Introduction

Have you ever sent a LinkedIn InMail and received no response? It's a common problem many face when trying to engage with prospects. But what if you could increase your response rate simply by following a few key strategies?

Sponsored InMail campaigns have a 30% or higher open rate, making them an effective tool for personalized outreach. This shows just how important mastering LinkedIn InMail best practices can be for your outreach success.

This article gives the top 10 LinkedIn InMail best practices to help you enhance your engagement and increase your conversion rates. Ready to elevate your InMail game?

TL;DR

• LinkedIn InMail best practices help increase engagement by targeting the right audience, personalizing messages, and keeping them concise.

• Timing plays a key role; send messages during business hours, preferably in the morning or early afternoon.

• Personalization and a clear reason to reply improve response rates and build rapport with prospects.

• Automating LinkedIn outreach with tools like Valley can save time, personalize at scale, and drive better engagement.

Top 10 LinkedIn InMail Best Practices to Enhance Engagement

LinkedIn InMail is a highly effective tool for reaching out to prospects, but crafting the perfect message is key to getting a response. Following the right strategies can significantly improve your chances of engagement. 

You can increase the success of your InMail by adopting a few proven strategies, customizing your messages, and targeting the appropriate individuals.

Here are the top 10 LinkedIn InMail Best Practices to Enhance Engagement:

1. Target the Right Audience

One of the most important LinkedIn InMail best practices is audience targeting. Without a focused approach, your messages risk being irrelevant and ineffective, wasting both your time and the recipient's. A well-targeted outreach ensures that you're connecting with individuals who are genuinely interested in what you offer.

Here is how you can do it:

• Identify Ideal Prospects: Focus on decision-makers who are likely to benefit from your services.

• Use LinkedIn's Advanced Search: Filter by industry, job title, location, and other key factors to segment your audience.

• Segment Effectively: Focusing on a smaller group of prospects improves engagement and makes your outreach more relevant to them.

• Prioritize High-Value Leads: Engage with individuals whose needs align closely with your offerings for better response rates.

Pro Tip: Look at mutual connections or shared groups to find common ground. This creates a warmer approach and establishes trust early on.

2. Personalize Every Message

Personalization is key to grabbing a prospect's attention and making them feel valued. A customized message highlights that you have taken the effort to learn about their background and the reason for your communication. A customized approach can greatly increase your response rate, whereas generic communications are more likely to be ignored.

Whether it's referencing their recent post, mentioning a mutual connection, or addressing a specific challenge they face, personalization adds relevance and builds rapport.

Example of a Personalized Message:

"Hi [First Name],

I saw your recent post about scaling your marketing efforts at [Company Name], and I thought it was insightful. At [Your Company], we've helped businesses like yours streamline their processes, which I believe could help you save time and improve efficiency. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute call to explore this further?"

This approach directly references something the prospect cares about, making the message feel relevant and thoughtful.

3. Write a Compelling and Custom Subject Line

The subject line is your first impression, and it plays a critical role in whether your InMail gets opened. A compelling and custom subject line grabs the recipient's attention and sparks curiosity. It needs to stand out amidst a crowded inbox and encourage the prospect to click on your message.

Generic subject lines like "Quick Question" or "Let's Connect" tend to be ignored, so it's important to personalize the subject to your audience. Reference something specific to the person, their company, or a mutual connection. A well-crafted subject line increases the chances of your message being noticed and acted upon.

Example of a Compelling Subject Line:

"How [Your Company] Can Help [Their Company] Scale Faster"

This subject line is specific, relevant, and gives the recipient a reason to open the message by immediately addressing their company's growth goals. You’re not just introducing yourself; you're suggesting a clear benefit, making the subject line both enticing and valuable.

Another approach could be:

"Improving [Their Company] 's Efficiency: A New Strategy"

This also focuses on delivering a potential solution, increasing the prospect's interest by speaking directly to their needs or challenges.

4. Keep Your Messages Short and Clear

Keeping your LinkedIn InMail messages concise is crucial. Busy professionals don't have time to read long messages, so it's important to get straight to the point. A brief message that highlights the key value you offer is much more likely to grab attention and encourage a response. Focus on one main idea and keep your language simple and clear.

Example of a Short Message:

"Hi [First Name],

I noticed your work with [Company Name] and thought you might be interested in how our tool can help streamline your project management. Would you be open to a quick call to discuss?

Best, [Your Name]"

This message is short, direct, and clearly communicates the purpose of the outreach.

Also read: LinkedIn Messaging Guide for Effective Communication

5. Provide a Clear Reason to Reply

When sending a LinkedIn InMail, always provide a clear reason for the recipient to respond. Whether it's a potential opportunity, a solution to a challenge, or valuable information, make sure your message explains why replying benefits them. 

Be clear about what you can give and how it fits with their goals, since without a clear motivation, prospects might not pay attention to what you have to say.

Pro Tip: Instead of asking vague questions like "Let me know your thoughts," be specific and action-oriented. For example, "Would you be open to a 15-minute call to explore how we can improve your sales process?" This encourages a focused and actionable reply.

6. Use Simple, Direct Language

Clarity is essential when crafting LinkedIn InMail messages. Make use of plain, straightforward language that gets right to the point without being too complicated. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences that could confuse the recipient. The easier your message is to understand, the more likely it is to be read and responded to.

Pro Tip: Keep your language conversational and focus on one clear idea. For example, instead of saying, "We specialize in scalable business solutions," try, "We help businesses save time and money by automating key processes."

7. Send InMails at the Right Time

Timing is crucial when sending LinkedIn InMails. Professionals are more likely to engage with your message during business hours, typically in the morning or early afternoon. Avoid weekends or late evenings when your target audience may not be active on LinkedIn.

Example Scenarios:

• If you're reaching out to a marketing manager, sending an InMail on a Monday morning could be more effective than on a Friday afternoon, when they're likely wrapping up their week and less focused on new opportunities.

• For a sales director, sending an InMail just before lunch on a Wednesday might be better than at the end of the day when they're preparing for meetings or finishing up tasks.

Also read: Step-by-Step Guide to LinkedIn Marketing Strategy

8. Warm Up Your Prospects

Engage with your prospects before sending an InMail to increase the likelihood of a positive response. You can establish familiarity and differentiate your message by leaving a comment on their posts or sharing relevant data. By showing genuine interest in their content, you're not just a stranger in their inbox.

Pro Tip: Take a few days to interact with their posts, offering meaningful comments or insights. This builds rapport and makes your InMail seem like a natural continuation of a previous discussion or existing conversation.

9. Utilize Open Profiles and Sponsored InMails

Open Profiles allow you to message anyone on LinkedIn, even if you're not directly connected. Sponsored InMails, on the other hand, enable you to reach prospects outside your network, increasing your outreach potential. These tools are especially useful when targeting a wider audience or reaching decision-makers who aren't in your immediate circle.

Example:

If you're trying to connect with a C-level executive at a large company, using Sponsored InMail can help you bypass connection limits and directly message them, ensuring your outreach reaches the right person.

Struggling to manage multiple outreach campaigns manually? Valley can automate your LinkedIn outreach, targeting high-value leads with personalized messaging. Check out Valley’s success stories to see how they can streamline your prospecting efforts!

10.  Follow Up Thoughtfully, But Don’t Spam

Following up is important, but it's crucial to avoid bombarding your prospects with multiple messages. If you don't receive a reply, give them time to respond before reaching out again. A thoughtful follow-up shows persistence without being overbearing.

Example Follow-Up Message:

"Hi [First Name],

I wanted to follow up on my previous message regarding [specific topic]. I understand you may be busy, but I'd love to schedule a quick 10-minute call if you're open to it. Let me know what works best for you.

Best, [Your Name]"

This follow-up is polite, brief, and respectful of their time.

This thoughtful approach ensures you're persistent without being intrusive. Now, let's explore how automating your LinkedIn outreach can save you time and improve engagement at scale.