LinkedIn allows users to connect and communicate with other professionals on the platform. However, there are limits to how many messages you can send, especially to people who are not already connections. Understanding these limits can help you use LinkedIn messaging effectively as part of your overall networking and communication strategy.
LinkedIn Messaging Overview
LinkedIn has two main ways for members to communicate directly with each other:
- InMail messages – Private messages that can be sent to any LinkedIn member, whether they’re a connection or not.
- Regular messages – Messages that can only be sent to 1st-degree connections.
Both InMail and regular LinkedIn messages can be an important way to make connections, maintain relationships, and have professional conversations on the platform. However, there are significant differences in how these two message types work when it comes to contacting people who are not already connections.
InMail Messages
InMail provides a way to directly contact any LinkedIn member, even if they’re not in your network. Some key points about InMail:
- InMail credits are required to initiate contact with non-connections. You can purchase extra credits as needed.
- The number of InMail credits available depends on your LinkedIn account type. More credits are included with premium subscriptions.
- Each InMail message consumes 1 credit. Unused credits roll over month-to-month.
So essentially, the number of messages you can send to non-connections is limited to the number of InMail credits you have available. Most free LinkedIn accounts include a small number, around 5-15 per month. Paid subscribers may have anywhere from 25 to 150+ credits available, depending on the account type.
Regular LinkedIn Messages
For regular LinkedIn messages sent within your network, the limitations are around how many people you can message per day and month, not an overall credit system. The restrictions are as follows:
- Free Account Holders:
- Can message up to 15 unique connections per day
- Can message up to 30 unique connections per month
- Premium Subscribers:
- Can message up to 40 unique connections per day
- No monthly limits
- Once a connection responds, unlimited back-and-forth messaging is allowed
So free users are significantly limited in how many unique 1st-degree connections they can send regular messages to. Premium accounts can reach more connections more often.
Strategies for Messaging Non-Connections
When reaching out to non-connections, focus your efforts on using your available InMail credits judiciously and strategically. Here are some tips:
- Prioritize targets who are more likely to respond and be interested in connecting.
- Personalize your messages with specific details about why you’d like to connect.
- Follow up if you don’t receive a response at first.
- Consider paying for more InMail credits if needed to support your outreach.
- Focus on quality over quantity – thoughtful messages versus mass blasts.
- Track your response rates to optimize your approach over time.
With regular LinkedIn messages, you’ll need to be more selective given the daily/monthly caps when messaging connections. Focus on outreach that can lead to substantive conversations versus one-off messages.
Maximizing Your LinkedIn Messaging Impact
To maximize the impact of your LinkedIn messaging with non-connections:
- Research profile backgrounds before reaching out to personalize your approach.
- Highlight common connections when possible to increase open rates.
- Make your messages concise and compelling to pique interest.
- Offer value-driven content and thoughtful discussion topics.
- Suggest meeting over phone or video chat to establish deeper connections.
- Follow up patiently and politely if you don’t get an initial quick response.
With some strategy and thoughtfulness, LinkedIn messaging can be an effective way to expand your network and have meaningful professional conversations – even with those not currently in your circles.
Limits for Automated Messages
In addition to the limits for manual messaging, LinkedIn also has strict restrictions around sending automated or bulk messages. These types of messages are prohibited under LinkedIn’s User Agreement.
The platform’s automated systems monitor for spamming activity and abusive messaging. Accounts found to be automating messages on LinkedIn may be restricted or shut down.
It’s fine to craft a template message for your initial outreach. However, you should avoid copy-pasting the exact same generic message at scale or using automation tools to message LinkedIn members.
Make sure to manually personalize and send your messages one-by-one. Focus on quality connections over hitting maximum quotas.
Best Practices for LinkedIn Messaging
To summarize some best practices for making the most of LinkedIn messaging:
- Personalize your messages with custom details for each recipient.
- Focus on a few quality conversations versus spamming your max limits.
- Be patient and follow up tactfully if you don’t receive an initial reply.
- Offer unique value and insightful discussion topics in your messages.
- Suggest moving the conversation offline via phone, video chat, or in person.
- Monitor your response rates and iterate your approach over time.
- Never use automation tools or send bulk duplicate messages.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn places limits on how many people you can message, especially when contacting non-connections. The number of InMail credits dictates how many messages you can send to those outside your network.
When messaging existing connections, daily and monthly caps apply for free accounts, while premium members have more flexibility.
Focus on personalization, value, and quality interactions. Avoid automation and spamming. With some finesse and persistence, LinkedIn messaging can be a valuable networking and relationship-building channel, even with those not in your circles yet.
