Sending a LinkedIn message should be easy enough, right? Well, it’s a bit more complicated than that. There are a ton of different elements to take into consideration when doing sales outreach on LinkedIn – who to message, what to say, and which type of messaging you should use.

When it comes to current connections, you can send direct messages with no problems. When it comes to nonconnections, some people can send and receive InMails.

What is InMail?

InMail is a form of LinkedIn messaging. It allows you to send a longer message to LinkedIn users – up to 1900 characters – without being connected. So there is no need to send a connection request before sending an InMail.

Connection messages have a 200-character limit. InMail allows for real communication without someone accepting a connection request.

InMail messaging is available depending on the LinkedIn package you are signed up for. LinkedIn gives you InMail credits; each credit accounts for one InMail. Here’s the monthly breakdown:

  • Premium Career: 5 credits
  • Premium Business: 15 credits
  • Sales Navigator Core: 50 credits
  • Recruiter Lite: 30

Since you can send a limited amount of messages, you’ll want to make sure you are optimizing the messages you send through InMail.

The Benefits of InMail

It eliminates an extra step

With InMail, there is no need to wait for a connection request to be accepted before sending a longer message. It allows you to message people without any buffer time.

You can message almost anyone you want

No need for mutual connections or an introduction – introduce yourself! This feature allows you to find someone, and contact them without a connection or a mutual friend. Your words will be in their inbox just like anyone else’s.

The Subject Line

In a way, InMails are a mixture of LinkedIn and email. InMail includes a subject line – arguably the most important part of your message. It’s your message’s first impression. It should catch your reader’s eye and urge them to open and read more.

Tips to step up your InMail message

So the benefits are pretty clear. But since you only get to send 50 InMails per month as a Sales Navigator user, you want to make sure you are sending effective InMails.

Keep it short

LinkedIn found that keeping your InMail message 100 words or less brings in more responses than InMails above 200 words. People are less likely to read longer messages, so try to keep your InMails concise.

Introduce yourself

Make sure to leave room to introduce yourself so that the reader knows who they are receiving a message from. Otherwise, the person reading your message will have to click on your profile to learn the basics about you, and you can’t depend on anyone to do that.

End it with a Call to Action

Signing off with “hope to chat soon!” or “let me know if you are interested!” leaves your InMail open-ended. You should sign off with a question, implying that it requires an answer.

People subconsciously are more inclined to answer a question than an open-ended statement. Something like “Is this something you think would be beneficial to your company?” or “Would you be up for chatting over a coffee about it?” are better options.

Personalize it

Make sure you personalize your message to the person receiving it. There are varying levels of this – calling them by their name, mentioning their current role or past role, their company, a mutual connection, etc. Just make sure there is something in there that will make the reader think “this was written for me.”

Be Clear

There is no need to beat around the bush when sending an InMail. Since everyone is aware that there is a limit to how many you can send, you’ll want to get straight to the point. It’s still important to supply value rather than just selling.

You should say everything you want to say since you won’t get to send a second InMail until they answer yours.

HyperSocial can Help you with All This and More

HyperSocial’s goal is to help B2B businesses to humanize their outreach while keeping a positive presence on LinkedIn.

Check out more about it here!

Liked this article? Here are three more:

  1. How HyperSphere Helps Recruiters with LinkedIn Automated Outreach
  2. Eight Simple Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd on LinkedIn
  3. Why Who You Target Is More Important Than What You Sell