InMail is an important LinkedIn tool that allows you to directly contact other members outside of your network. With a Premium Business, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter account, you get a monthly allotment of InMail credits to send these messages.
But what happens if the recipient doesn’t open or respond to your InMail? Do you get the credits back to use again? Let’s take a closer look at how InMail credits work.
What are InMail Credits?
InMail credits allow you to send direct messages to LinkedIn members outside of your network. Here are some key facts about InMail credits:
- The number of monthly credits depends on your LinkedIn account type. For example, Premium Business accounts get 25 credits per month.
- Credits reset to the monthly allotment at the start of each new billing cycle.
- Unused credits roll over month-to-month up to a maximum cap that depends on your account.
- Credits are deducted as soon as you send an InMail message.
InMail credits enable you to make meaningful connections outside of your existing network. But there’s always the chance that the recipient may not open or respond to your message. So what happens to those credits?
Can You Get InMail Credits Back?
Unfortunately, you cannot get InMail credits back if the recipient doesn’t open or respond to your message. Here are some key points on why:
- Credits are deducted as soon as the InMail is sent, regardless of whether the recipient reads it.
- LinkedIn does not refund credits for unopened or unanswered InMails.
- You cannot cancel an InMail message after sending it.
So once you hit the send button, those credits are spent whether that results in a successful connection or not. LinkedIn’s policy is structured this way to encourage thoughtful use of your limited InMail credits.
Maximizing Your InMail Credits
While you can’t get credits back for unread InMails, you can take steps to maximize your chances of making meaningful connections:
- Personalize each message with the recipient’s name and why you want to connect.
- Keep your message brief but intriguing to pique interest.
- Target recipients who are more likely to respond based on shared interests or associations.
- Follow up if you don’t receive a response within a week.
- Use credits strategically and thoughtfully each month.
You can also gain more credits by upgrading your LinkedIn account. Here’s a comparison of the monthly InMail credits for different account types:
| Account Type | Monthly InMail Credits |
|---|---|
| Premium Business | 25 |
| Sales Navigator Professional | 15 |
| Recruiter Lite | 25 |
| Recruiter | 50 |
| Recruiter Corporate | 75 |
As you can see, paid account types get significantly more credits per month than the free version of LinkedIn. So upgrading can help you maximize your ability to connect with your target audience.
Alternatives to InMail
If you want to conserve your precious InMail credits, there are a few alternative ways to reach out to people outside your network on LinkedIn:
LinkedIn Group Messages
Join relevant LinkedIn Groups where your target audience is engaged. You can often message group members directly without using InMail credits.
Mention in Posts
If you see someone active in LinkedIn posts or discussions, you can mention them in your own posts to try to organically start a conversation.
Contact Info Sharing
Some LinkedIn profiles include contact info sections where members share their email or other ways to get in touch. You can try reaching out directly through these channels.
Mutual Connections
See if you share any 1st-degree connections with the person and ask your mutual connection for an introduction.
While not as direct as InMail, these tactics can help you connect with new people without using up credits.
InMail Credit FAQs
Let’s recap some frequently asked questions about InMail credits:
How many InMail credits do I get?
This depends on your LinkedIn account type. Free accounts do not include any. Premium Business gets 25 credits per month. Sales Navigator and Recruiter accounts get 15-75 credits depending on type.
Do credits rollover month to month?
Yes, unused credits roll over each month up to an account-specific cap. Once you hit the cap, additional credits are forfeited.
Can I buy more InMail credits?
Yes, you can purchase additional credit packs through LinkedIn. The cost depends on the number of credits purchased.
What happens if I go over my credits?
If you exceed your monthly credit allotment, LinkedIn will automatically bill your account for additional credit packs at their standard rate.
Do my credits reset when I renew?
Each month when your account billing cycle resets, your InMail credits also reset to the standard monthly amount for your account type.
Conclusion
InMail credits allow you to directly engage professionals outside of your LinkedIn network. But once you send an InMail, those credits are permanently deducted whether the recipient opens and responds or not.
To maximize the value of your limited credits, personalize your messages, target recipients strategically, and leverage other connection techniques like LinkedIn Groups and posts. And if you need more credits per month, consider upgrading your LinkedIn account.
With some thought and care put into how and when you use them, InMail credits can be an effective way to grow your professional network and reach your target audience on LinkedIn.
