LinkedIn InMail vs Message Which Works Best?

Published August 28, 2025By Pavitra Paul

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LinkedIn InMail credits are an essential tool for B2B SaaS marketers looking to reach decision-makers beyond their immediate network. Understanding the ins and outs of this premium feature can transform your outreach efforts, from reducing sales friction to nurturing high-intent leads.

In this article, we break down how LinkedIn InMail credits work, compare them to free messaging options, and share actionable tips to maximize your credit usage. Read on to discover practical insights designed to boost your lead engagement and pipeline efficiency.

Table of Contents

Mastering LinkedIn InMail Messages: How They Work and Impact Your Outreach

LinkedIn InMail messages allow you to deliver personalized content directly to users you are not connected with. Unlike standard messages sent to 1st-degree connections, these messages require spending a valuable credit from your monthly allocation. Here’s a closer look at the mechanics of these credits:

Monthly Allotments: Depending on your subscription, be it Premium (Career/Business), Sales Navigator, or Recruiter Lite, you receive a pre-determined number of credits at the beginning of each billing cycle. For instance, Sales Navigator Core users often enjoy a generous monthly quota that can be rolled over within set limits.
Credit Deduction and Refunds: Sending an InMail deducts one credit from your allocation. However, if the recipient responds within 90 days, whether to accept or decline your offer, you get the credit back. This refund policy incentivizes personalized and relevant outreach.
Rollovers and Bonuses: Unused credits can roll over to the following month, enabling you to build a reserve for special campaigns. However, credits that exceed your subscription cap may expire, ensuring your marketing initiatives remain agile without hoarding unused benefits.

For more insights on innovative outreach methods, check out our article, “What Is Agentic Marketing?“

LinkedIn InMail vs Message: Comparing Messaging Options on LinkedIn

When planning your outreach strategy, understanding the difference between LinkedIn InMail messages and free messaging options is crucial. Here’s how the two approaches compare:

InMail Messages:

Targeting Beyond Your Network: Designed for reaching individuals outside your connections, InMail messages incur a cost per message using your monthly credits.
Smart Investment: Each message costs one credit; however, if the recipient responds within the 90-day window, you reclaim your credit. This makes each interaction a calculated investment.

Free LinkedIn Messages

For 1st-Degree Connections: These messages are free and ideal for nurturing existing relationships and following up on known contacts.
Organic and Relationship-Focused: They are best used for maintaining current business relationships rather than initiating new ones.

For B2B SaaS marketers aiming to refine inbound performance and reduce manual lead qualification, choosing the right type of message can make a significant difference. Discover more about advanced messaging with our Agentic InMail solution.

LinkedIn Message vs InMail: Deciding the Right Approach for Your Lead Engagement

Deciding between a free LinkedIn message and an InMail message significantly affects outreach results. Here’s a breakdown to help you choose:

Audience Identification

Existing Connections: If you’re messaging current network contacts, free messages are both cost-effective and efficient.

New Prospects: For decision-makers outside your network, InMail messages are indispensable, ensuring your outreach reaches key players.

which linkedin messaging approach should be used for lead management

Credit Efficiency: Since InMail credits are a limited resource, it’s vital to target high-priority contacts where the ROI is clear.
Personal Touch: InMail messages provide a unique opportunity to add customization and relevance, driving higher response rates and credit refunds.

For a balanced outreach strategy, smart integration of both free messages and InMail helps bridge the gap between nurturing existing relationships and initiating new conversations. Check out our Blog for additional strategic insights.

Optimizing the use of LinkedIn InMail messages goes beyond understanding how credits work; it’s about employing smart strategies to extend your reach:

Personalize Every Message: Personalized outreach improves response rates. Tailor your message to address the recipient’s specific challenges, which increases the chance of getting a reply and getting your credit back within 90 days.
Monitor Your Credit Balance: Utilize LinkedIn’s tools to track credit consumption. A careful review of your usage patterns helps you schedule outreach during periods of higher availability.

Capitalize on the Refund Policy: Embrace follow-ups with engaging call-to-actions to prompt replies, ensuring that more of your credits are refunded and reused efficiently.
Consider Subscription Upgrades: Upgrading to a higher-tier subscription or purchasing additional credits can provide the extra capacity needed for large-scale, high-priority campaigns. Explore more on our Integrations page.
Utilize Open Profile Listings: Target profiles with Open Profile settings that allow you to send messages without consuming an InMail credit, supplementing your outreach effortlessly.

Maximizing LinkedIn InMail Messages: Strategies to Get More InMail Credits

These strategies enable you to maximize every LinkedIn InMail message, ensuring that you maintain a healthy credit balance and achieve higher engagement rates.

For SaaS marketers focused on inbound lead acceleration, these intelligent outreach techniques align perfectly with Wyzard AI’s mission to act as your always-on marketing copilot. Visit our Website to explore how our tailored solutions can support your growth.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding how LinkedIn InMail credits work and making smart choices between free messages and InMail paves the way for more efficient and targeted outreach. By optimizing your messaging strategy through personalization, proactive credit management, and strategic subscription planning, you can significantly enhance lead engagement and conversion rates.

For B2B SaaS marketers aiming to boost inbound performance without increasing headcount, using your credits wisely is a game-changer. Embrace intelligent, real-time engagement with Wyzard AI as your trusted marketing copilot and watch your outreach transform into tangible results.

FAQs

Q1. What Are LinkedIn InMail Credits?

LinkedIn InMail credits are a premium feature that allows you to send messages to users outside of your direct network. Each InMail message costs one credit, which encourages thoughtful and personalized outreach. They are available through paid subscriptions like Premium, Sales Navigator, and Recruiter Lite.

Q2. How Do LinkedIn InMail Credits Work?

InMail credits function on a monthly allocation basis, with each message sent costing one credit. If the recipient responds within 90 days, the credit is refunded. This system encourages quality engagement and ensures that your investment in outreach is measured by results.

Q3. How Can I Get More InMail Credits?

To increase your InMail credits, consider upgrading your subscription to a plan with a higher monthly quota or purchasing additional credit packs if your plan allows. Efficient credit management strategies, such as targeting high-priority leads and personalizing your messages, also help you maximize the use of the credits you have.

Q4. What Is the Difference Between LinkedIn InMail Messages and Free LinkedIn Messages?

InMail messages are used to contact users who are not in your immediate network and require a credit for each message sent. In contrast, free LinkedIn messages are available for communication with your 1st-degree connections and do not incur any additional cost. Each serves a unique purpose based on your outreach goals.

Q5. How Does the InMail Refund Policy Work?

If the recipient of an InMail message responds within 90 days, whether positively or with a decline, the credit used for that message is refunded to your account. This policy incentivizes sending targeted, well-crafted messages that prompt a response.