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How to Write an Effective LinkedIn InMail Message in 8 Steps

How to Write an Effective LinkedIn InMail Message in 8 Steps

In recruiting, reaching out to candidates on LinkedIn is a useful tool for attracting top talent, from operations managers to developers. Crafting a standout message is key to engaging and connecting with your target candidates effectively and professionally. This guide will walk you through the process of composing an InMail that is both impactful and respectful, tailored to professionals in any field.


Table of Contents



1. Personalize Your Greeting

Start with a personal touch. Address the candidate by name to set a connection. Make it more personal by referencing specific achievements or projects they've led that align with your company's goals. This attention to detail demonstrates genuine interest and respect, setting a positive tone from the start.


2. Introduce Yourself and Your Company

Introduce yourself with your name and role, particularly how it relates to the position you’re offering. Followed by telling them a little about your company, focusing on what would attract professionals in the target role— such as operational efficiencies for managers or innovative projects for developers. This not only introduces your company but also aligns it with the candidate's career motivations.


3. Show That You Have Done Your Homework

Show respect for their success in their career thus far. Mention specific projects or improvements or strategies they implemented that impressed you. This increases the relevance of your message and shows your respect for their contributions to their field.


4. State Your Purpose

Clearly explain why you are reaching out. Whether you're proposing a specific role, inviting them to discuss potential opportunities, or seeking collaboration on strategic projects, busy professionals value clarity and directness.


5. Highlight Attractive Aspects of the Role

Describe the role by detailing some challenges they may face, the systems they can improve, and the impact their work will have. Emphasize benefits like flexible work arrangements and opportunities for career advancement or appeal to their desire to make a significant impact in something they are passionate about.


6. Keep It Short but Impactful

Though thoroughness is important, but brevity is key. Busy professionals appreciate concise messages that quickly highlight the key points, such as role specifics, benefits, and the potential for significant impact within your organization.


7. Include a Clear Call to Action

What do you want them to do next? Offer a straightforward, actionable step, whether it's responding to your InMail, scheduling a meeting, or reviewing a document. Clear calls to action reduce barriers to engagement and prompt a quicker response or further interaction.


8. Be Appreciative and Open-Ended

Wrap up your message by thanking them for their time and consideration. Leave the conversation open-ended by encouraging them to share their thoughts or ask any questions they might have. This creates a relaxed atmosphere for them to freely decide how they wish to proceed, which can lead to more genuine and productive exchanges.


More Tips for Engaging LinkedIn InMail Messages


Start by Knowing Your Goals

Much like cold calling or emailing, your first LinkedIn InMail should not be about selling, as no one will be ready for buy-in from the initial contact stage. The goal should be to start a conversation. These people don’t know you, and you need to convince them talking to you is valuable and worthwhile.


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Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile

Before you launch your InMail campaign, review your LinkedIn profile (if you’re the sender) and make sure it is complete and up-to-date. Here are a few items to look at:

  • Profile photo: Use a professional image that looks trustworthy.
  • Background image: A background photo of your company logo or achievements can build credibility.
  • LinkedIn headline: Describe your position and/or unique skills and how you can be of service to others.
  • Summary: Explain why you chose your career and why people can trust you.
  • Work history and skills: Having these sections filled in gives you more credibility.

This will ensure that your profile works for you, not against you, when acquiring new leads.


Do Your Research

The most effective way to start a conversation with a LinkedIn user is by finding common ground. LinkedIn offers a wealth of information about a person's career trajectory and professional interests. When identifying a potential candidate, review their profile, recent activities, and the pages they follow. Observe their current role, duration at their company, and previous professional experiences to discover shared interests or unique aspects of their career that pique your interest.


LinkedIn InMail Writing Guidelines

When writing the perfect message, use a subject line that intrigues and piques interest. Since this is the first thing a user will see, it needs to be catchy, to the point, and relevant. Greet your prospect by their first name so that they know this message is intended for them.

The body of the message should revolve around the recipient rather than you and your needs. Quickly establish why you are reaching out so that the reader is not left wondering what the point of your message is. Stick to one reason for reaching out to maintain clarity and focus.


Keep It Short

Much like cold emailing, the length of your InMail message has a significant impact on whether someone reads your message and responds or not. Think of LinkedIn messaging as instant messaging, not emailing. Your goal in your first cold LinkedIn message is to get the recipient to respond. That’s it.


Give the Person a Reason to Reply

If you received a message from a stranger, you probably wouldn’t respond unless they gave you a good reason, right? Ask a question at the end of your message. It could be about their profile, something pertinent to their company or role, or their interests in a specific topic. This keeps the conversation going.


Increase Your Reach

It can be intimidating to reach out to someone you don’t know. But by practicing and using these tops, you can craft an InMail message that hits all the marks. The secret is to keep it short and relevant, tailor your message, and prioritize the reader. Personalization shows you did your research and care about the recipient and their company.

Leveraging Automation with welovehumans


If you find crafting personalized outreach messages and managing responses overwhelming, consider using Welovehumans' automated messaging solutions. Our technology is designed to analyze and comprehend the unique profiles of each candidate, allowing us to create messages that are perfectly tailored for every interaction. This ensures that your communications are precisely aligned with each candidate’s expertise and achievements and also resonate with their professional interests. Let Welovehumans help you effortlessly connect with the right talent— because we love humans.


Conclusion

Crafting an effective LinkedIn InMail message requires a balance of personalization, brevity, and clarity. By following these steps, you can increase the likelihood of engaging top talent and initiating meaningful conversations. Remember, the goal is to build a connection first, which can then lead to more in-depth discussions about potential opportunities. Use these guidelines to create compelling and converting messages that stand out in a crowded inbox.

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Your questions answered

How to Write a Converting LinkedIn InMail Message FAQ

Begin with a personal touch by using the candidate’s name and referencing specific achievements or initiatives they have led. This shows a genuine interest and that you have taken the time to learn about them.

Introduce yourself with your name and role, then introduce your company by highlighting aspects that would attract professionals in the target role, such as operational efficiencies for managers or innovative projects for developers. This sets a strong foundation for conversation.

Mention specific projects or improvements the candidate has implemented that impressed you. Discuss innovative strategies or efficiencies they've introduced and their outcomes. This shows respect for their professional capabilities.

Be explicit about why you are reaching out, whether to propose a specific role, invite them to discuss potential opportunities, or seek collaboration. Professionals particularly appreciate clarity and directness.

Detail the role by highlighting the challenges they might face, the systems they can enhance, and how they can make an impact. Mention significant benefits such as flexibility, career progression, or special project opportunities.

While it’s important to be detailed, brevity is crucial. Professionals value concise communications that respect their time. Make sure your message is easy to read and gets to the point, focusing on key aspects like role specifics and benefits.

Provide a clear, actionable step such as replying to your message, setting up a meeting, or reviewing a document. This reduces barriers to engagement and increases the likelihood of a response or further interaction.

Conclude by thanking them for their time and consideration. Leave the conversation open-ended by asking them to share their thoughts or any questions. This creates a no-pressure situation that allows them to decide how to proceed.

Personalization shows you have taken the time to understand the recipient’s professional background and achievements. It helps build rapport and shows that you are genuinely interested in them, increasing the likelihood of a positive response.

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