How to Write a LinkedIn InMail That Gets a Response
Step 1: Write a subject line that creates curiosity
Your subject line determines whether the InMail gets opened. The best subject line formulas: Question format (‘Quick question about [their company]’), Mutual interest (‘[Shared contact] mentioned you’), or Specific observation (‘Noticed your post on [topic]’). Keep it under 50 characters and avoid generic openers like ‘Introduction’ or ‘Partnership opportunity’.
Step 2: Open with a specific personalized observation
The first sentence must show you actually researched this person. reference something specific: a recent post they wrote, a company milestone, a mutual connection, or a shared experience. This sentence should be about them, not about you. Bad: ‘I came across your profile.’ Good: ‘Your post last week on enterprise sales cycles got me thinking about [specific point].’
Step 3: State your relevance in one sentence
In the second sentence, make the connection between your observation and why you are reaching out. This is about shared context or a genuine problem you noticed they might have. Example: ‘We help [type of company] solve [specific pain point] – which sounds relevant to what you are building at [their company].’
Step 4: Make a single, low-friction ask
The third sentence is your call to action. Ask for something small and easy to say yes to: a 15-minute call, a direct question they can answer in one sentence, or permission to share something relevant. Avoid: asking for a meeting with no context, pitching a product, or asking for a referral in a first message.
Step 5: Keep the entire InMail under 150 words
Review your draft and cut it to under 150 words. Research consistently shows shorter InMails get higher response rates. Remove any sentence that is about you or your company rather than about them or their problem. Remove any filler phrases like ‘I hope this message finds you well.’ Every word must earn its place.
