Summary

• LinkedIn InMails achieve an 18-25% response rate—significantly higher than cold email—but only when used correctly.

• To boost replies, keep messages under 400 characters, personalize them by referencing the recipient's profile, and send them between Tuesday and Thursday.

• The most common mistake is sending generic, copy-pasted messages that focus on your needs instead of offering clear value to the recipient.

• As your response rates improve, manage follow-ups efficiently with a tool like Kondo, which uses labels and reminders to ensure no opportunity gets lost in your inbox.

You've invested in LinkedIn Premium, armed yourself with InMail credits, and crafted what you believe is the perfect message to a potential client, recruit, or connection. Yet days pass, and your inbox remains eerily silent. If you're struggling to get replies, you're not alone.

Many professionals invest in premium plans only to see their messages ignored, leading to wasted time, money, and valuable opportunities. When every credit costs you, a low response rate feels like you're just throwing your budget away.

But what if the problem isn't the tool, but the strategy? What if you could turn those silent rejections into active conversations?

This comprehensive guide will demystify LinkedIn InMail credits, explaining what they are, how they work, and most importantly, how to leverage them effectively to boost your response rates and maximize your return on investment.

Whether you're a recruiter, sales professional, or job seeker, mastering the art of InMail communication can transform your networking experience and professional outcomes.

What Are LinkedIn InMail Credits?

InMail credits are a premium LinkedIn feature that allows you to directly message users who aren't your 1st-degree connections. Think of them as your access pass to LinkedIn's vast professional network beyond your immediate circle.

How InMail Credits Work

Each InMail you send costs one credit from your monthly allocation. However, LinkedIn has implemented an interesting incentive system:

• Credit Refund Policy: If a recipient responds to your InMail within 90 days, LinkedIn refunds that credit to your account.

• Response Window: The 90-day window encourages meaningful exchanges rather than one-sided outreach.

• Carry-Over Limits: Unused credits roll over to the next month, but there's a cap on how many can accumulate (varies by subscription level).

Free InMails vs. Paid InMails

Not all direct messages on LinkedIn require credits:

• Free Messages: You can freely message your 1st-degree connections without using InMail credits.

• Open Profile Messages: Users with "open profiles" (indicated by a gold icon) can receive messages without the sender using credits.

• Group Member Messages: Members of the same LinkedIn group can message each other directly without using credits (though LinkedIn has limited this feature in recent updates).

LinkedIn Premium Plans: InMail Credits & Pricing

The number of InMail credits you receive depends on your LinkedIn subscription level:

As one user points out about the limitations: "I can only send 30 a month I think. How do I still get more InMails?" This is a common constraint that forces users to be strategic about their outreach.

Buying Additional Credits

If you exhaust your monthly allocation, LinkedIn offers the option to purchase additional InMail credits at approximately $10 each. However, this can quickly become expensive, leading many users to question the return on investment.

"If I could send more, I wouldn't mind paying for it after the trial version ends," notes one user, highlighting the value proposition challenge that LinkedIn faces with its pricing model.

The True Value of LinkedIn InMails

Despite the frustrations, LinkedIn InMails offer distinct advantages over traditional cold outreach methods:

• Higher Response Rates: InMails typically achieve response rates of 18-25%, significantly higher than the average 3% for cold emails.

• Direct Access: They provide a direct line to professionals who might otherwise be inaccessible.

• Enhanced Targeting: LinkedIn's robust profile data enables highly targeted outreach.

• Performance Metrics: InMails offer detailed analytics on open and response rates.

According to research, InMails are approximately 2.6 times more effective than cold emails when used correctly. The key phrase here is "when used correctly" - which leads us to best practices.

Best Practices for Crafting Effective InMails

Successful InMail campaigns aren't about volume—they're about strategy. Following these proven practices can dramatically improve your response rates and ROI.

Keep It Concise

Research shows that InMails under 400 characters receive 22% higher response rates than longer messages. In an era of information overload, brevity is not just appreciated—it's rewarded.

Personalize Your Message

"This is just desperate. At least learn to write a better message to earn it back," criticizes one LinkedIn user about generic outreach attempts. Generic templates are easily spotted and quickly dismissed.

Effective personalization includes:

• Researching the recipient's profile thoroughly before reaching out

• Referencing specific achievements or content they've shared

• Mentioning mutual connections or shared professional interests

• Acknowledging their expertise in a specific area

Craft an Attention-Grabbing Subject Line

Your subject line determines whether your InMail gets opened or ignored. Consider these strategies:

• Use the recipient's name for an instant personal connection

• Keep it under 5 words for maximum impact

• Try one-word subjects to spark curiosity

• Reference mutual connections (e.g., "Sarah Jones suggested we connect")

• Ask a thought-provoking question related to their expertise

Use the RABT Template for Message Structure

Struggling with message structure? The RABT template provides a proven framework:

• Reason for outreach (why you're contacting them specifically)

• Ask a relevant question (to encourage engagement)

• Back up with data or credibility (why they should respond)

• Tease a solution or benefit (what's in it for them)

Optimize Send Times

Timing can significantly impact your response rates:

• Best days: Tuesday through Thursday. Messages sent on these days are 13% more likely to be opened than on weekends.

• Best times: Early morning (7-8 AM) or after working hours (5-6 PM)

• Avoid: Weekends and Monday mornings when inboxes are typically full

Common InMail Mistakes to Avoid

Even with a limited number of InMail credits, many users still struggle to generate responses. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

Generic Copy-and-Paste Messages

"InMails are looked at and treated like spam," warns one user. When recipients can tell you've sent the same message to dozens of others, your credibility instantly diminishes.

Making It All About You

Messages that focus solely on what you want without offering value to the recipient are unlikely to receive responses.

Including Too Many Asks

Overwhelming recipients with multiple requests or questions reduces the likelihood of any response. Focus on a single, clear call to action.

Neglecting Profile Optimization

Your own LinkedIn profile serves as your digital business card. In fact, research shows that 82% of buyers check the seller's profile before replying to a message. When recipients receive your InMail, they'll likely view your profile before deciding whether to respond.

"First it's helpful to know how recruiters use LinkedIn. Recruiters have a tool where they can search for candidates based on skills, location, company, titles, university, years of experience etc.," explains one LinkedIn user about the importance of profile optimization.

Alternatives to Using InMail Credits

If you're looking to conserve your InMail credits or find more cost-effective outreach methods, consider these alternatives.

Build Your Network Strategically

"Make sure to build your network so you don't have to use InMails," recommends one LinkedIn user. By connecting with professionals in your target audience, you can message them directly without using credits.

Engage with Content Before Reaching Out

Comment meaningfully on a prospect's posts or articles before sending a connection request. This warms up the relationship and increases the likelihood of acceptance.

Focus on Open Profiles

Users with open profiles (indicated by the gold icon) can receive messages without the sender using InMail credits. Prioritizing these users can help preserve your credits for other connections.

Managing Your LinkedIn Inbox Efficiently with Kondo

As your outreach efforts expand and your response rates improve, managing your LinkedIn inbox becomes increasingly important. The native LinkedIn messaging interface can make it challenging to keep track of important conversations, especially when mixing InMail outreach with regular networking messages.

This is where Kondo can make a significant difference. Kondo transforms the cluttered LinkedIn inbox into an organized communication hub, helping you manage your outreach and responses more efficiently.

If you're managing multiple InMail conversations alongside regular LinkedIn messages, features like Kondo's Labels & Split Inboxes allow you to categorize conversations (e.g., "Hot Lead," "Candidate," "Client"), ensuring important messages don't get lost. The Reminders feature is particularly useful for following up with InMail recipients who connect with you but don't respond immediately.

Transform Your InMail Strategy into Real Conversations

Improving your InMail technique is the first step. The next is managing the conversations that follow. As your response rates climb, your inbox can quickly become chaotic, making it easy to lose track of promising leads and important follow-ups.

That's where Kondo comes in. Instead of letting opportunities slip through the cracks, use Kondo to organize your LinkedIn inbox with labels, set follow-up reminders, and streamline your workflow. You'll save time, stay organized, and ensure every valuable connection gets the attention it deserves.

Ready to see the difference? Purchase a Kondo plan today and transform your LinkedIn outreach. If you're not completely satisfied, we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are LinkedIn InMail credits and how do they work?

LinkedIn InMail credits are a premium feature allowing you to directly message LinkedIn users who are not your 1st-degree connections. Each InMail sent uses one credit, but if the recipient responds within 90 days, LinkedIn refunds that credit. Unused credits can roll over to the next month, but there's a cap on accumulation, varying by subscription level.

How many InMail credits do I get with my LinkedIn plan?

The number of InMail credits you receive depends on your LinkedIn Premium subscription. For example, Premium Career offers 5 monthly credits, while Sales Navigator Core provides 50. Unused credits can roll over each month up to a specific limit, which also varies by plan.

Why aren't my LinkedIn InMails getting replies?

Low InMail response rates often stem from how the messages are crafted and targeted, rather than a flaw in the InMail feature itself. Common reasons include sending generic messages, making the InMail all about your needs without offering value, including too many requests, or having an unoptimized LinkedIn profile.

How can I write LinkedIn InMails that get more responses?

To significantly increase your InMail response rates, focus on personalization, brevity, and providing clear value to the recipient. Best practices include researching the recipient's profile thoroughly, crafting a concise message (under 400 characters), writing an attention-grabbing subject line, and using a clear message structure like the RABT template.

Can I send messages on LinkedIn without using InMail credits?

Yes, you can message on LinkedIn without using credits in several ways. You can freely message your 1st-degree connections, send messages to fellow members of a LinkedIn group, or contact users who have an "Open Profile," which allows anyone on LinkedIn to message them for free.

Is it possible to buy more InMail credits?

Yes, if you run out of your monthly allotment, you can purchase additional InMail credits from LinkedIn. However, they are sold individually at a high cost (around $10 each), which can quickly become expensive. This makes a strategic approach to using your initial credits even more important.

Are LinkedIn InMail credits ultimately worth the investment?

Yes, LinkedIn InMail credits can be worth the investment when used strategically and effectively, particularly for roles in sales, recruiting, or business development. Their value is demonstrated by typically higher response rates (18-25%) compared to cold emails (around 3%). To maximize ROI, implement personalization, concise messaging, and targeted outreach.