Ever wonder why LinkedIn is such an effective platform for networking? A big part of it has to do with InMail — a feature that allows you to send direct messages to practically anyone on the site. But to fully exploit the potential of this great tool, it’s important to understand what it is, how it works, and how you can use it to build lasting relationships and grow your network. So, without further ado, let's dive into the powers of LinkedIn InMail and how it can help you enhance your networking strategy.
What Is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn is a fantastic platform for making business connections. There is, however, a problem: private messages cannot be used to send a message to someone if you are not already connected to them. As a result, you will not be able to start up a discussion with someone who isn't in your network. Unless, of course, you have InMail. So, what is InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is a feature that allows you to send direct messages to practically any member on the site, even if you're not connected to them. What this means is that you can reach out to literally ANYONE, from recruiters to B2B decision-makers, InMail gives you access to all 830 million LinkedIn users.
As a feature, InMails are essentially a substitute for standard messaging. However, they are not featured in the Basic LinkedIn Plan. Instead, they are part of the LinkedIn Premium suite and as such get allotted based on the membership type. In other words, you have to subscribe to a Premium plan to get InMail Credits. So, before we go into why and how to use InMail on LinkedIn, let’s see how one actually obtains credits.
LinkedIn InMail Credits
In a way, InMail functions similar to texting platforms. The amount of credits or InMail messages you will be able to send to reach targets that are important to you mainly depends on the subscription plan you have. Basically, the first step to start using InMail is to upgrade to one of LinkedIn's Premium plans. The current number of InMail message credits you'll get each month is:
- Premium Career: 5 InMail messages
- LinkedIn Premium Business: 15 InMail messages
- Sales Navigator Core: 50 InMail messages
- Recruiter Lite: 30 InMail messages.
Note that every month, on the first day of your billing cycle, you'll get a fresh supply of InMail message credits. The auto-renewal date is calculated from the date of your initial sign-up. And the best thing is that with each InMail that is accepted/declined (or responded) to directly within 90 days of being sent, you get a credit refund.
Also, the LinkedIn InMail credits that you will not use get transferred to the next month and can be accumulated for up to 120 days.
How to Send InMail on LinkedIn
The process of sending an InMail is pretty straightforward and can be done in a few steps. Once you've upgraded your LinkedIn account to Premium you can start spending your InMail credits. Here are the steps:
- Go to the profile of the member you'd like to send an InMail message to (or search for a member and send a new InMail directly from the messaging page).
- Click "More" in the introduction section.
- Tap Message [Name of the member] from the dropdown.
- Write your “Subject line” in the message pop-up window.
- Finish writing your message and click "Send”.
See, it's pretty simple! Just remember that you only have a limited number of LinkedIn InMail credits, so use them wisely! Also, the subject line for InMails is limited to 200 characters while the body of the message can be up to 2,000 characters long. And finally, you cannot message a LinkedIn member if they've removed the option to receive InMail in the preferences settings on their profile.
LinkedIn InMail vs Message
Considering 98.3% of spam on LinkedIn was taken down by its automated defenses, you are probably wondering why this platform deems it necessary to have yet another feature that could potentially cause more spam. The answer is quite simple actually — it’s to protect its members’ privacy and reduce spammy appearances. It is in fact it is where the main difference between LinkedIn messages and InMail messages lies.
Look at it this way. Normally, you can't send someone a message on LinkedIn without knowing them or being part of the same LinkedIn Group. But when someone decides to send an InMail, it's immediately apparent to the recipient. The LinkedIn InMail messages are clearly labeled as such, implying that they aren't natural messages from your connections and that this member has actually paid for the opportunity to contact you. The argument here is that the recipient knows that the message is not spam and that the sender wants to inform them about something specific, and possibly, important.
Benefits of Using LinkedIn InMail
LinkedIn’s InMail feature can be beneficial for both job seekers and businesses. For job seekers, it's a great tool to use when trying to reach out to potential employers who may not be actively hiring. It's also useful for networking with people in your industry or field. Here are a few other benefits of using LinkedIn InMail messages:
- They are personalized messages that can be sent without a connection request because sometimes starting a conversation works better than making an initial connection.
- They can reach both passive and active job candidates, which increases your chances of finding the right person for the job. And reaching them directly.
- With InMail you get access to InMail Analytics which you can use to track the results of your messages. This way you will know whether or not they are effective.
- You can receive InMail credits when you get a fast response, which allows you to send more messages.
- You can see whether or not your message has been read by the recipient. This way, you can follow up accordingly if you don't hear back from them.
LinkedIn InMail: Best Practices
Just as there are certain etiquette rules to follow when sending emails, there are a few best practices to keep in mind when sending LinkedIn InMail messages. Taking into account these tips will help you personalize your message to get the best results:
- Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and includes a professional profile photo. This will help you create a good first impression.
- Keep your message short and to the point. The last thing you want is for your message to be lost in a sea of text. Instead, focus on making your point and then move on.
- One of the great things about InMail is that you can personalize your messages. This means that you can address the person by name and mention something that you have in common. This will help your message stand out and show that you are truly interested in connecting with the person.
- Do your research. Before you send a message, take a look at their profile to see if you have any mutual connections or shared experiences. This will help you prompt a conversation more easily.
- Use InMail to start a conversation —this can be done by asking a question or making a comment about something that the person has written on their profile. It can also help get the conversation started and lead to a more meaningful connection.
- Be polite and courteous. Remember, you're trying to build a relationship.
- If you're offering them a job, don't just cut and paste the job description or worse, send a link from the posted position. Be creative and make it appear like it's a job that will fit them and only them.
- End your message with a question to encourage a response by asking for advice.
- Follow up after your InMail. Following up shows that you are truly interested in connecting with the person and can help to solidify the relationship.
By following these tips, you can make the most out of this great feature and connect with more people in your industry.
Learn more: Follow Up Email Subject Line
Final Verdict: Is InMail Worth It?
Overall, LinkedIn InMail is great for networking and job search purposes. It can be a great tool to use when trying to reach out to potential employers or networking with people in your industry. However, it is important to use it correctly in order to get the best results. By following the tips we’ve outlined in this article, you can make the most out of LinkedIn’s InMail feature and connect with more people in your niche.
LinkedIn InMail FAQs
How does InMaill work?
LinkedIn's Premium feature, InMail makes it possible for you to contact another LinkedIn user without being connected to them. You can only respond to LinkedIn members that you're connected to if you have a Basic (free) account. To utilize InMail communications, you must upgrade to Premium membership.
How many InMails can I send on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn has set a 1,000 InMail limit per day, per seat to help guarantee their member’s experience and ensure that customers receive the appropriate number of prospects. Additionally, there is another 200 InMail restriction for each newly created seat for the first week.
Is InMail the same as messaging?
No. LinkedIn InMail is a feature that allows you to contact anyone on LinkedIn, regardless of whether or not you are connected to them. LinkedIn messaging can only be used to communicate with people you are already connected to.
