Sending messages to LinkedIn members you are not connected to is a key feature of LinkedIn Premium accounts. However, there are a few ways to send InMail messages without a paid Premium subscription. Here are some methods to send InMails for free on LinkedIn:
Use your free monthly InMail credits
All LinkedIn members receive a small number of free InMail credits each month. The amount you get depends on your account type:
- Basic accounts receive 3 free InMails per month
- Business Plus and Sales Navigator accounts receive 15 free InMails per month
- Recruiter Lite accounts receive 25 free InMails per month
To see your available credits, go to the My Network tab and look for the InMail widget on the right side. This will show how many free credits you have to send InMails that month. Use these to selectively target key prospects or candidates.
Connect with someone at the company first
You can message employees of a company for free if you are connected to at least one person who works at that company. The message will appear as coming from the shared connection rather than directly from you. This method works best when contacting companies you have existing relationships with.
To do this, first connect with at least one employee at the target company. Then go to the profile of the person you want to message and look for the option to “Ask to be introduced.” This will allow you to send a message that your shared connection can choose to pass along or not.
Comment on their posts
Engaging with a person’s content is a great way to get their attention before messaging them. When someone you are not connected to posts an article, image, or update, you can leave a comment even without a Premium account. This is a good way to start a dialogue and build rapport before reaching out directly via InMail.
To comment on posts, go to the profile of the person you want to contact. Engage thoughtfully with any posts where you have something constructive to say. If they respond to your comments, that’s a great sign they may be open to further conversation via InMail.
Message them through Premium Business or Premium Career accounts
While individual Premium subscriptions have limits on how many InMails you can send, Premium Business and Premium Career products have higher messaging allowances. If your company has invested in one of these products, you may be able to use it to send InMails under your account.
Premium Business offers unlimited InMails to allow sales teams to contact prospects at scale. Premium Career provides employee accounts with a shared pool of InMails each month. Check with your company to see if you already have access to a Premium product that enables messaging.
Use discounted InMail offers for Premium trials
LinkedIn frequently offers discounts or free trials of Premium to encourage upgrades. Taking advantage of a Premium trial period can give you a window to send InMails at no cost.
These offers are sometimes presented to non-Premium members while browsing LinkedIn. You may also find discounted Premium trials by clicking “Try Premium Free” on the Premium homepage. The free trial usually lasts 1-2 months and includes a set number of InMails.
Upgrade to Premium temporarily
If you only need InMail capabilities for a short time, consider upgrading to Premium for 1-2 months then downgrading once you have contacted your desired prospects. This avoids the ongoing cost of Premium while allowing you to tap into InMail when you need it.
Keep in mind you can only send InMails as long as your account is Premium. Any remaining credits disappear after downgrading back to a free account. Carefully plan your outreach before paying for Premium access.
Connect with prospects off LinkedIn
If there are prospects you urgently need to contact, consider reaching out to them through other channels outside of LinkedIn. Options include:
- Finding their business email address online
- Messaging them on Twitter, Facebook, or other social platforms
- Calling their office if you can find a public phone number
- Connecting with them at in-person events, conferences, etc if feasible
These methods may enable you to open a dialogue without requiring an InMail. Make sure to only use public contact details, respect their privacy, and keep your outreach polite and professional.
Partner with someone who has Premium
Team up with a colleague, business partner, or connection who has a Premium account with available InMails. Ask them if they would be willing to let you use some of their InMail credits for mutually beneficial outreach.
This works best when you already have an existing trust-based relationship with the Premium account holder. Make sure you clearly explain who you want to contact, your objectives, and how it will help you both.
Wait for a sponsored InMail offer
LinkedIn sometimes allows members to send 1 free InMail to a small number of prospects as a sponsored offer. Keep an eye out for these opportunities which may appear in your account inbox or notifications.
The recipients you can message will be chosen by LinkedIn based on your profile and activity. But sponsored InMails can provide a free way to contact a few potentially high-value prospects.
Request an InMail pass from someone you know
Premium subscribers have the ability to send one-use InMail passes to let someone else message a profile they specify. If you have Premium connections, consider reaching out to ask if they would be willing to grant you an InMail pass to contact someone specific.
This works best when messaging prospects you have a mutual connection with. Be sure to explain why contacting them is important and the value for both sides. Use InMail passes judiciously and sparingly.
Prioritize valuable targets
Since you have limited options to message without Premium, be selective about who you contact. Prioritize prospects and candidates who are most aligned with your goals and most likely to respond positively. The quality of your outreach matters more than the quantity.
Research your targets beforehand to personalize your messages. Explain clearly who you are, why you are reaching out, and what you are offering them. Sending thoughtful InMails is more impactful than blasting out generic messages.
Upgrade as needed for important outreach
For critical prospects you cannot reach any other way, it may be worth purchasing Premium access on a temporary basis. Weigh the potential value of connecting with your top targets versus the monthly cost of Premium.
For instance, if landing a key client is worth $5,000 in revenue, spending $60-$100 on 1-2 months of Premium to secure an InMail introduction could provide substantial ROI.
Use Premium strategically for your most important outreach campaigns. For everyday messaging, rely on the free methods above.
Summary
While Premium unlocks unlimited InMail messaging, there are ways to contact prospects without an upgraded account. Using your free monthly credits, commenting on posts, leveraging introductions, and upgrading temporarily are some techniques to connect for free. With creativity and persistence, you can conduct quality outreach on LinkedIn without Premium.