TL;DR
Can you message someone on LinkedIn without Premium? Although LinkedIn only allows you to send messages to 1st-degree connections, there are ways to bypass this limitation.
Open Profile, LinkedIn groups, and other hacks can help you reach out without needing a Premium account.
If you are networking or generating leads on LinkedIn, you can speed up the process with the help of the LinkedIn automation tool. With its help, you can send connection requests, personalized messages, and emails in bulk, and make your outreach more efficient.
Want to message someone who perfectly fits your ICP criteria, but you have a free LinkedIn account?
It can feel like hitting a wall because LinkedIn only allows you to send messages to your direct connections on a free plan.
But there are smart yet simple ways to work around these limitations. Keep reading to learn how to message someone on LinkedIn without Premium and level up your overall outreach game!
Outline:
LinkedIn messaging limits explained: free vs. Premium
The question is: can you message someone on LinkedIn without Premium?
The short answer is yes, but it takes some extra effort. LinkedIn allows users with a basic free account to text only those who are in their direct network. In other words, to message someone out of the blue, they need to be part of your 1st-degree connections.
If you want to reach out to your 2nd- or 3rd-degree connections, that option isn’t available on LinkedIn with a free plan.
Sure, there are some ways to go around these limitations, and we will describe them later. First, let’s compare free and premium LinkedIn profiles.
| Message 1st-degree connections
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| Message 2nd/3rd-degree contacts | ||
| Send InMails |
If you choose to upgrade to LinkedIn Premium, you’ll gain access to certain paid features. They include, but aren’t limited to, InMails, which let you send messages to people you’re not connected to. Mind that users can choose not to receive InMails, meaning you won’t be able to reach them even with a paid plan.
LinkedIn grants you a certain number of credits depending on your subscription type. You can check out your exact number on the My Premium page.
LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Recruiter, and Recruiter Lite are additional paid tools that let you message people you’re not connected to.
7 tricks to message someone on LinkedIn without Premium
We’ve tested several effective ways to message someone on LinkedIn without Premium. Each method has its own limitations, so we recommend checking all of them out to find the one that suits your goals.
1. Message 1st degree connections
If you are already connected with your recipient on LinkedIn, you can send them messages directly. To do that, complete the following steps:
1. Go to their profile.
2. Click the Message button under their profile picture.
3. Type your message and press Enter to send.
You can also attach files and images to your message.
But how to send a message to someone who is outside of your network? It can get a little tricky, but we conducted our own research and prepared several other methods for you to try.
Send a personalized connection request
The most straightforward method is to connect and then send a message. Sounds like a no-brainer? But don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. Even here, there are a few things to weigh.
When you click the Connect button on someone’s profile, a small box appears prompting you to add a note. Free accounts get 200 characters for up to 5 requests; paid ones can send unlimited personalized messages with 300 characters.
As you probably already know, first impressions matter. In fact, it takes us anywhere from a tenth of a second to about 30 seconds to form an opinion. Why waste this opportunity on something generic and irrelevant?
We recommend that you check these boxes when writing your connection request messages:
- Personalization
Add a personal touch before you click Send.
- Clear intent
It’s better not to make people do any extra guesswork.
- Short and simple
People usually skim; try to explain yourself in a brief but meaningful manner.
- Common ground
Make sure you’re coming from a place of genuine interest and or shared context.
- No sales pitching
No need to push your relationship in the sales direction right away.
- Relevant targeting
Avoid sending connection requests to everyone; focus on people relevant to your industry.
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📌 Expert note Keep your LinkedIn account safe Too many unanswered LinkedIn invites can get you flagged. To protect your profile, we recommend keeping pending requests below 500. With Snov.io’s LinkedIn prospecting tool, you can automatically withdraw old invites and maintain a healthy, compliant outreach.
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3. Use Open Profile messaging (if available)
What is LinkedIn’s Open Profile?
Open Profile is a Premium feature on LinkedIn that allows users to receive messages from anyone on the platform. Premium members can easily enable this feature in their settings, allowing both free and paid users to contact them directly.
But how do you know if a profile has Open Profile enabled?
If you spot a Message button even though you two aren’t connected, that’s a clear indication that they have the feature turned on.
Meaning, you’re free to send a message without needing a connection first.
4. Use email finder tools
Has the idea of messaging someone through alternative channels instead of LinkedIn crossed your mind? Especially when you view their profile and realize you can’t send a message without a connection.
With tools like Snov.io, you can find verified email addresses in a matter of seconds. It’s not only a great solution for bypassing LinkedIn messaging limitations but also a smart way to expand into multichannel outreach. It’s a win-win.
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📍Did you know? 75% of vendors say using multiple channels yields better results. |
If this sounds like something you’d consider, here are a few options to explore:
Add the LinkedIn Email Finder extension to your Chrome browser. Once you open the profile of the person you want to contact, activate the extension. When the job is done, simply select the list where you want the email addresses to be safely stored.
You can activate the extension in the main LinkedIn search bar and company profiles as well for bulk lead search.
Alternatively, use Email Finder to find email addresses by simply typing your lead’s name and company domain.
5. Join the same LinkedIn group
LinkedIn groups are a treasure trove of messaging opportunities. Just imagine finding leads who share common interests; you already have something to bond over.
Since personalization and relevance are king in outreach, this scenario sets you up for success. And it gets even better: you can send them a message directly, even with a free account. No connection required.
Sometimes, you and your lead may already be in the same group, but what if you’re not? In that case, take a closer look at their LinkedIn profile.
LinkedIn groups can unlock new prospecting opportunities. Use the main search bar to enter your target keyword and filter by “Groups”.
Please note that some groups are private and may require admin approval before you can join. But once you’re in, it’s a great way to engage without needing a direct connection to send a message.
6. Leverage mutual connections
Having someone introduce you to your target is technically not a workaround. But it’s still a smart way to bypass LinkedIn free messaging limitations. This approach adds credibility and increases the odds of getting a response.
To send a message this way, start by visiting your target’s LinkedIn profile and checking for mutual connections. Once you’ve identified the right person, craft a message that doesn’t feel like you’re cutting corners. Be clear about your intentions and respectful of their time.
Here’s how you might phrase it:
“Hi [Mutual Connection Name],
I noticed you’re connected with [Target Name]. I’m interested in discussing [specific topic] with them because [clear reason]. Would you be comfortable introducing us?”
7. Safe LinkedIn outreach automation with Snov.io
Did you know that you can send LinkedIn messages completely on autopilot? The outreach process that previously might have taken hours can now run without your constant supervision.
And the best part? You don’t have to compromise personalization or risk your LinkedIn account’s safety; you can have both.
When we’re talking about automation, it’s not only basic LinkedIn messages that are in question. With Snov.io, you can take your outreach much further. Here is what can be automated:
- Profile views, post likes
- Connection requests
- Follow-ups
- Multichannel sequences
Snov.io goes to great lengths to ensure your account’s safety with the following measures in place:
- Built-in proxy
- Cloud-based operations
- Smart safety limits
Apart from being safe and multifunctional, using Snov.io can significantly boost your SSI score.
Last but not least, what can’t be measured can’t be improved, right? Snov.io gets this better than anyone else. That’s why you get full visibility of your LinkedIn campaign performance.
Connection killers: what to avoid during your LinkedIn outreach
There are certain actions in your outreach that often result in low engagement rates and wasted efforts. We recommend that you avoid the following mistakes when sending messages on LinkedIn:
Generic copy-paste approach
With the influx of information these days, everyone is growing more aware of anything template-like. People often skim through generic messages and ignore them completely. As awareness grows, so do expectations for personalized content.
Take a look at the data, which indicates that 71% of consumers want to receive tailored messages. And the reason behind these expectations is clear as day. It all boils down to our desire to feel in control, coupled with information overwhelm.
Before you send a message or connection request, take time to review their LinkedIn profile. Reference something that matters to them, particularly their recent project, article, post, or similar. However, be cautious not to cross boundaries, as mentioning something related to their personal life may come across as intrusive.
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💡Bonus tip Don’t go full-on from the start; engage first. Like or comment on their profile activity before trying to start a conversation. When it’s time to send your message, personalize at scale. Mention their name, role, or company.
Use Dynamic content to tailor messages and Spintax to create natural variations, so every message feels relevant, even in bulk. |
When it’s time to send your message, personalize at scale. Mention their name, role, or company.
Being too pushy
People might feel pressured if you ask for something way too soon. Especially right after hitting Send on your first message or connection request.
In many cases, if your message is perceived that way, it might trigger reactance. Basically, it’s a psychological tendency to resist feeling pressured. People may experience this to varying degrees, but it usually does more harm than good.
Making your offer appear optional and value-driven is far more productive. Let them set the tone and pace.
Vague requests
People typically struggle to handle uncertainty. And most likely, they wouldn’t want to invest time in strangers, let alone do any extra guesswork. Such LinkedIn messages feel open-ended and even a bit self-serving.
We’re by no means suggesting that you write walls of text. Just keep your intentions clear. That’s the best way to show respect, demonstrate that you’ve reviewed their profile, and prove you’ve done your homework. Also, opt for gentle, thoughtful wording that lowers resistance.
Key takeaways
It’s absolutely possible to message someone on LinkedIn without Premium in a way that feels genuine, respectful, and ethical. The key lies in your approach to building relationships, not in the features you pay for.
Focus on what makes a good outreach: relevance, value, and personalization. Take time to review each profile, leverage the strategies above, and send your messages with Snov.io at scale.
