Setting up LinkedIn integration for seamless lead generation in Closelyhq

If you’re here, you already know LinkedIn is where the leads are. You’ve also heard that Closelyhq claims to make LinkedIn outreach easier, but “integration” can mean anything from a magic button to a week in Zapier hell. This guide is for sales pros, founders, and marketers who want real leads, not just demo videos and dashboards. We'll get into the nuts and bolts of connecting LinkedIn to Closelyhq — what works, what’s a pain, and how to avoid wasting your time.

What You’ll Get Out of This

  • The quickest, least annoying way to hook up LinkedIn with Closelyhq
  • Common gotchas and honest takes about what the integration actually does (and doesn’t)
  • Pro tips for keeping your account safe and your workflow sane

Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Understand What Closelyhq’s LinkedIn Integration Actually Does

Before you start connecting accounts, let’s call out what this integration is not:

  • It’s not a direct API hookup. LinkedIn doesn’t play nice with most CRMs or outreach tools, so Closelyhq uses browser automation (“chrome extension” or “cloud seat”).
  • It doesn’t make you immune to LinkedIn limits or bans. If you go full spammer, you’ll get flagged.
  • You won’t get “one-click” syncing of every field. Expect some manual review.

What it does do:

  • Lets you scrape/search LinkedIn contacts and import them to Closelyhq lists
  • Sends connection requests and follow-ups on your behalf
  • Tracks replies and manages basic outreach campaigns

If you’re expecting something more than that, you’ll be disappointed. If that’s exactly what you want, keep going.

Step 2: Get Your LinkedIn Account Ready

Before you even touch Closelyhq, make sure your LinkedIn account is healthy.

  • No burner accounts. Closelyhq works best with real, aged accounts with photos and activity.
  • Warm up your account. If you’ve just created LinkedIn or haven’t used it in months, spend a couple weeks posting, commenting, and connecting like a normal human.
  • Update your profile. A half-finished profile is a red flag to LinkedIn and your prospects.

Pro tip: Don’t use the same LinkedIn account across multiple automation tools at once. That’s a fast track to restrictions.

Step 3: Connect LinkedIn to Closelyhq

Here’s how it usually goes (and what might trip you up):

1. Log into Closelyhq

  • Go to your dashboard.
  • Find the LinkedIn integration or onboarding prompt. Usually, there’s a “Connect LinkedIn” button.

2. Pick Your Connection Method

Closelyhq generally gives two options: browser extension (runs on your computer) or cloud seat (runs on their servers).

  • Browser Extension:
  • Install the Chrome extension.
  • Log into LinkedIn in the same browser.
  • Grant permissions.
  • Best for: People who don’t mind leaving their computer on; less risk of LinkedIn blocks.
  • Cloud Seat:
  • Give your LinkedIn credentials to Closelyhq (yeah, you read that right).
  • They run automation from their end, 24/7.
  • Best for: Set-and-forget users; higher convenience, but you’re trusting them with your login.

Honest take: If you’re nervous about security, stick with the browser extension. Cloud seats are convenient but come with more risk (and often extra cost).

3. Login and Authorize

  • Once you pick a method, follow the prompts.
  • With the extension, a pop-up will ask for permissions.
  • With cloud, you’ll enter your LinkedIn username/password (it usually gets encrypted and stored, but know what you’re signing up for).

4. Test the Connection

  • Try pulling a small list of leads or running a test campaign.
  • If you hit errors, check:
  • Is LinkedIn open in your browser?
  • Did you enable all permissions?
  • Any VPNs or blockers interfering?

Pro tip: Don’t skip the test. Nothing’s more frustrating than setting up a big campaign and watching it fizzle because the connection didn’t take.

Step 4: Import and Clean Up Leads from LinkedIn

Now the fun part — but also where most people get sloppy.

1. Search on LinkedIn

  • Use LinkedIn’s own search tools (filters, Boolean, Sales Navigator if you have it) to find your ideal prospects.
  • Save or bookmark searches you’ll use repeatedly.

2. Import with Closelyhq

  • With the integration live, you can usually “import from LinkedIn” right from Closelyhq.
  • Pick your search or paste in profile URLs.

Heads up:
- LinkedIn hates mass scraping. Go slow (a few hundred per day, max). - Expect some “noise” — Closelyhq isn’t perfect at deduplication or parsing every field.

3. Clean Your List

  • Manually review imported leads. Delete obvious junk, duplicates, or profiles outside your ICP.
  • Tag or segment leads in Closelyhq for easier campaigns later.

Don’t ignore this part. Sending to bad leads is the fastest way to burn your connection limits and annoy people.

Step 5: Set Up Outreach Campaigns (Without Being “That Guy”)

This is where most folks get greedy and LinkedIn notices.

1. Build a Sequence

  • Use Closelyhq’s sequence builder to create your connection message and (if you want) 1–2 follow-ups.
  • Keep it short, personal, and non-pitchy. If your message reads like a template, it’ll get ignored — or worse, reported.

2. Set Daily Limits

  • Stick to 30–50 connection requests per day, max.
  • Same with follow-ups. Don’t schedule a hundred messages to go out at once.

3. Add Delays and Randomness

  • Use Closelyhq’s delay/randomizer features. You want your activity to look like a real person, not a robot on speed.

4. Monitor Replies

  • When someone replies, Closelyhq can pause further messages to that lead.
  • Always reply manually to warm leads. No automation replaces a real conversation.

What not to do:
- Don’t use the same (or nearly same) connection message for everyone.
- Don’t try to run multiple LinkedIn automation tools at once.

Step 6: Stay Out of LinkedIn Jail

LinkedIn is getting stricter every year. Here’s how to avoid trouble:

  • Don’t blast hundreds of invites out of nowhere.
  • Don’t send links or sales pitches in your first message.
  • If you get hit with a captcha or verification, stop all automation and reset your password.
  • Rotate your campaigns and take breaks if you see warning signs.

Pro tip:
If LinkedIn locks you out, Closelyhq won’t be able to help. You have to fix it with LinkedIn support.

What Actually Works (and What’s Overhyped)

  • Works:
  • Small, targeted campaigns to specific audiences.
  • Using Closelyhq for reminders, follow-ups, and reply tracking.

  • Automating the boring stuff, not the whole relationship.

  • Overhyped:

  • Claims of “fully automated” LinkedIn lead gen. The minute it looks like a bot, you’re one step from being shut down.

  • Syncing every possible field or custom data. Some stuff just won’t map over cleanly.

  • Ignore:

  • Features that promise to “bypass” LinkedIn limits. If someone could do this reliably, they’d be selling it for a lot more.

Keep It Simple, Iterate Often

You don’t need a 20-step funnel or fancy AI to get value from LinkedIn and Closelyhq. Start with a small, clean list. Run a focused campaign. Watch what happens, tweak, and repeat. If something doesn’t work, don’t double down — simplify. Most of the best results come from a few hours of honest, human outreach, not endless automation.

If you hit a snag, don’t be shy about reaching out to support — or just asking a peer who’s done it before. And if you ever feel like you’re about to overcomplicate things, you probably are.

Good luck, and keep it real.