InMail messages is a premium feature, and it allows you to directly message another LinkedIn member that you're not connected to. If you have a Basic (free) account, then you can only directly message LinkedIn members that you’re connected to. You must upgrade to a Premium account to use InMail messages. You can’t message a member if they’ve chosen not to receive InMail messages in their message preferences settings.

You’re allotted a specific number of InMail message credits based on your subscription type. You can find the number of InMail message credits you have from your My Premium page.

With personalized invitations, when inviting members to connect, you can add a personalized message to the recipient to introduce yourself or add context about why you’d like to connect. Members with basic (free) accounts can send up to five personalized invitations to connect with a character limit of 200. Members with Premium memberships are able to send an unlimited number of personalized notes with their invitation/connection requests each with a character limit of 300.

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