If you’re tired of slogging through manual LinkedIn messages and wish you could automate the mindless bits, you’re not alone. This guide is for salespeople, founders, and marketers who want to use automation to speed up LinkedIn outreach—without coming off as a spam bot or getting their account flagged.
We’ll walk through how to set up an automated workflow using Funnelflare, a tool built for sales automation that actually plays nice with LinkedIn (within limits). No fluff, no “growth hacks”—just practical steps, honest advice, and a few warnings about what not to waste your time on.
Why (and Why Not) Automate LinkedIn Outreach?
Let’s get this out of the way: most people overdo LinkedIn automation. If you run “spray and pray” connection bots, you’ll get ignored, blocked, or worse. But if you use automation to handle follow-ups, reminders, and low-value busywork, you can save hours—without burning bridges.
Pros of automating LinkedIn outreach: - Save time on repetitive messaging and follow-ups - Stay organized (no more lost leads in a spreadsheet) - Nudge prospects at the right time, consistently
Cons and risks: - LinkedIn hates full automation—too much, and you’ll get flagged or restricted - Automated messages can feel robotic if you’re not careful - There’s always some manual work (the “set it and forget it” dream is a myth)
Bottom line: Use automation to supplement—not replace—real conversations. Think of it as your digital assistant, not your clone.
What You’ll Need Before You Start
Don’t jump into Funnelflare until you’ve got these basics sorted:
- A clear LinkedIn target list: Who are you reaching out to, and why? (Random = useless)
- Some message templates: Personalize them later, but get the bones ready now.
- A Funnelflare account: Sign up and poke around the dashboard.
- Chrome browser + LinkedIn: Funnelflare’s LinkedIn tools rely on the Chrome extension. No way around this.
Pro tip: If you’re new to LinkedIn outreach, start by running a few manual campaigns first. Automation amplifies bad habits just as fast as good ones.
Step 1: Connect Funnelflare to LinkedIn
Funnelflare doesn’t use LinkedIn’s official API (LinkedIn keeps that locked down). Instead, it works through a Chrome extension that automates actions as if you’re doing them yourself.
To set up: 1. Install the Funnelflare Chrome extension. - Log into Funnelflare and find the extension link in the integrations or “Connections” section. - Install it, then log into LinkedIn and make sure the extension is active. 2. Authorize LinkedIn inside Funnelflare. - This usually means clicking a “Connect LinkedIn” button and following prompts. - Funnelflare needs permission to read your profile and send connection requests/messages. 3. Test the connection. - Try sending a test message to yourself or a colleague. - If it doesn’t work, restart your browser or check for extension conflicts.
Heads up: Chrome extensions can break when LinkedIn changes its layout. If something stops working, check for updates or Funnelflare support threads.
Step 2: Build Your Target List
Garbage in, garbage out. Good outreach starts with a well-defined list.
Two ways to build a list:
- Export from Sales Navigator: If you pay for LinkedIn’s Sales Nav, use its filters to get a CSV of your leads.
- Manual search: If you’re on the free plan, build your list by hand. Save LinkedIn profile URLs in a spreadsheet.
Import your list into Funnelflare: - Go to “Contacts” in Funnelflare, click “Import,” and upload your CSV. - Double-check that names, companies, and profile URLs map to the right fields.
Skip the temptation to buy scraped LinkedIn lists. They’re mostly junk and can get you in trouble.
Step 3: Create Your Outreach Sequence
Here’s where the magic (and the risk) happens. You’ll set up a workflow—a series of steps Funnelflare will carry out for each contact.
Typical LinkedIn outreach sequence:
- Connection request (with a short note)
- Wait 2-3 days
- Follow-up message (if they accept)
- Optional second follow-up (if no reply)
- Task reminder for manual action (e.g., comment on a post or send something more personal)
How to build this in Funnelflare: - Go to “Sequences” or “Workflows” in your dashboard. - Add each action as a step: - Send LinkedIn connection request (you’ll need a message template) - Wait (set delays between steps) - Send LinkedIn message (for accepted connections) - Add a manual task (for steps automation can’t handle) - Assign your imported contacts to this sequence.
A few honest tips: - Keep connection request notes under 300 characters. Don’t pitch—just mention a mutual interest or reason for connecting. - Personalize at least the first sentence of each message. Funnelflare supports merge fields (like {{FirstName}}), but that only gets you so far. - Don’t add more than 2-3 automated messages per sequence. More than that and you’re in spam territory.
What to ignore: Any workflow that promises “1000+ invites a week.” LinkedIn will throttle you or lock your account well before you hit those numbers.
Step 4: Write (and Test) Your Messages
Automation can’t save you from bad messaging. Even the best sequence flops if your messages sound generic or desperate.
What works: - Short, specific connection notes (“Saw you’re in X field—would love to connect.”) - Follow-ups that reference something relevant (recent post, shared group, etc.) - Questions or observations, not hard pitches
What doesn’t: - Wall-of-text pitches in your first message - Fake personalization (“I see we have interests in common!”) - “Let’s connect, I’d love to add you to my network!” (Everyone sees through this)
Test, test, test: - Send messages to a few real people first—see what gets a response. - Ask a colleague to review your sequence. If it sounds like a bot, back to the drawing board.
Step 5: Launch and Monitor (Don’t Set and Forget)
It’s tempting to hit “start” and walk away. Don’t. LinkedIn is always changing, and even “safe” automation tools can get tripped up.
How to launch safely: - Start with a small batch (10-20 contacts) and see what happens. - Watch for connection bans, restricted accounts, or weird message errors. - Check your Funnelflare dashboard for bounces, responses, and skipped steps.
Pro tip: Mix in manual outreach with automated steps. LinkedIn notices if you’re too robotic. Vary your activity just like a human would.
If you get flagged: - Pause your workflow immediately. - Let your account rest (don’t keep hammering LinkedIn). - Review your messaging and cadence—too aggressive? Too many requests per day?
Step 6: Review Results and Tweak
Automation is not magic—it’s trial and error. Here’s what to track (and what to ignore):
Track: - Connection request acceptance rate (shoot for 30%+, lower means your targeting or note needs work) - Response rate to first follow-up - Actual conversations, not just “messages sent”
Ignore: - Vanity metrics (“messages delivered” means nothing if nobody replies) - Gimmicky metrics like “profile views”—not a sign of real interest
Tweak your sequence: - If acceptance is low, rewrite your intro note. - If responses are low, try a different first follow-up. - If LinkedIn slows your account, lower your daily send limits.
It’s a grind, but small changes add up.
A Few Things to Watch Out For
- LinkedIn’s automation detection is always getting smarter. What worked last quarter might not work now.
- Never automate connection requests for people you haven’t researched. Nothing says “spam” like a generic invite from a stranger.
- Funnelflare is a tool, not a shortcut. If you’re just blasting cold pitches, you’ll get ignored—automation just helps you do it faster.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
A fancy workflow doesn’t beat a simple, well-run one. Start small, keep your outreach personal, and use automation to handle the boring stuff—not to replace real conversations.
Check your results, tweak your approach, and don’t chase shiny new hacks. That’s how you build LinkedIn outreach that actually works—and doesn’t get your account locked.
If you’re on the fence about automating LinkedIn, try a single sequence in Funnelflare, keep an eye on what happens, and go from there. Simple wins.