#InTalent Live Blog: Hit Your Target: InMail Best Practices

LinkedIn Talent Connect started today in San Francisco. This afternoon I attended a session called Hit your target: InMail best practices. The session was led by Tina Dover, a Senior Executive Recruiter with iHeartMedia (who happens to have a 50% response rate to her InMails) and two LinkedIn Product Consultants, Maya Toussaint and Rebecca Vertucci.

Below are some ideas they shared about common InMail pitfalls and things talent acquisition professionals can do to improve InMail response rates.

Common InMail Pitfalls

We give them way too much information! Candidates may opt out before you actually speak to them.
We make it all about us! Prospects should feel special, not like they have to do you a favor.
We make the prospect feel like a number. If you use a template spend a little time to proof it.

What makes a great InMail great?

Two strong adjectives to describe the opportunity.
Describe the role.
Describe your company highlighting what makes you stand out from your competitors.
The top qualities your ideal candidates will have.

Tina Dover’s Top InMail Tips

This is what I can do for you!
Don’t hide the hook! Let the prospect know right away what’s great about your company and the opportunity.
Make it enticing to get back to you. Give the reader a reason to respond to you even if they’re not interested.

Tips for branding

Drive home the employer value proposition.
Always leave candidates wanting more from your comany.
InMail is the first touch point of the candidate brand experience.
Speak to how your company develops individuals.
Tell candidates what’s in it for them.

Tips to connect with your target

Be mobile-ready – 45% of LinkedIn traffic is on mobile. Write a message that is easy to read on a mobile device. It shouldn’t take too long to get to the point. Make messages short and impactful so they are visible on an iPhone without scrolling.
Act like a recruiter, think like a candidate.
Be authentic, unique and personal.
Be a brand ambassador.
Relationships matter.