Hi Community members, 

InMails have always been one of the hottest topics in our Community. Moreover, understanding how to write a compelling and thoughtful InMail, that leads to a positive response, has always been top of mind for all Sales Navigator users.

Right now, we’re all aware that InMails are acting as a powerful tool to ensure we continue to relate with our prospects and customers frequently. However, especially now, there’s a need to lead messaging with compassion and add value during this unique time. 

Our goal with this post is to share some best practices on how you can be reaching out to your leads and contacts with compassion, insightful tips on how you can get your InMail credits back and learn where to go for on-demand InMail training. 

So, are you ready? Let’s learn how to ace InMails! 

1.How to write InMails that will get responses 

As I mentioned before, it’s crucial to write InMails that will lead with compassion and help our contacts know how we can support them. But, you might be wondering, ''how can I do it?''

Here are a few things you should bear in mind:

1. Before you start crafting your InMail, put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Think about what they and their industry/company might be facing right now and understand how you can, first relate to them on a more human level, and, second, how your business can support them during this challenging period. 
2. Instead of starting with why that prospect should buy your product/service, focus on sharing intent data that can improve your customer experience. For example, you can address pain points they might be facing and offer incentives, instead of clear instruction on how they should behave. 
3. Don’t forget to be positive and enthusiastic. Of course, you don’t need to be over the top, but it’s important to transfer a sense of calm and optimist during this time. 
4. It’s crucial to conduct any research before reaching out. You will want to understand what communications and content that account has been sharing publicly, so that you can estimate what a potential lead might want to get out of a future meeting or contact. 
5. Start by sending them an InMail that will show that, before trying to sell to them, you genuinely want to help them and their company.

2. How can you get your InMail credits back 

The short answer would be: write the perfect InMail for each prospect. However, we do understand that, even if you write the best InMail, sometimes the positive response doesn’t depend exclusively on you. Several reasons might be associated with this, like, for example, the company isn’t looking to buy that specific product/service, or their budget for the remaining year just isn’t enough. Nevertheless, if you always make an effort to write that perfect InMail, it's more likely that the lead will reply. And even if it’s with ‘’no, but thank you’’, you will still get your InMail credit back. 

Wait.. what? You get your InMail credit back? Yes, that's right! 

Here’s how InMail crediting works:

• InMail messages that don't receive a response, don't get credited back. Simple. 
• You do, however, get an InMail credit for every InMail message that receives a response within 90 days of the send date. Even if they reply with ''not interested.'' And, if your InMail is written with compassion, trust me that they will.
• As part of the new LinkedIn messaging experience, auto replies to InMail messages also count as a response. "Interested" and "Maybe later" are reflected as accepted messages, while "Not interested" is recorded as declined. Nevertheless, all three responses are eligible for a credit back. You'll receive the credit back immediately once the recipient responds.
• If you send a second InMail to the same person before you receive a response from them, this will result in another InMail credit being used. But, keep in mind that an automatic reminder is sent to the recipient within three days of the InMail being sent.
• You can accumulate InMail credits from month to month. However, there's a limit on the total number of InMail credits that you can accumulate. Your InMail credits don't expire.

3. InMail training on-demand

I’m sure you already know Learning Center, but do you still remember that we have on-demand resources you and your team can leverage anytime you’d like? Here are some of the most helpful on-demand InMail resources you recommend you to go through: 

• Use InMail messages to engage with prospects - here
• Send effective InMail messages - here

I really hope these tips and tricks will help you get more InMail responses during this period. Additionally, I’d love to understand how you and your teams are leveraging InMail with quality instead of quantity. How are you reaching out to your leads and customers, while making sure you’re leading with compassion?

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts and best practices!

Nádia