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

Article updated: 31.12.2023 Author:Igor V.

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.

What Is InMail on LinkedIn distinguish a message from?

InMails enables you to contact another LinkedIn member without previously initiating a connection request as Scrupp. 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.

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:

• 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.
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

What 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.

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

1. What Is 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: 

• 200 emails every day 

• 100 LinkedIn connection requests per week

• 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.

2. Emails vs. LinkedIn InMails

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.

Don't automate InMails, though, if you don't receive responses to your manual Inmails! Developing faulty processes will only provide terrible results. 

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

Data from Linkedin shows that emails sent on Friday and Saturday receive a reduced response rate. When initiating your Inmails campaigns, try to send them earlier in the week.

How to Send an Unlimited Number of What Is InMail 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.

What Is InMail on LinkedIn Messages Ads

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)

What is the definition of LinkedIn Message Ads?

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.

How Can You Use Inmail Message Ads to Generate Leads?

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? What Is InMail on LinkedIn?

• 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? What Is InMail on LinkedIn?

• 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? What Is InMail on LinkedIn?

• 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.

In today's competitive business landscape, access to reliable data is non-negotiable. With Scrupp, you can take your prospecting and email campaigns to the next level. Experience the power of Scrupp for yourself and see why it's the preferred choice for businesses around the world. Unlock the potential of your data – try Scrupp today!