How to Use InMail on LinkedIn

Updated on:

May 4, 2026

By:

Use this interactive demo to learn how to send InMail messages to LinkedIn connections outside your network.

Quick summary

LinkedIn InMail lets Premium subscribers send direct messages to 2nd and 3rd-degree connections without a prior connection request. Using your monthly InMail credits, you can reach anyone on LinkedIn for free as long as your subscription is active.

Steps

Ensure you have an active LinkedIn Premium subscription before attempting to send an InMail.
Find and select a 2nd or 3rd-degree connection from your LinkedIn search results or network.
Click the 'Message' button on the connection's profile page to open the InMail compose window.
Type your message and send it using the available InMail credits included with your Premium subscription.

📌 Why this matters

LinkedIn InMail is a critical outreach tool for sales professionals, recruiters, and marketers who need to contact prospects outside their immediate network. Unlike standard connection requests, InMail messages reach recipients directly in their inbox, resulting in significantly higher response rates. LinkedIn Premium subscribers receive a monthly allotment of InMail credits, making it a cost-effective way to initiate high-value conversations at scale. Mastering InMail enables teams to accelerate pipeline generation and talent acquisition without relying on cold email or paid advertising.

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