7 Tips to Boost LinkedIn InMail Replies
- Silvio Bonomi
- Apr 2
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 4
- Personalize Every Message: Reference shared connections, interests, or specific achievements.
- Craft Better Subject Lines: Keep them short, intriguing, and free of salesy language.
- Send at the Right Time: Aim for mid-week mornings or late afternoons, and align with the recipient's time zone.
- Write Clear, Short Messages: Stick to 50–100 words and focus on 2–3 key points.
- Show Direct Benefits: Address their challenges with measurable results or helpful resources.
- Add Clear Next Steps: Include a simple call-to-action and suggest specific meeting times.
- Follow Up Thoughtfully: Space follow-ups over a few days and reference previous messages.
These steps help you create concise, meaningful outreach that grabs attention and drives responses. Start implementing them today to see better results with your LinkedIn InMails.
10 Simple Tips for Writing the Perfect LinkedIn InMail
1. Write Personal Messages
Sending personalized InMails helps you stand out and start genuine conversations. Finding common ground can also help build trust and make your outreach more effective.
Check Profile Details
Take a close look at the recipient's profile. Look for shared connections, groups, interests, or recent activity. This kind of research can provide useful details to craft a message that resonates.
Mention Common Ground
If you have mutual connections or belong to the same LinkedIn groups, bring it up. Mentioning these connections can establish credibility and make your message feel more relatable. Use this information to connect with their professional interests.
Connect With Their Work
Customize your message to address their role and industry. Reference specific challenges they might face or recent achievements. Showing that you understand their work makes your outreach more relevant and engaging.
2. Write Better Subject Lines
A strong subject line is key to making your InMail stand out. It sets the tone, grabs attention, and encourages recipients to open your message.
Keep Subject Lines Short and Focused
After personalizing your message, craft a subject line that grabs attention. Here are some tips:
- Use action verbs to create a sense of urgency.
- Avoid unnecessary filler words.
- Highlight one specific benefit or purpose.
- Add a personal touch by including the recipient's name, if appropriate.
Spark Interest and Curiosity
Your subject line should be concise but also intriguing. Aim to pique curiosity while staying professional. Consider these strategies:
- Reference a shared connection or experience.
- Mention a notable achievement or project relevant to the recipient.
- Address common industry challenges or trends.
- Pose a question that encourages engagement.
Examples include:
Avoid Overly Salesy Language
Steer clear of promotional phrases that might come across as pushy or get flagged by spam filters. Examples to avoid include:
- "Limited time offer"
- "Don't miss out"
- "Special deal"
- "Free consultation"
- "Quick call"
Instead, use natural, conversational language that emphasizes shared interests or mutual benefits. Your subject line should reflect genuine intent to connect, not a hard sell.
3. Send at the Right Time
Timing can make or break your InMail response rates. When you combine personalized messages with well-timed delivery, you're more likely to grab attention.
Choose the Best Days and Times
Timing matters. Based on engagement trends, here’s when your messages are most likely to be noticed:
- Tuesday through Thursday: These mid-week days tend to see higher response rates.
- Morning hours: Between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM local time.
- Late afternoon: Around 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM local time.
Avoid sending messages during less effective times, such as after 5:00 PM, during lunch hours (12:00 PM–1:30 PM), Monday mornings, or Friday afternoons.
Align with Their Time Zone
Take the time to check profiles or company details to determine the recipient's time zone. Use LinkedIn's scheduling tools to ensure your messages land during their work hours. For instance, if you’re scheduling for someone on the West Coast, an 11:00 AM EST message will arrive at 8:00 AM PST - perfect timing to start their day.
Plan Your Follow-ups
A well-structured follow-up schedule keeps the conversation going without overstepping. Here’s a simple timeline to follow:
- Initial message: Send during peak hours, like 9:00–11:00 AM.
- First follow-up: Wait 3–4 business days before reaching out again.
- Second follow-up: Space this out by another 5–7 business days.
- Final attempt: Send a last message one week later.
Each follow-up should build on your previous messages. Reference earlier conversations and provide additional value to keep the dialogue meaningful.
4. Write Short, Clear Messages
When crafting LinkedIn InMail, keeping your message short and clear is key. A concise message grabs attention and makes it easier for recipients to quickly understand your point during their busy day.
Limit Message Length
Stick to the essentials. Aim for 50 to 100 words per message to keep it impactful. Here's how to stay brief:
- Start with a strong opening line.
- Clearly state your main point or offer.
- End with a specific call-to-action.
- Use short, straightforward sentences.
- Cut out unnecessary words or fluff.
Focus on Main Points
Keep your message centered on the 2-3 points that matter most to the recipient. This keeps your communication sharp and to the point:
- Lead with the most relevant benefit or insight.
- Back it up with a short example or proof.
- Include only information that directly supports your goal.
- Keep paragraphs short - 2-3 sentences max.
Format for Easy Reading
Make your message visually easy to scan. A well-organized format helps readers grasp your points quickly:
- Use short paragraphs with clear spacing.
- Highlight key details or important dates with bold text.
- Add natural breaks between different ideas.
- Leave enough white space to enhance readability.
Here’s a simple structure to follow:
5. Show Direct Benefits
To improve your InMail response rates, focus on showing recipients how your message can help them. When you address their business goals and show clear value, they’re more likely to respond. Here's how you can do that effectively.
Highlight Key Benefits
Make sure the benefits you present solve their specific challenges:
- Start with the benefit that matters most to their role.
- Tie each benefit directly to their business goals.
- Focus on results instead of just listing features.
- Back up your points with measurable results.
For instance, if you're messaging a Sales Director, you could mention how a targeted outreach strategy can increase the number of qualified meetings.
Back It Up with Evidence
Your claims will be more convincing with proof:
- Share specific success metrics from similar companies.
- Reference case studies or industry standards.
- Use data to show the return on investment.
Instead of saying, "We help companies grow", try: "We increased meeting rates by 30% for companies using targeted outreach."
Provide Helpful Resources
Offer something useful to make your message stand out:
- Share insights that are relevant to their role.
- Include actionable tips or exclusive data they can use right away.
- Link to whitepapers, research, or other valuable content.
For example, instead of just asking for a meeting, you could say: "I've attached our latest research on B2B outreach strategies. It includes tips for improving response rates that you might find useful."
6. Add Clear Next Steps
Making the next steps obvious is key to encouraging action. A well-placed call-to-action makes it easier for the recipient to respond. After crafting a personalized message and sending it at the right time, providing clear instructions can boost engagement.
Keep It Simple
Make it easy for the recipient to respond by:
- Asking a single, straightforward question that can be answered with "yes" or "no."
- Setting a clear deadline for the requested action.
For instance:
Offer Specific Meeting Times
Provide 2-3 time slots tailored to the recipient's time zone:
- Clearly state the day, date, and time for each option.
- Suggest times within the next 5-7 business days to maintain momentum.
Example:
- Tuesday, April 8 at 10:00 AM ET
- Wednesday, April 9 at 2:00 PM ET
- Thursday, April 10 at 11:00 AM ET"
Share Contact Details
Offer multiple ways to get in touch, such as:
- A direct calendar link for easy scheduling.
- Your business phone number.
- Your email address for quick replies.
Example:
- [Calendar Link]
- Reply to this message with your preferred time.
- Drop me an email at [email].
Now, let’s explore how to follow up without overwhelming your recipients.
7. Follow Up Properly
Following up is about finding the right balance between persistence and respecting someone's time. A thoughtful approach helps build connections and encourages replies.
Set Clear Boundaries
Decide on a reasonable number of follow-up attempts to stay efficient and considerate. Sticking to three follow-up messages is a good rule of thumb - it provides enough opportunities to engage without overwhelming the recipient.
Conclusion: Start Using These Tips
These strategies tackle common challenges and improve your InMail outreach. By applying these seven methods, you can enhance your LinkedIn outreach efforts. Success in InMail outreach relies on clear, concise, and meaningful messaging.
At Artemis Leads, we specialize in multichannel outreach and personalized account management to transform B2B lead generation. Our approach ensures every message is tailored to connect with decision-makers effectively.
Try implementing one strategy at a time, track your results, and adjust as needed. A well-crafted, personalized approach helps you stand out, no matter the time zone or follow-up stage.