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What Is the Difference Between a Message and an InMail on LinkedIn?

Article updated: 31.12.2023 Author:Igor V.

Understanding the nuances of InMail vs message LinkedIn is crucial for effective communication on the platform. While both serve the purpose of private communication, their functionalities and accessibility differ significantly. Regular messages are ideal for communicating with your established network, those you're already connected with. InMail, on the other hand, allows you to reach out to individuals outside your direct connections, making it a valuable tool for networking and outreach. When deciding between InMail vs message LinkedIn, consider your relationship with the recipient and your objectives for the communication. For reaching out to new contacts or potential leads, InMail is often the preferred choice, while messages are better suited for maintaining relationships with your existing network.

Regular messages and InMails are the two ways that LinkedIn gives users the ability to start private communications on their platform. You might be wondering whether you should contact people on LinkedIn through messages or InMails. This is the response we provide.

How Does InMail on LinkedIn Differ from a Message?

The core distinction between a LinkedIn message vs InMail lies in who you can contact. A standard LinkedIn message can only be sent to your direct connections – those individuals you're already connected with on the platform. In contrast, an InMail allows you to reach out to LinkedIn members who are outside of your immediate network, even if you're not connected. This makes InMail a valuable tool for cold outreach and connecting with potential leads or collaborators who you wouldn't otherwise be able to contact directly. However, InMails are a premium feature, requiring a paid LinkedIn subscription, while standard messages are available to all users.

InMails enables you to contact another LinkedIn member without previously initiating a connection request. LinkedIn messages can only be sent to those with whom you are already linked. InMails is a subscription function offered only to Linkedin Premium members.

InMails offer a distinct advantage when it comes to reaching out to potential prospects or individuals outside of your immediate network. Unlike regular LinkedIn messages, which are restricted to first-degree connections, InMails allow you to directly contact second and third-degree connections, expanding your reach and opening doors to new opportunities. This feature is particularly valuable for sales professionals, recruiters, and anyone looking to build new relationships or expand their professional network. However, it's important to note that in mails are a premium feature, typically available through LinkedIn Premium subscriptions. This means you'll need to invest in a paid subscription to leverage the power of InMails for your outreach efforts.

1. The maximum number of regular LinkedIn messages

You can only DM your first-degree relationships using LinkedIn normal messages. Those with whom you have existing connections on LinkedIn, to be exact.

If you send someone a connection request on LinkedIn and they approve it, regardless of whether they reject it, you are in their first degree of connection. Neither third-degree connections nor second-degree connections can be contacted directly using LinkedIn messages (people with whom you have no connections in common).

2. The effectiveness of LinkedIn InMail messages

You can communicate second- and third-degree connections on LinkedIn without first issuing a connection request.

By doing this, you can bypass the connection request phase and go straight to your prospect's message. The recipient's inbox shows the remark "Inmail" when you deliver an InMail message.

Additionally, you can add a subject line to your communications. A crucial point to remember is that InMails cannot be used for follow-ups. Sending a connection request will be necessary to make contact if your prospect doesn't respond to your reply.

3. Getting LinkedIn InMails Credits

InMails is a paid service. A free account does not allow you to send inmails. You must have a premium account on LinkedIn in order to receive inmails credits. There are various inmail credits available with each LinkedIn Premium offer:

Premium InMail credits are a valuable asset for LinkedIn users looking to expand their professional network and generate leads. These credits, which are allocated based on your LinkedIn Premium subscription, allow you to directly message LinkedIn members outside of your immediate connections. The number of premium InMail credits you receive each month varies depending on your subscription level, with options like Sales Navigator offering a higher allowance compared to the basic Premium Career plan. Efficiently managing and utilizing these credits is essential for maximizing your outreach efforts and achieving your networking goals. Remember that unused credits often roll over, but it's best to use them strategically to engage with potential clients or collaborators. To further enhance your outreach, consider leveraging Scrupp to enrich your data and identify key decision-makers.

• Linkedin Sales Navigator: 50 inmails credits per month

• Linkedin Recruiter: 150 inmails credits per month

• Linkedin Premium Career: 5 inmails credits per month

• Linkedin Premium Business: 15 inmails credits per month

It is likely that you will choose LinkedIn Sales Navigator if you are a salesperson.

You receive more credits for InMails as you receive more responses. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of your InMails credits, be certain to enhance your sales prospecting messages.

Feature	LinkedIn Messages	LinkedIn InMails
Availability	Available to all LinkedIn users.	Available only to LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator subscribers.
Cost	Free with LinkedIn account.	Requires a premium subscription; users receive a certain number of credits per month. Calculating the LinkedIn InMail cost per send can help you assess the efficiency of your outreach strategy. Since InMails are included as part of a LinkedIn Premium subscription, there isn't a direct LinkedIn InMail cost per send. However, you can estimate it by dividing the monthly subscription fee by the number of InMail credits you receive. For example, if your subscription costs .99 per month and includes 50 InMail credits, the approximate cost per send is .60. This calculation can help you compare the cost-effectiveness of InMails to other lead generation methods. Keep in mind that the value of an InMail goes beyond just the monetary cost; factors like response rate and the potential for building valuable connections should also be considered. To make the most of your InMail budget, use tools like Scrupp to ensure you're targeting the right prospects with verified contact information.
Credits/Rollover	Not applicable.	Unused credits may roll over to the next month, up to a certain limit.
Response Rate	Varies, generally lower compared to InMails due to the nature of the connection.	Typically higher than regular messages, as they're often more targeted and personalized.
Attachments and Features	Supports attachments, emojis, and GIFs.	Supports attachments and has a professional tone and structure.
Response Credits	Not applicable.	In some subscription plans, if the InMail doesn't get a response within 90 days, the credit is returned.
Personalization	Generally, more informal and casual, as it's used within your existing network.	Requires a more formal and tailored approach to increase the likelihood of a response.

This table provides a clear and concise comparison of LinkedIn Messages and InMails

Is InMail on LinkedIn Better for Cold Outreach?

Cold outreach is the process of cold-calling potential customers to secure leads and close sales. It can be a time-consuming activity that takes great effort in cold calls, but it’s also an effective way for small businesses to generate new business by acquiring more clients or getting referrals. There is no conclusive response to the written above question. InMails and ordinary LinkedIn communications complement each other.

The ability to message connections effectively is a cornerstone of successful networking on LinkedIn. When you message connections, you're engaging with individuals who have already accepted your invitation to connect, indicating a pre-existing level of interest or familiarity. This makes it easier to initiate meaningful conversations, share valuable insights, and build stronger professional relationships. Consider personalizing your messages to each connection, referencing shared interests, past interactions, or their current work. By crafting thoughtful and relevant messages, you can foster deeper engagement and create lasting connections that can benefit your career and business endeavors. Remember, the goal is to build genuine relationships, not just to send generic sales pitches.

In your lead generation campaign, it is advisable to employ both LinkedIn messages and InMails.

Both LinkedIn messages and InMails can be valuable tools to convert leads, but the approach should be tailored to each. For existing connections, personalized messages that address their specific interests or needs can nurture relationships and guide them towards becoming customers. InMails, on the other hand, offer a unique opportunity to reach out to potential leads outside your network. To effectively convert leads using InMails, it's crucial to craft compelling subject lines and messages that highlight the value you can provide. Tools like Scrupp can help you identify and target the right prospects, gather relevant data, and personalize your outreach efforts, ultimately increasing your chances to convert leads into valuable clients.

1. Using InMail on LinkedIn for Lead Generation

The scarcest method of contacting LinkedIn members is through InMails. If you have a Sales Navigator account, you only get 50 per month. As a result, you should utilize them carefully.

You can send:

Understanding the limitations of LinkedIn InMails per month is crucial for effective outreach. The number of InMail credits you receive depends on your LinkedIn Premium subscription. For instance, a Sales Navigator subscription provides 50 InMail credits monthly, while a Recruiter account offers 150. The Premium Business plan comes with 15, and the Premium Career plan only provides 5. These credits dictate how many potential leads you can directly contact outside your network each month. Planning your outreach strategy around these limits ensures you prioritize high-potential prospects and maximize your chances of a successful connection. If you are looking to increase your lead generation efforts, consider using Scrupp to find verified email addresses and enrich your existing data.

• 50 inmails per month

Using these resources in the order of rarity will help you connect with your prospects. Because InMail has the biggest cost, you should utilize it last:

1. Email

2. Requests for LinkedIn connections (and messages)

3. Inmails

As a result, your prospecting campaigns will look somewhat like this. These are known as email-first sequences. If you still want to begin with LinkedIn, you can use linkedin-first sequences. To summarize, you only receive a few inmails per month. Utilize them only as a last resort to contact persons you definitely must meet with.

In the context of LinkedIn outreach and email communication, a key concern for senders is how to know if email was read. While standard email systems often offer read receipts, their reliability can be questionable as they depend on the recipient's email client settings. However, when using tools like Scrupp for email verification and outreach, you gain insights into whether your emails are reaching valid addresses, which indirectly contributes to understanding engagement. Although Scrupp doesn't provide direct read receipts, knowing that your email landed in a valid inbox increases the likelihood of it being read. This is particularly useful in lead generation, where ensuring deliverability is the first step towards a successful connection.

2. Emails vs. LinkedIn InMails

The functionality of a LinkedIn messaging read receipt can be quite useful in understanding the engagement level of your contacts. While not a default feature for all LinkedIn users, some Sales Navigator plans offer this capability. A LinkedIn messaging read receipt indicates whether your message has been viewed by the recipient, giving you insight into whether your communication has been seen. This information can be valuable in determining the best time to follow up or adjust your messaging strategy. However, it's important to remember that not all users have read receipts enabled, so the absence of a receipt doesn't necessarily mean your message hasn't been seen. Use this feature as one data point among many to inform your outreach efforts.

LinkedIn InMails outperform emails in terms of statistics. InMail's open rate has the potential to reach 57.5%, compared to the typical email's 22%.

The same is true for response rates; they increase from 1 to 10% for emails to 10 to 25 percent for InMail messages. But, as I already stated, it is not necessary to resist them.

They are also useful in conjunction with a multidimensional outreach plan (combining cold email and LinkedIn outreach). You may automate your communications when you have professional emails and LinkedIn URLs by using a multichannel outreach solution like LaGrowthMachine.

3. Linkedin Inmails: How to send them automatically

LinkedIn InMail sending can be automated with software such as Linkedin Helper or Expandi. These programs enable you to send InMails on autopilot rather than manually writing each one. If your manual InMails are already operating, this is a significant saving of time.

What Is InMail on LinkedIn Best Practices?

Here are three essential principles to follow when delivering a LinkedIn premium messaging service.

1. Write short InMails

Linkedin data shows that shorter InMails typically have higher reply rates than extended InMails.

Why is this the case?

Due to the fact that reading and responding to your communications requires less effort on the part of your prospect. Nobody enjoys reading messages this length. For someone you don't even know, it would be too much work. The same requirements apply to InMail subject lines. Maintain simplicity.

One or two words suffice. Your prospect should get the impression that this message was sent by a coworker.

2. Make your InMails more personal

We've all heard it a thousand times, but personalization is the most important performance aspect in prospecting programs.

In emails delivered one at a time, rather than in bulk, perform 15% better, according to statistics from LinkedIn. The comparison between template-based InMails and individual InMails is the same.

3. Avoid sending InMails on Friday and Saturday

How to Send an Unlimited Number of InMails on LinkedIn?

On LinkedIn, you can send an infinite number of emails. You must first identify Open Profiles.

Linkedin "Open Profiles" allow users to contact them even if they are not connected to them. You may find them by using Sales Navigator and exporting the leads from your search. Select TRUE as your filter in the Open Profile column.

LinkedIn Message Ads Explained

There are more methods besides LinkedIn InMails to reach your prospect's inbox without initiating a connection request.

Messages Ads are another option (formerly called Sponsored InMail)

Beyond standard InMails, LinkedIn InMail Ads cost is an important factor to consider when planning your marketing budget. Unlike regular InMails included with premium subscriptions, Message Ads operate on a pay-per-send or cost-per-impression (CPM) model. The LinkedIn InMail Ads cost can vary based on factors like audience targeting, industry, and ad relevance. While potentially more expensive than standard InMails, Message Ads offer broader reach and precise targeting capabilities, allowing you to connect with a larger pool of potential leads. Carefully analyze your campaign goals and budget to determine if Message Ads are a worthwhile investment for your lead generation strategy. You can also use tools like Scrupp to enhance your targeting by enriching your existing data and finding verified email addresses.

Message Ads (or Sponsored InMail) are delivered directly to your target audience's LinkedIn Inbox.

On the message, "Sponsored" is mentioned in place of "InMails." To submit a Message Ad, your prospect does not have to be a first-degree connection.

To maximize open rates, message ads will only be sent when your target is a member of LinkedIn.

Using Message Ads for Lead Generation

While this article focuses on LinkedIn messaging, it's worth briefly addressing how to send an email to multiple people, as it's a common practice in outreach and communication. There are a few approaches you can take, each with its own considerations. The most straightforward method is to simply add multiple recipients to the 'To,' 'CC,' or 'BCC' fields of your email. However, for larger groups or when privacy is a concern, using the 'BCC' field is recommended to avoid sharing recipients' email addresses with each other. Alternatively, you can use email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or Sendinblue, which offer features for creating and sending bulk emails with personalized content and tracking capabilities. Understanding how to send an email to multiple people effectively is essential for maintaining professional communication and managing your outreach efforts efficiently.

When you do not receive a response from a prospect, Message Ads can be the ultimate follow-up.

• Emails

• LinkedIn messages on a regular basis

• InMails

Therefore, as a follow-up strategy, you might attempt Message Ads if a prospect doesn't respond to your InMail.

FAQs

1. Distinguishing LinkedIn Messages from InMails: What sets them apart?

LinkedIn Messages serve as conduits for dialogue with your established network, whereas InMails provide a passage to initiate conversations with individuals beyond your immediate circle, generally incurring a premium expense.

2. Is it feasible to dispatch InMails to any LinkedIn member?

You may propel InMails towards the majority of members, barring those who have chosen to decline them. The extent of your capability to send InMails is contingent upon the tier of your subscription plan.

3. Do InMail credits transition into the subsequent month if unused?

Indeed, InMail credits that remain unused do transition to the ensuing month. Nonetheless, there is a ceiling on this accumulation, dictated by the specifics of your subscription plan.

4. Between InMails and regular messages, which is more apt for outreach?

The choice oscillates based on your distinct objectives and requisites. Regular messages are optimal for fostering relationships within your current network, while InMails wield potency in forging new connections or engaging with influencers not within your immediate sphere.

5. How might one amplify the response rate for InMails?

To augment the likelihood of eliciting responses, infuse your InMail with a personal touch, ensure brevity and clarity in conveying your intent. Eschewing the dispatch of InMails over weekends may also enhance response rates.

6. What embodies LinkedIn Message Ads?

Message Ads, erstwhile known as Sponsored InMail, are paid missives dispatched directly into the LinkedIn inboxes of your chosen demographic, irrespective of connection status.

7. Is it possible to mechanize the sending of InMails?

Indeed, with tools such as LinkedIn Helper or Expandi, one can automate the dispatch of InMails. However, it's imperative to tailor and target your messages for efficacy.

8. What transpires if an InMail remains unanswered?

Should your InMail linger without a response for 90 days, LinkedIn will re-credit the InMail to your account.

9. What is the quota of InMails permissible each month?

The quota of InMails you may send monthly is variable and hinges on the particulars of your LinkedIn subscription plan. Consult your account for precise details.

10. Are there established best practices for crafting efficacious InMails?

For InMails that resonate, keep them succinct and personalized, underscore the value within your message, and opt for an engaging subject line. Timing your outreach judiciously can also enhance open rates.

A common concern among LinkedIn users is, are messages in LinkedIn private? The answer is generally yes, but with some nuances. Messages sent directly between you and your connections are private in the sense that they are only visible to the sender and recipient(s). However, it's important to remember that LinkedIn, like any online platform, has its own terms of service and privacy policies. While LinkedIn takes measures to protect user data, complete privacy cannot be guaranteed. Users should also be mindful of the information they share in messages and avoid including sensitive personal or financial details. So, while messages in LinkedIn are intended to be private, exercising caution and awareness is always recommended.

When engaging in email marketing or sending out group communications, understanding email privacy is crucial. A common question is, can recipients see BCC? The answer is no. The BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) field ensures that recipients listed in this field are not visible to other recipients. This is in contrast to the 'To' and 'CC' fields, where all email addresses are visible to everyone. Using BCC is a great way to protect the privacy of your contacts and prevent email address harvesting. This is especially relevant when sending emails to a large number of people who may not know each other, ensuring their email addresses remain confidential.

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