When you receive a message on LinkedIn that says “InMail” at the top, it indicates that the message was sent via LinkedIn’s InMail service. InMail allows LinkedIn members to send messages directly to other members, even if they’re not connected.
What is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is a messaging feature that allows LinkedIn members to send private messages to other members, even if they’re not directly connected. Some key things to know about InMail:
– InMail messages bypass the recipient’s normal inbox and go into a separate InMail inbox. This helps ensure the message gets attention.
– Members can send a limited number of InMails per month based on their account type. Sending an InMail deducts from this monthly allowance.
– InMail messages can only be sent between LinkedIn members. You cannot InMail someone who doesn’t have a LinkedIn account.
– Recipients have the option to reply directly, dismiss the message, or report it as spam. They cannot forward InMails.
– InMail messages are intended for professional networking and recruiting purposes. LinkedIn restricts the use of InMail for promotional messages or solicitations.
Why Do People Get InMail Messages?
There are several reasons why you may receive an InMail message on LinkedIn:
– **Networking outreach**: People may use InMail to connect with you for professional networking opportunities, even if you’re not directly connected.
– **Job opportunities**: Recruiters and hiring managers often leverage InMail to contact potential candidates about new job openings.
– **Sales prospects**: Sales professionals can use InMail to reach out to potential leads and accounts outside their immediate network.
– **Subject matter experts**: InMail provides a way to reach industry experts and influential professionals to seek advice, ideas, introductions, etc.
– **Potential partners**: People may use InMail to discuss potential business partnerships, joint ventures, or other collaborative opportunities.
– **General outreach**: In some cases, InMail is used for general outreach, introductions, or to share ideas and information.
Who Can Send InMail Messages?
The ability to send InMail messages depends on your LinkedIn account type:
– LinkedIn Free members cannot send any InMails.
– LinkedIn Premium Career members can send 15 InMails per month.
– LinkedIn Premium Business members can send 25 InMails per month.
– LinkedIn Recruiter accounts get a monthly InMail allowance starting at 30 per month.
– Sales Navigator accounts also include a monthly InMail allotment.
In addition, some active LinkedIn group managers and executives may have a limited number of InMails per month included with their accounts.
So in summary, InMail usage is a premium feature reserved for subscribers of LinkedIn’s paid offerings. Free members cannot send InMails.
Best Practices for Sending InMail
If you have access to InMail messages, follow these best practices to increase your chances of getting a response:
– **Personalize the message** – Make it specific and tailored to the recipient, don’t use a generic template. Reference their background and interests.
– **Introduce yourself** – Explain who you are and how you found them. Establish common ground and credibility.
– **Be direct and concise** – Get right to the point of your message in the first paragraph or two. Don’t make them read a long email.
– **Offer value** – Demonstrate how connecting could be beneficial and worth their time. Share ideas, advice, opportunities, or introductions.
– **Use the right tone** – InMail is for professional correspondence, so don’t be too informal or overly salesy.
– **Make it easy to respond** – Ask clear questions and provide next steps to continue the conversation.
– **Follow up once** – If no response after a week, one brief polite follow up is appropriate. Then move on.
InMail vs. Regular LinkedIn Messages
What’s the difference between InMail and LinkedIn’s regular messaging capabilities? Here’s a quick comparison:
InMail | Regular LinkedIn Messages |
---|---|
Sent directly to another member’s inbox | Go to the LinkedIn Message inbox, may get lost |
Can message people outside your network | Only works for 1st-degree connections |
Premium feature, quota per month | Free for all members |
Higher response rates | Lower response rates |
Higher priority and visibility | Easy to overlook |
As you can see, the main advantage of InMail is the ability to directly reach people outside your existing network. This comes at a cost of being a paid feature with a quota.
InMail vs. Email
InMail also differs from email in some important ways:
– **Visibility** – InMail stands out in the LinkedIn inbox. Email can easily get buried or sent to spam.
– **Privacy** – Email addresses are private. InMail connects right inside LinkedIn.
– **Relevance** – LinkedIn profiles provide context. Email is sent blindly.
– **Metrics** – You can see InMail statistics and response rates. No such data for email.
– **Compliance** – InMail aligns with LinkedIn community policies. Emails may be flagged as spam.
– **Quotas** – InMail limits prevent overuse. Email blasts are unrestrained.
For targeted professional communication, InMail tends to have higher relevance, visibility, and response rates compared to generic email outreach.
Questions to Ask Before Sending an InMail
To make sure InMail is the right approach, consider these key questions:
– Is this person relevant to my goals and would they benefit from connecting? Don’t randomly InMail strangers.
– Have I optimized my LinkedIn profile to establish credibility and shared interests?
– What is my specific purpose for connecting? Do I have an appropriate ask or value to offer?
– Is InMail the best method vs. other options like regular messages, group posts, content shares, events etc?
– Is my InMail message concise yet personalized and written appropriately?
– Am I following up productively if I don’t get a response initially?
– How will I build on this relationship if they do respond and want to connect further?
Thinking through questions like these will help ensure you use InMail appropriately and effectively.
InMail Message Best Practices
Follow these best practices when composing your InMail to improve open and response rates:
– Keep messages under 300 words and 3-4 paragraphs.
– Use a specific subject line targeting their interests or shared connections.
– Personalize the greeting with their name and custom introduction.
– Establish common ground and credibility in the first paragraph.
– Get quickly to the point of your outreach in the first 1-2 paragraphs.
– Explain why you selected them specifically and share mutual connections.
– Offer value by sharing advice, ideas, articles, event invitations, introductions etc.
– Use a professional but approachable tone and voice.
– Close with a specific call-to-action and provide contact details.
– Thank them for their time and consideration.
– Avoid generic or templated language. Write each InMail uniquely.
Following these tips will show you respect their time and will make your InMails stand out.
InMail Message Examples
Let’s look at two example InMail messages that demonstrate effective practices:
Example 1: Outreach for a new connection
Subject: Introducing myself as a fellow [industry] professional
Hi [First Name],
I hope you’re doing well! My name is [your name] and I am an [your position] at [company]. I noticed we share a passion for [industry] and several mutual connections–including [connection name]–and wanted to introduce myself.
I have followed your career with great interest, especially the work you’ve done around [area of interest]. I am currently exploring opportunities related to [relevance to them], and your perspective would be tremendously valuable. Would you have 15-30 minutes in the coming weeks for a brief call to connect?
Please let me know if that would work for you. Either way, I appreciate your time and look forward to connecting more on LinkedIn.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Example 2: Recruiter InMail
Subject: [Company Name] – [Role] Opportunity in [City]
Hi [Name],
My name is [recruiter name] and I’m a recruiter at [Company] in [location]. Our team came across your LinkedIn profile and think you could be a great fit for our open [role name] position in [city].
Given your extensive background as a [relevant experience 1] and [relevant experience 2], you have the exact qualifications and skills we are looking for. This opportunity offers [compelling benefits] along with the chance to [interesting projects].
I’d love to schedule a quick call to provide you with more details and discuss whether this role may be right for you. Please let me know if you could make time for a 15-30 minute intro call in the next week.
Looking forward to hopefully connecting soon to further explore this opportunity. Thank you for your time!
Best,
[Recruiter name]
These examples demonstrate personalization, establishing value, getting quickly to the point, and providing a clear call to action. Use them as templates when crafting your own professional InMail messages.
InMail Message Etiquette
To ensure proper etiquette, avoid these InMail faux pas:
– Sending overly salesy or promotional messages
– Using canned generic templates without personalization
– Contacting people completely irrelevant to your goals
– Sending InMails with vague, unclear purposes
– Writing excessively long messages
– Getting too informal or using unprofessional language
– Asking for too much too soon from someone you don’t know
– Repeatedly contacting someone who hasn’t responded
– Forgetting to thank them or make the next steps easy
Always take the time to customize your approach, establish relevance, and get quickly to a compelling purpose that offers value. Sincerity and manners go a long way in making positive connections.
What to Do If You Don’t Get an InMail Response
If you don’t receive a response to your well-crafted InMail, consider these next steps:
– Wait at least 1 week before any follow up.
– Send just one brief, polite follow up restating your purpose and call-to-action.
– Check if they updated their LinkedIn profile – they may have changed jobs or roles.
– Consider if another method like regular messaging may work.
– Assess if you can expand your shared network first before re-attempting an InMail.
– Try messaging them again in 2-3 months – timing may have just been off.
– If no response after follow up, accept it graciously and move on. Avoid repeated unanswered InMails.
With patience and gracefully accepting no response, you can maintain your professional reputation on LinkedIn.
InMail Message Metrics
You can view metrics on the performance of the InMail messages you send by going to your LinkedIn account settings and selecting “Communications.” This will show you:
– Number of InMails sent in the last 30 days
– Percentage of your sent InMails that were opened
– Average open rate benchmarked to your industry overall
– Click-through rate showing what percentage of recipients clicked your InMail
– Response rate showing how often you get a reply
These metrics can help you refine your approach and improve response rates over time. Test different subject lines, message lengths, personalized content and calls-to-action to see what works best.
Buying More InMail Messages
If you exceed your monthly InMail allotment, you can purchase additional messages in packs of 10, 25, or 50. Go to the “Manage” section of your Premium account settings to buy more InMails as needed. Costs vary based on quantity:
InMail Pack | Price |
---|---|
10 InMails | $20 |
25 InMails | $45 |
50 InMails | $80 |
Evaluate whether purchasing more InMails is worth the investment based on your response rates and the value of the connections you build. Used strategically, extra InMails can effectively expand your network.
Limits to InMail Usage
While InMail provides a way to directly contact people, LinkedIn does limit overuse in order to maintain a professional environment and prevent spam-like behavior. Here are some limitations to be aware of:
– If your messages are flagged as inappropriate or promotional, your account may be restricted. Always maintain a professional tone.
– Sending hundreds of messages per month will likely trigger account limitations. Keep your volume reasonable.
– If you have a free account, any InMail usage may lead to restrictions. InMail requires a paid plan.
– There is no way around monthly InMail quotas. Buying extras is the only option to send more.
– Recipients can report InMails as spam which may limit your account. Use InMail judiciously.
The best practice is to use your monthly InMail allowance strategically for targeted, personalized outreach and relationship building. Avoid sending mass unsolicited messages.
Conclusion
To summarize, receiving an InMail message on LinkedIn indicates the sender paid to directly contact you outside their network. InMail provides a way to get introduced, explore opportunities, and make meaningful connections on LinkedIn in a professional manner. Use InMail selectively and make sure your messages are tailored, valuable, and relevant. With proper etiquette, strategy, and realistic expectations, InMail can expand your relationships and horizons.