Are you wondering if LinkedIn InMail is free? The answer is both yes and no.
LinkedIn InMail is a messaging feature that allows you to send direct messages to other LinkedIn members who are not in your network. InMail is available to LinkedIn users with a premium subscription, but there are also a limited number of free InMail credits available to all users.
If you have a basic LinkedIn account, you do not have access to InMail. However, LinkedIn offers a free trial of their premium subscription, which includes access to InMail.
During the trial period, you can send a limited number of InMail messages to other LinkedIn members who are not in your network. Once the trial period ends, you will need to upgrade to a premium subscription to continue using InMail.
Alternatively, LinkedIn occasionally offers free InMail credits to all users. These credits can be used to send InMail messages to other LinkedIn members who are not in your network.
However, these credits are limited and are only available for a short period of time. So, while InMail is not completely free, there are opportunities for both premium and basic LinkedIn users to access this messaging feature.
Overview of LinkedIn InMail
![An open laptop displaying LinkedIn InMail interface with a "Free" label highlighted](https://bigfluencermarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-2.jpeg)
What Is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is a messaging feature that allows you to send direct messages to LinkedIn members who are not in your network. InMail can be used to reach out to potential clients, customers, or job candidates, and can be a valuable tool for building professional relationships.
InMail messages can be personalized and can include attachments such as resumes, portfolios, or other relevant documents.
You can also track your InMail messages to see if they have been read, and receive notifications when a recipient responds.
LinkedIn’s Messaging System
InMail is just one part of LinkedIn’s messaging system, which also includes regular messages and group messages.
Regular messages can be sent to anyone in your network, while group messages can be sent to multiple members of a LinkedIn group.
LinkedIn’s messaging system also includes features such as message filters, which allow you to sort and prioritize your messages, and message requests, which allow you to accept or decline messages from people who are not in your network.
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LinkedIn InMail Pricing
If you’re wondering whether LinkedIn InMail is free or not, the answer is no. InMail is a premium feature that requires a subscription to a LinkedIn premium account. However, there are some account considerations to keep in mind when it comes to InMail pricing.
Basic Account Considerations
If you have a basic LinkedIn account, you do not have access to InMail. Instead, you can only send messages to your 1st-degree connections. If you want to reach out to someone outside of your network, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium account.
Premium Account Benefits
LinkedIn offers several different premium account options, each with different features and pricing. InMail is included in all premium accounts, but the number of InMail credits you receive each month depends on your subscription level.
Here’s a breakdown of the different LinkedIn premium account options and their corresponding InMail credits:
Premium Account | InMail Credits |
Career | 3 |
Business | 15 |
Sales | 20 |
Hiring | 30 |
If you need to send more InMail messages than your subscription allows, you can purchase additional credits for an additional fee.
Free InMail Opportunities
If you are wondering whether LinkedIn InMail is free, the answer is no. However, there are some free InMail opportunities available to users.
InMail Credits for Premium Users
LinkedIn Premium subscribers receive a certain number of InMail credits each month, depending on their subscription level.
These credits can be used to send InMails to people outside of their network without any additional cost. The number of credits varies based on the subscription level, but typically ranges from 3 to 20 per month.
Promotional Offers and Trials
LinkedIn occasionally offers promotional trials of their Premium subscriptions, which may include free InMail credits. These trials are usually for a limited time and are only available to new users.
Additionally, LinkedIn may offer special promotions to existing Premium subscribers, such as bonus InMail credits for renewing their subscription.
While these opportunities may provide some free InMail credits, they are not a substitute for a paid subscription if you need to send a large number of InMails. However, they can be a useful way to test out the InMail feature or to send a few targeted messages without incurring additional costs.
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Strategies for Using InMail Effectively
Crafting Compelling Messages
Crafting a compelling message is key to getting a response from your InMail. Here are some tips to help you write a message that stands out:
- Personalize your message: Address the recipient by their name and mention something specific about their profile or background that caught your attention.
- Keep it concise: InMails are limited to 2,000 characters, so make every word count. Get straight to the point and avoid rambling.
- Highlight your value proposition: Explain why the recipient should be interested in what you have to offer. What problem can you solve for them?
- Include a clear call-to-action: Be specific about what you want the recipient to do next. Whether it’s scheduling a call or responding to a question, make it easy for them to take the next step.
Best Practices for Response Rates
Getting a response to your InMail can be challenging, but there are some best practices that can increase your chances:
- Timing is everything: Send your InMail during regular business hours and avoid weekends and holidays.
- Avoid spammy language: Don’t use buzzwords or overly promotional language that might trigger spam filters.
- Follow up strategically: If you don’t get a response, wait a few days and send a polite follow-up message. Don’t be pushy or aggressive.
- Test and refine your approach: Keep track of your response rates and experiment with different messaging and targeting strategies to see what works best for you.
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Alternatives to InMail
If you don’t want to pay for InMail, there are other options available on LinkedIn that can help you connect with other professionals.
Network Connections
One of the most obvious alternatives to InMail is to simply connect with the person you want to contact. If you share a group or have a mutual connection, you can send a message directly to their inbox without using InMail.
You can also send a connection request with a personalized message explaining why you want to connect.
Open Profile Messaging
Another alternative is to use Open Profile Messaging, which is available to all LinkedIn members. This feature allows you to send a message to any LinkedIn member, even if you’re not connected.
However, there are some limitations. You can only send one message per week, and the recipient can choose whether or not to respond.
Limitations and Restrictions
InMail Message Limits
LinkedIn InMail provides a certain number of free messages per month, but there are limitations to the number of messages you can send.
For example, the number of InMail messages you can send depends on the type of LinkedIn account you have. LinkedIn offers different types of accounts, including free and premium accounts. Free accounts have a limited number of InMail messages, while premium accounts have more InMail messages.
Furthermore, LinkedIn has a limit on the number of InMail messages you can send to people who are not connected to you.
This limit is set to prevent spamming and misuse of the InMail feature.
User Privacy Settings
LinkedIn offers users the ability to control their privacy settings, which can limit the number of InMail messages they receive.
Users can choose to receive InMail messages only from their connections or from people who share the same groups.
This means that if you are not connected to a user and you are not in the same group, you may not be able to send them an InMail message.
Additionally, some users may have their InMail settings set to “do not accept InMail messages.”
This means that they will not receive any InMail messages, regardless of whether they are connected to you or not.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common InMail Queries
If you are new to LinkedIn InMail, you may have some questions about how it works and what it costs. Here are some common queries:
- Is LinkedIn InMail free? No, LinkedIn InMail is not free. It requires a premium subscription, such as LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator, to access.
- How much does LinkedIn InMail cost? The cost of LinkedIn InMail varies depending on the subscription plan you choose. The basic LinkedIn Premium plan starts at $29.99 per month, while the Sales Navigator plan starts at $64.99 per month.
- How many InMail messages can I send? The number of InMail messages you can send depends on your subscription plan. The basic LinkedIn Premium plan allows you to send up to 15 InMail messages per month, while the Sales Navigator plan allows you to send up to 20 InMail messages per month.
Troubleshooting InMail Issues
If you are experiencing issues with LinkedIn InMail, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check your InMail quota: If you are unable to send an InMail message, it may be because you have reached your monthly quota. Check your subscription plan to see how many InMail messages you can send per month.
- Ensure your message is not spam: LinkedIn has strict guidelines on what constitutes spam. If your message is flagged as spam, it may not be delivered. Make sure your message is personalized and relevant to the recipient.
- Check your network settings: If you are having trouble sending InMail messages to specific users, it may be because of your network settings. Make sure you are connected to the user and that your settings allow you to send InMail messages.