How to Use Inmail Credits on Linkedin

How to Use InMail Credits on LinkedIn to Reach Anyone

LinkedIn is a massive database of professional opportunities. Most of the time, you can only talk to people who are already in your network or those who have accepted your connection request. InMail changes that. It is a premium messaging feature that allows you to send direct messages to LinkedIn members even if you have no connection to them at all. This tool is the primary reason many people pay for a premium subscription.

Look, the platform can feel restrictive when you are trying to reach a hiring manager or a potential sales lead. You send a connection request and it sits there, pending, for weeks. An InMail message bypasses the "Pending" folder and lands directly in their primary inbox. This tutorial will walk you through exactly how to use these credits, how the system works, and how to get the most value out of your monthly allocation.

What Are LinkedIn InMail Credits?

InMail credits are a digital currency used on the platform. Every month, depending on your subscription tier, LinkedIn gives you a set number of these credits. You use one credit every time you message someone who is not a 1st-degree connection. If the person is a 2nd-degree or 3rd-degree connection, the credit system applies.

Here's the thing: LinkedIn wants to prevent spam. By limiting the number of messages you can send to people you don't know, they ensure that inboxes remain relatively clean. If everyone could message everyone for free, the platform would lose its professional value. These credits are your "pass" to speak to someone outside your immediate circle.

Who Can Access InMail?

You cannot buy InMail credits on a free account. You must have a paid subscription. The number of credits you get depends heavily on which plan you choose:

• Premium Career: 5 credits per month.
• Premium Business: 15 credits per month.
• Sales Navigator Core: 50 credits per month.
• Sales Navigator Advanced: 50 credits per month.
• Recruiter Lite: 30 credits per month.

If you run out of credits, you can purchase more individually. They typically cost about $10 each. Honestly, buying them one by one is expensive. It is usually better to manage your monthly allotment carefully or upgrade to a higher tier if you find yourself constantly hitting the limit.

One alternative to the high retail prices of these plans is using a service like AccsUpgrade. A standard Sales Navigator subscription can cost around $720 per year when billed through LinkedIn directly. AccsUpgrade offers similar premium access for around $40. This can be a significant cost-saver for freelancers or small business owners who need the credits but find the retail price points too high. You should always consider the trade-off between official support and third-party pricing when choosing how to access these features.

A Deep Dive into InMail Functionality

Understanding the mechanics of InMail will help you avoid wasting credits. This feature is more than just a simple text box. It has specific rules regarding character counts, response rates, and daily limits.

Character Limits and Attachments

Every InMail has two main parts: the subject line and the message body. The subject line has a limit of 200 characters. The message body allows for up to 1,900 characters. While you have plenty of space, keeping it brief usually works better for professional outreach. You can also attach files or images, just like a standard connection message.

The Daily Sending Limit

Even if you have 50 credits sitting in your account, you cannot send them all at once. LinkedIn enforces a maximum of 25 InMails per day. This is an automated safeguard to prevent accounts from being flagged as bots. If you are doing a large outreach campaign, you need to space your messages out over several days.

The Response Rule

LinkedIn has a strict rule about follow-ups. You cannot send a second InMail to the same person until they respond to your first one. If they ignore you, that conversation thread is effectively locked for InMail. This forces you to make your first message as compelling as possible.

Step-by-Step: How to Send an InMail

Sending your first InMail is straightforward, but you should follow these steps to ensure you don't accidentally waste a credit on someone you could have messaged for free.

1. Find the profile: Use the search bar to locate the person you want to contact. Click on their name to view their full profile.
2. Check for the "Message" button: Look for the "Message" button near the top of their profile, usually next to the "Connect" or "Follow" buttons. If you see a padlock icon, it means you need a credit to talk to them.
3. Identify "Open Profiles": Look for a small gold LinkedIn icon on their profile. This indicates they have an "Open Profile." You can message these users for free without using any of your InMail credits. Always check for this first.
4. Click Message: When you click the button, a new message window will pop up. LinkedIn will usually show you how many credits you have remaining at the bottom of this window.
5. Compose the Subject Line: Write a clear, concise subject line. Treat this like an email. Avoid vague titles like "Hello" or "Checking in."
6. Write the Body: State who you are and why you are reaching out. Mention a specific detail from their profile to show you aren't just copy-pasting a template.
7. Send: Hit the send button. One credit will be deducted from your balance immediately.

How the Credit Refund and Rollover System Works

LinkedIn is surprisingly generous with how they handle "failed" outreach. If you send an InMail and the person never responds, you generally lose that credit. However, there are two ways to get your credits back.

First, if the recipient responds to your message within 90 days, LinkedIn will refund the credit to your account. It doesn't matter if they say "yes" to your proposal or "no." The act of responding proves that the message was not spam. Second, if the person explicitly declines your InMail request, the credit is also refunded. This system encourages users to send high-quality messages that actually get replies.

Now, let's talk about rollover. If you don't use all your credits in one month, they don't disappear immediately. Unused credits roll over for up to 90 days. There is a cap, though. You cannot accumulate more than three times your monthly allotment. If you have a plan that gives you 15 credits a month, the most you can ever have in your bank at one time is 45 credits.

Best Practices for Better Response Rates

Since credits are limited, you want to ensure your response rate is high. A high response rate keeps your credit bank full. Here are some practical tips for better results.

Focus on the subject line above all else. Most people read LinkedIn messages on their phones. If the subject line looks like a sales pitch, they will delete it without opening it. Use their name or a shared interest. For example, "Question about your recent post on [Topic]" is much better than "Business Opportunity."

Keep the message body under 500 characters. Even though you have a 1,900-character limit, nobody wants to read a wall of text from a stranger. State your purpose in the first two sentences. End with a clear, low-pressure question. Instead of asking for a 30-minute call, ask if they would be open to a brief exchange of ideas over chat.

Timing matters. Sending an InMail on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning usually results in higher open rates. Avoid Friday afternoons or weekends, as professional messages often get buried under personal notifications during those times.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Sometimes the InMail system doesn't behave as expected. Here are a few common hurdles users face.

"I have credits but can't send a message"

This usually happens if you have already sent a message to that specific person and they haven't replied. As mentioned earlier, you are limited to one "pending" InMail per person. You will have to wait for them to respond or try to connect with them via