Ever tried finding a past client or old coworker in your LinkedIn connections, only to end up in a mess of names you barely recognize? You’re not alone. LinkedIn’s own tools for managing contacts are basic at best. For recruiters, salespeople, freelancers—really, anyone who actually uses their network—this isn’t just annoying, it’s a problem.
That’s where Leaddelta comes in. It’s a tool built specifically for people who want to make sense of their LinkedIn contacts, not just collect them. The secret sauce? Workspace filters. But like any tool, it’s only as good as how you use it. Here’s how to actually get organized, without wasting time on features you’ll never touch.
Why Bother Organizing LinkedIn Contacts?
Let’s be honest: most people’s LinkedIn networks are a mess. Maybe you connected with someone at a conference five years ago, or accepted a bunch of random requests out of politeness. Fast forward, and you can’t find the handful of people who actually matter for your job or business.
Organizing your contacts isn’t about being a neat freak—it’s about being able to:
- Find the right person, fast, when you need them.
- Remember why you connected in the first place.
- Stop missing out on opportunities because your network is a black hole.
If you work in sales, recruiting, partnerships, or just want to keep your professional life less chaotic, it’s worth getting this sorted.
Step 1: Get Set Up with Leaddelta
Before you start filtering, you need your contacts in one place. Here’s the quick setup:
- Sign up for Leaddelta.
- You’ll need a LinkedIn account, obviously. Leaddelta connects directly to pull in your contacts.
- Yes, it costs money. There’s a free trial, but the real features are paid.
- Import your LinkedIn contacts.
- The first sync can take a while if you have a big network—be patient.
- Double-check that all your connections have come over. Sometimes LinkedIn’s API can be finicky.
- Get familiar with the workspace.
- Leaddelta’s dashboard looks a lot like a CRM. If you’ve used any contact manager before, you’ll get the hang of it fast.
Pro tip: If you have contacts in other spreadsheets or tools, import them now. It’s easier to get everything into one place upfront.
Step 2: Understand Workspace Filters (and What Matters)
Leaddelta’s big selling point is its workspace filters. But don’t get lost in the weeds—here’s what actually matters:
- Tags: You can add custom tags to any contact. This is huge. Think “Client,” “Colleague,” “Prospect,” or get as specific as you want (“Met at 2023 SaaStr”).
- Notes: Jot down context you’ll forget in a month (“Wants to hire in Q3,” “Hates cold calls,” etc.).
- Company, Location, Title: All pulled from LinkedIn. You can filter on these just like in a CRM.
- Last Message/Last Contacted: Helps you see who’s gone cold (or who you’re ignoring by accident).
- Connection Strength: Leaddelta tries to score how “warm” the relationship is, based on activity. Don’t obsess over this, but it’s sometimes useful.
Ignore the vanity metrics. Profile views and connection counts don’t help you organize anything.
Step 3: Start Tagging and Sorting Contacts
This is where most people get stuck, because the temptation is to overthink it. Don’t.
How to do it:
- Pick 3–5 useful tags. Start with big buckets: “Client,” “Lead,” “Past Colleague,” “VIP,” “Ignore.” You can always add more later.
- Bulk tag where possible. Leaddelta lets you select a bunch of contacts at once. Use filters like job title or company to group people.
- Add quick context notes. For anyone important, jot a note about how you know them or what you last talked about.
- Filter by connection date. Newest connections are usually freshest in your mind. Start there to tag and note, then work backwards.
Don’t try to tag every single person perfectly. Focus on the folks you actually want to find again.
Pro tip: Set a timer for 30 minutes. Blast through as much as you can. This isn’t your life’s work—it’s just cleaning up digital clutter.
Step 4: Build and Save Useful Filters
Now that you’ve tagged people and added some notes, it’s time to make all that effort pay off.
How to create workspace filters:
- Click the filter button in Leaddelta.
- Choose your criteria. For example:
- Tag = “Lead” AND Location = “New York”
- Tag = “Client” AND Last Contacted > 90 days ago
- Title contains “Recruiter” OR “Talent”
- Stack filters as needed. You can combine tags, companies, dates, and more.
- Save filters you’ll use often. Give them clear names (“Stale Clients,” “Tech Leads in SF,” etc.).
Why this matters: Saved filters mean you don’t have to redo work every time. It’s the difference between “Where did I put that?” and “Oh, there it is.”
What not to do: Don’t make 20 filters you’ll never use. Stick to the handful that solve real problems (“Who should I follow up with?” “Who do I know at X company?”).
Step 5: Use Filters for Real-World Scenarios
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Some examples:
- Sales follow-ups: Filter for leads you haven’t messaged in 30+ days.
- Event invites: Find all connections in a certain city or with a certain role.
- Job search: Filter for recruiters or contacts at target companies.
- Client check-ins: See which clients haven’t heard from you in a while.
You get the idea—filters aren’t just for show. They’re shortcuts to the actions that matter.
Pro tip: Make it a habit. Once a week, check your saved filters and send a few messages. You’ll stay top of mind and actually use your network.
What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Ignore
What works:
- Bulk tagging and filtering. Saves hours hunting for old emails or DMs.
- Notes for context. You’ll forget why you connected—write it down now.
- Saved filters. The only way to make this sustainable.
What doesn’t:
- Trying to be perfect. You’ll get burned out and stop using the tool.
- Over-complicating tags (“B2B SaaS Early Adopter Beta User 2022”). Keep it simple.
- Relying on automation for relationship-building. The tool helps you organize, but you still have to reach out.
What to ignore:
- Vanity metrics (number of connections, profile views).
- Anything that feels like busywork without payoff.
Keeping It Simple (and Sane)
The real power of Leaddelta workspace filters isn’t in the bells and whistles—it’s in making your LinkedIn network actually usable. Most people never get there because they get overwhelmed or try to be perfect.
Here’s the bottom line:
- Start with a few tags and saved filters that solve real problems for you.
- Don’t worry about getting every detail right from day one.
- Set aside a little time each week to review and update. Iterate as you go.
If you keep it simple and actually use the filters, you’ll spend less time clicking around LinkedIn and more time connecting with the people who matter. That’s the whole point.