InMail: The Complete Guide to LinkedIn InMail, Strategy, Best Practices & ROI

InMail: The Complete Guide to LinkedIn InMail, Strategy, Best Practices & ROI

In modern B2B digital marketing, few outreach tools are as powerful and direct as InMail—LinkedIn’s premium messaging system that allows professionals and businesses to contact prospects outside their network. Whether you’re a marketer, a recruiter, a business owner, or a sales professional looking to increase conversions, mastering InMail can unlock a new level of targeted relationship-building and pipeline growth.

In a world where email inboxes are overloaded and cold-calling is increasingly ineffective, LinkedIn InMail stands out as a high-intent communication channel, connecting decision-makers globally with an unprecedented 300% higher response rate than traditional email marketing.

This ultimate guide breaks down how InMail works, why it matters, best practices for writing high-converting InMail messages, real-world examples, and how brands scale results using professional digital marketing support like The Info Technologies.


What Is InMail?

InMail is a premium feature available through LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, and LinkedIn Recruiter, enabling users to send direct messages to people who are not currently connected with them on LinkedIn (outside 1st-degree connections).

How InMail Works
  • You must have a LinkedIn Premium subscription (Premium Career, Premium Business, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter Lite).

  • Each subscription comes with a base allowance of InMail credits per month.

  • You can message any LinkedIn user except those who have disabled messaging.

  • If a prospect responds within 90 days, LinkedIn returns your credit, allowing more outreach for free.

What Makes InMail Different from Regular LinkedIn Messaging?
Feature Regular LinkedIn Message InMail
Can contact non-connections No Yes
Requires mutual connection Yes No
Priority inbox visibility General inbox Prominent
Recommended for Existing relationships Sales, recruiting, partnerships, networking
Cost Free Paid credits

Who Should Use InMail?

InMail has become an essential outreach tool globally for professionals who want direct access to high-value targets.

Ideal users include:
  • B2B sales teams and lead generation specialists

  • Digital marketers and brand growth strategists

  • Recruiters, HR managers & hiring agencies

  • Entrepreneurs and startup founders

  • Freelancers and consultants

  • Partnership and collaboration teams

Because LinkedIn is home to over 1 billion professional users worldwide, and 65+ million decision-makers, InMail enables highly targeted, relationship-driven communication.


Why InMail Is So Effective

To understand the full power of LinkedIn InMail, consider the following industry performance stats (based on LinkedIn internal analytics and global usage trends):

InMail Response Rate vs Email Response Rate
  • Traditional Email outreach average: 3–8%

  • Cold Calling conversion rate: <2%

  • InMail average response rate: 25–35%

  • Top-performing campaigns: >45% response rate

Key Reasons InMail Works
1. Intent-Based Professional Audience

Users on LinkedIn are actively seeking business, networking, and opportunities—not casual content.

2. Higher Deliverability & Credibility

InMail lands in a separate, prioritized inbox—not lost in a sea of spam filters.

3. Personalization & Target Precision

LinkedIn filters allow extremely targeted outreach by:

  • Job title

  • Company

  • Industry

  • Geographic region

  • Experience level

  • Company size

  • Group memberships

4. Response-Credit System Encourages Quality

You only lose InMail credits if someone ignores your message, motivating strategic, personalized outreach.


Types of InMail

Understanding the different types allows you to use them strategically.

1. Standard InMail

Used through Premium Business & Sales Navigator to contact prospects outside your network.

2. Sponsored InMail (Message Ads)

Paid campaign-based promotions sent to a targeted demographic. Popular for:

  • Webinar registrations

  • Event invitations

  • Free trial or offer promotions

  • Product demonstrations

3. Recruiter InMail

Used for candidate sourcing and hiring outreach via LinkedIn Recruiter.


How to Write a High-Converting InMail Message

Most poorly performing InMail messages fail because they sound like generic sales spam. Below is a proven framework used by industry-leading sales teams:


The Winning InMail Framework
1. Personalized Opening

Avoid robotic introductions. Identify relevance.

Examples:

  • “I noticed your recent post about scaling SaaS leads…”

  • “Saw that your company recently expanded to Dubai…”

2. Show Value Immediately

Explain how you can help—not what you want.

Instead of:

I want to introduce our service…

Try:

We recently helped a similar company reduce acquisition costs by 37% in 60 days…

3. Make a Small, Low-Commitment Ask

Ask a simple question or request a 10-minute call—not a proposal.

4. Keep It Under 120–150 Words

Short messages convert best.


Best Practices to Increase InMail Response Rate

Action Result
Personalize based on profile insights +50% response boost
Avoid generic templates Prevents instant deletions
Use short sentences & bullet points Easier for busy executives
Send Tue-Thur between 10am–2pm Optimal open times
Include proof or social credibility Higher trust
End with one clear CTA Improves conversions

Examples of High-Converting InMail Templates

Sales Outreach Template
Hi {First Name},

I noticed that {Company Name} recently {specific insight—funding, hiring, expansion, etc.}. We assisted {Relevant Company / Industry} in achieving {specific result} using {strategy/solution}. I believe we could help you achieve similar or stronger outcomes.

Would you be open to a quick 10-minute call next week to explore this?

Best regards,
{Your Name}

Recruiting Template
Hi {Candidate Name},

Your background in {Skill/Role} caught my eye, especially your experience with {specific project}. We’re currently recruiting for a role that matches your expertise at {Company}. Based on what I see, you could be an excellent fit.

Would you be open to a short call to discuss the opportunity?

Warm regards,
{Recruiter Name}

Webinar/Event Invitation
Hi {Name},

We’re hosting an exclusive session on {topic} for leaders in {industry}, featuring speakers from {credible brands}. I believe you’d gain strong value.

Shall I reserve you a spot?

Thanks,
{Your Name}


Common InMail Mistakes to Avoid

  • Sending long, essay-style messages
  • Mass-copy-pasting templates
  • Pitching immediately instead of establishing relevance
  • Focusing on features instead of value
  • Using salesy language like “guaranteed results”
  • Weak or unclear CTA

To win on LinkedIn, your goal is to start conversations, not close deals on first contact.


InMail vs Email vs Cold Calling

Metric InMail Email Cold Call
Response Rate High (25–45%) Medium-Low Very Low
Personalization High Medium Low
Decision-maker access Direct Filtered Gatekeepers
Audience Professional Mixed Mixed
Cost Paid credits Free/Tools Time/Resources
Ideal for B2B sales, networking, recruiting Newsletters, nurturing Follow-ups

How Many InMail Credits Do You Get?

Plan Credits
Premium Career 5 / month
Premium Business 15 / month
Sales Navigator Core 50 / month
Recruiter Lite 30 / month
LinkedIn Recruiter 150 / month

Credits roll over up to 100 unused.


How to Scale ROI Using InMail

Many businesses struggle with:

  • Crafting messages that convert

  • Identifying the right decision-makers

  • Tracking response rates and optimizing campaigns

  • Integrating InMail into full sales funnel strategy

This is where expert support becomes vital.


Why Partner With The Info Technologies for InMail Outreach Success

The Info Technologies specializes in B2B sales enablement, digital lead generation, and LinkedIn marketing strategies designed to achieve measurable results.

What We Help You Achieve
  • Highly targeted prospect research

  • Professional InMail campaign setup & execution

  • A/B tested personalized outreach templates

  • Performance tracking & optimization

  • Conversion-driven follow-up workflows

  • Integration with CRM & full funnel marketing

Key Benefits
Delivered by The Info Technologies
10X more responses using advanced personalization
Data-driven targeting & segmentation
Professionally written message sequences
Higher-quality leads and faster conversions
Reduced cost-per-acquisition

Whether you are a startup, SME, or enterprise brand, our strategic approach to InMail lead generation ensures you generate real revenue, not just connections.


Final Thoughts: Master InMail and Transform Your Business

InMail is no longer optional—it is now a core growth tool for businesses and professionals who want to connect directly with decision-makers, build authority, and create real revenue opportunities.

By applying the strategies in this guide and partnering with experts who understand digital lead generation at scale, you can dramatically improve your pipeline performance and build profitable professional relationships worldwide.

If you’re serious about using InMail and LinkedIn outreach to grow sales, then the next step is clear:


Ready to Scale Your InMail Results?

The Info Technologies is here to help you build high-converting LinkedIn and InMail campaigns that deliver measurable business growth.

Email us now at theinfotechnologies@gmail.com
Let our experts create a winning InMail strategy tailored to your goals.

Grow smarter. Reach further. Convert faster — with The Info Technologies.

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