Is it ok to message a keyholder first?

Bit of an etiquette question. I keep drafting a message to someone whose posts I really respect, then deleting it because I worry it comes across as needy, or like I am topping from the bottom before we have even spoken.

Is reaching out first a normal thing to do, or are you supposed to wait to be approached? I am a wearer, if that changes the answer. I do not want to break some unwritten rule on day one and put someone off before we have said a word.