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. Sound familiar?

"What's the point of LinkedIn Premium if no one will reply to your InMails?!" laments one frustrated user on Reddit, echoing a sentiment shared by many professionals who question the value of their subscription when faced with low response rates.

LinkedIn InMail credits are often misunderstood and frequently misused, leading to wasted opportunities and financial resources. With premium plans costing upwards of $100 monthly for a limited number of credits, it's no wonder users feel that "paying like 100 euro a month for 30 InMails is just ridiculous" when they don't see results.

But what if the problem isn't the tool itself, but how it's being used?

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).

Monthly InMail Credit Allocations by Subscription Type

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

As one Reddit 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

1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. Optimize Send Times

Timing can significantly impact your response rates:

• Best days: Tuesday through Thursday

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

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

6. 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.

7. Follow Up Strategically

Since LinkedIn doesn't allow sending another InMail to the same person until they respond, consider these alternative follow-up strategies:

• Connection request with a personalized note

• Engage with their content first (comment on posts, articles)

• Email follow-up if their contact information is available

• Leverage mutual connections for an introduction

Common InMail Mistakes to Avoid

1. Generic Copy-and-Paste Messages

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

2. Making It All About You

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

3. 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.

4. Neglecting Profile Optimization

Your own LinkedIn profile serves as your digital business card. 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.

Ensure your profile:

• Has a professional photo

• Features a compelling headline

• Includes a comprehensive summary

• Lists relevant skills and experiences

• Contains appropriate keywords for your industry

"Keywords. LinkedIn algo searches for keywords on your profile as much as it does titles and explicit skills," advises another user. "Find the jobs you want, circle keywords in the job description, and make sure those keywords are on your profile. This will help you turn up in search results."

5. Disregarding the Recipient's Time

Remember that InMails are intrusions into someone's busy day. Respect their time by being concise and making it easy to respond.

Alternatives to Using InMail Credits

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Join Relevant LinkedIn Groups

While LinkedIn has restricted some group messaging features, participating in the same groups as your prospects can facilitate connections without using InMail credits.

4. Optimize Your Profile for Inbound Inquiries

"Get a LinkedIn voice badge in your niche. You will be seen as an expert in your field," suggests a Reddit user. By establishing yourself as a thought leader through regular posting and engagement, you can attract inbound opportunities.

5. Use LinkedIn's Creator Mode

Creator mode can increase your visibility on the platform, helping you reach more professionals organically through content rather than direct outreach.

Measuring InMail Effectiveness

To maximize your ROI on InMail credits, track these key metrics:

• Open rates: The percentage of recipients who open your InMails

• Response rates: The percentage who reply to your messages

• Conversion rates: How many responses lead to your desired outcome (meeting, call, etc.)

• Credit return rate: How efficiently you're getting credits returned through responses

By analyzing these metrics, you can refine your approach over time, testing different subject lines, message formats, and call-to-action strategies.

Managing Your LinkedIn Inbox Efficiently

As your outreach efforts expand, 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 tools like 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.

Future of LinkedIn InMail

LinkedIn continues to evolve its InMail system in response to user feedback and changing professional networking norms. Recent and anticipated developments include:

• Enhanced analytics tools for tracking InMail performance

• AI-assisted message composition to improve personalization

• Refined credit allocation systems based on industry and use case

• Integration with other LinkedIn features like Events and Live

Staying informed about these changes will help you adapt your strategy to maximize effectiveness.

Conclusion: Are LinkedIn InMail Credits Worth It?

The value of LinkedIn InMail credits ultimately depends on your specific goals, target audience, and approach to using them. When used strategically with proper personalization and follow-up, they can deliver significant ROI for recruiters, sales professionals, and networkers.

As one LinkedIn user aptly puts it: "Most people don't have a proper strategy." This highlights the key differentiator between those who find value in InMails and those who don't.

Rather than viewing InMail credits as a magic bullet for instant connections, treat them as a premium channel that requires thoughtful application. By implementing the best practices outlined in this guide and measuring your results, you can transform InMail from a frustrating expense into a powerful tool for professional growth and business development.

Remember that the most successful LinkedIn users combine InMail outreach with comprehensive profile optimization, regular content engagement, and authentic relationship building. This integrated approach yields far better results than relying solely on direct messages, regardless of how well-crafted they may be.

Whether you're considering upgrading your subscription or looking to maximize the credits you already have, the strategies in this guide will help you make informed decisions about how to leverage LinkedIn InMail credits for your professional success.

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. They function like a pass to reach professionals beyond your immediate network. Each InMail sent uses one credit, but if the recipient responds to your message (not just accepts a connection request) within 90 days, LinkedIn refunds the credit. This system encourages meaningful interactions. Unused credits can roll over to the next month, but there's a cap on how many can accumulate, varying by subscription level.

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, non-personalized messages that recipients easily identify as spam, making the InMail all about your needs without offering value, including too many requests, or having an unoptimized LinkedIn profile that doesn't build trust.

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 thoroughly researching the recipient's profile and recent activity, crafting a concise message (ideally under 400 characters), writing an attention-grabbing and relevant subject line (under 5 words is often effective), and using a clear message structure like the RABT (Reason, Ask, Backup, Tease) template. Also, ensure your own LinkedIn profile is complete and professional, as recipients will likely view it.

How many InMail credits come with different LinkedIn Premium plans?

The number of monthly InMail credits varies significantly depending on the LinkedIn Premium subscription type. For instance, Premium Career typically offers 5 credits, Premium Business provides 15, Sales Navigator Core includes 50, and Recruiter Lite comes with 30. Higher-tier plans designed for intensive outreach, such as Recruiter Professional and Recruiter Corporate, offer 100 and 150 credits respectively. Each plan also has different limits on how many unused credits can be carried over month-to-month.

What if I use all my monthly InMail credits?

If you exhaust your monthly InMail credit allocation, LinkedIn offers the option to purchase additional credits, though these are typically priced at around $10 each, which can become expensive. To conserve credits, consider prioritizing outreach to users with "Open Profiles" (who can be messaged for free), strategically building your network to message 1st-degree connections directly, or engaging with a prospect's content to warm up the connection before sending an InMail or connection request.

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, it's crucial to implement best practices like personalization, concise messaging, clear calls to action, and targeting the right audience, rather than viewing them as a standalone solution.

Additional Resources

• How to create the perfect LinkedIn message - Expert tips to boost reply rates

• Strategies for effective LinkedIn prospecting - Maximizing connections through targeted outreach

• LinkedIn's official guide to InMail best practices