LinkedIn has long been the go-to platform for professional networking, but few people fully understand the power of LinkedIn InMail. If you’ve ever wondered what is InMail on LinkedIn or what is LinkedIn InMail, this guide will give you a clear picture of why it’s worth exploring.
What is LinkedIn InMail?
LinkedIn InMail is a premium messaging feature that allows you to contact people who are not in your immediate network. Unlike regular messages, which are limited to your 1st-degree connections, InMail lets you reach out to second or third-degree connections without sending a connection request first. This makes it an essential tool for anyone looking to connect with potential clients, partners, or employers. It’s more effective than traditional emails.
How LinkedIn InMail works
The key advantage of LinkedIn InMail is its ability to bypass the usual barriers in networking. You can send messages directly to people who are three levels away from you without waiting for them to accept your connection request. In addition, LinkedIn InMail is more likely to get a response than emails or phone calls. This makes it an ideal choice for professionals aiming to maximize outreach efficiency. LinkedIn also provides insights on InMail performance, so you can refine your messaging approach based on real data.
Types of LinkedIn InMail
LinkedIn offers three main types of InMail, each catering to different needs and subscription plans.
Free InMails
Free InMails are available to users with Premium accounts. They allow you to contact anyone on LinkedIn without paying extra, making it easy to reach out to potential clients, partners, or employers.
Paid InMails
Paid InMails are part of the Sales Navigator and Recruiter Lite plans. These messages come with additional features for more personalized outreach. Paid InMails are especially useful for targeting prospects or candidates outside your network. However, it’s important to consider the LinkedIn InMail cost and use your credits wisely.
Sponsored InMails
Sponsored InMails are designed for LinkedIn advertising campaigns. They let you send messages directly to individuals who fit your ideal customer profile. Since messaging ads are prohibited in Sales Navigator and Recruiter inboxes, Sponsored InMails stand out without being mixed with other promotional content.
The purpose of LinkedIn InMail
The primary goal of LinkedIn InMail is to facilitate meaningful connections on the platform. Whether you’re trying to reach your ideal customer profile, find passive job candidates, or get a faster response from a potential employer, InMail is a powerful tool. With InMail, you can also access the Additional Info section on a member’s profile. This feature provides insights into the types of messages they prefer to receive, enabling you to craft more personalized and effective outreach.
Benefits of LinkedIn InMail
Using LinkedIn InMail has several advantages over other forms of professional communication:
- Broader reach: You can contact any LinkedIn member, regardless of whether they have a Premium account. This opens access to a larger pool of potential clients, partners, or candidates.
- Efficient communication: Features like the slide-in profile help you quickly reference relevant experience, while LinkedIn Scheduler allows you to share your availability to simplify interviews.
- Time-saving tools: Short, pre-populated responses can be edited and sent quickly, making it easier to manage multiple conversations without sacrificing personalization.
- Incentives for engagement: You earn InMail credits for each response received within 90 days, which encourages continued interaction and helps maximize your outreach efforts.
LinkedIn InMail vs Connection request and regular messages
Regular LinkedIn messages only work with 1st-degree connections, limiting your outreach. A connection request may or may not be accepted, which can delay or block communication. In contrast, InMail allows you to send a direct message without waiting for approval, increasing your chances of engagement. The statistics speak for themselves: InMail messages are far more likely to get responses than emails or standard LinkedIn messages. This makes them an indispensable part of any networking or recruitment strategy.
