Ever scrolled through your LinkedIn inbox and spotted an InMail message that piqued your curiosity?
For professionals globally, LinkedIn InMail has become more than just another feature; it’s a tool of influence, an avenue of opportunity, and the answer to breaking barriers.
Picture this:
You stumble upon a top decision-maker’s LinkedIn profile, someone who could propel your business forward. You’re not connected, and the usual routes are shut. What now? The desperation of wanting to send direct messages but being halted by platform constraints can be agonizing.
Enter LinkedIn InMail.
A premium feature, offering a direct line to any LinkedIn member – whether you’re connected or not. And while many are singing praises about its potential, others are befuddled by LinkedIn InMail costsand how it truly works.
Sponsored InMail, Sales Navigator, free InMail credits – What does it all mean? Is it cost-effective, or just another drain on your business expenses?
Hang tight. This article will demystify the LinkedIn InMail cost, dive deep into its functionality and associated costs, and reveal how you can use it to your advantage.
Let’s make every message count.
The Significance of LinkedIn InMail
It’s not just about sending direct messages; it’s about capturing attention. A stellar subject line ensures your LinkedIn InMail doesn’t just linger in a LinkedIn inbox but gets opened, read, and engaged with.
Personalization isn’t just a buzzword; it’s an art.
In a sea of templated LinkedIn messages, a bespoke InMail stands out.
Tailoring your message to resonate with your recipient transforms it from a cold outreach to a warm engagement. When you reference a recipient’s job title or recent achievement, you’re no longer just another stranger in their inbox.
But with great power comes great responsibility.
Best practices dictate clear intent, genuine interest, and a sprinkle of flattery. Whether you’re seeking job opportunities or expanding your network, the trick lies in making the recipient feel valued, not targeted.
Stats That Back This Up
Diversity within LinkedIn InMails is evident, with messages varying in their effectiveness.
Did you know that InMails get an average of 18-25% of responses?
Compare that to a 3% response rate for random emails/calls, and you’ll be impressed. Indeed, people are much more willing to respond to LinkedIn messages than to traditional calls or emails.
Extensive analysis of millions of LinkedIn messages has revealed intriguing findings. Personalized messages, as opposed to generic mass messages, saw a 15% increase in response rates.
The key takeaway?
Personalization isn’t merely a suggestion; it’s absolutely crucial.
Regarding the long-debated issue of message length, messages under 400 characters excelled, boasting a 22% higher open rate. This underscores two critical aspects of InMail – the indisputable impact of a personal touch and the ideal message length for fostering engagement.
Timing is everything with sales emails, and so is LinkedIn. When researching your contacts, determine if now is the right time to contact them by identifying relevant social actors.
Monday is the best day of the week to send InMails. InMails sent from Sunday to Thursday represent about 1% of the global average.
The worst day to send InMail was Saturday, which received 8 fewer responses than average. The average Friday response rate is as low as 4, so you might consider scheduling your InMails Monday through Thursday.
Before you send your next or first InMail, bear in mind these statistics!
What is LinkedIn InMail?
Connecting with a specific professional can sometimes feel like a maze.
That’s where LinkedIn InMail comes into play.
It’s a standout LinkedIn feature that allows users to send direct messages to any LinkedIn member, even if they’re not connected.
No more waiting for a connection request to be accepted, and no more barriers between you and a potential lead, mentor, or employer. This feature bridges the gap between a casual LinkedIn user and potential decision-makers, making it one of the most valued features for networkers, job seekers, and professionals.
The Cost Aspect: Understanding LinkedIn InMail Cost
While the allure of InMail is unmistakable, it’s essential to understand the cost aspect that accompanies this premium feature.
Typically, users with a basic LinkedIn account do not have access to free InMails. However, subscribing to a LinkedIn Premium or Sales Navigator account grants you a specific number of InMail credits every month.
The pricing tiers vary based on the plan you choose:
- LinkedIn Premium Career: Designed for job seekers.
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Tailored for sales professionals seeking leads.
- LinkedIn Recruiter: Crafted for HR professionals hunting talent.
Each plan offers a distinct number of InMail credits, with the option to purchase InMail credits if you exhaust your monthly limit.
Comparing Costs: InMail LinkedIn Cost Variations
The cost variations arise primarily from the chosen subscription plan.
For instance, a Sales Navigator plan might receive more InMail credits than a basic Premium Career plan. Additionally, the geographical region and occasional promotions or offers from LinkedIn can lead to price differences.
The pricing for LinkedIn’s InMail credits is structured as follows:
- For the premium career plan, you pay $29.99 per month and receive 5 InMail credits.
- The premium business plan costs $47.99 per month and includes 15 credits.
- The Sales Navigator Core plan is priced at $79.99 per month, offering 50 credits.
- The Sales Navigator Advanced plan, at $125 per month, also provides 50 credits.
It’s worth noting that LinkedIn offers a credit refund for every response received, whether positive or negative, within 90 days of sending. Should you require additional InMail credits, you have the option to purchase them from LinkedIn’s service team.
The cost of an extra InMail credit varies depending on your account type but is approximately $1.60 each for Sales Navigator Core.
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Hidden Costs and Factors Affecting Pricing
While the upfront LinkedIn InMail cost is transparent, users should be wary of potential hidden charges.
As we hinted, if you exceed your monthly InMail credits and don’t have a sufficient balance, you may incur extra costs. Moreover, prices can change based on regional taxes, exchange rates, or when transitioning between LinkedIn subscription plans.
How to not get eaten up by LinkedIn InMail costs?
Always review the terms before upgrading or purchasing additional credits.
Benefits of Using LinkedIn InMail
For professionals globally, LinkedIn has transformed from being just another social media platform to a pivotal tool for networking, sales, and recruitment.
But beyond its standard features, there’s one standout element that many invest in – LinkedIn InMail. Here’s why:
Direct Access to Any LinkedIn Member
InMail allows you to send direct messages to any LinkedIn user, breaking the typical barriers.
No more waiting for a connection request to get accepted. Whether it’s a senior decision-maker in a global enterprise or a recruiter from your dream company, InMail ensures your message gets delivered straight to the recipient’s inbox.
Enhanced Personalization
With InMail, you can craft bespoke messages tailored to the recipient.
This personal touch increases the chances of your message being read and responded to.
For instance, message ads or sponsored InMail campaigns allow businesses to reach their target audience with precision, making every interaction count.
Avoiding the Spam Tag
Traditional cold emails can sometimes land in spam folders, but LinkedIn InMails have a higher probability of being seen and opened. After all, this is a premium feature that carries a certain credibility, ensuring your outreach doesn’t get tagged as spam.
Detailed Insights and Analytics
With tools like the Sales Navigator, users can get detailed analytics on their sent InMails. This includes open rates, response rates, and more. Such insights can be invaluable for refining your outreach strategy, allowing for more effective and engaging follow-ups.
Effective Lead Generation
For sales professionals, LinkedIn InMail can be a goldmine.
Crafting the perfect message, combined with the credibility of the platform, often results in higher response rates. It’s a cost-effective method for reaching out to potential leads, prospects, and clients.
Increased Visibility and Engagement
Sending InMails, especially with a captivating subject line, can increase your profile’s visibility.
When members check your message, they’re likely also to view your LinkedIn profile, enhancing the chances of further engagement.
Broadened Networking Horizons
LinkedIn InMail is not just for sales. Whether you’re looking to join LinkedIn groups, interact with potential mentors, or simply expand your network, InMail can be the key to opening numerous doors.
How Many InMails Can You Send on LinkedIn?
For many LinkedIn members, InMail is a potent tool to bypass the barriers of direct messaging.
But like every resource, there are limits that can’t be avoided. The number of InMails you can send depends largely on your LinkedIn subscription plan.
Premium Account Benefits
For those with a LinkedIn Premium subscription, the question, “How many InMails can I send on LinkedIn?” has a more satisfying answer.
Premium users receive a specific number of free InMail credits every month, contingent on their subscription type:
- LinkedIn Premium Career: Ideal for job seekers, this tier typically offers a few InMail credits per month, facilitating direct communication with hiring managers or recruiters.
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator: Tailored for sales professionals, this package significantly ups the InMail limit, allowing users to effectively reach potential leads and decision-makers.
- LinkedIn Premium Business: Designed for business professionals wanting to expand their network, this package offers a moderate number of InMail credits, bridging the gap between job seekers and sales professionals.
- LinkedIn Recruiter: This is a specialized package for talent acquisition teams with the highest number of InMail credits, enabling recruiters to reach out to a vast pool of potential candidates.
Credits unused in a billing cycle roll over to the next month, but they have a cap. If you use up your monthly InMail allowance, additional credits can be purchased.
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Effective Strategies to Maximize LinkedIn InMail
LinkedIn InMail can be a game-changer, allowing you to directly message any member on the platform, regardless of your connection status. But just because you can reach out doesn’t guarantee success. The value of your InMail credits hinges on your strategy.
Here’s how you can ensure that every InMail you send not only gets read but also delivers results.
- Craft a Captivating Subject Line: Just like cold emails, your InMail’s subject line is the first thing a recipient sees. Make it specific, personal, and attention-grabbing.
- Personalize Your Message: Generic messages rarely get a response. Tailor your InMail based on the LinkedIn user’s profile, noting any shared connections, interests, or experiences.
- Stay Professional Yet Approachable: This isn’t the place for slang or overly casual language. Keep it professional, but inject personality to avoid sounding robotic.
- Add Value Upfront: Whether you’re offering a potential business partnership, job opportunity, or a useful resource, ensure your InMail messages provide clear value to the recipient.
- Keep It Concise: While it’s essential to be thorough, long-winded InMails might go unread. Aim for a balance – be concise but ensure all necessary details are included.
- Engage, Don’t Spam: Sending InMails in bulk might seem efficient, but it’s not effective. Quality trumps quantity. Take the time to understand your target audience, ensuring each message is relevant to its recipient.
- Leverage LinkedIn Premium Features: Premium users have access to additional features like ‘Who’s Viewed Your Profile’ and ‘Open Profile’, which can be utilized to craft more targeted InMails.
- Follow Up, But Don’t Pester: If you haven’t received a response, it’s a good practice to send a follow-up. However, limit yourself to one or two follow-ups to avoid coming off as intrusive.
- Stay Updated: LinkedIn regularly updates its platform and features. Ensure you’re aware of any changes, especially those related to InMail credits and messaging, to maximize your efforts.
- Evaluate and Adjust: After you’ve sent a significant number of InMails, review your response rates. Analyze which subject lines, message lengths, and outreach strategies worked best. Refine your approach based on this feedback.
Conclusion
In the vast digital realm of networking, LinkedIn InMail emerges as a pivotal tool, bridging the gap between professionals and prospective opportunities.
It’s more than just a messaging feature; it’s a portal to boundless connections, potential collaborations, and lucrative deals. Grasping the nuances of LinkedIn InMail costs is fundamental.
As we’ve navigated through this comprehensive guide, from the very mechanics of InMail to the art of crafting compelling messages, one point remains paramount:
LinkedIn InMail, when leveraged correctly, can be a transformative asset. However, just like any other tool, its efficacy lies in its application.
So, before you embark on your next LinkedIn campaign or networking endeavor, reflect on the insights shared, and consider relying on AimFox while you’re at it. Our tool will help you automatically view, connect, and follow up with targeted LinkedIn users.
Remember, every InMail sent is an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and convert.
Will you seize it?
