LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that allows users to connect with other professionals in their industry. There are a few different ways to communicate with connections on LinkedIn. The two main messaging options are LinkedIn messages and InMail.
LinkedIn Messages
LinkedIn messages are similar to regular email. They allow you to send direct messages to your 1st degree connections on LinkedIn. You can access LinkedIn messages by clicking on the “Messaging” icon at the top of your LinkedIn homepage.
With LinkedIn messages, you can:
- Send messages to any of your 1st degree connections
- See when your message is read
- Attach files and images
- Communicate one-on-one or with a group
LinkedIn messages are free to send and receive. You don’t need a premium LinkedIn account to use messaging.
Benefits of LinkedIn Messages
Some key benefits of using LinkedIn messages include:
- Direct communication: You can easily reach out to your connections and start a conversation.
- Build relationships: Messaging helps strengthen your relationships and network on LinkedIn.
- No character limit: You can send longer, more detailed messages without worrying about character limits.
- Read receipts: You can see when your message has been read by the recipient.
Limitations of LinkedIn Messages
LinkedIn messages also come with some restrictions:
- You can only message your 1st degree connections. You can’t message 2nd or 3rd degree connections.
- Recipients may miss your messages if they don’t check LinkedIn messaging frequently.
- You can’t customize messages for different recipients – it’s a one-size-fits-all message.
- There are no advanced targeting or analytics options.
LinkedIn InMail
InMail is LinkedIn’s premium messaging system. With InMail, you can send messages to any LinkedIn member, even if they’re not directly connected to you.
To use InMail, you need to upgrade to one of LinkedIn’s premium accounts: Premium Career, Sales Navigator Team, Recruiter Lite, or one of the Recruiter accounts. InMail credits are included with these paid plans.
With InMail, you can:
- Message any LinkedIn member, regardless of your connection status
- Customize your message with dynamic content for each recipient
- See detailed analytics on open rate, click rate and reply rate
- Follow up with automatic reminders
Benefits of InMail
Here are some of the main advantages of using InMail over LinkedIn messaging:
- Extended reach: InMail allows you to reach anyone on LinkedIn, not just your connections.
- Higher response rates: InMails tend to get higher response rates than regular messages.
- Customization: You can customize each message and tailor it to the recipient.
- Metrics & analytics: InMail provides read receipts, click rates and other helpful metrics.
Limitations of InMail
There are also some potential downsides to using InMail:
- You need a premium LinkedIn account, which costs money.
- InMail credits are limited based on your account type.
- Recipients may perceive InMails as too sales-focused.
- There is no option for group InMails.
LinkedIn Messages vs. InMail: Key Differences
Here is an overview of the key differences between LinkedIn messages and InMail:
Category | LinkedIn Messages | InMail |
---|---|---|
Cost | Free | Part of premium accounts |
Who you can message | 1st degree connections only | Any LinkedIn member |
Message customization | None | Fully customizable |
Analytics | Read receipts only | Read receipts, click rates, etc. |
Account required | Free account | Premium account required |
When to Use LinkedIn Messages vs. InMail
As a general rule of thumb:
- Use LinkedIn messages for casual conversations with your connections. Think of it like email.
- Use InMail when you want to reach people outside your network with a customized outreach message. Think of it like a cold email.
LinkedIn messages are great for strengthening existing relationships, while InMail can help you establish new ones. Here are some specific use cases for each:
Use LinkedIn Messages to:
- Follow up after meeting someone at an event
- Send a quick note to a connection
- Schedule or confirm meetings
- Share articles or other content
- Give or ask for referrals
- Conduct informal interviews
Use InMail when you want to:
- Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know
- Cold reach out to prospects
- Send customized pitches
- Connect with potential employees or employers
- Follow up after receiving someone’s business card
- Recruit passive candidates
Tips for Using LinkedIn Messages and InMail
Here are some best practices to get the most out of LinkedIn messaging and InMail:
For LinkedIn Messages:
- Personalize your messages with a warm greeting and some context.
- Keep it brief – get to the point within 1-2 sentences.
- Ask open-ended questions to continue the conversation.
- Reply promptly when you receive a message.
- Avoid overt sales pitches or spam – focus on being helpful.
For InMail:
- Research the recipient’s background so you can customize your message.
- Focus on how you can add value for them.
- Follow up within a week if you don’t receive a response.
- Use merge fields to include the recipient’s name, company, location, etc.
- Track open and click rates to improve your outreach.
Conclusion
LinkedIn messaging and InMail both provide effective ways to communicate and build relationships on LinkedIn. Regular messages are great for networking with your existing connections. InMail enables you to expand your reach and connect with new, relevant contacts.
The key is to use each channel strategically for the right purposes. LinkedIn messages for casual conversations, and InMail for more formal outreach. With the right strategy, you can build a powerful professional network on LinkedIn.