LinkedIn InMail Templates 2026: 7 That Get 18-25% Response Rates
InMail averages 10-25% response rates versus cold email's 1-5%. Here are the templates and strategies that turn InMail credits into actual conversations.
LinkedIn InMail achieves 10-25% average response rates compared to cold email's 1-5%—a 400-500% improvement. According to Sales So's InMail statistics, high performers consistently hit 18-25% response rates, while elite senders break 30-40%. Yet most InMail users send messages that underperform dramatically. The difference isn't luck—it's strategy, structure, and understanding what recipients actually respond to.
This guide shares the exact templates and principles that generate responses.
Key Takeaways
- InMails under 400 characters have 22% higher response rates than average—yet only 10% of senders keep messages this short
- Personalized subject lines boost responses by 30.5%; the sweet spot is 16-27 characters (3-5 words)
- People who follow your company are 81% more likely to respond, making LinkedIn authority valuable even for InMail
- InMails sent individually perform 15% better than bulk sends—personalization beats scale
- SaaS/Software has the lowest response rate (4.77%) while Legal/Professional Services leads at 10.42%
The InMail Advantage: Why It Outperforms Email
Before diving into templates, understand why InMail works better than cold email:
According to Evaboot's InMail guide:
| Channel | Average Response Rate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Cold Email | 1-5% | Unknown sender, spam filters, inbox overload |
| LinkedIn InMail | 10-25% | Platform context, profile visibility, trust signals |
| Connection + Message | 8-15% | Requires acceptance first |
The trust factor: When you send an InMail, recipients can see your profile, credentials, mutual connections, and shared groups before deciding to respond. This context dramatically increases trust compared to an unknown email address.
InMail Anatomy: What Data Reveals
Length: Shorter Wins
According to LinkedIn's official data:
- Under 400 characters: 22% higher response than average
- Over 1,200 characters: 11% below average response
- The reality: Only 10% of InMails are under 400 characters; 46% exceed 800 characters
The insight: Most senders write too much. Short InMails stand out because they're rare and respect the recipient's time.
Subject Lines: 3-5 Words
According to Octopus CRM's research:
- Optimal length: 16-27 characters (3-5 words)
- Mobile truncation: Cut off at 30-40 characters
- Personalization lift: 30.5% higher response with personalized subjects
- Highest open rates: 11.6-15.2% for optimal length
Timing: Avoid Fridays
According to Sales So's statistics:
- Best days: Sunday through Thursday
- Best windows: Tuesday-Thursday, 8-10 AM or 2-4 PM
- Avoid: Friday afternoons (4% fewer responses) and Saturday (8% fewer)
- Worst: Monday mornings and Friday afternoons (20% lower response)
Targeting: Warm > Cold
- Company followers: 81% more likely to respond
- Mutual connections: 46% more likely to respond
- "Open to Work" status: 35% more likely to respond
- High activity + large network: 27% higher response
The 7 InMail Templates That Work
Template 1: The Mutual Connection Leverage
Best for: Prospects connected to someone in your network Response rate: 15-25%
Subject line (24 chars):
[Mutual name] suggested
Message body (380 chars):
Hi [Name],
[Mutual connection] mentioned you're leading [initiative/challenge] at [Company].
We recently helped [Similar Company] address [specific related challenge]—they went from [before state] to [after state] in [timeframe].
Given what [Mutual] shared, thought it might be relevant.
Worth a quick conversation?
Why it works: Mutual connections provide social proof and create obligation to respond. The specificity shows research, not mass outreach.
Template 2: The Company Follower Outreach
Best for: Prospects who follow your company page Response rate: 18-25% (81% more likely to respond)
Subject line (21 chars):
Fellow [Company] fan
Message body (350 chars):
Hi [Name],
Noticed you follow [Your Company]—thanks for the interest!
Curious what drew you to us? We work with [specific role/industry] professionals on [specific challenge].
If that's relevant to something you're working on, happy to share what's worked for others in similar situations.
What's on your radar right now?
Why it works: Company followers have already expressed interest. This acknowledges that and opens dialogue.
Template 3: The Content Engagement Follow-Up
Best for: Prospects who engaged with your LinkedIn content Response rate: 20-30%
Subject line (19 chars):
Thanks for [action]
Message body (320 chars):
Hi [Name],
Saw you [liked/commented on] my post about [topic].
Curious—is [topic] something you're actively working on at [Company]?
If so, I'd love to hear what you're finding works (or doesn't). Always learning from practitioners.
Happy to share what we've seen on our end too.
Why it works: References specific engagement, making it impossible to dismiss as mass outreach. Opens conversation rather than pitching.
Template 4: The Trigger Event Response
Best for: Prospects with recent company news, promotions, or changes Response rate: 15-22%
Subject line (25 chars):
Congrats on [event]
Message body (375 chars):
Hi [Name],
Saw [specific news—promotion, funding, expansion, product launch]. Congratulations!
In my experience, [role] leaders at this stage often face [specific challenge that follows from the trigger].
We've helped [Similar Companies] navigate that transition. [Specific result].
Would it be useful to compare notes on what's worked?
Why it works: Timely relevance shows attention. Anticipating challenges demonstrates expertise.
Template 5: The Genuine Question
Best for: Prospects in industries/roles where you need to understand their situation Response rate: 12-18%
Subject line (18 chars):
Quick question
Message body (280 chars):
Hi [Name],
Working on something for [industry/role] leaders and trying to understand [specific challenge area] better.
From your experience at [Company], what's the biggest obstacle you face with [topic]?
No pitch—genuinely curious what practitioners are seeing.
Why it works: Asking for input (not selling) feels flattering. Low-pressure approach gets foot in door.
Template 6: The Value-First Offer
Best for: Prospects where you have genuinely useful free resource Response rate: 10-15%
Subject line (23 chars):
[Resource] for [Role]s
Message body (360 chars):
Hi [Name],
Put together a [guide/template/checklist] on [specific topic] based on working with [number] [role/industry] teams.
Given your focus on [their focus area], thought you might find it useful.
Happy to share—no strings attached.
Would it be helpful?
Why it works: Genuine value with no obvious pitch. Creates reciprocity for future conversations.
Template 7: The Direct Ask (For Warm Contacts)
Best for: Prospects who know you from LinkedIn content/engagement Response rate: 15-25%
Subject line (20 chars):
[Topic] at [Company]
Message body (290 chars):
Hi [Name],
We've crossed paths in [LinkedIn discussion/mutual group/content engagement].
Working with [role] teams on [specific challenge]. Given what you're building at [Company], might be relevant.
Worth 15 minutes to compare notes?
Either way, appreciate the LinkedIn engagement.
Why it works: Acknowledges existing relationship. Direct without being pushy.
Industry-Specific Response Rates
According to LinkedIn's industry data:
| Industry | Average Response Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal & Professional Services | 10.42% | Relationship-driven, receptive to quality outreach |
| Healthcare | 9.25% | Long decision cycles, values expertise |
| Retail & Consumer Goods | 9.17% | Fast-moving, need relevance |
| Marketing & Advertising | 7-9% | Highly solicited, need differentiation |
| SaaS & Software | 4.77% | Most competitive, "banner blindness" |
The insight: SaaS is the hardest vertical because tech buyers are "drowning in automated outreach." Success requires extreme personalization and pre-existing visibility.
Common InMail Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Writing Too Long
According to LinkedIn's data, 46% of InMails exceed 800 characters—way past optimal. Keep under 400 characters when possible.
Mistake 2: Pitching in First Message
According to Salesflow's best practices, "The mission of the first message is to start a conversation and ensure your prospect is qualified—don't pitch in the first message."
Mistake 3: Bulk Sending
InMails sent individually perform 15% better than bulk sends. Quality beats quantity.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Timing
Friday afternoons and Monday mornings see 20% lower response. Schedule strategically.
Mistake 5: Generic Subject Lines
Personalized subjects boost response by 30.5%. Don't waste this opportunity.
The LinkedIn Authority Multiplier
Here's the insight most InMail guides miss: InMail performance improves dramatically when prospects already know you.
According to the data:
- Company followers: 81% more likely to respond
- Mutual connections: 46% more likely to respond
- Content engagers: Highest response rates
The implication: Building LinkedIn visibility before sending InMails dramatically improves performance. The best InMail strategy includes:
- Consistent content posting in your expertise area
- Strategic commenting on posts where prospects engage
- Building your company page following
- InMail outreach to warm (not cold) contacts
This is what ConnectSafely.ai enables—building the LinkedIn visibility that makes every InMail more effective.
InMail vs. Other Outreach Methods
| Method | Response Rate | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| InMail | 10-25% | InMail credits | Targeted outreach to non-connections |
| Cold email | 1-5% | Email tool cost | Scale outreach |
| Connection + message | 8-15% | Free | Building network |
| LinkedIn + InMail + email | +287% | Combined costs | Maximum response |
According to Martal Group, multichannel outreach (combining channels) increases response by 287% compared to single-channel approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good InMail response rate in 2026?
According to Sales So's benchmarks, the average InMail response rate is 10-25%. High performers consistently hit 18-25%, while elite senders achieve 30-40%+. Industry matters: Legal/Professional Services averages 10.42% while SaaS/Software averages just 4.77%.
How long should a LinkedIn InMail be?
According to LinkedIn's data, InMails under 400 characters have 22% higher response rates than average. Messages over 1,200 characters perform 11% below average. Keep messages concise—shorter stands out because only 10% of senders do it.
What's the best subject line length for InMail?
The sweet spot is 16-27 characters (3-5 words), showing highest open rates of 11.6-15.2%. Mobile devices truncate at 30-40 characters, so your hook must appear in the first 30 characters. Personalized subject lines boost response by 30.5%.
When is the best time to send LinkedIn InMails?
According to Sales So's research, send Tuesday-Thursday between 8-10 AM or 2-4 PM. Avoid Friday afternoons (4% fewer responses), Saturday (8% fewer), and Monday mornings (20% lower response). Schedule strategically rather than sending immediately.
Do InMails work better than cold emails?
InMails average 10-25% response rates versus cold email's 1-5%—a 400-500% improvement. The advantage comes from platform context: recipients can see your profile, credentials, and mutual connections before responding. However, combining InMail with email and other channels increases response by 287%.
Want to maximize your InMail response rates? Try ConnectSafely.ai and build the LinkedIn visibility that makes prospects recognize your name before reading your message.
