How to Get Phone Numbers from LinkedIn (Easy Method)
LinkedIn is a treasure trove for professionals seeking to expand their network, generate leads, or connect with decision-makers. While the platform is excellent for B2B outreach and communication, sometimes a direct phone call can make all the difference. This blog explores ethical and effective strategies to obtain phone numbers from LinkedIn without violating user privacy or platform policies.
Why Do You Need Phone Numbers from LinkedIn?
LinkedIn is great for initial connections, but sometimes, taking the conversation offline can make all the difference.
- Direct Communication: Phone calls allow for real-time interaction, cutting through the delays of back-and-forth messages. When time-sensitive decisions are on the line, a call can lead to immediate resolutions or agreements.
- Enhanced Outreach Strategy: Combining multiple outreach channels like LinkedIn messaging, email, and phone calls creates a holistic and persistent approach. This multi-channel strategy increases your chances of capturing attention and standing out amidst digital noise.
- Building a Personal Connection: Hearing a person’s voice adds an irreplaceable human element to your outreach. It demonstrates effort and seriousness, helping you leave a lasting impression and potentially fast-tracking trust.
Ultimately, phone numbers from LinkedIn bridge the gap between online introductions and meaningful, real-world conversations, making them a powerful asset in any networking or sales strategy.
Methods to Get Phone Numbers from LinkedIn
Finding phone numbers on LinkedIn requires a blend of strategy, persistence, and ethical practices.
Easy Method
1. Use Lead Generation Tools
Advanced tools can extract contact details ethically and streamline your outreach process. Some popular options include:
- Gofindy.io: With Gofindy, just enter a LinkedIn URL into the search bar, and it will instantly find the phone number, email address, and other company details for you.
- Lusha: Offers verified phone numbers and email addresses directly from LinkedIn profiles.
- RocketReach: Provides detailed contact information for professionals across multiple platforms.
- Hunter.io: Locates contact information by matching names and domains.
Always ensure that your use of these tools complies with data privacy laws and LinkedIn’s terms of service.
Prioritize tools with data validation features to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date.
Manual Method
1. Check Their Contact Info Section
The simplest way to find a phone number is to check the “Contact Info” section of a LinkedIn profile.
- Visit the person’s profile you’re interested in contacting.
- Click on the Contact Info button, located just below their name and headline.
- If they’ve shared their phone number, it will appear here, along with any other details like email or website.
Why It Works:
This method is straightforward and doesn’t require any additional tools or steps. However, not everyone includes their phone number in this section, so it’s not a guaranteed solution.
If you don’t see their phone number, take note of other shared details like their personal website or company page, which might contain their contact information.
2. Export LinkedIn Connections
If you’re already connected with the individual on LinkedIn, exporting your connections can be a goldmine for retrieving contact details they’ve shared.
Steps to Follow:
- Go to your LinkedIn account and click on Settings & Privacy under your profile picture.
- Navigate to Data Privacy > Get a Copy of Your Data.
- Select the Connections option and click on Request Archive.
- After LinkedIn processes your request, download the file.
If your connection has included their phone number on their profile, it will appear in the exported data.
Use this information responsibly and ensure that your outreach adheres to LinkedIn’s terms of service and privacy regulations.
Keep the exported data organized in a secure CRM system or spreadsheet, ensuring compliance with data privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA.
3. Cross-Check Other Online Platforms
LinkedIn is rarely the only place where someone’s professional contact details exist. You can cross-reference other platforms to find their phone number:
- Google Search: Use their name, company, or job title to locate directories or professional profiles online.
- Company Website: Check the “About” or “Contact Us” sections, or search for an employee directory.
- Professional Platforms: Sites like Crunchbase, AngelList, or even their author page on a company blog might list their contact information.
Why It Works:
Many professionals use the same contact details across platforms, making it easier to piece together their information.
Be specific in your search queries to avoid sifting through irrelevant results, e.g., “John Smith Marketing Director [Company Name].”
4. Use LinkedIn Sales Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a premium tool that doesn’t provide direct contact information but offers valuable insights that can help you find alternate ways to connect.
What You Can Do:
- Filter prospects based on job title, industry, or company size.
- View a more detailed list of their LinkedIn activities, such as shared posts or connections.
- Discover mutual connections who might facilitate introductions.
Use Sales Navigator in tandem with a lead generation tool (like Lusha or RocketReach) to enhance your results.
5. Leverage Email for Phone Number Requests
Sometimes, the simplest way to get a phone number is to ask for it – professionally. If you’ve already initiated a conversation on LinkedIn, send a concise message requesting their number.
Example Message:
Hi [Name],
I hope this message finds you well! I’m reaching out to discuss [specific reason]. If you’re open to it, could we continue this conversation over a call? Please let me know a convenient time and share your number if that works for you.
Why It Works:
A polite and professional tone makes the recipient more likely to respond positively, especially if your reason for asking is clear and relevant.
6. Network Through Mutual Contacts
When in doubt, lean on your network. Mutual connections can introduce you or share a person’s phone number provided you have their consent.
How to Approach It:
- Identify shared connections on LinkedIn.
- Reach out to the mutual contact with a clear reason for your request.
- Be respectful and transparent about your intentions.
Example Request:
Hi [Name],
I noticed you’re connected with [Person’s Name]. I’m looking to discuss [specific reason] with them. Would you mind facilitating an introduction or letting me know how I might best reach them?
Why It Works:
A warm introduction from a trusted contact significantly increases the likelihood of a positive response.
By using these methods, you can ethically and effectively retrieve phone numbers from LinkedIn, ensuring your outreach efforts are both professional and impactful.
How to Get Contact Info from LinkedIn Without Connection
1. Leverage Public Profiles
If a LinkedIn user has a public profile, you may be able to access their email address or other contact details listed under the Contact Info section.
How to Use It:
- Visit the individual’s LinkedIn profile.
- Check if the Contact Info button is visible and accessible without a connection.
- Look for additional details such as their company website, portfolio, or professional email.
Why It Works:
Public profiles are designed to make professionals more accessible. Many people use this setting to maximize visibility, particularly for networking or job-seeking purposes.
Pro Tip: Even if their email or phone isn’t listed, other publicly available information like their company website or professional links can help you find alternative ways to reach them.
2. Join LinkedIn Groups
Joining LinkedIn groups can bridge the gap between you and your prospect, allowing interactions without the need for direct connections.
How to Use It:
- Search for relevant LinkedIn groups within your industry or the person’s area of expertise.
- Join the group and participate in discussions, especially those where your target person is active.
- Engage directly by replying to their posts or sending group messages (if permitted by group rules).
Why It Works:
Groups provide a shared space for communication, making it easier to build rapport and eventually exchange contact details.
Keep your interactions genuine and professional. Avoid overly promotional or intrusive messages that might discourage further engagement.
3. Engage with Their Content
Interacting with someone’s posts or articles can help you establish a connection organically, even if you’re not officially connected.
How to Use It:
- Regularly engage with their LinkedIn activity, such as liking, commenting on, or sharing their posts.
- Add meaningful comments that contribute to the discussion, showcasing your expertise or genuine interest.
- After consistent engagement, consider sending a direct message referencing your interaction to further the conversation.
Why It Works:
A natural interaction reduces the likelihood of being ignored, making it easier for the person to feel comfortable sharing their contact information.
Focus on providing value during your interactions whether it’s sharing insights or supporting their ideas. This will make you memorable and foster trust.
4. Cross-Reference Other Platforms
LinkedIn profiles often contain valuable breadcrumbs that can lead you to a person’s contact details on other platforms.
How to Use It:
- Use their name, job title, and company details to conduct a Google search.
- Visit their company website to check for directories, team pages, or published articles where their contact details might appear.
- Check platforms like Crunchbase, AngelList, or professional associations for additional information.
Why It Works:
Professionals often have consistent branding across platforms, making it easier to identify them and locate their contact details elsewhere.
Use advanced Google search operators (e.g., “John Doe” + “company name” + email”) to narrow down your results.
Why It Works:
These tools cross-reference public data to identify accurate contact details, saving time and effort.
Always use such tools ethically and ensure compliance with data privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA.
Validate the information these tools provide by double-checking accuracy and ensuring your outreach aligns with legal and ethical standards.
By combining these methods, you can effectively retrieve contact information from LinkedIn without being directly connected, all while maintaining professionalism and respecting privacy.
How to Extract LinkedIn Contact Details for Sales Outreach
For successful sales outreach, efficiently gathering LinkedIn contact details is essential, but it’s equally important to adhere to ethical practices and data privacy laws.
1. LinkedIn Sales Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a premium tool that enhances lead generation with advanced search capabilities.
How to Use It:
- Use the filters to refine your search, targeting prospects by job title, company size, location, or industry.
- Save leads and accounts for streamlined tracking and follow-ups.
- View mutual connections or shared interests to make your outreach more personalized.
Why It Works:
Although Sales Navigator doesn’t directly provide contact details, its powerful filtering helps you focus on high-quality prospects, making it a cornerstone for sales outreach.
Pair Sales Navigator with tools like Lusha or Apollo.io to enrich profiles with verified contact details for a complete lead generation system.
2. Data Enrichment Tools
Data enrichment tools like Apollo.io, ZoomInfo, and Clearbit are invaluable for augmenting LinkedIn data with accurate contact information.
How to Use It:
- Input a prospect’s LinkedIn profile URL or basic information such as name and company.
- The tools will search public databases to provide additional contact details, including phone numbers and email addresses.
Why It Works:
These tools simplify the process of gathering verified data and ensure that your sales team has all the necessary information to reach out effectively.
Always double-check the accuracy of the extracted data before using it in your campaigns to avoid miscommunication or compliance issues.
3. Automated Data Extraction (Ethically)
Automation tools like PhantomBuster and Dux-Soup can collect data from LinkedIn profiles efficiently.
How to Use It:
- Configure these tools to extract public information such as names, job titles, and company details.
- Set parameters to target only relevant profiles based on your sales criteria.
Why It Works:
Automation saves time by gathering data at scale, allowing your team to focus on crafting effective outreach strategies.
Always ensure compliance with LinkedIn’s terms of service and privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA when using automation tools. Unethical usage could lead to account suspension or legal consequences.
4. Export LinkedIn Connections
If you’re already connected with prospects, LinkedIn allows you to export their contact details, provided they’ve shared them.
How to Use It:
- Go to Settings & Privacy in your LinkedIn account.
- Navigate to Data Privacy > Get a Copy of Your Data and select Connections.
- Request the archive, download the data, and access the contact details.
Why It Works:
This method provides verified contact information directly from LinkedIn, making it both reliable and straightforward.
Use this feature sparingly and ensure that you have valid reasons for contacting the individuals, as unsolicited outreach could violate LinkedIn policies.
5. Direct Messaging
LinkedIn’s InMail feature allows you to reach out to prospects without needing their email or phone number.
How to Use It:
- Write a clear and concise message that explains your intent.
- Include a strong value proposition and a reason for them to respond.
- If appropriate, politely request their contact details for further communication.
Why It Works:
Direct messaging is a low-friction way to initiate contact and build trust before moving to other forms of communication.
Focus on personalization in your messages. Reference something specific about their profile or recent activity to capture their attention.
6. CRM Integration
Syncing LinkedIn data with CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot allows you to build a centralized database for outreach.
How to Use It:
- Integrate your CRM with LinkedIn to automatically append contact details when available.
- Use the CRM to track interactions, schedule follow-ups, and manage your sales pipeline.
Why It Works:
CRMs streamline the lead management process, ensuring that your outreach efforts are organized and efficient.
Many CRMs also integrate with data enrichment tools, making it easier to collect, store, and update contact details in one place.
This balanced approach ensures that your sales outreach remains effective, compliant, and respectful of privacy.
Ethical Considerations
- Respect Privacy: Only use phone numbers for legitimate and professional purposes.
- Seek Permission: Before calling someone, ensure they’ve agreed to share their number.
- Comply with Laws: Adhere to regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and CAN-SPAM to avoid legal issues.
- Avoid Spam: Unsolicited calls can harm your reputation. Ensure your outreach is relevant and value-driven.
Conclusion
Obtaining phone numbers from LinkedIn requires prioritizing consent and respecting privacy to build trust. Use features like the Contact Info section and connection export responsibly, and ensure compliance with privacy laws when using lead generation tools. Focus on authentic, value-driven outreach to foster meaningful connections and build lasting relationships.