Finding the right contact’s email address is often the first hurdle in any B2B sales process. You’ve identified a perfect prospect on LinkedIn, but you need their email to reach out directly. Here are ten proven methods that actually work in 2026.
1. Check the Profile’s Contact Info Section
Start with the obvious—click on a LinkedIn profile and scroll to the “Contact Info” section. You might find an email address, phone number, or website link.
2. Look in the Cover Photo or About Section
Savvy professionals sometimes hide contact information in plain sight. Check the About section for mentions of personal websites or email addresses embedded in text.
3. Use Google Search with Site Operators
Combine the power of Google with strategic site operators. Search for someone’s name in quotes along with common email domains to find mentions across the web.
4. Guess the Email Pattern
Many companies follow predictable email formats like firstname.lastname@domain.com. Once you identify the company domain, try a few variations.
5. Use Email Permutation Tools
Tools like RocketReach and Hunter use databases and algorithms to predict or verify email addresses. Upload the person’s name and company domain to match potential addresses.
6. Export LinkedIn Connections with Sales Navigator
If you have LinkedIn Sales Navigator, you can export connection data in bulk. This data sometimes includes contact information not visible in standard profiles.
7. Ask Directly
Sometimes the most effective method is the most direct. Send a message asking if they’d be comfortable sharing their email for easier communication.
8. Check Company Websites and Team Pages
Visit the company’s official website and look for their team or leadership page. Employees are often listed with their email addresses.
9. Use B2B Contact Databases
Dedicated B2B databases like Apollo, Hunter.io, and ZoomInfo maintain comprehensive contact information and are invaluable for sales teams working at scale.
10. Check LinkedIn Job Postings
Sometimes hiring managers post their email addresses in job postings. Check company LinkedIn pages for publicly shared contact information.
Best Practices for Email Research
- Verify before reaching out: Use email verification tools to confirm addresses are valid.
- Combine methods: Use multiple methods to cross-verify information.
- Stay compliant: Ensure your outreach follows anti-spam regulations.
- Update regularly: Keep your contact database current.
The key to finding email addresses isn’t choosing just one method—it’s layering multiple approaches to maximize your success rate.
