LinkedIn InMail credits allow you to directly contact other members on LinkedIn that you are not connected with. When you purchase InMail credits, you can use them to send direct messages to LinkedIn members even if you are not connected in their network.
What are InMail Credits?
InMail credits are a purchased feature on LinkedIn that give you the ability to directly message LinkedIn members that you are not connected with. This allows you to expand your reach and make connections with professionals outside of your immediate network.
With InMail credits, you can send private messages to any LinkedIn member without needing to send a connection request first and wait for them to accept. This gives you a way to communicate with busy executives, recruiters, potential clients, and others who may be difficult to reach through regular LinkedIn messaging.
Each InMail credit allows you to send one InMail message. Credits are purchased in packages (usually 25, 50, 100, etc). So if you purchase 25 InMail credits, you can send 25 InMail messages. Any unused credits expire after one year.
Why Use InMail Credits?
Here are some of the main reasons people purchase InMail credits on LinkedIn:
- Reach members outside your network – Make connections without existing mutual connections
- Message recruiters about job opportunities
- Contact potential clients, partners, or vendors
- Follow up after meeting someone at an event
- Stand out by sending personalized messages
InMail provides a way to expand your reach beyond your existing first and second level connections. It allows you to directly contact almost anyone on LinkedIn in a professional way.
What are the Benefits of 5 InMail Credits?
Purchasing 5 InMail credits gives you the following benefits:
- Ability to reach 5 members outside your network with personalized messages
- Opportunity to make 5 new professional connections
- Increased exposure for your profile and brand
- Way to send follow up messages after events or meetings
- Allows you to strategically target specific professionals
While 5 credits may not seem like a lot, they are enough for most people to test out the InMail system and see if it brings value. You can craft thoughtful messages to 5 important contacts to try expanding your reach in a meaningful way.
Who Might Want to Purchase 5 InMail Credits?
Here are some examples of professionals who may want to buy a small package of 5 InMail credits:
- Job seekers – To reach out to recruiters at companies they want to work for
- Sales professionals – To contact leads and potential new clients
- Startup founders – To network with investors and partners
- Freelancers – To access new client opportunities
- Consultants – To connect with prospective consulting clients
- Networkers – To follow up with people they meet at events
The small package of 5 credits provides a way to test out InMail and start expanding your connections for an affordable price. Users can always purchase more credits later on if they find it brings value.
What are Some Best Practices for Using 5 InMail Credits?
To get the most out of a 5 InMail credit purchase, keep these tips in mind:
- Research who you want to contact ahead of time and personalize the messages
- Focus on quality over quantity – 5 meaningful messages are better than many generic ones
- Aim to start mutually beneficial conversations that continue beyond the initial message
- Follow up any real-world meetings with an InMail to continue the relationship
- Check LinkedIn profiles to find something unique you can bond over
- Show you did your research on their background and interests
With only 5 credits, you’ll want to be strategic. Take time crafting personalized messages that show the recipient why they should care. Focus on starting meaningful conversations, not just blasting generic notes.
How Much do 5 InMail Credits Cost?
The cost of 5 InMail credits is:
- $45 for a package of 5 InMail credits
This works out to $9 per InMail credit when purchased in a pack of 5.
Compared to larger InMail credit packages, buying credits in smaller quantities costs more per credit. However, the small 5 credit package is ideal for new users who want to test it out at a low cost.
What are Some Examples of How to Use 5 InMail Credits?
Here are some examples of how you could put 5 InMail credits to use:
- A job seeker could message 5 recruiters at target companies about open positions
- A sales rep could reach out to 5 prospects to introduce themselves
- An entrepreneur could contact 5 potential angel investors to pitch their startup
- A freelance designer could message 5 potential new clients about working together
- A consultant could follow up with 5 event attendees that seemed like a good fit
The key is to identify the 5 most strategic, highest-value contacts and craft personalized messages that will resonate with them. Even just making 1 new connection out of 5 attempts could be very worthwhile.
What Happens if You Use Up Your 5 InMail Credits?
If you use up your 5 InMail credits, you have a few options:
- Purchase more InMail credits – Buy another pack of 5, 10, 25 etc
- Wait for a renewal – Your credits automatically renew every year
- Connect with members to message them normally
- Use Premium LinkedIn to message beyond your network
- Interact on content and groups to expand your network
The best option depends on your goals. If InMail brought value, buy more. If not, focus on organically growing your network by engaging on LinkedIn.
Can You Receive Messages with 5 InMail Credits?
Purchasing 5 InMail credits only allows you to send messages. To receive incoming messages from people outside your network, you need to upgrade to LinkedIn Premium.
With InMail credits, the communication only goes one way – you contacting others. To have two-way communication and also get contacted directly by new people, a Premium account is required.
Conclusion
In summary, a purchase of 5 InMail credits on LinkedIn provides a way to directly contact 5 members outside of your network with private messages. This allows you to expand your reach and initiate conversations with important contacts like recruiters, potential partners, investors, and clients.
While 5 may not seem like much, a small InMail package is an affordable way for most professionals to test out the tool and start networking beyond their existing connections. With some strategic targeting and personalized messaging, those 5 credits could lead to meaningful new relationships.
InMail credits allow you to open doors and start dialogues that would be difficult through regular messaging. While credits must be purchased, they provide unlimited potential to widen your professional network on LinkedIn.
| InMail Credit Packages | Number of Credits | Cost Per Package |
|---|---|---|
| Starter 5 Pack | 5 credits | $45 |
| Starter 10 Pack | 10 credits | $90 |
| Starter 25 Pack | 25 credits | $225 |
| Premium 50 Pack | 50 credits | $450 |
| Premium 100 Pack | 100 credits | $900 |
| Premium 250 Pack | 250 credits | $2,250 |
As the table shows, larger InMail credit packages provide lower cost per credit, but have a higher upfront cost. The Starter 5 Pack is the most affordable way to get started.
Key Takeaways
- Each InMail credit lets you message 1 LinkedIn member outside your network
- 5 credits is enough to test out InMail and start expanding your reach
- Focus your 5 messages on high-value contacts for best results
- Personalized, thoughtful InMails drive engagement and responses
- Buy more credits if you find this tool brings value to your goals
InMail credits allow you to open up new networking possibilities. While 5 credits is a small start, it can make a big impact when used strategically over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy less than 5 InMail credits?
No, the smallest InMail package available is 5 credits. LinkedIn does not offer the ability to purchase less than 5 credits at once.
Do my unused InMail credits expire?
Yes, any unused InMail credits will expire one year after purchase. Be sure to use your credits within a year to avoid losing them.
Can I use InMail credits to contact LinkedIn members I’m already connected to?
No, InMail credits can only be used to contact members who are not already in your LinkedIn network. To message existing connections, you do not need credits.
Are InMail credits refundable?
No, LinkedIn does not offer refunds on unused InMail credits. The credits are only valid for one year after purchase, so make sure to use them up within that timeframe.
Can I use InMail internationally?
Yes, InMail credits can be used to contact any LinkedIn member globally. Language barriers may impact response rates and engagement though.
Is there a limit to how many InMails someone can receive?
Yes, after receiving 15 InMails, LinkedIn members are unable to receive additional InMails for 4 weeks. So space out your messages instead of sending multiple InMails to the same person.
Can I share InMail credits with other LinkedIn members?
No, InMail credits cannot be transferred or shared. Each member must purchase their own credit packs to send InMail messages.
Conclusion
Purchasing a small pack of 5 InMail credits can be a worthwhile investment for LinkedIn users looking to expand their professional network. While $45 may seem steep for only 5 messages, even making 1 or 2 meaningful new connections could offer great value.
With some strategic planning and personalized outreach, those 5 InMails could help you start relationships with your dream employers, clients, partners, and more. While organic networking has its place, sometimes you need tools like InMail to get noticed by the right people.
InMail credits allow you to cut through the noise and directly engage the LinkedIn members that matter most for your goals. And starting with 5 credits lets you dip your toe in the water before diving in deeper.
