Let’s be honest: most LinkedIn messages get ignored. If you’re reaching out for sales, recruiting, or partnerships, you need your message to actually get read—and maybe even replied to. Tools like Octopuscrm promise to make bulk messaging easy, but there’s a fine line between smart outreach and annoying spam.
This guide is for anyone who wants to use automation without torching their LinkedIn reputation. We’ll walk through how to use Octopuscrm to send bulk messages that get more responses, not more eye rolls.
What Is Octopuscrm, and Why Do People Use It?
Octopuscrm is a Chrome extension that automates parts of your LinkedIn workflow, like sending connection requests and bulk messages. In plain English: it helps you blast out LinkedIn messages faster, so you don’t spend all day copying and pasting.
Here’s what it can do: - Send personalized messages to lots of people at once - Set up follow-up sequences - Scrape LinkedIn data for outreach lists
But here’s what it can’t do: - Make your messages less boring - Stop people from marking you as spam if you get it wrong
Bulk tools are a force multiplier—if your approach is good, you’ll reach more people efficiently. If your approach stinks, you’ll just annoy more people, faster.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Target and Message
Before you even install anything, stop and ask: Who are you actually trying to reach, and why should they care? Automation won’t fix a bad list or a pointless message.
What works: - Small, targeted lists (think dozens or hundreds, not thousands) - Messages tailored to a specific role, company, or pain point - One clear “ask” (e.g., a quick call, feedback, or resource share)
What to ignore: - Huge, generic lists pulled from LinkedIn search with no filters - Copy-pasted sales pitches with zero personalization - Messages longer than a mobile phone screen
Pro tip: If you wouldn’t reply to your own message, neither will anyone else.
Step 2: Install Octopuscrm and Set Up Your Account
Here’s the quick version: 1. Go to the Octopuscrm website and add the Chrome extension. 2. Log in with your LinkedIn account. 3. Go through the setup wizard—it’s pretty straightforward.
A couple of honest notes: - You need to use Chrome. No Firefox or Safari support. - LinkedIn doesn’t officially “allow” automation, so don’t go nuts. More on that later.
Step 3: Build Your LinkedIn List the Right Way
Bulk messaging only works if you’re targeting the right people. Octopuscrm lets you scrape profiles from LinkedIn searches, but you still have to use your brain.
How to build a quality list: - Use LinkedIn’s filters: location, industry, job title, company size, etc. - Start with 50–200 people at a time. You can always add more later. - Avoid scraping “Open to Work” banners if you’re selling something—they’ll just ignore you.
Things that sound smart but aren’t: - “I’ll just message every CEO in New York.” (You’ll get flagged. Fast.) - “The more people, the better.” (Nope. Quality > quantity.)
Pro tip: Save your search parameters so you can repeat what works.
Step 4: Write a Message That Doesn’t Suck
The hardest part isn’t sending messages—it’s not sounding like a robot. Octopuscrm lets you personalize with things like {first_name}, but if your message is still generic, people will spot it a mile away.
What actually gets replies: - Mention something you share (industry, event, mutual connection) - State why you’re reaching out in the first line - Keep it under 500 characters - End with a simple question or call to action
Template (steal this, but make it your own):
Hi {first_name}, I saw we both work in {industry} and noticed your recent project at {company}. I’m connecting with folks working on {topic}. Mind if I ask you a quick question?
What to avoid: - Mass-blast “let’s connect and explore synergies” (nobody cares) - Walls of text - Too much selling up front
Pro tip: Send your draft to a friend. If they cringe, rewrite it.
Step 5: Set Up Your Campaign in Octopuscrm
Now for the mechanics. Here’s how to actually send your messages:
- Import your LinkedIn list: Use Octopuscrm to scrape profiles from your LinkedIn search results. Double-check your list before sending—LinkedIn isn’t forgiving.
- Create a new campaign: Name it something you’ll remember (e.g., “June SaaS Founders Outreach”).
- Paste your message: Use personalization tags like {first_name}, but don’t overdo it.
- Set limits: Stick to 50–100 messages per day, max. LinkedIn monitors for spammy behavior.
- Schedule send times: Space out your messages. Octopuscrm can drip them over hours or days.
What to watch out for: - Don’t send hundreds of messages at once; LinkedIn will flag you. - Avoid sending to 2nd/3rd-degree connections without a connection request first.
Pro tip: Test your campaign on 10–20 people before going wider. See what replies (or crickets) you get, and tweak your approach.
Step 6: Track Responses and Actually Follow Up
Automation gets your foot in the door. What you do next is what makes a difference.
- Reply quickly: The longer you wait, the colder the lead gets.
- Personalize your follow-up: Now that they’ve replied, ditch the templates.
- Use Octopuscrm’s dashboard: Track who replied, who ignored you, and who you need to follow up with.
Don’t:
- Send the same follow-up to everyone. Lazy.
- Badger people who don’t reply. No means no.
Step 7: Don’t Get Banned (Seriously)
LinkedIn doesn’t love automation. If you’re too aggressive, you can get warnings, restrictions, or banned outright.
How to stay safe: - Use small lists - Limit daily actions (Octopuscrm lets you throttle sends) - Don’t automate connection requests and messaging at the same time - Take breaks between campaigns
If you get a warning, stop for a few days. No tool is worth losing your LinkedIn account.
Step 8: Iterate, Don’t Spray and Pray
The people who get the best results actually learn from what works and what flops.
- Tweak your message every week or two
- Test different subject lines or hooks
- Drop people who never respond from future lists
Keep your eye on quality conversations, not just numbers.
What Works, What Doesn’t, and What to Ignore
Works:
- Tight, relevant lists
- Short, personalized messages
- Following up (without being a pest)
Doesn’t:
- Huge, untargeted blasts
- Generic copy-paste templates
- Ignoring LinkedIn’s limits
Ignore:
- Anyone promising “10x replies overnight” (it’s always hype)
- Bots that promise “AI-powered personalization” (still robotic)
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Human
Bulk messaging with Octopuscrm is a powerful tool—if you use it with a little restraint and a lot of common sense. Slow down, focus on genuine connections, and don’t be afraid to test new angles. The people who get the most replies aren’t the ones who send the most messages—they’re the ones who actually sound human.
Start small, iterate, and remember: you only need a few real conversations to make this worth your time.