LinkedIn InMail template
Earn a reply from a prospect you're not connected to by being specific, brief, and easy to respond to.
- Multi-channel
Hi {{first_name}},
I'll keep this short. I work with {{role}} teams on {{outcome}}, and {{company}} came up because {{specific_reason}}.
{{customer_example}} had the same situation and {{specific_result}}.
Worth a quick chat to see if it's relevant? Even a "not now" reply helps me know whether to follow up later.
{{your_name}}Replace the {{merge_tags}}with the recipient’s details before sending. In Autocloz, these fields fill in automatically from each lead’s record.
When to use it
Use InMail when you can't connect directly and the prospect is worth a paid message. Because InMail is metered, every word has to earn its place.
Why it works
The structural reasons this message earns replies.
Opening with "I'll keep this short" sets a respectful tone that fits the InMail medium and gets the message read.
A specific reason for reaching out proves the InMail isn't a blast, which matters more on LinkedIn than in email.
Inviting even a "not now" reply lowers the bar to respond and gives you a signal either way.
How to personalize it
A template only works once it sounds like it was written for one person. Do these before you send.
Use the prospect's headline, recent activity, or company news as the {{specific_reason}} so it's unmistakably tailored.
Keep it to about five short lines; InMail rewards brevity even more than cold email does.
Make the ask a low-commitment reply, not a calendar link, for the first InMail.
Related templates
Get a connection accepted by a cold prospect with a short, relevant note that doesn't pitch.
View templateGet a fast reply from a prospect via text by being human, brief, and respecting consent.
View templateStart a friendly, low-pressure conversation on WhatsApp with a contact who has opted in.
View templateLeave a short, specific voicemail that earns a callback or primes the prospect for your follow-up email.
View templateFrequently asked
What's the difference between InMail and a connection note?
A connection note is a short request to connect (under 300 characters). InMail is a full message you can send without being connected — usually a paid LinkedIn feature — so it can be longer but should still stay tight.
How long should a LinkedIn InMail be?
Shorter than a cold email — around five short lines. InMail is read in a narrow mobile pane, and prospects judge length harshly. Lead with the reason you're reaching out and one proof point.
Should I include a calendar link in InMail?
Not in the first message. Ask for a reply first; a calendar link in a cold InMail feels presumptuous. Once they respond with interest, then share availability.
Send templates like this at scale — start free
Personalize with merge tags, sequence across email, calling, LinkedIn, SMS and WhatsApp, and track every reply — on a free-forever CRM with unlimited users.