
Focus
Internal operations and processes across departments (finance, accounting, inventory, supply chain, HR, and sales).
All interactions with leads and customers.
Manages
Internal business data like financial data, inventory levels, production details, supply chain, HR info.
All customer data like contact info, purchase history, communication history, customer preferences and more.
Users
Finance, accounting, operations, supply chain, and HR departments.
Customer-facing teams like sales, marketing, and customer service.
Benefits
Streamlines operations, improves data accuracy, enhances decision-making, boosts collaboration, increases productivity.
Improves customer relationships, increases sales, strengthens customer service, personalizes marketing campaigns, provides insights.
Price
$150 per user per year on average.
$10 to $30 per user per month on average.
PRM Tool
Rating
Feature
Pro
Con
Mobile App
Integrations
Free Plan
Pricing
4.65
star
star
star
star
star-half
Org-wide alignment
User-friendly layout and database
Suboptimal as a personal CRM
square-check
Lack of tracking system
square-check
Team: $20/month
Business: $45/month
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Social Media Integration
Easy contact data collection
No marketing/sales features
square-check
Lack of tracking system
square-xmark
7-day trial
$12/month
4.75
star
star
star
star
star-half
Block Functions
High customization capability
Not a dedicated CRM
square-check
Limited
square-check
Plus: €7.50/month
Business: €14/month
N/A
Open-source
Open-source flexibility
Requires extensive manual input
square-xmark
Limited
square-check
Self-hosted
$9/month or
$90/year
3.1
star
star
star
Simple iOS app
Ideal for non-tech-savvy users
iPhone only
square-check
iOS only
Limited
square-xmark
1-month trial
$1.49/month or
$14.99/month
3.6
star
star
star
star-half
Smart Contact Management
Feature-rich and flexible
Reported bugs
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
7-day trial
Premium: $13.99/month
Teams: $17.99/month
4.4
star
star
star
star
star-half
Customizable Interface
Customizable for teamwork
Pricey for personal use
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
Standard: $24/member
Premium: $39/member
4.7
star
star
star
star
star-half
Integrated Calling
Integrated Calling
Too sales-oriented & pricey
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
14-day trial
Startup: $59/user/month
Professional: $329/user/month
4.8
star
star
star
star
star
Business Card Scanning
Business Card Scanning
Mobile only
square-check
Limited
square-check
$9.99/month
4.45
star
star
star
star
star-half
160+ app integrations
Comprehensive integrations
No free app version
square-check
Rich
square-xmark
14-day trial
$29.90/month or
$24.90/month (billed annually)
Capterra Rating
Free Trial
Free Plan
Starting Price (excluding the free plan)
Maximum Price (for the most expensive plan)
Best for
4.5
star
star
star
star
star-half
square-check
14-day
square-check
€15/month/seat billed annually
€792/month/3 seats billed annually + €45/month for each extra seat
Versatility and free plan
4.2
star
star
star
star
square-check
30-day
square-xmark
But it offers reduced price to authorised nonprofit organisations
€25/user/month
€500/user/month billed annually (includes Einstein AI)
Best overall operational CRM
4.3
star
star
star
star
star-half
square-xmark
square-check
Limited to 3 users
Comprehensive incentive management
€52/user/month billed annually
Small-medium businesses and automation
4.5
star
star
star
star
star-half
square-check
14-day
square-xmark
€14/seat/month billed annually
€99/seat/month billed annually
Sales teams and ease of use
4.1
star
star
star
star
square-xmark
square-check
Limited 10 users
$9.99/user/month billed annually
$64.99/user/month billed annually
Free plan for very small teams up to 10
CRM goal
Increase the sales conversion rate for qualified leads from marketing automation campaigns by 10% in the next 6 months.
SMART Breakdown
1. Specific: It targets a specific area (conversion rate) for a defined segment (qualified leads from marketing automation).
2. Measurable: The desired increase (10%) is a clear metric, and the timeframe (6 months) allows for progress tracking.
3. Achievable: A 10% increase is possible based on historical data and potential improvements.
4. Relevant: Boosting sales from marketing efforts aligns with overall business objectives.
5. Time-bound: The 6-month timeframe creates urgency and a clear target date.
Actions
Step 1: Refine lead qualification criteria to ensure high-quality leads are nurtured through marketing automation.
Step 2: Personalize marketing automation campaigns based on lead demographics, interests, and behavior.
Step 3: Develop targeted landing pages with clear calls to action for qualified leads.
Step 4: Implement lead scoring to prioritize high-potential leads for sales follow-up.
Step 5: Track and analyze campaign performance to identify areas for optimization.
Outcomes
Increased sales and revenue
Improved marketing automation ROI
Marketing and sales alignment
Data-driven marketing optimization
Table
CDP Software
CRM Software
Approach
Data-centric
Customer-centric
Focus
Interactions across various channels and touchpoints, both online and offline.
Sales, marketing, and customer service interactions.
Functionality
Automatically collects, organizes, tags, and makes data available in real-time.
Helps businesses track customer interactions, sales pipelines, prospects, and service requests.
Goals
Personalized customer experiences across all channels.
Better customer relationships, streamlined processes, and improved profitability.
Benefits
Data integration, management, and accessibility, allowing for detailed analysis and segmentation.
Better communication within teams and with customers by organizing information about customer interactions and history.
Data Handling
Handles both identified and anonymous data, stitches together various data points.
Deals primarily with identified customer data.
Use Cases
Personalized marketing campaigns, targeted advertising, content customization across multiple channels.
Managing campaigns and leads, enhancing customer service, providing better customer support, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Examples
Insider, Bloomreach, Salesforce Marketing Cloud CDP
HubSpot, Salesforce Sales Cloud Lightning Professional, and Zoho CRM
CRM
Free plan
Best feature
Best for
Con
1. HubSpot CRM
square-check
Sales automation
Sales teams
Up to 1,000 contacts
2. Insightly
square-check
Custom fields
Basic needs
Not enough info about the free plan
3. Agile CRM
square-check
Deal and sales pipeline tracking
Small teams
Up to 10 users
4. Zoho CRM
square-check
Lead and contact management
Businesses of all sizes
Limited to 3 users
5. ClickUp
square-check
Unlimited tasks and unlimited members
Personal use
Up to 100MB storage
6. EngageBay
square-check
Live chat
Small and midsize enterprises
Up to 1,000 branded emails per month
7. Bitrix24
square-check
Unlimited users and 5 scrum teams
Big teams
Up to 5GB of cloud storage
8. FreshSales
square-check
Easy to use and simple setup
Beginners
Up to 3 users
9. Mailchimp
square-check
Very beginner friendly
Marketing teams
Send up to 500 branded emails per month
Type of Affiliate Marketing
Unattached
Related
Involved
Format
Paid advertising
Social media or YouTube channels
Dedicated website or blog
Focus
Quick income
Your niche
Your audience
Engagement with your audience
square-xmark
square-check
square-check
square-check
square-check
Very close connection with your audience
Pro
Little effort
Higher credibility thanks to your niche
Long-lasting and scalable
Con
Paid ads cost a lot
Potential for bias since you don’t use the thing you promote
Require time, effort, and dedication

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