10 Best LinkedIn InMail Templates for Sales [+ Examples]

Life may give you second chances, but the prospects reading your InMails won't.

Unlike cold emails, you can't send multiple follow-ups to get a reply. You have one chance, and if they don't accept your InMail request, your LinkedIn outreach efforts will fizzle out.

And yes, you can send them a LinkedIn connection request with a personalized note. But that has a serious word limit. With such little information to share, what are the odds they’ll care about what you’ve said? That’s when InMails come in handy. If you want to ensure you include a) the best of the best info, b) essential takeaways for the prospect, and c) is peppered with personalization, use InMails. 

And here are 10 best LinkedIn InMail templates you can use for the different scenarios salespeople find themselves in. 

How To Write a LinkedIn InMail for Sales?

Great InMails stand out like dots on a Dalmatian. So, how do you write one? Here is the blueprint:

1. A catchy and relevant subject line in less than 200 characters:
   “Marketers, Bounce Rates, and My Ex”
   
2. An introduction that justifies the subject line and maintains the curiosity:
   “Yes, Bobby. You read it right! My Ex. My non-marketer ex-girlfriend.”
   
3. A body that explains the reason for your message: 
   “Do you know what she said to me 2 months back? ‘Lack of engagement is the main reason I wanted to leave you. ’And I don't get it, Bobby. I've tried everything from making scannable content to using compelling CTAs. And yet it keeps happening, and I didn't expect her to attack me this way. 
   
   But then Anna came into my life with answers. She shared the '10 lesser-known ways to increase website engagement’, and my life has never been the same.
   
   Our website bounce rate dropped by 50%, and the engagement rate increased by 2x. And now I'm sharing it with you. Not just to help you increase your website traffic but to ensure one more breakup doesn't happen due to lack of engagement.”
   
   Note: Here’s where you have to tell your prospects why you reached out, and what benefits you could offer the prospect. 
   
4. A low-friction CTA your prospects can't ignore: 
   “Also, I'm all ears if you wanna talk about marketing, ex-girlfriends, and relationships.
   PS: Anna is my super-talented colleague.”

10 Best LinkedIn InMail Templates Guaranteed To Get You Replies

There are two kinds of InMails you might be searching for. One is the first time you send your prospect an InMail, hereon known as first-touch InMails, and a follow-up InMail you'd send as a 3rd or 4th step in your outreach sequence, like when you've already called and cold emailed them, and now you're trying to get their attention on LinkedIn.

First Touch InMails

First-touch InMails are those you send to your prospects for the first time before you've cold-called or emailed them. In other words, this is the first touch of your sales sequence. We’ve given multiple options of InMails you could send to your prospects.

1. Value-Driven LinkedIn InMail Template

Give some, get some. That's how the law of reciprocity works. In other words, when you offer prospects something, like a valuable resource, the chances of them returning the favor in the form of a reply are high. The goal here is to not ask anything yet. Simply offer your value and leave. The idea is that you stay on top of their mind. Or, if you insist on getting them acquainted with what you’re selling, add it as a side note to your InMail.

Template:

InMail Subject Line: Performance of your {team/tool/strategy} and {something 
totally unrelated yet related}

Hi {prospect name},

{A pain point relevant to the unrelated topic you mentioned in your subject 
line} That's what {target audience} says about dealing with {pain point}, 
according to {Report/Study} released by {company name}.
 
With {a change/transition contributing to the pain point}, {the target 
audience} feels it is an endless battle.

You might be able to relate, especially with {consequences they face because of pain point}. That's why I decided to send this {link to the resource} (backed by hours of research) your way. With this no-brainer {tool/resource}, you can have a system to {talk about how this tool/resource helps solve their pain 
point}.

Attaching a video explaining everything you need to know about the 
{tool/resource} and how to use it.

If you've any questions, feel free to reach out to me. 

Cheers,

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Performance of your sales reps and the Sisyphus's rock

Hi Martin,

It feels like rolling the same stone up every single day! That's what 67% of sales managers feel about coaching their sales reps, according to the State of Sales Report released by RDS. 

With seasoned reps finding new opportunities as soon as they learn the nitty-gritty and with more and more green sales reps entering the scene, sales managers feel it is an endless battle.

You might be able to relate, especially with the 5 new reps you just onboarded.That's why I decided to send this productivity tracker your way. 

Attaching a Loom video to help you figure out the tool.

Cheers,

2. Personalized InMail Template

Prospects expect personalized messages. Spray and pray will piss off prospects, in fact, around 76% of them get annoyed when they receive generic messages from brands, officials reveal in The Next in Personalization 2021 report by Mckinsey.

InMail Subject Line: {Personalized analogies they can relate to} and {their 
pain points}

Hi {prospect name},

Does your experience with {something related to his job/interests} come in 
handy while dealing with {pain point}? {agitate the pain point by giving a 
visual description}.

Since this year's {event/a time when dealing with pain point becomes an 
immediate requirement} is around the corner, I hope you've something in place 
to deal with {pain point}. If not, I've some ideas and would love to share 
them with you.

Here's a {resource} to help you do {task} to begin with.

Cheers,

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Kindergarten students and restless attendees at the check-in

Hi Bella,

Does your experience with Kindergarten students come in handy while dealing with restless attendees at the check-in? The sultry sun, the clammy bodies, and the endless queue. Anyone would be restless and impatient like a kindergarten kid under these circumstances, right?

Since this year's FRED EXPO is around the corner, I hope you've something in place to deal with long queues during check-ins. If not, I've some ideas and would love to share them with you.

Here's an event management checklist to ensure you are event-ready.

Cheers,

3. Name-Drop LinkedIn InMail

If Rihanna is vouching for that hair gel, I should get it, AKA the bandwagon effect. When you claim big names in the industry use your product/service, you give them social proof to trust your product/service. You also become the cream of the crop, getting ahead of your competitors when you associate yourself with big shots.

Template:

InMail Subject Line: Increase your {Task} ROI without {doing something 
necessary to do task}

Hi David,

{a big shot in your prospect's industry} recently increased their ROI from 
{task} by {percentage} without {doing something necessary to do a task}. Too 
good to be true?

I would have said the same had I not been involved in this. I'm {your name}, 
{job role} at {company name}, the {agency/company} who helped {a big shot in 
your prospect's industry} achieve this 'too good to be true' result. But 
don’t take my word for it. There’s a case study video that explains how we 
did it.

Just type 'yes', and I’ll send you their story.

See you on the other side.

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Increase your content marketing ROI without writing new content

Hi David,

Zapier recently increased their ROI from content marketing by 32% without producing even a single piece of new content! Sounds too good to be true? 

I would have said the same had I not been involved in this. I'm Carl, SDR at Firehigh, the content marketing agency that helped Zapier achieve this 'too good to be true' result. But don’t have to take my word for it. There’s a case study video that explains how we did it.

Just type 'yes', and I’ll share the video.

See you on the other side.

4. Sales-Ready LinkedIn InMail Template

InMail Subject Line: {your product} Vs {competitor}

Hi {prospect name},

A little birdie at (name of software marketplace) told us that you were looking at {product name}. I'll save you the trouble of you having to read an endless list of self-serving comparison articles. 

Why don't you take {product name} for a run (for free), {prospect name}? We'll help you with the onboarding and all.
 
Sounds good? If yes, give me a thumbs up and I'll forward you the link to 
activate your account.

PS: 30 hours. That's how much time people spend reading competitor articles 
and watching tutorials before buying tech tools.

Example:

InMail Subject Line: GRD Vs. HYTT

Hi Peter,

A little birdie at G2 told us that you were looking at Hybex. I'll save you the trouble of you having to read an endless list of self-serving comparison articles. 

Why don't you take Hybex for a run for free, Peter? We'll help you with the onboarding and all. 

Sounds good? If yes, give me a thumbs up and I'll forward you the link to activate your account.

PS: 30 hours. That's how much time people spend reading competitor articles and watching tutorials before buying tech tools.

5. Inbound InMail Template

When prospects visit a high-intent page on your website or download a bottom-of-the-funnel ebook, it means that they're aware of their problem and your brand (a solution). Chiming in with how to best use the downloaded resource or offering extra help gets them to trust you and consider your product.

Template:

InMail Subject Line: Did you try {a particular step/template from the resource they downloaded}?

Hi {prospect name},

How did you like our {downloaded resource}? 

Don’t miss {template/strategy/hack number}. Because, well, it’s the
{template/strategy/hack} that got {results}.

Also, a quick question, want to know how {your customer} achieved {results} 
within {time frame}?

Just send me a yes, and I’ll send you the case study right away.

Cheers!

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Did you try cold email template #7?

Hi Paul,

How did you like our cold email templates ebook? 

Don’t miss template #7. Because, well, it’s the cold email that got our reps a whopping  40% open and 30% response rates.

Also, a quick question, want to know how SnapNow 4xed their meetings booked within 3 months?

Just send me a yes, and I’ll send you their case study right away.

Cheers!

6. LinkedIn InMail for Mutual Connection

There's no better conversation starter than talking about a common friend, hometown, or a Linkedin group. When you establish that common ground, you are no longer a stranger to them.

Template:

InMail Subject Line: {common friend} and {similar interest}

Hi {prospect name},

{mutual friend} asked me to reach out to you. By the way, I'm {your name}, 
{job role} at {company name}. Last time we talked, he mentioned your 
interest in {common interest} and your plan to launch {product/service} 
soon.

Congrats on your decision to launch your {product/service}. As someone 
with {similar interest} like the prospect, I can only think about two 
things {benefit/good thing about their decision to launch a course/service} 
and {the pain point they might face while launching}. Well, talking about 
{pain point}, if you haven't sorted it out yet, I can help you.

I can give you a special first sale offer considering you are no stranger
({mutual friend} is my best bud!). Let me know if you are interested.

Ciao

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Archie's friend and a soap enthusiast

Hi Garry,

Archie asked me to reach out to you. By the way, I'm Charlie, SDR at WinLane Logistics. Last time we talked, he mentioned your interest in soapmaking and your plan to launch your new range soon.

Congrats on your decision to launch your new range. As a soap enthusiast, I can only think about two things, the fragrance of a fresh batch of soaps and the herculean task of shipping them. Talking about shipping, if you haven't sorted it out yet, I can help you.

I can give you a special first sale offer considering you are no stranger (Archie is my best bud!). Let me know if you are interested.

Ciao

Follow Up InMail

Follow-ups are those InMail you send as the second or third step in your outreach sequence. That means you've already warmed them up on call or email, and now you want to reach out again to get their attention.

7. Demo Follow up InMails

Getting ghosted at the fag end of a sale, especially after you've run a demo, is probably the worst thing on the planet, trailing just behind 'stubbing your toes into a table' and 'getting ghosted after job interviews.' But the right emails at the right time could shake things up for the prospect. Here’s the InMail you can use in such scenarios.

Template:

InMail subject line: {Talk about the feature they requested}

Hey (Name),

I know it's been a while. I hope you're keeping well.

I just wanted to quickly update you regarding the demo we had last week.

First things first, I talked with our product team about your additional 
feature request. We are ready to give you {feature 1} and {feature 2} if 
you are ready to sign the deal by the end of this week.

Feel free to reach out to me if you've additional feature requests or concerns.

Cheers,

Example:

InMail subject line: A dashboard to track all your events in one place!

Hey Kelly,

I know it's been a while. I hope you're keeping well.

I just wanted to quickly update you regarding the demo we had last week.

First things first, I talked with our product team about your additional feature request. 

We are ready to build an extra dashboard so you can track all your events in one place, if you are ready to sign the deal by the end of this week.

Feel free to reach out to me if you've additional feature requests or concerns.

Cheers,

8. LinkedIn InMail Template After Sending a Quote

Prospects ghosting you after sending a quote is like falling right in front of the finish line. You thought you almost made it, but then your prospect decided to go radio silent. You can send an InMail message to follow up on your quote as a last resort.

Template:

Hey {prospect name},
 
While you're mulling over the quote, would you like to kick {product's} tires a bit? Per our last conversation, you seemed quite curious about {feature/use 
case), you could test them out during this free trial. I'll enable {X seats} so your team can use it as well.

We can do this for a week, and then extend it till the date of onboarding if you can confirm your purchase before {deadline}. 

Here's the link to activate your free trial.

Feel free to shoot your questions, I'd be happy to help. 

Cheers, 

Example:

Hey Katie,

While you're mulling over the quote, would you like to kick Wandex's tires a bit?

Per our last conversation, you seemed quite curious about the conversation intelligence feature and how to use them for training your reps. You could test them out during this free trial. I'll enable 5 seats so your team can use them as well.

We can do this for a week and then extend it till the date of onboarding if you can confirm your purchase before 7th May.

Here's the link to activate your free trial.

Feel free to shoot your questions, I'd be happy to help. 

Cheers

9. Funny InMail Template

If your joke lands, you'll witness your prospects letting their guards down. That's because they find you more approachable and trustworthy, says Michael Kerr, President of Humor At Work, in a Forbes article about using humor at work. 

So, we suggest testing some funny messaging. But make sure the audience looks receptive to jokes (you’ll understand this by going over their activities section inside their LinkedIn profiles).

Template:

InMail Subject Line: {Target audience}, {Pain Points} and My Ex

Yes, {prospect}. You read it right! My Ex.
 
Do you know what s/he/they said to me 2 months back? "{pain point} is the 
main reason I want to dump you."

And I don't get it, {prospect name}. I've tried everything from making 
{mention things you did to solve pain points}. And yet it keeps happening, 
and I didn't even expect him/her/them to attack me this way. 

But then {your friend’s name} came into my life with answers. s/he/they 
shared the '{gated resource}’, and my life has never been the same. 
{Describe the result} by {corresponding metrics}.

And now I'm sharing it with you. Not just to help increase your {result} 
but to ensure another breakup doesn't happen due to {pain point}.
 
Also, I'm all ears if you wanna talk about {industry} or ex-partner.

PS: {Friend’s name} is my super-talented colleague. 

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Marketers, Bounce Rates, and My Ex

Yes, Bobby. You read it right! My Ex. My non-marketer Ex-girlfriend.

Do you know what she said to me 2 months back? "Lack of engagement is the main reason I wanna dump you."

And I don't get it, Bobby. I've tried everything from making scannable content to using compelling CTAs. And yet it keeps happening, and I didn't even expect her to attack me this way. 

But then Anna came into my life with answers. She shared the '10 lesser known ways to increase website engagement', and my life has never been the same. Our website bounce rate dropped by 50%, and the engagement rate increased by 2x.

And now I'm sharing it with you. Not just to help increase your {result} but to ensure another breakup doesn't happen due to {pain point}. 

Also, I'm all ears if you wanna talk about marketing, ex-girlfriends, and relationships.

PS: Anna is my super-talented colleague. 

10. Interactive LinkedIn InMail Template

If you want to take your InMails approach up a notch, use interactive InMails! It’s a conversational Ad feature from LinkedIn, and it enables others to interact with your messages.

Template Credits: Paperflite's LinkedIn Conversational Ads

Template:

InMail Subject Line: Knock knock

Hello {First Name},

No, we didn't make a mistake.

This is an AD. But we are not trying to sell you anything.

We found your footprints on our website, so we thought of reaching out.

Quick Question: Is {pain points your solution can help} an everyday challenge 
for you?

If so, we've got a case study you will find useful - {brand name} saw a 95% 
jump in {task/process}, all while delivering great buyer experiences.

If that's not your jam, have some knock-knock jokes. On us!

Option 1: Take me to the content!

Option 2: Some knock-knock jokes!

Example:

InMail Subject Line: Knock knock

Hello {First Name},

No, we didn't make a mistake.

This is an AD. But we are not trying to sell you anything.

We found your footprints on our website, so we thought of reaching out.

Quick Question: Is content management and all-things-sales-enablement an everyday challenge for you?

If so, we've got a case study you will find useful: Bison Jacks saw a 95% jump in content engagement, all while delivering great buyer experiences.

If that's not your jam, have some knock-knock jokes. On us!

Take me to the content!

Some knock-knock jokes

Key Takeaways

1. There's no second or third InMail. Literally, once the prospect accepts your InMail, it becomes a ‘direct message.’ Your first InMail is your last InMail, prospects can choose to accept it or not, so make it count.
2. Never include a sales pitch in your InMail unless you know they are sales-ready.
3. Your goal is to get them to reply. So, always go for a low-friction call to action.

So, ditch the pitch, go that extra 'personalization' mile, and build that rapport using the 10 InMail templates we've shared here. 

FAQs