If I ask you to name a platform that you can label as your ‘own’ for bringing businesses together, your answer will be…….of course, LinkedIn!
Because LinkedIn offers many tools and options for business networking and lead generation.
Amongst these tools, the most popular ones are – connection request and InMails.
But which one is best for generating new leads? Which one is better to make more sales on the platform?
Let’s explore each option here! And for the purpose, first look at what these key terms mean.
Though both connection requests and sending InMails help you make new connections and grow your network on LinkedIn, there are some noteworthy differences.
What does InMail mean on LinkedIn?
InMails is the premium messaging service of LinkedIn.
They are promoted messages that allow you to target other LinkedIn members based on a plethora of demographics.
That essentially means you can’t use this feature without having a premium account on LinkedIn.
With premium account, you can use InMails feature to reach all kinds of profiles and people on the platform.
What makes it such a powerful tool to grow your network?
Here’s the catalogue!
- Targeted messages – With InMails, you can target people who are most likely to benefit from your business.
- Stronger engagement – Targeted messages through InMails help you cut through the noise of one’s Inbox and improve the chances of a positive response from their side.
- You can send InMails to anyone on LinkedIn. So, you aren’t restricted to people already in your network.
- Tools and metrics to support InMails are offered by LinkedIn.
What is a connection request?
On LinkedIn, a connection request is an invitation to connect with people on the platform. If you send one to anybody on LinkedIn and they accept, they’ll become your 1st degree connections.
Sending connection requests or invites is the primary way to expand your network on the platform. All the more, you don’t need a premium LinkedIn account to use the connection request feature, which makes it an ideal tool if you are just a beginner.
The salient features of connection request are:
- Direct reach to 2nd and 3rd degree connections in your network
- Quick and easy
- Consistent flow of connections with LinkedIn’s ‘Grow your network’ page
- You can connect directly if you have the connection’s email address
- Search for people and profiles you already know
So, by now, you know what connection requests and InMails on LinkedIn mean and their set of features on the platform.
But how to decide whether to send InMail or connection request to generate leads on LinkedIn?
Well, to reach a conclusion, we’ll compare them to see which is of more worth to you.
Differences between Connection Request and InMails
| Features | Connection Request | InMails |
| Price | Free | Premium membership ranging from $29.99 – 119.95 per month |
| Reach | Only reach people in your network | Message anyone on the platform |
| Limit | 100 per week for some accounts | 15-60 credits per month based on your subscription |
| Effectiveness | Non-targeted with variable open rate | Targeted with 50% open rate |
| Extra tools | None | Analytics tracking and Insights to measure performance |
Does LinkedIn Connection Request Wins the race?
‘FREE’ is the word everyone loves, especially when it can bring in business for you. And connection requests on LinkedIn are for free when compared to InMails.
But there are standout points of LinkedIn InMails that are hard to ignore:
- To send InMails at the perfect time, you can use the active status feature of LinkedIn
- Your connect request and message can be lost in the sea of other promotional messages in your prospect’s Inbox, whereas InMails rarely go unnoticed.
- LinkedIn InMails are mobile optimized
- You can gain extra attention from your prospect by sponsoring your InMail
However, you need that smartness to craft the perfect InMail that is hard for your prospect to pass over.
Best Practices to write a Killer LinkedIn InMail
First, keep your LinkedIn InMail brief- 150 words or fewer to increase the likelihood of a response.
- Personalize your message by researching your prospect’s profile, and look for common interests or work experience
- Grab their attention with a short, specific, and compelling subject line
- Use InMails to start the conversation with a prospect and not pitch a sale
- Conclude your message with a call-to-action
Following these tips ensures you craft InMails your prospects wish to respond to. Further, you can see the status of your sent InMails on the Sent InMail page.
- Accepted – The message has been read and accepted. You should’ve received a response from the recipient
- Declined – if the recipient declines your opportunity
- Pending – when the recipient is yet to reply to your message
Wrapping up: Linkedin Inmails Vs Connection Request
So, is LinkedIn InMail worth it?
Today’s post has described what LinkedIn InMail means and its standout features.
Though it looks like a costly affair because you have to invest in a premium LinkedIn account to use InMails, keeping the LinkedIn’s new limit on connect request in mind, it’s the safest approach.
Filter your connections based on who has allowed for InMails. Those who have enabled it should be contacted by InMails only, rather than connect requests.
A perfect balance of LinkedIn InMails and connection request can give you a win-win situation for your business.
So, what’s your take on LinkedIn InMails and connection request?
Check Linkedojet – Cloud Based Linkedin Automation Software
This content originally appeared here on: https://linkedojet.com/blog/linkedin-inmail-vs-connection-request/
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