LinkedIn InMail Subject Lines: 20 Examples That Get Responses in 2025

You spend hours crafting the perfect LinkedIn InMail message. Your value proposition is clear, your call-to-action is compelling, and your timing is spot-on. But there's one problem: nobody opens it.

The culprit? Your LinkedIn InMail subject line.

Here's a sobering reality: InMail response rates average between 10-25%—that's 300% higher than cold email. But even with that advantage, a weak subject line will tank your results. In a sea of "Quick question" and "Following up" messages, your InMail needs to stand out from the first glance.

We've sent thousands of InMails through LinqMaster and tested countless subject line variations. In this guide, we're sharing the 20 highest-performing LinkedIn InMail subject lines we've discovered, along with actionable tips you can use to write your own.

What is LinkedIn InMail?

Before diving into subject lines, let's clarify what InMail actually is.

LinkedIn InMail is a premium messaging feature available to LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter subscribers. Unlike standard LinkedIn messages, InMail lets you reach anyone on the platform—no existing connection required.

This is a game-changer for:

• Sales professionals prospecting to decision-makers
• Recruiters reaching passive candidates
• Marketers connecting with industry influencers
• Business developers exploring partnerships

InMail Credits by Plan

Each LinkedIn Premium plan comes with monthly InMail credits:

• Premium Career: 5 credits/month
• Premium Business: 15 credits/month
• Sales Navigator Core: 50 credits/month
• Recruiter Lite: 30 credits/month
• Recruiter Corporate: 150+ credits/month

Pro Tip: When someone replies to your InMail, LinkedIn returns that credit to you. This makes compelling subject lines even more valuable—they literally pay for themselves.

Bonus Tip: If a member has an "Open Profile," you can message them without using credits. Always check for this before sending.

What Makes a Great LinkedIn InMail Subject Line?

You have 80 characters to make an impact. That's it. In those 80 characters, you need to:

1. Grab attention in a crowded inbox
2. Create curiosity about what's inside
3. Communicate value clearly and quickly
4. Stand out from generic messages

Based on our testing, the best LinkedIn InMail subject lines share five key characteristics:

1. Personalized

Generic subject lines get ignored. Use the recipient's:

• First name
• Job title or role
• Company name
• Industry or field
• Mutual connections
• Recent activity or achievements

Example: "Sarah, loved your post on B2B growth strategies"

2. Concise

With only 80 characters, every word counts. Cut unnecessary filler and get straight to the point.

Weak: "I was wondering if you might have some time to discuss..."
Strong: "Quick question about your sales tech stack"

3. Value-Driven

Make it immediately clear what's in it for them. Why should they care?

Example: "3 ways to cut your customer acquisition cost by 40%"

4. Action-Oriented

Use language that creates urgency or inspires curiosity.

Example: "Explore this new approach to outbound sales"

5. Authentic (Not Salesy)

Nobody wants to feel like they're being pitched the moment they read your subject line. Keep it conversational and genuine.

Salesy: "Exclusive offer for VPs of Sales!"
Authentic: "Thoughts on automating your outreach?"

20 Best LinkedIn InMail Subject Line Examples

Let's get practical. Here are 20 proven subject lines organized by use case, along with their average response rates and why they work.

For Sales Professionals

1. "{{FirstName}}, quick question about {{Company}}"

Average Response Rate: 28%

Why It Works: This subject line is personal, specific, and creates curiosity. Questions naturally prompt engagement, and mentioning their company shows you've done your research.

2. "Helping {{Role}} achieve {{Outcome}}"

Average Response Rate: 25%

Why It Works: It's benefit-focused and immediately communicates value. By referencing their specific role and a relevant outcome, you demonstrate relevance.

Example: "Helping Sales VPs achieve 40% faster pipeline growth"

3. "{{MutualConnection}} suggested I reach out"

Average Response Rate: 32%

Why It Works: Social proof is powerful. Mentioning a mutual connection instantly builds trust and credibility. This is especially effective when the mutual connection is someone they respect.

4. "3 strategies {{Company}} could use to {{Benefit}}"

Average Response Rate: 24%

Why It Works: Numbers grab attention, and offering multiple strategies positions you as a helpful resource rather than a pushy salesperson.

Example: "3 strategies Acme Corp could use to reduce churn by 30%"

5. "Is {{PainPoint}} still a challenge for your team?"

Average Response Rate: 27%

Why It Works: Leading with a pain point shows empathy and understanding. If you've correctly identified their challenge, they'll want to hear your solution.

Example: "Is cold outreach still a challenge for your SDR team?"

6. "{{FirstName}}, I noticed {{RecentActivity}}"

Average Response Rate: 29%

Why It Works: Referencing recent activity (a post, company news, promotion) shows you're paying attention. It feels personal and timely.

Example: "Sarah, I noticed your company just raised Series B funding"

7. "How {{Company}} can increase {{Metric}} by {{Percentage}}"

Average Response Rate: 26%

Why It Works: Specific, quantifiable outcomes are compelling. This subject line promises a clear benefit that's hard to ignore.

Example: "How Salesforce can increase meeting bookings by 35%"

For Marketers

1. "Partnering on {{Topic}} content for {{Audience}}"

Average Response Rate: 22%

Why It Works: It positions your outreach as a collaboration opportunity rather than a pitch. Marketers love partnerships that amplify their reach.

Example: "Partnering on demand gen content for SaaS marketers"

2. "{{FirstName}}, your thoughts on {{IndustryTrend}}?"

Average Response Rate: 23%

Why It Works: Asking for someone's opinion is flattering and creates engagement. Everyone likes to share their expertise.

Example: "Michael, your thoughts on AI-powered email marketing?"

3. "How to improve {{Metric}} for {{CompanyType}}"

Average Response Rate: 21%

Why It Works: Marketers are metrics-driven. Offering specific improvement strategies for their type of company creates immediate relevance.

Example: "How to improve email open rates for B2B SaaS companies"

4. "{{FirstName}}, loved your piece on {{Topic}}"

Average Response Rate: 24%

Why It Works: Complimenting someone's work builds rapport. If you genuinely engage with their content first, they're more likely to engage with you.

5. "What's next for {{IndustryTrend}} in marketing?"

Average Response Rate: 20%

Why It Works: This positions you as someone interested in forward-thinking conversations. Marketers appreciate staying ahead of trends.

Example: "What's next for conversational marketing?"

6. "We can both benefit from this partnership, {{FirstName}}"

Average Response Rate: 19%

Why It Works: Emphasizing mutual benefit makes it feel collaborative rather than one-sided. Great for partnership proposals.

7. "Let's make the most of our time, {{FirstName}}"

Average Response Rate: 18%

Why It Works: Respectful of their time while being conversational. It sets expectations for an efficient, valuable conversation.

For Recruiters

1. "Your experience in {{Field}} caught our eye"

Average Response Rate: 30%

Why It Works: Everyone wants to feel recognized for their expertise. This is personal, specific, and immediately communicates that you've reviewed their profile.

Example: "Your experience in cloud security caught our eye"

2. "We're hiring {{Role}} like you at {{Company}}"

Average Response Rate: 27%

Why It Works: Clear, direct, and immediately highlights both the opportunity and the company. Perfect for active or passive candidates.

Example: "We're hiring Senior Product Designers like you at Stripe"

3. "Is this your next career move, {{FirstName}}?"

Average Response Rate: 25%

Why It Works: Questions create engagement, and this one invites the candidate to imagine their next step. It's intriguing without being pushy.

4. "A role that matches your skills and goals"

Average Response Rate: 24%

Why It Works: This shows you've thoughtfully matched the opportunity to their profile. It's not just another random job blast.

5. "Let's talk about your career growth in {{Field}}"

Average Response Rate: 22%

Why It Works: Career growth is a top motivator. This feels collaborative and highlights mutual interest in their success.

Example: "Let's talk about your career growth in machine learning"

6. "{{FirstName}}, open to exploring opportunities?"

Average Response Rate: 21%

Why It Works: Simple, direct, and non-threatening. This works especially well for passive candidates who might not be actively looking but are open to conversations.

5 Expert Tips for Writing High-Converting InMail Subject Lines

Having examples is helpful, but learning to write your own is even better. Here are five proven strategies:

1. Use Data and Metrics to Grab Attention

Numbers stand out in a sea of text. They promise measurable, concrete value.

Examples:

• "Increase your demo bookings by 40%"
• "3 strategies to reduce churn by half"
• "How we helped 50+ SaaS companies scale outbound"

Data-driven subject lines work because B2B professionals are results-oriented. They want proof, not promises.

2. Incorporate Questions to Spark Curiosity

Questions are natural attention-grabbers. They create a knowledge gap that compels people to open your message to find the answer.

Examples:

• "Still struggling with low email response rates?"
• "What's your biggest challenge with LinkedIn prospecting?"
• "Ready to automate your outreach workflow?"

Make sure your question is relevant to their challenges or goals. Random questions feel gimmicky.

3. Avoid Generic or Overused Phrases

Some phrases are so overused they're basically invisible:

❌ "Quick question"
❌ "Just following up"
❌ "Hope you're doing well"
❌ "Let's hop on a quick call"
❌ "I wanted to reach out"

These scream "mass template." Instead, be specific and original:

✅ "Question about your outbound strategy"
✅ "Following up on the Sales Navigator webinar"
✅ "Congrats on the Series B—let's talk growth"
✅ "15 minutes to discuss automation?"
✅ "I noticed you're hiring SDRs"

4. A/B Test Subject Lines to Find What Works

What works for one audience might not work for another. The only way to know for sure is to test.

How to A/B Test InMail Subject Lines:

1. Create two (or more) subject line variations
2. Send each to a similar segment of your audience
3. Track open rates and response rates
4. Double down on the winner

With LinqMaster, you can A/B test up to 5 different subject lines simultaneously and automatically optimize based on performance.

What to Test:

• Question vs. statement format
• Personalization elements (name, company, role)
• Length (short vs. longer)
• Value proposition framing
• With/without numbers or data

5. Write from Your Lead's Perspective

The biggest mistake in InMail subject lines? Making it about you instead of them.

Wrong Approach (Your Perspective):

• "I'd love to show you our platform"
• "Can we schedule a demo?"
• "Introducing our new sales tool"

Right Approach (Their Perspective):

• "Reduce your CAC by 35% in 90 days"
• "Solve your SDR capacity problem"
• "The sales automation your team actually needs"

Always ask: "What's in it for them?" Your subject line should answer that question instantly.

InMail Subject Line Formulas That Work

Want a shortcut? Use these proven formulas:

Formula 1: Personalization + Question

Format: "{{FirstName}}, [question about their situation]?"

Examples:

• "Sarah, struggling with email deliverability?"
• "John, ready to scale your outbound team?"

Formula 2: Social Proof + Benefit

Format: "{{MutualConnection}}/{{Company}} + [specific benefit]"

Examples:

• "How Salesforce increased pipeline by 40%"
• "Michael suggested I share this growth strategy"

Formula 3: Metric + Solution

Format: "[Number/Percentage] + [benefit/solution]"

Examples:

• "3 ways to double your response rate"
• "Increase meetings booked by 50% in 30 days"

Formula 4: Pain Point + Outcome

Format: "Stop [pain point], start [desired outcome]"

Examples:

• "Stop wasting InMail credits, start getting replies"
• "Stop manual prospecting, start automated outreach"

Formula 5: Timely Reference + Value

Format: "[Recent event/activity] + [relevant value]"

Examples:

• "Congrats on Series B—let's talk scaling sales"
• "Saw your post on AI—here's how we're using it"

Common InMail Subject Line Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from these common pitfalls:

Mistake 1: Being Too Vague

Bad: "Opportunity for you"
Good: "Open to a Senior Sales role at a Series B SaaS company?"

Vague subject lines create confusion, not curiosity.

Mistake 2: Making It All About You

Bad: "I'd love to connect"
Good: "Here's how we helped similar companies reduce churn"

They don't care what you'd love. They care about what's in it for them.

Mistake 3: Using All Caps or Excessive Punctuation

Bad: "URGENT!!! READ THIS NOW!!!"
Good: "Quick question about your Q4 sales goals"

All caps and excessive punctuation look spammy and desperate.

Mistake 4: Being Misleading

Bad: "RE: Your application" (when they didn't apply)
Good: "Your background matches our Product Manager opening"

Deceptive subject lines might get opens, but they destroy trust immediately.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Mobile Users

Over 60% of InMails are opened on mobile devices. Long subject lines get cut off.

Bad: "I wanted to reach out to see if you might be interested in discussing..."
Good: "Interested in discussing outbound automation?"

Keep it under 50 characters if possible for full mobile visibility.

Mistake 6: Not Following Up

One InMail rarely closes a deal or fills a position. Plan a multi-touch sequence.

Sequence Example:

1. Initial InMail with value-driven subject line
2. Follow-up after 3-4 days: "Still interested in [topic]?"
3. Final follow-up after another 4-5 days: "Last note about [specific benefit]"

LinkedIn InMail vs. Regular Messages: What's the Difference?

Let's clarify the distinction:

LinkedIn Messages:

• Free for all users
• Can only send to 1st-degree connections
• No character limits
• Unlimited sends

LinkedIn InMail:

• Requires Premium account
• Can send to anyone on LinkedIn
• Limited by monthly credits
• 80-character subject line
• 1,900-character message body
• Credits returned when recipient replies

When to Use InMail:

• Reaching prospects you're not connected to
• Contacting senior decision-makers
• Recruiting passive candidates
• High-priority outreach that requires premium delivery

When to Use Regular Messages:

• Following up with existing connections
• Ongoing conversations
• Relationship building over time

Maximizing Your InMail Credits

Since InMail credits are limited, use them strategically:

1. Target High-Value Prospects

Don't waste credits on unqualified leads. Do your research and prioritize:

• Decision-makers at target accounts
• Prospects with strong buying signals
• Candidates who match your ideal profile

2. Check for Open Profiles First

Save credits by messaging people with Open Profiles (no credit required).

3. Personalize Every Message

Since you're spending a credit, make it count. Generic mass InMails waste credits and damage your sender reputation.

4. Track and Optimize

Monitor which subject lines and messages get responses. Continuously refine your approach based on data.

5. Use InMail as Part of a Multi-Channel Strategy

Combine InMail with:

• Connection requests
• Email outreach
• Phone calls
• Social selling (engaging with content)

Multi-touch strategies dramatically improve response rates.

Measuring InMail Success: Metrics to Track

Don't just send and hope. Track these key metrics:

Open Rate

What percentage of recipients opened your InMail? This measures subject line effectiveness.

Good benchmark: 40-60%

Response Rate

What percentage replied? This measures overall message quality.

Good benchmark: 15-30%

Credit Return Rate

How many InMails resulted in replies (and returned credits)?

Good benchmark: 15-25%

Conversion Rate

How many InMails led to your desired outcome (meeting booked, application submitted, etc.)?

Good benchmark: 5-15%

Time to Response

How long does it take for prospects to respond?

Use these metrics to identify what's working and what needs improvement.

Advanced InMail Strategies

Ready to level up? Try these advanced techniques:

Strategy 1: Segment Your Audience

Don't use the same subject line for everyone. Segment by:

• Industry
• Company size
• Job title/seniority
• Pain points
• Buying stage

Create tailored subject lines for each segment.

Strategy 2: Time Your InMails Strategically

Send InMails when prospects are most likely to engage:

• Best days: Tuesday-Thursday
• Best times: 8-10am or 4-6pm in their timezone
• Avoid: Monday mornings, Friday afternoons, weekends

Strategy 3: Combine InMail with Other Touchpoints

Don't rely on InMail alone. Use it as part of a sequence:

1. Engage with their content
2. Send connection request (if possible)
3. Send InMail with compelling subject line
4. Follow up via email (if you have their address)
5. Engage with more content
6. Send follow-up InMail

Strategy 4: Use Video in Your InMails

LinkedIn allows video in InMail messages. Use a compelling subject line that hints at the video:

Examples:

• "Quick 60-second video for you, Sarah"
• "Watch how we helped [Company] grow 3x"

Videos dramatically increase engagement and response rates.

Strategy 5: Reference Shared Experiences

If you have anything in common, use it:

• Same university
• Same previous employer
• Same hometown
• Same professional groups
• Both attended the same event

Example: "Fellow Michigan grad here—quick question about your sales tech"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long should a LinkedIn InMail subject line be?

A: The limit is 80 characters, but shorter is often better. Aim for 40-50 characters to ensure full visibility on mobile devices.

Q: Should I always personalize InMail subject lines?

A: Yes. Personalization significantly increases open and response rates. At minimum, include the recipient's first name and reference their company or role.

Q: How many InMails should I send per week?

A: This depends on your credit allocation, but quality over quantity always wins. Focus on highly personalized InMails to qualified prospects rather than mass outreach.

Q: What's a good InMail response rate?

A: Industry averages range from 10-25%. With strong personalization and targeting, you can achieve 25-35%+.

Q: Can I automate LinkedIn InMails?

A: Yes, with tools like LinqMaster. However, always maintain personalization and avoid spammy behavior that violates LinkedIn's terms.

Q: Should I A/B test InMail subject lines?

A: Absolutely. Testing is the only way to know what resonates with your specific audience. Test different approaches and optimize based on data.

Q: What should I do if I'm not getting responses?

A: Review your subject lines, message content, and targeting. Are you offering genuine value? Is your audience properly qualified? Are you following up? Adjust and test new approaches.

Start Getting Better InMail Responses Today

LinkedIn InMail is one of the most powerful tools for B2B outreach—when used correctly. And it all starts with your subject line.

The 80 characters in your subject line determine whether your carefully crafted message gets read or ignored. Whether your credit gets returned or wasted. Whether you book that meeting or miss that opportunity.

Here's what you now know:

✅ The 5 characteristics of high-performing subject lines
✅ 20 proven subject line examples with response rate data
✅ 5 expert tips for writing your own compelling subject lines
✅ Common mistakes to avoid
✅ Advanced strategies for maximizing InMail effectiveness

The next step? Put it into practice.

Start testing these subject lines with your audience. Track your results. Refine your approach. And watch your response rates climb.

And if you want to scale your LinkedIn outreach while maintaining personalization and quality, LinqMaster can help. Our platform lets you automate LinkedIn outreach, personalize at scale, and A/B test your messaging—all while staying compliant with LinkedIn's policies.

Try LinqMaster free for 7 days and see how much easier effective LinkedIn outreach can be.

Your next great conversation starts with a great subject line. Make it count.