The Closely API simplifies enterprise outreach by automating LinkedIn and email workflows, syncing data with CRMs, and saving time on manual tasks. Here’s what you need to know:
- Core Purpose: Automates LinkedIn actions (like DMs, InMails, and connections) and email campaigns while syncing with CRMs for a unified sales process.
- Key Benefits:
- Saves up to 10 hours per week on prospecting.
- Increases response rates by 35% with personalization.
- Reduces data silos with real-time syncing.
- Top Features:
- Lead enrichment pulling over 100 B2B attributes.
- Multichannel campaigns combining LinkedIn and email.
- Real-time updates via webhooks.
- White-label options for agencies.
- Security: Protects account safety with smart limits, human-like delays, and secure API key management.
This tool is ideal for enterprises looking to streamline sales processes, improve lead quality, and scale outreach efficiently. The article explores endpoints, workflows, and best practices for secure deployment.
Closely API Key Benefits and Performance Metrics for Enterprise Sales Automation
How API Workflows Make Automation Easy!
Getting Started with Closely API
If you’re looking to create custom workflows like the ones mentioned earlier, the first step is understanding the Closely API’s structure and authentication. This is key to automating outreach and syncing LinkedIn interactions seamlessly.
The Closely API is built on RESTful principles, which means it uses predictable URL structures organized by resource types (e.g., Leads, Contacts, Activities, Sequences). This design makes it straightforward for developers to find the right endpoints for specific tasks.
To authenticate, you can use API keys or, for public-facing applications, OAuth 2.0. Always ensure you’re using HTTPS to secure your communications. For enterprise-level applications, OAuth 2.0 is generally preferred because it doesn’t expose credentials and securely manages identity and permissions.
Security is critical. Did you know that 84% of organizations reported at least one API-related security incident last year [3]? To minimize risks, store your API keys in a secure vault instead of embedding them in your code. Regularly rotating your credentials is another best practice to protect against potential breaches.
Closely API Endpoints Explained
The Closely API groups its endpoints by functionality, making it easier to design workflows. Once you’ve set up secure authentication, these endpoints simplify integrations.
- Advanced Search: Use the
POST /api/v1/data/search/endpoint for complex JSON-based queries. For example, you can filter for CEOs with verified email addresses without manually combing through data. - Creating Leads: Add new leads using
POST /api/v1/lead/. - Adding Contacts: Use
POST /api/v1/contact/to attach contacts to existing leads. - Webhooks: The
POST /api/v1/webhook/endpoint enables real-time updates. For instance, you’ll get instant notifications when a lead responds to an InMail or accepts a connection request. This keeps your CRM updated without needing to constantly poll for changes. - Activity Logging: Use
POST /api/v1/activity/note/to log notes, call summaries, or other custom activities directly into a contact’s timeline.
For large datasets, take advantage of cursor-based pagination and filter queries by date ranges to manage data efficiently. You can also use the _fields parameter to retrieve only the data you need, which improves response times and reduces bandwidth usage.
Once you’ve familiarized yourself with these endpoints, focus on securing and managing your API keys effectively.
How to Get and Manage API Keys
To get started, generate your API key in the API section of your account. Store this key securely – never embed it directly in your code. Keep in mind that the API enforces a rate limit of 60 requests per minute per organization. If you exceed this limit, you’ll get an HTTP 429 "Too Many Requests" error. To handle this gracefully, implement exponential backoff in your error management.
Before moving to production, test your integration in a sandbox environment using tools like Postman or Insomnia. This lets you verify endpoint responses and catch any authentication issues early on. For advanced queries, try using the platform’s visual query builder. It generates the exact JSON structure you need for filtering, helping to avoid manual errors.
"API authentication verifies who is making the request; API authorization determines what they can access." – Frontegg [4]
To enhance security, use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), ensuring each token only accesses the data it needs. Mastering these basics around endpoints and key management lays the groundwork for building scalable and secure enterprise solutions, which will be explored further in upcoming sections.
Building Custom Workflows with Closely API
Once you’ve got your API keys secured and understand the endpoint structure, you’re ready to create workflows that bring automation to your sales cycle. These workflows go beyond just simplifying tasks – they can eliminate manual prospecting and help scale your outreach. The Closely API integrates features like lead enrichment, LinkedIn automation, and multichannel campaigns, all of which can run automatically. Let’s dive into how automated lead enrichment transforms raw leads into actionable prospects.
Automating Lead Enrichment and Scoring
The Closely API takes the hassle out of lead enrichment by extracting data automatically. When a new lead comes in – whether from a web form, a CSV upload, or a LinkedIn search – the API can instantly pull over 100 B2B attributes from more than 250 sources [7]. This includes details like verified business emails, direct phone numbers, company tech stacks, funding history, and even buyer intent signals [1][6].
For inbound leads, you only need to collect basic details like a name and email address. The API takes care of appending the rest of the data, which not only reduces friction on your forms but also enriches your CRM with verified, real-time information [6][7].
When it comes to lead scoring, you can connect the enriched data to your CRM through webhooks. The API syncs LinkedIn touchpoints – like direct messages, InMails, and connection events – directly into platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive [1]. This integration triggers your internal scoring and routing workflows automatically. Businesses using this setup have reported a 45% increase in pipeline opportunities and a 30% faster deal-closing rate [1][5]. Considering that poor data quality can cost companies about 12% of their revenue [5], refreshing lead data every 30–60 days is a smart move. Automated workflows also help counteract the natural 20–25% annual decay rate of contact information [5][7].
To make this process seamless, ensure your field mapping is accurate to avoid scoring errors or data inconsistencies [7]. You can also use AI to review leads, automatically flagging or removing contacts that don’t align with your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) before wasting time on unqualified prospects [2][6].
With enriched and scored leads in place, the next step is automating your LinkedIn outreach.
Setting Up LinkedIn Outreach Automation
LinkedIn outreach automation starts with identifying high-intent leads from sources like LinkedIn Search, Sales Navigator, Recruiter, or Groups [8]. The Closely API allows you to create automated sequences that include actions like profile visits, connection requests, follow-up messages, and even post engagement – all without manual effort [8].
To avoid LinkedIn restrictions, it’s essential to configure safety measures from the get-go. Use features like warm-up mode and set daily activity caps that mimic human behavior [8]. Running each LinkedIn account on a dedicated residential proxy also helps replicate real user activity [8]. These steps can lead to a 52% higher engagement rate and 3x more connections with qualified decision-makers [8].
What makes this approach even more effective is AI-powered personalization. The platform’s Sales AI Agents analyze lead profiles and company websites to craft tailored messages based on recent updates or specific roles [8][1]. Compared to generic templates, this level of personalization boosts response rates by 35% [1]. Smart variables also pull in context dynamically, so every message feels unique and personal.
"Closely is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enhance their sales engagement. The platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible even for those who are not tech-savvy." – Antonio D., Digital Strategist & Coach [8]
Before scaling your outreach, it’s a good idea to test the workflow with a single row of data to confirm that variables and logic are working as expected [9]. Once validated, the API syncs all touchpoints – like DMs, connection events, and replies – directly to your CRM, making reporting accurate and eliminating the need for manual tracking. This can save users up to 15 hours a week [8].
Creating Multichannel Campaigns with AI
Take your outreach strategy to the next level by combining LinkedIn and email efforts into a single automated sequence [1][10]. Multichannel campaigns complement the enriched data and LinkedIn automation you’ve already set up, ensuring a well-rounded approach. With the API, you can set up behavior-based triggers – so if a LinkedIn connection request isn’t accepted within three days, the system can automatically send a personalized email [11]. This ensures no lead slips through the cracks.
The numbers back this up: multichannel outreach generates 2x higher reply rates compared to single-channel strategies [10]. Overall, multichannel campaigns drive 70% more engagement, with some companies seeing conversion rates jump by up to 300% [12].
"The reality of buying and selling is that everyone has different preferences… if you are only making calls or sending emails, you’re missing prospects that don’t answer calls or reply to emails." – Daniel Disney, Founder, The Daily Sales [11]
The Closely API uses LinkedIn profiles and company signals to craft messages for DMs, InMails, and emails that sound natural and human [1]. Sales AI Agents handle lead research, qualification, and message creation, which significantly improves reply rates [1].
To fine-tune your campaigns, use the API to run A/B tests on different message variations across both LinkedIn and email [1]. Track which scripts perform best, and scale those that deliver results. The unified inbox feature ensures your team can manage replies from both channels in one place, so no lead is overlooked during scaling [1]. Plus, all touchpoints automatically sync to CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive, giving you accurate forecasting and streamlined operations [1].
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Advanced Use Cases for Enterprises
The Closely API takes automated workflows to the next level, offering enterprises powerful tools for seamless integrations. These capabilities enable businesses to unify their sales tools, manage large teams effectively, and gain actionable insights from campaign data.
Connecting CRMs and Webhooks
The Closely API works hand-in-hand with popular CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, and GoHighLevel [1]. This real-time integration eliminates the need for manual data entry, instantly updating records and ensuring your sales team always has the latest information.
One standout feature is real-time data enrichment. The API pulls verified business emails and phone numbers from LinkedIn profiles and feeds them straight into your CRM. By setting up webhooks, you can automate workflows triggered by specific events – like assigning hot leads to senior sales reps when a prospect replies or updating deal stages when a meeting is scheduled. Thanks to two-way synchronization, any updates you make in your CRM are reflected in Closely, keeping your systems perfectly aligned [13].
These integrations not only ensure accurate data but also open the door to more advanced team management and analytics capabilities.
Managing Teams with White-Label Options
Efficient team management is crucial for enterprises, especially those handling multiple clients or distributed teams. With the white-label platform, you gain access to a master dashboard that allows you to manage roles and permissions from a single interface [13]. Plus, you can rebrand the platform entirely – add your logo, adjust colors, and even use your own domain [13].
For $999 per month, the platform offers unlimited seats with no setup fees [13]. Each client gets their own portal to view campaigns and reports under your branding, giving you complete control over what they can see or modify [13].
To maintain security and performance, it’s recommended to issue separate API keys for each client and implement role-based access controls to keep data secure [15]. Tenant-specific rate limiting ensures that one client’s heavy usage doesn’t impact others [15]. Additionally, a middleware layer can help streamline API communications, allowing you to switch services or apply data transformations without disrupting your core system [15].
Using Analytics and Reports
With enriched lead data integrated into workflows, the Closely API delivers advanced analytics that provide detailed campaign insights. From a single dashboard, you can track performance metrics across LinkedIn and email channels, including connection acceptance rates, reply rates for direct messages and InMails, email opens, clicks, meetings booked, and pipeline contributions [1][2]. Campaign timelines offer a clear view of every interaction, helping you identify where engagement is thriving – or where it’s falling short [2].
Tools like A/B testing and team performance benchmarking enable sales leaders to uncover effective strategies and refine workflows for better outcomes [1][2]. All this data seamlessly syncs with your CRM, ensuring accurate attribution and reliable pipeline forecasting – critical for enterprise-level revenue planning [1]. To keep everything running smoothly, consider using monitoring tools like Datadog or New Relic to track API response times and error rates across team accounts, allowing you to address issues before they affect campaigns [14][15].
Best Practices for Deployment and Monitoring
Rolling out an enterprise API integration demands a well-organized strategy to ensure stability, security, and optimal performance. With enterprise APIs now responsible for over 83% of all web traffic [3] and the average company managing more than 613 API endpoints in production [16], keeping your Closely API deployment under control is essential.
Error Handling and Rate Limit Management
Integrating robust error-handling mechanisms into your Closely API setup is key to keeping workflows running smoothly, even when disruptions occur. For example, if you encounter a 429 error, use exponential backoff with jitter: gradually increase wait times (e.g., 2, 4, then 8 seconds) while adding random delays. This approach prevents multiple retries from happening simultaneously [20][23]. Additionally, check the Retry-After header to determine how long to wait before making another attempt [20][22][23].
Keep an eye on the X-RateLimit headers to proactively adjust your request frequency [19][23]. For enterprise environments managing multiple client accounts, assign separate rate limiters to each user profile [20]. Implementing a circuit breaker pattern can also be a lifesaver – it temporarily halts requests once a failure threshold is reached, protecting both your systems and Closely’s infrastructure from further strain [18][20].
To reduce server load, replace constant polling with webhooks and batch actions, which can cut down server demand by up to 40% [19][21]. For frequently accessed data, such as lead details, use in-memory storage solutions like Redis to minimize redundant API calls [18][19][21].
Monitoring Campaign Performance
Once error handling is in place, the next step is to monitor both technical and campaign performance metrics. While campaign metrics like reply rates and connection acceptances are important, don’t overlook the technical health of your API integration. For instance, track response time percentiles – especially P99 latency – to catch occasional but significant slowdowns that average response times might miss [17].
Set up alerts with severity levels tailored to different types of errors. For critical issues, such as transactional failures, use stricter thresholds, while allowing more leeway for less urgent problems like search timeouts [17].
"A simple slowdown in one endpoint compounds as systems become more complex, leading to slow loading times, timeouts, and other problems that negatively impact the user experience." – Catchpoint API Monitoring Guide [17]
Configure notifications to alert your team whenever error rates exceed 5% or latency surpasses 500ms. This proactive approach helps you address potential issues before they disrupt campaign performance [19]. By staying vigilant, you can ensure your Closely API integration remains reliable and scalable, delivering consistent results as your enterprise outreach grows.
Conclusion
Closely API equips businesses with the tools to automate intricate sales workflows while tailoring them to their specific needs. By integrating LinkedIn automation, email outreach, and AI-driven personalization into one seamless system, it enables organizations to engage prospects effortlessly across multiple channels. The platform’s robust CRM synchronization ensures that every interaction – from connection requests to InMail replies – feeds directly into your existing sales tools, offering a unified view of prospect activity. This streamlined approach translates into tangible improvements across your sales efforts.
Users often see higher response rates and more pipeline opportunities, all while saving time on prospecting. To maintain reliable and scalable integrations, it’s crucial to implement strong error handling and continuous monitoring. When treated as a strategic resource, your API can turn routine processes into impactful business solutions [24].
With these practices in place, your business can confidently expand its operations. Whether it’s developing custom lead scoring, integrating multiple CRMs, or deploying white-label solutions, the Closely API lays a solid groundwork for enterprise automation. By following the integration strategies and security guidelines discussed earlier, you can transform manual prospecting into a data-driven, systematic process – consistently filling your sales pipeline with qualified leads as your outreach evolves.
FAQs
How can the Closely API help streamline LinkedIn outreach?
The Closely API takes the hassle out of LinkedIn outreach by automating personalized messages. It pulls in profile and company data to craft interactions that feel tailored and genuine. Plus, it comes with lead enrichment tools, giving you deeper insights to boost response rates while cutting down on time-consuming manual work.
With these capabilities, businesses can ramp up their outreach efforts, focusing on connecting with the right prospects in a more efficient and targeted way.
What security practices should I follow when using the Closely API?
To use the Closely API securely, begin by setting up strong authentication and authorization to manage who can access it. Keep your API keys and tokens safe – store them in secure environments and never include them in your code or public repositories. Always use HTTPS to encrypt data during transmission, ensuring it can’t be intercepted by unauthorized parties.
You should also implement role-based access control (RBAC) to assign permissions based on user roles, limiting access to only the data or fields they truly need. Lastly, make sure the API provider follows recognized security standards to protect your information and maintain safe workflows.
How can businesses leverage the Closely API to build effective multichannel campaigns?
The Closely API helps businesses simplify their multichannel campaigns by automating outreach on platforms like LinkedIn and email. With tools for creating personalized message sequences and setting up engagement triggers, teams can design workflows that connect directly with their audience.
On top of that, the API offers real-time performance tracking, allowing businesses to fine-tune their strategies and boost response rates. This makes managing large-scale campaigns more efficient while ensuring meaningful interactions across various channels.