LinkedIn InMail: What, Why and How?

Looking to connect with professionals outside your network? LinkedIn InMail might be your answer.

This powerful feature lets you message anyone on LinkedIn, even without mutual connections. But there's more to it than just hitting send.

Let's explore what LinkedIn InMail is, why it works, and how to use it effectively.

What is LinkedIn InMail?

LinkedIn InMail is a premium messaging feature that allows you to contact LinkedIn members who aren't in your network.

It is a direct pathway to reach:

• Potential clients
• Industry leaders
• Hiring managers
• Business partners
• Influencers in your field

Unlike regular LinkedIn messages, InMail works even when you have zero mutual connections with the recipient.

How InMail Appears to Recipients

When you send an InMail, it lands directly in the recipient's LinkedIn inbox. They also receive an email notification, making it hard to miss.

The message appears as a private conversation, just like regular LinkedIn messages.

Why Use LinkedIn InMail? Key Benefits

1. Direct Access to Decision Makers

Skip the gatekeepers. InMail gives you direct access to CEOs, hiring managers, and other key decision-makers who might be impossible to reach otherwise.

2. Higher Response Rates

LinkedIn reports that InMail messages are 2.6x more effective than cold emails or phone calls. That's a significant boost in your outreach success.

3. Professional Context

Your message appears within LinkedIn's professional environment. This context makes recipients more likely to take your message seriously.

LinkedIn InMail vs Free Account: What's the Difference?

Free Account Limitations

You cannot send InMails with a free LinkedIn account. It's exclusively a premium feature.

Exception: You can message members who have enabled the "Open Profile" feature, even with a free account.

Premium Account Benefits

All LinkedIn Premium subscriptions include InMail credits. The number depends on your plan level.

How Many InMails Can You Send?

Your monthly InMail allowance depends on your LinkedIn subscription:

Monthly Credits

• Premium Career: 5 InMail credits
• Premium Business: 15 InMail credits
• Sales Navigator Core: 50 InMail credits
• Recruiter Lite: 30 InMail credits

Credit Rollover System

Unused credits roll over to the next month, but there's a maximum limit:

• Premium Career: 15 total credits
• Premium Business: 45 total credits
• Sales Navigator: 150 total credits
• Recruiter Lite: 120 total credits

Getting Credits Back

LinkedIn refunds your credits when recipients:

• Accept your message
• Respond to your message
• Decline your message

This happens within 90 days of sending. You don't get credits back for pending messages.

Essential InMail Rules to Know

Character Limits

• Subject line: 200 characters maximum
• Message body: 2,000 characters maximum

No Follow-Up Messages

You can't send follow-up InMails until the recipient responds or accepts your first message. If they decline, you can't message them again.

One Shot to Make an Impression

This makes your first message crucial. There's no second chance if you don't get a response.

How to Write LinkedIn InMails That Get Replies

1. Create an Irresistible Subject Line

Your subject line determines whether your message gets opened. Keep it short and compelling.

Best Practices:

• Limit to 8 words or less.
• Include the recipient's name or company.
• Mention specific achievements or industry details.
• Avoid generic phrases like "Quick question".

Examples:

• "Congratulations on [Company]'s Series A funding"
• "Your insights on [Industry Topic] were spot-on"
• "Question about [Specific Project/Initiative]"

2. Start with a Personalized Introduction

Don't jump straight into your pitch. Build rapport first.

Do This:

• Use their name in the greeting.
• Reference something specific about their work.
• Mention a recent achievement or company milestone.
• Show genuine interest in their expertise.

Example Opening: "Hi Sarah, I noticed your recent article about sustainable packaging trends. Your point about biodegradable materials really resonated with our team's current challenges."

3. Address Their Pain Points

The middle section should focus on them, not you.

Strategy:

• Identify their likely challenges
• Show you understand their industry
• Position yourself as a potential solution
• Share relevant success stories

Example: "I know scaling content production while maintaining quality is a constant challenge for marketing leaders. We recently helped a similar company increase their output by 300% without adding headcount."

4. Include a Clear Call-to-Action

Give them an easy next step. Be specific about what you want.

Strong CTA Examples:

• "Would you be open to a 15-minute call next week?"
• "I'd love to hear your thoughts on this approach."
• "Are you available for a brief coffee chat this month?"
• "Would you like to see how this worked for [Similar Company]?"

LinkedIn InMail Best Practices

Research Before You Send

Take a few minutes to review their recent posts and company updates before reaching out. Look for recent achievements, industry insights they've shared, or projects they're working on. This research helps you find genuine connection points that make your message feel relevant and thoughtful. 

When you reference something specific about their work, it shows you're genuinely interested in connecting with them as a professional, not just sending mass messages.

Keep It Concise

Busy professionals appreciate messages that get to the point quickly. Aim for 150-200 words maximum - enough to convey your message clearly without overwhelming them. Write in a clear, conversational tone that feels natural to read. 

Use short paragraphs and break up your text so it's easy to scan, especially since many people read messages on mobile devices between meetings.

Focus on Value

Make your message about their needs and interests, not your agenda. Instead of starting with "My company provides solutions," try "I noticed your recent post about expanding into new markets - that's an exciting challenge." 

This approach shows you understand their situation and positions you as someone who might offer valuable insights or assistance rather than just another sales pitch.

Time Your Messages

Send your InMails during business hours when people are most likely to be checking LinkedIn. Tuesday through Thursday typically see the best response rates, while Monday mornings and Friday afternoons are less effective. 

Consider their time zone when sending messages - timing your outreach appropriately shows professionalism and respect for their schedule.

Measuring InMail Success

Open Rates: 

This shows how many people actually opened your message. A low open rate typically indicates your subject line needs work - it's not compelling enough to grab attention.

 If you're seeing open rates below 40%, try making your subject lines more specific and personal. 

For example, instead of "Quick question," try "Your insights on sustainable packaging caught my attention."

Response Rates:

This is the percentage of people who replied to your message. Response rates between 10-25% are considered good for InMail.

If your response rate is low but your open rate is high, your message content needs improvement. People are opening your message, but not feeling compelled to respond. 

Focus on making your value proposition clearer and your call-to-action more specific.

Acceptance Rates:

When you include connection requests with your InMail, this metric shows how many people accepted your invitation to connect. 

A good acceptance rate is typically 15-30%. If people are responding to your messages but not accepting connection requests, they might prefer to keep the conversation limited to the immediate topic.

Conversion Tracking:

This is the most important business metric - it measures how many people took your desired action, whether that's booking a call, visiting your website, or agreeing to a meeting. 

Low conversion rates, despite good response rate,s usually indicate a disconnect between your message and your actual ask. 

Make sure your call-to-action aligns with the value you're offering and feels like a natural next step.

Alternatives to LinkedIn InMail

When InMail Isn't Available

• Connection requests with personalized notes
• Engaging with their content before reaching out
• Finding mutual connections for introductions
• Attending events where they're speaking or participating

Free Alternatives

• Comment meaningfully on their posts
• Share their content with thoughtful commentary
• Join LinkedIn groups they're active in
• Participate in industry discussions they're involved in

Conclusion

LinkedIn InMail is a powerful tool for professional networking and business development. When used strategically, it can open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

Start small, test different approaches, and refine your strategy based on what works. With practice, LinkedIn InMail can become one of your most effective networking tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send InMails to anyone on LinkedIn?

Yes, you can send InMails to any LinkedIn member, regardless of your connection status, as long as you have InMail credits.

How long should my InMail message be?

Keep it between 150-200 words. Busy professionals prefer concise, scannable messages.

What's the best time to send InMails?

Tuesday through Thursday during business hours typically see the highest response rates.

Can I send attachments with InMails?

No, LinkedIn InMail doesn't support attachments. Include links to relevant documents or resources instead.

How do I know if someone read my InMail?

LinkedIn provides basic analytics showing if your message was opened, but detailed read receipts aren't available.

What happens if I send an InMail to someone who doesn't have LinkedIn Premium?

They'll still receive your message. Premium isn't required to receive InMails, only to send them.

Can I edit an InMail after sending it?

No, you cannot edit InMail messages once they're sent. Review carefully before hitting send.

How long do I have to wait for a response?

LinkedIn refunds credits for responses within 90 days, but most replies come within the first week.

Can I send InMails to people in different countries?

Yes, InMail works globally. Just be mindful of time zones and cultural differences in communication styles.

What should I do if my InMail gets declined?

You cannot send another InMail to that person. Consider connecting through mutual contacts or engaging with their content instead.