LinkedIn InMail
LinkedIn InMail is a LinkedIn message type that lets a member send a direct message to another member they are not connected with, using credits included in premium plans such as Sales Navigator.
Also called: InMail, InMail message
Why it matters
Normally a member can message only their first-degree connections. InMail removes that limit, so a seller can reach a prospect without waiting for a connection request to be accepted. Each InMail uses a credit, and the number of credits depends on the plan. Premium members who turn on Open Profile can receive messages from people outside their network without the sender spending a credit.
InMail is different from a connection request note, which is free but short and needs the prospect to accept before a conversation starts, and from Sponsored Messaging, an ad format run through LinkedIn's campaign tools. Because credits are limited, sellers usually save InMail for high value prospects and write it like a short, specific email with a clear reason for reaching out.
Example
An account executive wants to reach the finance director of a target account who has not accepted her connection request. She uses Sales Navigator to send an InMail that mentions the company's recent expansion into Germany and asks one question about how the team handles multi-currency reporting. The message uses one credit, and any reply arrives in her LinkedIn inbox like a normal message.
Questions people ask
Is it better to send an InMail or connection request?
In our own campaigns, a connection request followed by a message did better: messages sent after acceptance drew a 20.84% reply rate, against 3.05% for InMail. We use InMail for people who do not accept a connection request.
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