Using Chrome Extensions
When it comes to finding emails on LinkedIn, Chrome extensions are your secret weapon. These nifty little tools can save you hours of manual searching and guesswork. But what exactly are Chrome extensions?
Think of them as mini-apps that supercharge your browser. They sit quietly in the corner of your screen, ready to spring into action when you need them. And when it comes to LinkedIn email hunting, they’re absolute game-changers.
Let’s dive into some of the most popular options:
UpLead
UpLead is my go-to Chrome extension for LinkedIn email discovery. It’s like having a personal detective right in your browser. With a database of over 155 million B2B contacts, it’s a powerhouse for finding verified email addresses.
What I love about UpLead is its real-time email verification. No more bounced emails or wasted outreach efforts. Plus, it gives you a treasure trove of additional data points – up to 50+ fields of valuable information. It’s not just about finding an email; it’s about understanding your prospect.
However, it’s primarily a paid tool. But hey, quality comes at a price, right? And there’s a 7-day free trial if you want to dip your toes in the water.
SalesQL
SalesQL is another solid option. It’s great for uncovering both personal and business email addresses from LinkedIn profiles. One of its standout features is the ability to find emails of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd+ LinkedIn connections.
The downside? The free plan is quite limited, offering only 100 “credits” per month. And unlike some other tools, you won’t get phone numbers or the ability to export to CSV. But for basic email discovery, it gets the job done.
Skrapp
Skrapp is a user-friendly option that integrates seamlessly with your LinkedIn account. It allows you to uncover email addresses from both profile pages and search results. Plus, you can add contacts in bulk and easily export them to CSV or Excel.
The catch? You’ll need a Skrapp account, and the free plan is limited to 150 email addresses per month. But if you’re just starting out, this might be all you need.
AeroLeads
AeroLeads is a versatile tool that works across multiple platforms, not just LinkedIn. It can find email addresses even when they’re not listed on a LinkedIn profile. All emails are verified, and you can add them in bulk and export as CSV or Excel.
The downside is that it requires a paid AeroLeads account. But they do offer a free trial where you can discover 10 email addresses.
Manual Methods
Sometimes, the old-fashioned way is the best way. Let’s explore some manual methods for finding emails on LinkedIn.
Check the Contact Info Section
This is the most straightforward method, but it’s often overlooked. Once you’re connected with someone on LinkedIn, head to their profile and click on the “Contact info” section. If they’ve chosen to display their email, you’ll find it there.
As my colleague Sarah from San Francisco always says, “The simplest solution is often the best one.” And in this case, she’s spot on.
Ask for the Email via Private Message
If you can’t find the email in their contact info, why not just ask? Send a polite message explaining why you’d like to connect via email. Be sure to offer something of value in return – perhaps a relevant article or industry insight.
Remember, it’s all about building relationships. As I often tell my clients, “LinkedIn is not a megaphone; it’s a telephone.”
Use the Contact’s Name to Guess
If all else fails, you can try to guess the email format. Most business emails follow a standard pattern, like firstname.lastname@company.com or firstinitial.lastname@company.com.
Pro tip: Use an email verification tool like Hunter to check if your guess is correct. It’s not foolproof, but it can save you from sending emails into the void.
Extract Emails from First-Degree Connections
LinkedIn allows you to export your connections’ data, including email addresses. Go to your Settings & Privacy, then to “How LinkedIn uses your data,” and select “Get a copy of your data.” Choose “Connections” and request the archive.
This method can be time-consuming, and not all connections will have shared their email. But it’s a great way to build your initial contact list.
Advanced Methods
Ready to level up your email-finding game? Let’s dive into some more advanced techniques.
Using LinkedIn Sales Navigator
Sales Navigator is LinkedIn’s premium prospecting tool. While it won’t give you email addresses directly, it provides detailed information about prospects, including their full name and company name. This information is gold when using other email-finding methods.
I once used Sales Navigator to identify key decision-makers in a target company. Combined with other tools, I was able to launch a highly targeted outreach campaign that resulted in a 45% response rate. Not too shabby!
Combining Google and LinkedIn Searches
This method requires a bit of detective work. Use LinkedIn to find the person’s name and company, then head to Google. Try searching for their name along with “email” and the company domain.
For example, if you’re looking for John Doe at Acme Corp, you might search for: “John Doe” email @acmecorp.com
It’s not foolproof, but you’d be surprised how often this works. As my mentor in New York always said, “In the digital age, if something exists, Google knows about it.”
Email Finder Tools
Tools like UpLead and Hunter are designed specifically for finding email addresses. They use vast databases and clever algorithms to track down contact information.
UpLead, for instance, boasts a 155+ million B2B contact database. It can provide not just email addresses, but also phone numbers, job titles, and more. Hunter, on the other hand, offers a free plan with 25 searches per month, making it a great option for those just starting out.
Best Practices and Tips
Finding an email address is just the first step. Here are some best practices to ensure your outreach is effective and compliant:
- Always verify the accuracy of emails before sending. Tools like NeverBounce can help with this.
- Personalize your outreach emails. Nobody likes feeling like they’re part of a mass email blast.
- Follow up, but don’t be pushy. A gentle reminder after a week is fine, but don’t bombard people’s inboxes.
- Always provide value. Whether it’s industry insights, relevant content, or a solution to their problem, make sure your email is worth reading.
- Be mindful of data protection regulations like GDPR. Just because you can find someone’s email doesn’t always mean you should use it.
FAQs
Is it legal to find emails on LinkedIn?
Yes, it’s legal to find publicly available email addresses on LinkedIn. However, how you use those emails may be subject to data protection laws and LinkedIn’s terms of service.
How can I find emails if I’m not a first-degree connection?
You can use tools like UpLead or Hunter, or try advanced search techniques combining LinkedIn and Google searches.
Can I find emails in bulk on LinkedIn?
While LinkedIn doesn’t provide a native bulk email finding feature, tools like UpLead allow you to find multiple email addresses at once.
How accurate are email finder tools?
The accuracy varies by tool, but top-tier services like UpLead boast accuracy rates of over 95%. Always verify emails before sending important messages.
Is it better to use personal or business email addresses for outreach?
Generally, it’s better to use business email addresses for professional outreach. Personal emails should be used only if explicitly provided for business purposes.
How often should I update my email list from LinkedIn?
It’s a good practice to update your email list quarterly. People change jobs and email addresses frequently, so regular updates help maintain list accuracy.
What should I do if someone asks me to stop emailing them?
Always respect opt-out requests immediately. Remove the person from your email list and ensure they don’t receive further communications.