Key Takeaways

• Discover the four main types of LinkedIn messaging options, including direct messaging, InMail, messaging in groups, and messaging to open profiles in LinkedIn.
• Free LinkedIn accounts allow you to send connection notes, but these have a limit of 200 characters.
• Premium LinkedIn accounts offer more features than free LinkedIn accounts.
• Follow messaging etiquette such as sending personalized messages and using professional language.
• Consider message template recommendations, designed specifically for specific use cases.

Do you often fear missing an opportunity on LinkedIn? Do not let fear stop you and start approaching industry leaders using the messaging feature. It will help you to make stronger connections and grab a role that perfectly meets your skills and education.

While trying to build new connections people often face a common challenge of not receiving a response.

In this blog, let us understand how the messaging feature on LinkedIn functions and supports your professional growth. And, how utilizing it effectively can help you in client acquisitions, networking, and job opportunities.

Types of LinkedIn Messaging Options

There are different types of messaging options on LinkedIn, but the following four are the major ones:

Direct messaging

The direct messaging feature allows you to communicate with your connections. Users can ask for referrals, share project updates, or promote products or services using this feature. It also allows you to add attachments and media in communication with your first-degree connections.

Message in groups and event attendees

Keep all your connections informed about your business activities using the group chat feature. This feature allows you to communicate with multiple connections at one time. You can receive collective feedback or provide a new update about your product or service. It builds your profile credibility while helping you to expand your network.

It is necessary to have at least two first-degree connections to start a group chat on LinkedIn. And, you have a limit of adding 50 people to a group chat.

InMail messages

The inMail messaging feature is only available in a premium LinkedIn account. It allows you to reach out to professionals who are not on your network.  It allows you to bypass messaging restrictions but has a monthly limit.

Recruiters and business developers use this feature to outreach and build stronger connections. It increases the chances of getting attention because the recipient also receives an email and a message notification.

Message requests to open profiles

Many professionals on LinkedIn make it easier for other people to access them and accept connection requests. You can send messages from your free LinkedIn account. To use this feature, you do not need InMail credits but an effort to find open profiles on LinkedIn.

Alternative Ways to Reach Out Without a Premium LinkedIn Account

Add a note with the connection request

Before sending a connection request to someone, you must write a short note to introduce yourself. Explain your purpose of connecting and how this connection could be useful for both parties. Avoid grammatical mistakes in your message to make a good impression in your message. You must be very cautious to build a connection using this feature because it allows you to limit 200 characters.

Participate actively in LinkedIn group activities

Share your knowledge in LinkedIn groups to make more connections. Participate in trending discussions and encourage meaningful discussions.

Upload informative articles

Uploading informative articles on LinkedIn helps in building a strong profile. It increases the chances of collaboration with other professionals. Consistent posting also builds your brand. Audience analyzes your expertise and LinkedIn increases profile visibility.

Messaging Limits: Free vs. Premium LinkedIn

LinkedIn sets limitations to outreach on both premium and free accounts. Ensure you do not breach the limit to avoid restrictions on sending requests.

LinkedIn premium account limits

Connection note limit in premium account

In a premium account, users can send a connection note up to 300 characters. And they can send 100 connection requests per week.

InMail message limit

The InMail messaging limit in a LinkedIn account varies with the plan you buy to connect with other professionals. Here are the details about each plan offer:

• Premium Career: This plan allows you to send 5 InMail messages in a month.
• Premium Business: It enables you to send 15 InMail messages per month.
• Recruiter lite: Reach out to 30 professionals per month.
• Sales navigator core: Credits 50 InMail messages in your account for one month.

To prevent spamming, LinkedIn imposes a limit on InMail messages in all premium accounts. You get 2000 characters to craft the body of your message and 200 characters for the subject line.

Messaging limits for free accounts to open profiles

Using the free LinkedIn account limit you can send messages to people who have open profiles.  It has a limit of 8,000 characters and sends about 100 messages per week.

Best practices for LinkedIn messaging

Always follow proper messaging etiquette to follow professionalism and build meaningful connections. Your profile must clearly show your professional details. The following practice will help you to increase engagement and attain recipient attention.

• Personalize your message for individual profiles.
• Keep your message short and to the point.
• Explain the purpose in the subject lines.
• Avoid complex language and automation,

What to Avoid in LinkedIn Messages?

Avoid randomly sending LinkedIn connection requests. To increase your success ratio better, it is better to avoid the following practices.

• Sending requests aggressively.
• Using informal language.
• Generalized networking.

Do not give a reason to the recipient to ignore you. Study their business to express your seriousness in building a useful connection.

Is the Following Necessary Before Connecting?

No. It is not necessary to follow up before sending a connection request to a LinkedIn member. But it is better to follow before sending a connection request, so you start getting updates about the profile.

What do recruiters expect in a LinkedIn message?

Recruiters do not have much time to study your detailed messages. They expect brief and concise messages that explain your understanding of their business. Craft a customized LinkedIn message that demonstrates your skills and abilities. Avoid general templates and apply for specific job roles.

LinkedIn Messaging Templates for different use cases

We are sharing some LinkedIn messaging templates that you can use in different cases:

To welcome your webinar registrants

Conducting webinars is an effective marketing strategy to explain the usefulness of your products or services. Many people express their interest, but a significant number of people do not participate because they forget. A well-crafted welcome message will give a good gesture and increase the chances of participation. Greet your registrants using the following welcoming template:

“Hi ….,

Thank you for confirming your participation in the webinar. We are excited to learn something new together. We will analyze new market trends and emerging technologies in our industry. Hope the webinar discussion will help you in your professional development. Please ask if you have any queries about the webinar.

Thank You.”

To find a job role

Message a recruiter in a professional way to express your interest in a job role. Use the following template to demonstrate high professionalism standards. Attach your resume and portfolio in a message so recruiters do not struggle to find them.

“Hi …..;

I read your profile and found that you are looking for a [job role] in Chicago. My six years of experience in the relevant industry and business make me the perfect candidate for the job role. Working with your organization would be an opportunity for me to boost my career. You can message me anytime if you need more details.

Kindly find the attached files of my resume and portfolio.

Looking forward to your response,”

To network with a person after the seminar

Strong networking becomes a great asset in your career development. When you attend a seminar and meet with a person, you can use the following template to build a new connection.

“Hi ….,

Yesterday’s meeting with you was very thought-provoking and I found that there is a lot for me to learn from you. I hope you will stay in touch to have more productive discussions.

Talk soon!”

Conclusion

Understanding the power of messaging and its related features and functions can help in career development. Some users give up because of not finding results but positive outputs require consistency and patience. Stick to your values and focus on what you want to achieve. The specified direction will take you to the heights of success.

Do you feel stuck and confused at some point while messaging top professionals on LinkedIn? You can consult experts to overcome challenges and achieve the expected results.