LinkedIn is a professional social media platform used by over 740 million members worldwide. Messaging on LinkedIn allows members to communicate with each other privately, similar to email. LinkedIn messaging can be used for networking, recruitment, sales prospects, and more. Here is an in-depth look at how messaging works on LinkedIn.
Who can send messages on LinkedIn?
The ability to send messages on LinkedIn depends on your account type:
- Basic accounts (free) – Can receive but not send messages
- Premium accounts – Can send messages to anyone
- Sales Navigator accounts – Can send messages to anyone
- Recruiter accounts – Can send messages to anyone
So if you want to be able to actively reach out and initiate conversations with other members, you’ll need a Premium account at a minimum. With a free Basic account, you can only respond to messages sent to you.
How to send a message on LinkedIn
Sending a message on LinkedIn is simple if you have an account with messaging capabilities. Here are the steps:
- Go to the profile of the person you want to message.
- Click the “Message” button near the top right of their profile.
- Type your message in the text box.
- Click the “Send” button when you’re ready to send your message.
You’ll then see your sent message in an ongoing message thread with that person. You can continue the conversation by sending follow-up messages.
Differences between InMail and regular LinkedIn messages
There are two main types of messages on LinkedIn:
- InMail – Used to message people you’re not connected to. InMail credits must be purchased.
- Regular messages – Free messages to connected network members.
Here is a comparison between InMail and regular LinkedIn messages:
| Feature | InMail | Regular Messages |
|---|---|---|
| Send to connections? | Yes | Yes |
| Send to non-connections? | Yes | No |
| Appear in message tab? | Yes | Yes |
| Inbox placement | Primary inbox | Messages tab |
| Cost to send | Credits purchased | Free |
As you can see, the main difference is that InMail allows you to reach people outside of your existing network, while regular messaging is free but limited to your connections.
LinkedIn messaging best practices
To get the most out of LinkedIn messaging, follow these proven best practices:
Personalize your messages
Avoid generic greetings like “Hi there!” and take a moment to personalize your messages. Reference something from their profile to show you took the time to get to know them.
Keep it short and to the point
People are busy and bombarded with messages. Get to your reason for connecting right away instead of long-winded small talk.
Ask open-ended questions
Give the recipient something to respond to. Ask smart questions that create dialogue instead of responses that end the conversation.
Follow up if needed
Not everyone will respond right away. Follow up in a week if you haven’t heard back to nudge them.
Watch your tone
LinkedIn is professional communication. Avoid overly casual language and make sure you come across as polite and respectful.
LinkedIn messaging tips and tricks
Take your LinkedIn messaging skills to the next level with these helpful tips:
- You can customize your message signatures with contact details.
- Add emojis from the smiley face icon to express tone.
- Bookmark important messages for easy reference.
- Connect your LinkedIn and email to manage conversations in one place.
- Use saved templates to send common messages faster.
LinkedIn messaging etiquette
As LinkedIn is a professional platform, there are some etiquette rules to keep in mind when messaging:
- Be clear about your intent and reason for connecting.
- Respect people’s time – keep messages focused.
- Avoid sharing confidential information.
- Don’t spam or batch message people.
- Use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Essentially, you want your messages to be polite, professional, and personalized for each recipient.
Conclusion
LinkedIn messaging allows you to initiate direct contact with other professionals on the platform. To recap the key things to know:
- Premium accounts are required to send messages.
- InMail can message people outside your network.
- Personalize messages and make them focused and concise.
- Follow proper LinkedIn etiquette when messaging.
- Take advantage of tips and tricks to optimize messaging.
With great messaging skills, you can build relationships, generate leads, and open up opportunities through the power of LinkedIn. Use these best practices to connect with others and grow your purposeful network.
