Find hard to reach executives and professionals

There are many ways to hunt down people in and outside the network, aside from a direct network search. You may want to consider these methods if:

• you need to reach someone immediately
• have a sensitive matter to discuss
• if the person is a connection and can't be reached, such as due to an invalid email address

Caution

As a general rule, do NOT go around LinkedIn unless it's a true emergency or you have a strong personal relationship with a connection.

LinkedIn works because people respect the system of trusted connections. LinkedIn lets the recipient control contact. Recipients can determine if they are currently accepting contact, what kind of contact they are interested in, whether they want your contact in particular, and whether they will give you their email address in return. That is the recipient's decision to make. I have no clue about the person's current availability and interests. It is presumptuous of me to make that decision for them. So I do ask that you use LinkedIn to make contact.

IF YOU HAVE AVAILABLE INTRODUCTIONS

> You found the contact on LinkedIn, so use LinkedIn to reach him or her! If there is no Get Introduced button on the contact's LinkedIn page, then the contact is not accepting current requests or you are out of open requests.

IF YOU ARE OUT OF AVAILABLE INTRODUCTIONS

If your introduction was declined by the recipient, then respect that decision. Visit the LinkedInPro web page to learn how to write better requests that get accepted - http://dallasblue.com/linkedin-masterful-requests.htm .

You also have the following options:

• Wait a few days until you have an available introduction.
• Withdraw a pending request. I typically cancel requests older than week if the recipient has had it for at least 3 days (status is no longer green on the introduction).
• Upgrade to a Personal Pro or Business account.

LinkedIn methods

Contact someone who knows your target

Use LinkedIn to contact a mutual connection or other contact that is close to the person (coworker, spouse, etc.) and would know his status and current contact.

LinkedIn introduction

Even if you're connected, contact the user through a LinkedIn introduction. This way the user will see your message when he logs into LinkedIn, even if his primary address is no longer valid.

Endorsement

Use an endorsement to notify your connection about the problem with the address. Like an Introduction, the user will see this when he logs on. But unlike it, you don't have to use up a precious Introduction.

Internet methods

Online groups

Find the user through online (and offline) groups that he might participate in or be associated with, such as a blog, newsletter, LinkedIn user forum, and professional, interest, and alumni groups.

Search engine

Search for the person at Google and ZoomInfo. Consider using keywords such as a company name, the company domain, "email", or other identifying information you may find in the person's network profile.

Lead exchange

Get the contact information from a lead exchange like Jigsaw.

Other methods

Call

Call the person at his company.

PI

Hire a private investigator. This is not practical, but you never know.