Quick Answer
It’s generally fine to send LinkedIn messages in the evening or night as long as it’s within reasonable hours. Avoid messaging late at night when most people are likely asleep. The optimal time is typically early evening such as 5-9pm. Ultimately, consider the recipient’s time zone and schedule. If you know they work late or are in a different time zone, then later messages may be appropriate. Have patience if they don’t respond right away since they may be busy or offline. As long as your messages are professional and thoughtful, the time of day matters less.
When is the best time to send a LinkedIn message?
The best time to send a LinkedIn message depends on your goals and the recipient’s timezone and schedule. Here are some optimal times to consider:
Early evening (5-9pm)
Sending LinkedIn messages in the early evening after typical work hours can be effective. Many professionals check LinkedIn during this time as they wrap up their day. An early evening message allows them to respond at their convenience that evening or the next morning.
During traditional work hours (9am-5pm)
If possible, try to message during your recipient’s typical working hours. This increases the chance they will see your message promptly. However, keep in mind they may be busy during this peak time.
Anytime on weekends/holidays
Messaging on weekends and holidays is fine since the person is less likely to be occupied with work. They may have more time to thoughtfully respond. Just avoid extremely early or late messages.
During THEIR morning routine (ex. 6-9am)
Some people check LinkedIn first thing in the morning as part of their routine. Pay attention to any clues on their activity patterns and try messaging during their prime morning hours if feasible.
Is it rude to send a LinkedIn message at night?
Sending a thoughtful, professional message at night is generally not rude. Here are some tips to avoid coming across negatively:
- Don’t message extremely late when most people are sleeping, like after 10 or 11pm.
- Avoid sending multiple messages if they haven’t responded yet.
- Use proper spelling, grammar, and etiquette in your message.
- Keep the message fairly short and to the point.
As long as you message at a reasonable hour and follow basic etiquette, it’s perfectly acceptable. Understand they may not see or respond to late night messages until the next day.
What’s the latest acceptable time to message someone on LinkedIn?
The latest acceptable time depends on the recipient’s schedule and when they normally sleep. Here are some general guidelines on the latest message times:
- Weekdays: 10pm unless you know they are awake later
- Weekends/holidays: 11pm at the very latest
An ideal cut-off is around 9 or 10pm on weeknights when most working professionals start winding down. If you know your recipient is a night owl and active late, then use your best judgment on an appropriate message time. When in doubt, earlier evenings are safer.
Should I avoid sending LinkedIn messages at night?
Nighttime messaging is perfectly okay in most cases, but here are some situations where you may want to avoid it:
- Recipient is in a vastly different time zone where it’s extremely late
- You don’t know the recipient well and they may find it odd
- Recipient has indicated they dislike late messages, ex. set Do Not Disturb hours
- Your message contains time-sensitive info that may require quick action
Use your best judgment based on your relationship with the recipient and their expected availability. When in doubt, send your message at a more traditional time the next day.
Does sending a LinkedIn message at night indicate urgency?
In most cases, a nighttime message does not indicate urgency or an emergency. Here are some signs a late message may signal urgency:
- The sender includes wording like “urgent” or “as soon as possible”
- The message is very long, detailed, and requires extensive response
- Multiple messages are sent back-to-back
- The sender calls/texts if you don’t respond quickly to the message
However, avoid assuming a late message is an emergency unless the sender states it or provides other indicators. Some professionals simply message at night out of habit or convenience. Respond when you can, unless they convey it’s truly urgent.
How soon should you expect a response to a late LinkedIn message?
It’s unreasonable to expect an immediate response to a late message on LinkedIn since the recipient is likely offline. Here are realistic timeframes to expect:
- Within 24 hours on weekdays
- Within 48 hours on weekends/holidays
Recipients often check LinkedIn the next morning or after the weekend if messaged late at night. Allow them at least 24 hours to get back to you before following up.
Does the recipient’s LinkedIn relationship status matter?
The closeness of your LinkedIn relationship can impact the best messaging times. Here are some general guidelines:
| Relationship | Best Time to Message |
|---|---|
| Close friends/colleagues | Can message later in evenings or nights |
| Acquaintances | Early evenings are safest |
| People you don’t know well | Traditional work hours |
The more familiar you are, the later you can generally message without seeming intrusive. Use caution when messaging new LinkedIn connections late.
Should I include context if messaging at night?
It can be helpful to include context if you message someone on LinkedIn late at night. For example:
- “Sorry for the late message, but I was just catching up on LinkedIn and wanted to reach out…”
- “I know it’s later in the evening, so no need to respond now…”
- “If this is too late feel free to respond in the morning!”
This shows you are aware it’s outside typical hours and the recipient shouldn’t feel pressured to respond immediately. Just a simple note acknowledging the timing can go a long way.
What are some alternatives to messaging at night?
If messaging at night doesn’t seem right for your situation, here are some alternatives to consider:
- Schedule/send the message to arrive the next morning
- Wait and message during traditional work hours
- Call/text if it’s an urgent matter and they indicated that’s okay
- Consider other communication channels like email or social media
Scheduling messages through LinkedIn or other apps can allow you to control timing. Texting is more acceptable than LinkedIn for urgent late night communications between close contacts.
Conclusion
LinkedIn messages are perfectly fine to send in the evening or night as long as you follow general etiquette – be thoughtful, avoid extremely late hours, and don’t expect an immediate reply. Understand delayed responses are likely for late messages. When in doubt about messaging at night, the safest approach is waiting until the recipient’s normal working hours the next day. Use your best judgment based on your relationship and their expected availability at different times. With the right approach, an evening LinkedIn message can be effective and not disruptive.
