Looking to pull leads from LinkedIn into a tool that actually helps you work, not just stare at dashboards? This guide’s for sales folks, recruiters, founders, or anyone tired of copy-pasting profiles and losing track of follow-ups. We'll walk through setting up Prosp with LinkedIn, getting your prospecting workflow humming, and, importantly, what’s worth your time (and what isn’t).
Why bother integrating Prosp with LinkedIn?
Let’s be real: LinkedIn’s built-in prospecting tools are clunky. Prosp promises to help you scrape, track, and organize prospects with less hassle. The goal? Spend less time on mindless admin work and more time actually talking to people.
But, not all integrations are magic. Some are half-baked browser extensions, some get your account flagged, and some just dump data into a spreadsheet graveyard. This guide is about doing it right, staying safe, and actually getting value.
Step 1: What you need before you start
Before you go clicking “Connect,” make sure you’ve got the basics:
- A Prosp account. Obviously, you’ll need to be logged in, with whatever access level your role requires.
- A LinkedIn account. Free is fine, but Premium or Sales Navigator opens up more search/filter options.
- Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Most integrations rely on browser extensions. Firefox/Safari users, you’re mostly out of luck.
- Admin permissions (if you’re on a team Prosp plan). You might need these to connect integrations for everyone.
Pro tip: If your company is strict about browser extensions or LinkedIn automation, talk to IT or check your usage policy before installing anything.
Step 2: Installing the Prosp LinkedIn Integration
Prosp’s integration works via a browser extension that acts as a bridge between LinkedIn and your Prosp dashboard.
How to install
- Go to Prosp’s Integrations section.
- Usually found in your account settings or a sidebar menu.
- Find the LinkedIn integration.
- Click “Install Extension.” This will usually redirect you to the Chrome Web Store.
- Add the extension to your browser.
- Click “Add to Chrome” (or Edge), then confirm.
- Log in to Prosp via the extension.
- You’ll probably need to authenticate—usually just a click, but sometimes you’ll need to enter your Prosp credentials.
What to ignore: Any “integration” that asks for your LinkedIn password directly. That’s a red flag. The real extension will authenticate through your logged-in browser session, not by scraping your credentials.
Step 3: Connecting LinkedIn to Prosp
With the extension running, you should see a Prosp widget or sidebar overlay when you’re on LinkedIn.
Here’s how to connect:
- Navigate to LinkedIn (regular, Sales Navigator, or Recruiter).
- Search for leads as you normally do.
- Use filters for industry, job title, location, etc.
- Open a profile or a search results page.
- The Prosp overlay should “light up” when it detects valid data.
- Click “Add to Prosp” or “Save Lead.”
- Most integrations let you bulk-add from search results, or add one-by-one from profiles.
- Choose a Prosp list or campaign to save to.
- Helps keep your workflow organized from the start.
Heads up: LinkedIn is sensitive to automation. Don’t try to bulk-add hundreds of leads in one sitting. Keep it human—slow and steady wins the race (and keeps your account safe).
Step 4: Organizing and qualifying your leads in Prosp
Dumping a pile of profiles into Prosp isn’t prospecting—it’s digital hoarding. Here’s how to make your leads useful:
- Tag and segment as you add. Use tags like “VP Marketing,” “NYC SaaS,” or “2024 Q3 campaign.”
- Add notes right away. If you spot something useful (mutual connection, recent post, shared alma mater), jot it down. You’ll thank yourself later.
- Score or qualify leads. Some Prosp plans let you set custom fields or scoring criteria—use them if you have a system. Otherwise, a simple A/B/C rating works fine.
What doesn’t work: Relying on automation to qualify leads for you. AI can help, but it still gets context wrong. You’ll get better results reviewing and tagging manually, at least for your top targets.
Step 5: Reaching out—what Prosp can (and can’t) do
Here’s where most tools overpromise. Prosp can help you:
- Track outreach and responses. See who you’ve messaged, when you followed up, and what you said.
- Log InMail and connection requests. Some integrations can even trigger reminders or auto-update stages.
- Export lists to CSV or sync with your CRM. Handy if you need to move data elsewhere.
But here’s what it can’t do (and you shouldn’t try):
- Send automated connection requests or messages through LinkedIn. This is against LinkedIn’s terms and a fast track to being restricted or banned. Ignore any tool that promises full automation inside LinkedIn; it’s risky and not worth it.
- Scrape emails from LinkedIn profiles reliably. Some tools claim this, but you’ll mostly get outdated or junk addresses. If you need emails, use a dedicated email finder and expect mixed results.
Step 6: Managing your workflow and keeping it clean
To avoid a bloated database and wasted time:
- Regularly archive or delete stale leads. If someone hasn’t responded after a few touches, clear them out.
- Review and update tags every week. It’s easy to let things get messy—set a 15-minute calendar block to stay organized.
- Sync with your CRM (if you use one). Prosp can push data to tools like HubSpot or Salesforce, but check field mapping. Otherwise, you’ll end up with mismatched info.
Pro tip: Don’t chase every shiny feature. Focus on using 2-3 things well: adding leads, tagging/qualifying, and tracking outreach. Everything else is a bonus.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
Even good tools have rough edges. Here’s what trips people up:
- Adding too many leads, too fast. LinkedIn will notice if you’re scraping huge lists. Pace yourself—think quality over quantity.
- Not personalizing outreach. Every “Hi, saw your profile…” sounds like spam. Use your notes and tags to make messages genuine.
- Relying on data enrichment features. These can fill in company info or emails, but are rarely 100% accurate. Double-check before sending.
- Forgetting privacy settings. Some people don’t want their info scraped. Respect opt-outs and don’t get cute with privacy workarounds.
Quick troubleshooting
- Prosp overlay doesn’t appear on LinkedIn: Refresh, or make sure you’re logged in to both accounts. Some ad-blockers can break overlays—try disabling them.
- Leads aren’t saving: Double-check that you’ve chosen a list or campaign. Sometimes browser updates break extensions—reinstall if needed.
- Integration keeps logging you out: Cookies and browser privacy settings can interfere. Try whitelisting Prosp and LinkedIn in your browser.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, keep it human
The best prospecting tool is the one you’ll actually use. Don’t get distracted by every automation promise or “AI-powered” feature. Start with the basics: set up Prosp, connect LinkedIn, add leads thoughtfully, and follow up like a real person. Iterate as you go. If something feels like more work than it’s worth, it probably is.
You can always tweak your workflow later. For now—just get started, keep it clean, and stay out of LinkedIn jail.