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InMail 2.0:
How to Make Good
InMails Great
Wednesday, September 9th
starting at 11am PT I 2pm ET

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What we’ll cover today
InMail subject lines: The keepers, the sleepers and
the bleepers
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The do’s and don’ts of InMails2
How to make good InMails great3
4 Q&A
6

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InMail subject lines:
The keepers, the sleepers and
the bleepers

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Most likely to entice a candidate to read the InMail
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The keepers
* image by The Terminator

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Get your candidate to actually consider the position
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The keepers
​1. (Shared connection) suggested that I reach out to you…
​If your candidate is connected via LinkedIn with someone in your company, leverage that
relationship.
​2. Hello from a fellow avid Scuba diver
​Most people put interests outside of work on their LinkedIn profile.
​3. We overlapped at Columbia for two years, but…
​Leverage any sort of shared experience you have with the candidate.
​4. Tara, do you wish you could come back to Instant Technology?
​This one only works if you are targeting someone who left your company.
Source: http://talent.linkedin.com/blog/index.php/2015/07/the-3-types-of-linkedin-inmail-subject-lines-the-keepers-the-sleepers-and-the-bleepers

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Boring subject lines likely to be ignored
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The sleepers
* images by Jeff Hill

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Don’t let potential candidates hit the “snooze” button on your InMail
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The sleepers
​1. You are probably happy at LinkedIn, but…
​It’s been used a thousand times before.
​2. New product marketing manager role
​Yawn. (Really? I was looking for old product marketing manager roles)
​3. Looking for a dynamic Director of Marketing with a broad marketing
background for a great company!
​I’m really starting to get tired now. (Can you be any less generic?)
​4. Career Opportunity with XYZ Co.
​Zzzzzzz…
Source: http://talent.linkedin.com/blog/index.php/2015/07/the-3-types-of-linkedin-inmail-subject-lines-the-keepers-the-sleepers-and-the-bleepers

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The worst of the bunch
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The bleepers
​* image by travelwayoflife

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Almost a guarantee to drive candidates away
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The bleepers
​1. Did you get my earlier message?
​Yes, and I didn’t respond that time either.
​2. I couldn’t reach you via phone so hoping you check your InMails
​Getting “stalker-ish.”
​3. My client is interested in filling a marketing leader role immediately
​Don’t make your problem, mine.
​4. Nice LinkedIn profile. How are you?
​What’s next, a dozen red roses and a cheap bottle of champagne?
Source: http://talent.linkedin.com/blog/index.php/2015/07/the-3-types-of-linkedin-inmail-subject-lines-the-keepers-the-sleepers-and-the-bleepers

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Make your InMails count
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Final thoughts on subject lines
​ Just like a headline is the most important part of an article, a subject
line is the most critical part of an InMail.
​ Personalize the subject line and remember it’s all about the
candidate
​
​ Recruiters who take a few extra seconds to write great InMail
subject lines will get stronger candidates, improve their firm’s
brand and garner higher InMail response rates.
For similar tips on LinkedIn products, visit our blog for weekly updates: http://talent.linkedin.com/blog/index.php/category/linkedin-product-tips

11.
The do’s and don’ts of InMails

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Don’t: Include too much information

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Don’t: Make it feel like a template

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Don’t: Put the job title in the subject line

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Don’t: Focus on the job

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Do: Use our Social InMail framework
Social
Who & Why
WOW Factor
Call to Action

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• School
• Relationship
• Function
• Groups
• When joined
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Do: Use our top five InMail filters

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Regardless of your level of interest, what are the most important pieces of information that an in-house
corporate recruiter or a headhunter for a search and staffing firm should include in their initial message to you?
Do: Consider what talent wants know
when crafting your initial outreach
The role’s responsibilities
Projected salary range
Why you’re reaching out to
them specifically
The company’s culture
The company’s mission
64%
U.S. and Canada
Global
69%
72%
52%
60%
73%
47%
45%
34%
33%
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How to make good InMails great
*Names, photos, titles & companies have been changed to protect the innocent & guilty alike

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Good
Hi Alex,
Even with thousands of restaurants at our fingertips, doesn’t it always feel like
our favorite spots – our neighborhood gems! – are the ones that don’t deliver?
This startup is the solution. And with your background at LinkedIn, you would
be the perfect fit for their city manager role!
• Extremely flexible hours: work from anywhere at any time!
• Rare opportunity to build out your city’s FIRST TEAM
• Proven success & profitability in San Francisco, Seattle and NYC!
• Competitive salary, full benefits & transportation cost coverage
Let’s schedule a time to chat this Monday! I’m available between 1:00 p.m.
and 5:00 p.m.
Best,
Sarah
InMail | People First Recruiting
Fast track to leadership! Opportunity to own your market and build
a team below you!
Sarah Smith, Senior Enterprise Recruiter
January 10, 2014
Make this a
question.
Remember to
consider the
candidate’s
schedule.
Shorten subject
line. Try to
personalize.
…to great

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Tara,
I wanted to reach out and follow up to our previous email as I felt you might be
a good fit for one of my clients. This is an exciting opportunity based here in
Chicago with a well-funded start-up in the mobile retail space which is quickly
growing.
They are looking to add to their Sales team at the leadership level. In the
interest of transparency, they are looking for someone able to develop new
retail clients and willing to travel significantly. Some travel would be
international. Let me know if you are interested in connecting this week to
explore further.
If you are not interested but know of someone who might be, feel free to have
them reach out to me. Regardless, let me know!
Kean
InMail | WEM Staffing
Let’s Connect
Kean Nerve, WEM Staffing
April 24, 2014
Sounds like a
neat opportunity
– but why are
you reaching
out to me
specifically?
Too generic.
Mention
something
about the
candidate.
Always good to
ask for a
referral, but be
sure to highlight
why you’re
interested in the
candidate.
Good…to great

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Tara,
I hope this note finds you well! I wanted to reach out to you after viewing
your profile; your impressive retail skills really caught my eye!
I am always looking to network with bright Sales individuals, and I would like
to learn more about you and your career goals. As Quality Search Partners
continues to thrive, it never hurts to know more about people in our industry!
If you’re interested in networking, please look at my LinkedIn profile and let
me know 2-3 times when you are available to talk, as well as a good number
to call!
Look forward to connecting,
Robert
InMail | Quality Search Partners
What are your plans after graduation?
Robert Knight, Senior Recruiter
May 5, 2011
Start with
something other
than “I came
across your
profile…”
Great place to
call out their
major or why
they’d be a
good fit.
…to greatGood

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Hi James,
I noticed your connected to Brian Smith (CEO of BNC). Brian is a client of
mine who I’ve worked with for the past 5 years and I’m currently looking to
find a strong leader who can take on the VP of Sales role at BNC. Brian is
interested in someone who has extensive experience in sales strategy –
and seeing that you have built out multiple sales organizations, I think you’d
be a great fit.
I’m sure you’re busy, but I’d value the opportunity to discuss the role with
you and a few new initiatives they’re looking to role out. How does the
beginning of next week look for you?
Thanks,
Dominic
555-555-5555
InMail | Search Savvy
Expertise Request!
Dominic Dom, Senior Recruiter
February 9, 2010
Give your InMail
the subject line
it deserves.
Add a WOW
factor or
additional skills
they’ll gain in
this role.
…to greatGood

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What does a great InMail look like?
Hi Tara,
Would you like to join a company that’s experiencing record breaking sales?
With your extensive sales background at CareerBuilder and success you’ve
had up to this point in your career, have you thought about your next move?
My client is seeking an influential player to increase revenue by 10%. This will
give you the opportunity to secure new business, as well as expand our
existing client base to add to your resume and diversify your skills.
With three years of experience under your belt, I’d love to hear more about
what you do in your current role and your career goals. Would you have any
availability next week on Wednesday to grab a cup of coffee?
Best,
Wally Wan
555.555.5555
InMail I XTS Recruiting
Interested in diversifying your skillset?
Wally Wan, Senior Recruiter
March 30, 2015

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Checklist before hitting send
Leverage personal profile information
Appeal to passive candidates
Include a clear call to action
Write to be mobile ready
Ask yourself if you would open, read and reply

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New InMail features in Recruiter
products

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View candidates’ profiles while you write
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Personalizing InMails just got easier

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Easily find your templates
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Do more in less time

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Message length matters
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Get real-time guidance

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We’ll automatically save your signature
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Set your signature, and forget it