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LinkedIn is the top professional networking platform, connecting millions of professionals around the world. Its main purpose is to enable meaningful communication that promotes networking and lead generation. To effectively grow your professional network or generate high-quality leads, it's crucial to understand and utilize LinkedIn's communication features, especially tools like LinkedIn InMail that help you reach prospects beyond your immediate connections.
There are two main tools used for messaging on LinkedIn: Messages and InMail. Messages allow you to directly communicate with your 1st-degree connections, while InMail provides a paid feature that enables you to reach out to prospects outside of your immediate network.
In this article, we will explore the differences between LinkedIn InMail and Messages, helping you develop an effective LinkedIn messaging strategy. Here's what you'll learn:
By understanding these factors, you can optimize your LinkedIn contact options and enhance your outreach success. Additionally, if you want to maintain a level of privacy while using these features, it's important to know how to turn on private mode on LinkedIn, which can be useful in certain networking situations.
LinkedIn offers two primary ways to communicate with other professionals: Messages and InMail. Understanding the differences between these tools is essential for effective networking and outreach.
LinkedIn Messages allow you to connect and communicate directly with your 1st-degree connections — people you have already added or who have accepted your connection request. This feature is free and supports ongoing conversations, relationship building, and warm outreach. When you send a message on LinkedIn, it’s a direct line to someone within your immediate network.
InMail on LinkedIn refers to a premium messaging feature designed for reaching people outside your direct connections. If you're wondering, “what is inmail on linkedin?”, it’s essentially a way to send messages to 2nd or 3rd-degree connections or completely new contacts without needing to be connected first. InMail messages are particularly valuable for sales professionals, recruiters, and anyone looking to expand their network beyond existing ties.
Are InMail messages on LinkedIn legit? Yes, they are an official LinkedIn feature built into premium plans, ensuring your outreach complies with platform rules.
Feature | LinkedIn Messages | LinkedIn InMail |
Audience Reach | Only 1st-degree connections | Non-connections including 2nd/3rd degrees |
Cost | Free | Requires Premium subscription or credits |
Usage Scenarios | Warm outreach, ongoing conversations | Cold outreach, recruitment, broad prospecting |
Access to InMail comes through LinkedIn Premium plans, such as Premium Career, Premium Business, or specialized tools like Sales Navigator. These subscriptions provide a monthly quota of InMail credits that reset every month. Sales Navigator users typically enjoy higher limits and advanced search capabilities that enhance targeted outreach.
Understanding what is an inmail and when it’s appropriate helps you choose the right communication method for your goals. Whether nurturing existing relationships or expanding your professional network, selecting between LinkedIn Messages vs InMail depends on who you want to reach and the context of your interaction.
Understanding the distinctions between inmail vs message LinkedIn helps you choose the right communication tool for your networking or marketing efforts. Both serve important roles but differ significantly in audience reach, cost, and response potential.
Data on LinkedIn InMail response rate shows mixed results depending on approach and personalization level:
Knowing these differences equips you with clarity on which LinkedIn tool aligns best with your networking strategy and budget constraints.
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Understanding how InMail works is crucial when deciding between LinkedIn InMail vs Message. The concept of LinkedIn InMail revolves around a credit system that controls how many messages you can send to non-connections.
LinkedIn allocates a specific number of InMail credits depending on your subscription type. Here’s a breakdown:
Unused credits often roll over for a limited time, but they expire if not used within that period. This credit model is designed to encourage targeted and thoughtful outreach rather than mass messaging.
An InMail on LinkedIn allows you to contact members outside your immediate network—2nd or 3rd-degree connections or even users with no prior connection. This expands your reach significantly compared to standard Messages restricted to first-degree connections.
The process for sending an InMail is straightforward:
This controlled environment encourages crafting personalized and relevant outreach messages rather than generic spam.
What is an InMail in LinkedIn? It’s essentially a premium messaging feature that breaks through network boundaries while utilizing a credit-based system to maintain quality communications.
Mastering how to use these credits effectively can boost your networking or lead generation efforts by connecting with prospects otherwise unreachable via free messages.
LinkedIn messages serve as the foundation for direct communication within your immediate professional network. These messages are free and accessible to all users, allowing seamless interaction with your first-degree connections. This makes them a powerful tool for ongoing relationship building and warm outreach without worrying about subscription fees or credit limits.
Using LinkedIn messages strategically involves focusing on warm leads and leveraging the natural trust embedded in your network. It complements other outreach methods such as email or InMail but stands out for its zero cost and direct access within an established professional context. Crafting effective communication here also benefits from tailored approaches like utilizing proven LinkedIn message templates designed for B2B outreach success.
LinkedIn InMail offers distinct advantages for professionals who want to expand their reach beyond their immediate network. It is a powerful tool for LinkedIn cold outreach and LinkedIn cold messaging, allowing you to connect with potential leads or prospects who are not in your first-degree connections.
Using LinkedIn InMail effectively requires balancing these benefits with its costs and limitations. Focus on strong copywriting skills and targeted outreach based on solid research. Applying proven LinkedIn sales outreach tips, such as clear value propositions and respectful follow-ups, maximizes the return on investment from this premium feature.
Choosing between LinkedIn InMail vs Message depends heavily on your outreach goals and the relationship stage with your audience. Understanding the strengths of each channel sharpens your ability to engage effectively.
Messaging works best when you already share a connection. If someone is a 1st-degree connection, you can send direct messages without restrictions or costs. This facilitates linkedin lead nurturing messages, where ongoing conversations build trust and rapport naturally.
InMail is designed to reach 2nd and 3rd-degree connections who aren't yet in your network. This makes it ideal for recruiting candidates or generating leads from untapped pools.
Both channels benefit significantly from personalization tailored to the recipient's profile and pain points. Using linkedin outreach best practices, such as:
AI-powered tools automate and optimize this process by analyzing user data and generating context-aware message templates. These enhancements improve linkedin inmail effectiveness and boost reply rates across both channels.
For instance:
AI-driven customization can adapt tone and content dynamically, increasing authenticity whether sending a LinkedIn DM vs InMail.
Personalization narrows the gap between cold outreach and warm engagement, making even initial contact feel more genuine. This blurs lines in the linkedin message vs inmail comparison, emphasizing that success depends not only on the tool but how thoughtfully it’s used.
Use messages for nurturing existing relationships or when you have prior engagement.
Deploy InMails when reaching out to new prospects beyond your network where connection requests might be ignored or take time.
Balancing these approaches based on target audience and campaign goals maximizes impact while respecting recipient preferences in professional networking environments.
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Automation for LinkedIn outreach has transformed how professionals manage their communication. Manually sending personalized messages or InMails to a large LinkedIn target audience messaging pool can be time-consuming and prone to inconsistency. Automation tools address these challenges by enabling linkedin professional messaging at scale while maintaining personalization.
One standout example is SalesRobot, which supports automated outreach with robust targeting filters and message sequencing. SalesRobot facilitates:
Other tools focus on AI-driven engagement to boost interaction authenticity. These solutions use natural language processing to generate context-aware replies and comments, enhancing perceived human touch without manual effort.
Automation for LinkedIn outreach helps you engage more prospects efficiently while preserving the quality of linkedin professional messaging. Leveraging these tools thoughtfully can support sustained growth in connections and leads without sacrificing authenticity.
Understanding the cost of LinkedIn InMail is crucial when deciding if this tool fits your networking or lead generation strategy. An InMail on LinkedIn represents a direct message sent to someone outside your immediate connection network, unlocked through various premium subscriptions.
LinkedIn offers several tiers of premium plans, each including a set number of InMail credits per month:
Each subscription level enforces limits on how many messages you can send, based on the allocated credits. These credits refresh monthly but do not accumulate indefinitely beyond a certain period, which encourages consistent engagement rather than bulk messaging.
Unused credits typically expire after about three months, so planning your outreach cadence helps maximize value.
If you exhaust your monthly allotment, LinkedIn allows purchasing additional InMail credits in packs (usually starting around $10-$20 per credit). This pay-as-you-go model suits users with sporadic high-volume outreach needs without upgrading to a more expensive plan.
The answer depends on your goals:
Pricing transparency around LinkedIn Premium InMail plans enables you to tailor your subscription choice according to budget and outreach volume needs. Each tier balances credit availability against cost, empowering strategic use of this powerful communication channel.
Writing effective LinkedIn prospecting messages or InMails requires a strategic approach. The goal is to capture attention quickly and clearly communicate your value to the recipient. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write LinkedIn InMails and messages that convert:
Your subject line is the first thing recipients see, so it needs to spark curiosity or offer clear relevance. Keep it concise, personalized, and benefit-driven. Examples include:
Avoid generic subjects like “Hello” or “Let’s connect” that often get ignored.
Start with a personal touch that shows you’ve done your homework:
Personalization increases the chance your message will be read and responded to.
Be direct about why you’re reaching out without sounding pushy. Use simple, straightforward language:
“I’m reaching out because I believe our solution can help streamline your marketing efforts.”
Avoid vague sales pitches; instead, tailor your message to address a pain point or opportunity relevant to them.
LinkedIn InMail character limit is approximately 1900 characters, but shorter messages often perform better. Aim for around 150-200 words to maintain clarity and respect their time.
End with an easy next step for them, such as:
Make your CTA simple and low-pressure.
Your message should sound professional yet approachable—avoid overly formal language that feels robotic. Reflect genuine interest in helping rather than just selling.
While LinkedIn DM templates can serve as useful starting points, it's crucial to adapt them for each prospect to avoid sounding generic. For recruiters using LinkedIn InMail, emphasize relevancy by quickly aligning candidate skills with job needs.
To further enhance your LinkedIn engagement strategy, consider utilizing tools like HyperClapper which can significantly optimize your LinkedIn engagement through its LinkedIn Engagement POD.
Applying these LinkedIn outreach hacks supports effective pipeline building and strengthens any LinkedIn outbound strategy by combining personalization with precision messaging.
This approach will help you navigate the nuances of LinkedIn InMail vs Message: Which One Works Best?, maximizing engagement through thoughtful communication tailored to your audience’s needs
Handling your LinkedIn inbox effectively is crucial for maintaining strong professional relationships and optimizing your LinkedIn warm outreach efforts. The volume of incoming messages—from first-degree connections and InMails—can quickly become overwhelming without a system in place. Implementing smart LinkedIn inbox management strategies helps you stay organized, respond promptly, and prioritize valuable conversations.
LinkedIn provides filters to separate messages from first-degree connections, InMails, unread messages, and archived conversations. Regularly sorting messages using these filters allows you to focus on high-priority contacts first.
While LinkedIn does not offer native tags, you can keep track externally by maintaining a spreadsheet or CRM integration. Classify conversations by categories such as leads, clients, recruiters, or collaborators for easier follow-up.
Archive messages that don’t require immediate response but may be relevant later. This declutters the main inbox view and reduces cognitive load when scanning for important threads.
Prioritize replies to first-degree connections who are warm leads or current clients. These relationships tend to have higher engagement potential compared to cold InMails, which may require more nurturing before receiving a response.
Prepare customizable response templates for common inquiries or follow-ups. This practice speeds up replies while allowing personalization tailored to the recipient’s context.
InMails often represent cold outreach attempts or new networking opportunities. Treat these separately from your day-to-day conversations with direct connections.
Adopting these linkedIn inbox tips ensures you maintain clarity, respond professionally, and capitalize on networking opportunities as they arise without feeling overwhelmed by message volume.
Crafting an effective LinkedIn outbound strategy requires a balanced mix of both Messages and InMail, tailored to the intent and readiness of your prospects. You achieve the strongest outcomes by:
Maintaining strong LinkedIn messaging etiquette is essential for building trust and credibility. Authentic, clear, and relevant communication always outperforms generic templates or spammy outreach.
A strategic blend of LinkedIn’s messaging tools—paired with thoughtful engagement—can significantly boost your networking and lead-generation success. Ultimately, the answer to LinkedIn InMail vs Message: Which One Works Best? depends on your outreach goals, your audience, and the level of personalization you bring to each touchpoint.
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HyperClapper enhances your LinkedIn InMail and Message strategy with powerful features designed to improve efficiency, personalization, and safety:
With HyperClapper, you can elevate both your warm and cold outreach, drive meaningful conversations, and maximize your LinkedIn lead-generation results effortlessly.
LinkedIn Messages allow you to communicate directly with your 1st-degree connections for free, while LinkedIn InMail is a premium feature that lets you reach out to 2nd and 3rd-degree connections or people outside your network through paid credits.
LinkedIn InMail is available through LinkedIn Premium plans such as Premium Career, Business, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter Lite. Each subscription provides a set number of InMail credits per month, which you can use to send messages to users outside your direct connections. Additional credits can be purchased if needed.
Use LinkedIn Messages for warm leads and existing relationships where you already share a connection. Use LinkedIn InMail for cold outreach at scale to reach professionals outside your immediate network, such as 2nd and 3rd-degree connections.
Effective InMails should have a compelling subject line, personalized opening showing you've researched the recipient, clearly stated purpose without sounding pushy, concise content within the character limit (~1900 characters), a clear call-to-action, and maintain a professional yet approachable tone.
Automation tools like SalesRobot help schedule and send personalized message sequences consistently, improving outreach efficiency. However, it's important to avoid generic templates and tailor each message to maintain authenticity and engagement.
LinkedIn InMail is valuable if your goals include accessing a broader audience beyond your direct connections. It facilitates cold outreach with higher visibility but comes at a cost via premium subscriptions. Its effectiveness depends on personalization, targeting, and strategic use aligned with your networking objectives.