In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, connecting with suppliers and partners is more challenging than ever. Buyers now evaluate 62% more brands and expect highly personalized communication, yet 96% distrust generic ads. With up to 87 touchpoints needed to qualify a lead, manual outreach can be costly and inefficient.
Closely simplifies this process by automating LinkedIn and email outreach while maintaining a personal touch. Its tools, such as AI-powered message personalization, a database of 132 million business contacts, and multichannel campaign capabilities, cut prospecting time by 50% and boost response rates by 35%. This makes it easier for e-commerce businesses to grow supplier networks, form partnerships, and achieve measurable results.
Key points:
- Challenge: Buyers demand personalization and distrust generic outreach, making it harder to stand out.
- Solution: Closely automates outreach with AI-driven tools, saving time and improving engagement.
- Results: Users see a 50% reduction in prospecting time, a 35% response rate boost, and a stronger pipeline.
Closely helps e-commerce businesses efficiently connect with the right suppliers and partners while aligning with U.S. business norms and compliance standards.
Closely Review: B2B LinkedIn & Email Outreach Tool
Using Closely for E-commerce Supplier and Partner Outreach
E-commerce businesses often face hurdles when building supplier networks and forming strategic partnerships. Traditional outreach methods struggle to keep up in a digital-first world where decision-makers expect messages that are both timely and personalized. Closely steps in to bridge this gap, blending LinkedIn automation with AI-driven personalization. The result? A streamlined outreach process that scales effectively without losing the human touch. Here’s how Closely reshapes supplier and partner outreach for e-commerce businesses.
By tackling the common pain points in supplier and partner outreach, Closely saves businesses hours of manual effort. Tasks like prospect research and message crafting are automated, yet the platform ensures the level of personalization needed to nurture meaningful B2B relationships.
Closely’s Key Features for B2B Outreach
Closely is packed with tools specifically designed to enhance B2B outreach. Its Lead Finder gives users access to a massive database of over 132 million business contacts [1], enabling precise targeting of potential suppliers and partners.
The AI-Assistant takes personalization to the next level by generating tailored message sequences based on prospect data. Unlike generic templates that often fall flat, these AI-crafted messages feel relevant and authentic, resonating with recipients.
With multichannel campaigns, businesses can synchronize LinkedIn and email outreach from one centralized dashboard. This ensures consistency in messaging while providing real-time tracking of engagement and responses. The platform’s Built-in Inbox further simplifies communication by consolidating all prospect interactions in one place.
Closely also excels in data enrichment. The LinkedIn Email Extractor finds verified email addresses for LinkedIn connections, while additional tools provide detailed insights into prospects’ job roles, company sizes, industries, and even their technology stacks. Armed with this information, businesses can craft outreach efforts that truly connect with potential suppliers and partners.
For tracking progress, the Superior Metrics Dashboard delivers in-depth analytics on campaign performance, helping users refine their strategies for better results.
Dinesh N., a Founder in Marketing and Advertising, shared his thoughts on Closely:
"I am really happy with Closely for LinkedIn automation. I really like Closely because you can put different filters and search leads based on your needs, and all this happens in one click. Closely Facilitates LEADS – LinkedIn Engagement And Development System." [1]
Closely’s Automation Process: Making Outreach Smarter
Closely turns manual prospecting into an efficient, scalable system. From visiting LinkedIn profiles to sending connection requests, follow-up messages, and engaging with posts, the platform automates key steps to build authentic relationships.
The process starts with intelligent prospect identification. Users define specific criteria – such as industry, location, company size, and job title – and Closely finds matching prospects instantly.
Its AI-powered personalization ensures every message feels custom-made. By analyzing a prospect’s profile, recent activities, and company details, Closely crafts messages that highlight specific aspects of their business. This approach has been shown to boost response rates by 35% [2].
On top of that, users save about 10 hours per week per team member by automating manual prospecting tasks [2]. This extra time allows teams to focus on building relationships and holding strategic conversations.
Closely’s multichannel approach seamlessly connects LinkedIn and email outreach. For example, when a prospect accepts a LinkedIn connection request, the platform can automatically initiate a personalized email sequence. This coordinated effort has been linked to a 45% increase in pipeline opportunities [2].
The platform also integrates smoothly with popular CRM systems like HubSpot and GoHighLevel [2]. This integration ensures that prospect data and interaction history sync directly with existing sales workflows, making it easier to manage leads.
Antonio D., a Digital Strategist & Coach, highlighted the platform’s ease of use:
"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." [2]
The numbers back up its effectiveness. Users report a threefold increase in connection requests and a doubling of lead generation [3]. For e-commerce businesses aiming to scale their supplier and partner acquisition efforts, these results translate into faster growth and stronger partnerships. Closely’s automation tools lay the foundation for an efficient and impactful outreach strategy.
Setting Up Closely for E-commerce B2B Outreach
Getting your Closely account ready is a crucial step for effective outreach to suppliers and partners. By connecting your LinkedIn profile, importing prospect data, and fine-tuning targeting settings, you can focus on reaching U.S.-based decision-makers while maintaining a professional image.
Getting Started with Closely
First, select a plan that aligns with your business needs. Closely offers three options: Starter for smaller-scale outreach, Growth for expanding teams, and Essential for larger operations.
Once your account is set up, link your LinkedIn profile to Closely’s automation tools. This integration allows the platform to handle tasks such as sending connection requests, visiting profiles, and interacting with posts on your behalf. To make the most of these features, ensure your LinkedIn profile is optimized. Use a professional headshot and craft a value-driven headline – profiles with professional photos get 21 times more views [4], and 85% of users are more likely to trust profiles with strong social validation [4].
Highlight your e-commerce expertise in your "About" section. Include achievements like scaling operations or building supplier networks to demonstrate credibility and attract potential partners.
If you already have prospect data, Closely makes it easy to integrate. Upload a CSV file with key details such as company name, contact name, job title, email, LinkedIn URL, and any relevant custom fields like "Product Category Interest" or "Annual Revenue." Closely will sync this data with your CRM, keeping everything organized.
To maintain a professional presence, use safety features like warm-up mode for new LinkedIn accounts. This gradually increases activity levels to avoid triggering LinkedIn’s limits. You can also set daily activity caps and take advantage of Closely’s secure proxies, which route automated actions through protected connections.
With your account fully configured, you’re ready to start building targeted prospect lists.
Finding and Building Your Prospect Lists
Now that your account is set, it’s time to focus on creating detailed prospect lists. Closely’s Lead Finder tool gives you access to a vast database of business contacts, making it easy to find suppliers and partners in the U.S.
Start by defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). For e-commerce businesses, this often includes companies in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, technology services, or complementary product categories. Use filters for location, industry, and company size to zero in on key regions such as California, Texas, and New York. Businesses that post weekly content see a 7x increase in comment engagement [4], so prioritizing active companies can improve your outreach success.
To connect with decision-makers, narrow your search by job titles. For suppliers, target roles like VP of Sales, Business Development Manager, Strategic Partnerships Director, or Key Account Manager. For partners, focus on titles such as Chief Revenue Officer, VP of Partnerships, Strategic Alliances Manager, or Business Development Director. Personalizing your outreach based on shared experiences or backgrounds can make decision-makers 5x more likely to respond [4].
Closely also provides enriched data, offering insights beyond basic profiles, like technology stacks, recent funding rounds, growth metrics, and certifications. This information helps you identify prospects that align with your needs, whether they use compatible systems, have expansion capital, or operate in complementary markets.
For better organization, create separate prospect lists tailored to different outreach goals. For example:
- Potential Suppliers – Manufacturing
- Logistics Partners – 3PL
- Technology Integration Partners
- Complementary Product Suppliers
Segmenting your lists allows you to craft customized messages that address each group’s unique challenges and value propositions.
To enhance your multichannel campaigns, use Closely’s LinkedIn Email Extractor to find verified email addresses for your prospects. This ensures higher deliverability and reduces bounce rates when combining LinkedIn outreach with email follow-ups.
Keep an eye on your prospect lists by tracking engagement metrics like LinkedIn activity, post frequency, and connection growth. Prospects who frequently share industry content or participate in discussions are often more responsive to outreach. Closely’s analytics tools can help you identify these high-engagement prospects.
LinkedIn remains a powerhouse for B2B leads, generating 80% of them from social media [4]. Its visitor-to-lead conversion rate of 2.74% is nearly three times higher than other platforms [4]. By leveraging Closely’s robust filtering and data enrichment features, you can build targeted prospect lists that significantly boost your chances of success.
Running AI-Powered Multichannel Campaigns
Use Closely’s AI-driven tools to seamlessly launch LinkedIn and email campaigns, targeting suppliers and partners across multiple channels. This approach ensures your messages align with U.S. business norms while maximizing engagement.
Setting Up LinkedIn Campaigns
Create LinkedIn campaigns tailored to specific stakeholder groups. For example, craft one sequence for manufacturing suppliers that focuses on growth opportunities and another for logistics partners highlighting ways to improve efficiency.
Closely’s LinkedIn automation simplifies the technical setup, allowing you to concentrate on strategy. Plan a series of well-timed touchpoints, starting with clear and concise connection requests. These requests should explain why you’re reaching out. Once connected, follow up with messages that offer value – such as industry insights, case studies, or invitations to professional events.
To further engage your audience, use AI-powered personalization to make each message feel relevant and specific.
Using AI to Personalize Your Messages
Closely’s AI transforms generic outreach into highly customized messages by analyzing prospect data. It evaluates profiles to craft personalized opening lines, referencing details like professional achievements, recent posts, or shared connections.
The AI also determines the best timing and channels for your messages, factoring in prospect behavior. By incorporating industry-specific language and cultural subtleties, it ensures your outreach feels authentic. Providing the AI with clear business goals and audience details enhances the quality of personalization.
Connecting LinkedIn and Email Outreach
Once you’ve sent personalized LinkedIn messages, follow up with email outreach to deepen the connection. Combining LinkedIn and email in a multichannel strategy can double your reply rates and boost engagement by up to 70% [5].
Closely’s platform allows you to integrate LinkedIn and email seamlessly. Transition prospects from LinkedIn connection requests to more detailed conversations via email. By linking your email account with your LinkedIn profile, you can manage both channels from a single dashboard. Use engagement-based triggers for timely follow-ups, ensuring your messages reach prospects when they’re most likely to respond.
The unified inbox consolidates replies from both LinkedIn and email, making it easier to manage conversations and avoid missed opportunities. For U.S. audiences, begin with LinkedIn to establish contact, then shift to email for more in-depth discussions. This method strikes a balance between professionalism and the personal touch needed to build strong relationships with suppliers and partners.
Monitor campaign performance using metrics like opens, clicks, connection requests, and replies. These insights will help you fine-tune your strategies for even better results.
sbb-itb-8725941
Measuring and Improving Campaign Performance
Closely’s analytics dashboard delivers detailed insights into each campaign and team member’s performance, offering clear metrics to fine-tune messaging and achieve better results [2]. Its tracking tools let you pinpoint which outreach strategies generate the strongest responses from suppliers and partners, giving you a solid foundation for improvement.
Monitoring Your Campaign Metrics
Closely provides easy-to-read reports [6] that highlight key performance indicators in U.S.-friendly formats, making progress tracking straightforward. The dashboard shows real-time metrics like connection request acceptance rates, message open rates, reply rates, and conversions. For example, you might see a 23.5% acceptance rate or 1,250 contacts, with percentages formatted using periods as decimal points.
Pay attention to metrics such as lead conversion rate and Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI) [8]. Other valuable indicators include pipeline opportunities created, meeting requests received, and supplier inquiries. Closely tracks performance across both LinkedIn and email campaigns [6], giving you a full view of your multichannel outreach.
For B2B sales, metrics like sales activity, pipeline growth, lead generation, conversion rates, deal success, and retention are essential [7]. Unified reporting helps you track how prospects move from initial contact to qualified leads, making it clear which messages resonate most with different supplier categories.
"Measurement loses its value if it doesn’t drive action. Too often it’s just reporting." – Joyce Talbert, Magic Numbers [9]
Using Data to Improve Your Campaigns
Regularly revisit your key performance indicators to ensure you’re focusing on the metrics that matter most for supplier and partner acquisition. With Closely, you can conduct A/B testing to compare subject lines, message templates, and connection request strategies. This approach helps you identify what drives the highest engagement, offering a clearer view of your campaign’s effectiveness and providing actionable insights for both long-term planning and daily adjustments [8].
The platform also allows you to refine your targeting by analyzing which industries, company sizes, and job roles yield the best results. This data-driven approach ensures you can scale your outreach efforts without losing the personal touch.
Growing Your Outreach While Keeping Messages Personal
Once you’ve optimized your data, you can scale your campaigns while maintaining personalized communication. Closely has been shown to boost response rates by 35% and pipeline opportunities by 45% [2]. Plus, it saves each team member up to 10 hours per week by automating manual prospecting tasks [2], freeing up time to focus on building meaningful relationships with qualified leads – efficiency that directly enhances campaign success.
Leverage dynamic message templates to scale effectively. Closely’s AI can automatically tailor messages by referencing a prospect’s achievements, recent company updates, or mutual connections, ensuring your outreach feels authentic and relevant.
Start with a small group of prospects in a new supplier category, monitor the results, and then expand successful strategies to larger segments. By creating separate campaigns for different stakeholders – such as procurement managers, business development directors, or C-level executives – you can address their specific concerns and priorities. Closely’s segmentation tools make it easy to organize these campaigns and track performance across various audience groups.
The platform’s automation tools maximize your outreach potential while adhering to platform guidelines, helping you build a reliable and scalable pipeline of supplier and partner relationships.
Following U.S. Rules and Best Practices
While Closely simplifies your outreach efforts, aligning with U.S. regulations and business norms is key to building trust with suppliers and partners. Successful B2B outreach requires more than just automation tools – it demands adherence to U.S. laws and customs to maintain compliance and foster credibility. Understanding these requirements ensures your campaigns resonate with American businesses while keeping your operations above board.
Meeting U.S. Legal Requirements
The CAN-SPAM Act is the cornerstone of email marketing compliance in the United States. This federal law mandates explicit consent, clear sender identification, and an easy-to-use unsubscribe option [11]. Non-compliance can lead to hefty fines – like the $120 million penalty imposed by the FTC in 2021 against a spam operation [12]. It’s clear that authorities take these regulations very seriously.
When using Closely for outreach, ensure you have consent from recipients before sending cold emails [10]. Build your email lists through legitimate means and be transparent about your identity, purpose, and intentions [10]. This clarity helps recipients understand why you’re reaching out and builds trust.
Additionally, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) provides individuals with rights over their personal data, including access, deletion, and information on data usage [11]. Even if your business isn’t based in California, you may still need to comply when contacting suppliers or partners located there.
To navigate these legal waters, consider consulting a legal expert to review your cold emailing practices [10]. This step not only shields your business from potential penalties but also enhances your credibility with potential partners. Once compliance is addressed, focus on presenting your messages in formats familiar to U.S. audiences.
Using U.S. Formats in Your Campaigns
Proper formatting is a subtle yet powerful way to convey professionalism when engaging with American businesses. Missteps in formatting can make your communication seem unpolished and affect response rates.
| Format Type | U.S. Standard | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Dollar symbol to the left, commas for thousands, periods for decimals | $1,234.56 |
| Dates | MM/DD/YYYY | 07/26/2025 |
| Numbers | Commas for thousands, periods for decimals | 1,234.56 |
| Measurements | U.S. customary units (e.g., inches, pounds) | 12 inches, 50 lbs |
For example, always place the dollar symbol ($) to the left of the amount with no space, and use commas and periods as separators. Present pricing as $15,750.00 instead of using international formats to avoid confusion.
Similarly, follow the MM/DD/YYYY format for dates [14]. For instance, use 12/15/2025 when scheduling meetings or referencing deadlines, as this is the standard in the U.S.
When presenting numbers, use commas for thousands and periods for decimals [15]. For example, write 1,234.56 instead of alternative formats. And when discussing measurements, stick to U.S. customary units like inches, feet, pounds, and miles [14]. Adhering to these standards ensures your communication feels familiar and professional to American audiences.
Writing Messages for U.S. Business Culture
In the U.S., business communication is expected to be direct, efficient, and personalized. Generic messages or overly salesy pitches can come across as insincere. Instead, address recipients by name and reference specific details about their company, recent achievements, or mutual connections. This personal touch signals genuine interest.
Brevity and clarity are equally important. Keep your messages concise while providing enough context to highlight the value you bring. A clear structure – introducing your purpose, explaining mutual benefits, and including a direct call to action – can make your outreach more effective [13]. For example, mention how you found their profile, such as through a recent company announcement or shared industry connection, to make your approach feel authentic.
Maintain a friendly yet respectful tone. Show appreciation for their time and adapt your language to match their communication style when possible [13]. Finding common ground, like shared challenges or mutual connections, can also help establish rapport.
Tailor your messages based on the recipient’s role. For procurement managers, emphasize cost savings; for business development directors, focus on growth opportunities; and for executives, highlight long-term strategic value. Always include a clear next step – whether it’s scheduling a call, sharing more information, or connecting them with a team member. This direct approach aligns with U.S. business expectations and increases the chances of a meaningful response.
Conclusion
Closely is reshaping e-commerce B2B outreach by streamlining lead research, automating multichannel campaigns, and ensuring compliance – all while delivering tailored messaging that connects suppliers and partners more effectively.
Businesses using Closely have seen impressive results: a 35% boost in conversion rates, a reduction of up to 60% in manual tasks, and a 38% increase in win rates [16]. One team member from SuperAGI shared their experience:
"The AI-powered lead targeting tool has been a game-changer, letting us focus on high-quality leads and personalize our outreach."
By leveraging LinkedIn, email, and voice for outreach, Closely’s multichannel strategy ensures broader reach. Its AI-driven personalization adapts messages to fit different stakeholder roles, while predictive lead scoring improves qualification accuracy by 40%. Additionally, enhanced lead nurturing efforts deliver 50% more sales-ready leads at 33% lower costs [16].
For e-commerce businesses looking to grow supplier networks or build strategic partnerships, Closely offers the tools to automate, customize, and optimize outreach efforts. This approach enables businesses to scale efficiently while maintaining compliance and achieving meaningful results.
FAQs
How does Closely comply with U.S. laws for B2B outreach?
Closely takes the guesswork out of staying compliant with U.S. laws for B2B outreach by adhering to key regulations like the CAN-SPAM Act. It prioritizes essential practices such as obtaining proper consent, honoring opt-out requests, and ensuring all communications clearly identify the sender.
On top of that, Closely helps users respect do-not-contact lists and includes accurate sender details and clear disclosures in every message. These measures not only keep businesses on the right side of the law but also help establish trust with their audience.
How can Closely help e-commerce businesses grow their supplier and partner networks?
Closely simplifies B2B outreach by automating LinkedIn campaigns, making it easier for e-commerce businesses to connect with the right suppliers and partners. Using AI-powered tools, it helps you zero in on key stakeholders, saving time while making your outreach more effective.
Here’s what makes Closely stand out:
- Streamlined communication: Send personalized messages automatically, making it easier to foster meaningful connections.
- Increased efficiency: Cut down on manual tasks so you can focus on building relationships instead of handling repetitive work.
- Actionable insights: Monitor campaign performance and tweak your strategy to achieve better outcomes.
Closely helps e-commerce businesses simplify the supplier acquisition process and build stronger partnerships, paving the way for growth and smoother operations.
How does Closely use AI to improve multichannel outreach campaigns?
Closely uses AI-powered personalization to elevate your multichannel outreach. By analyzing customer data, it creates tailored messages that truly connect with your audience. This method increases engagement and response rates, making your communication feel meaningful and relevant.
On top of that, Closely simplifies managing campaigns across platforms like LinkedIn and email. It automates repetitive tasks and ensures personalized content is delivered at the perfect moment. This not only saves time but also helps you establish stronger relationships with potential suppliers, partners, or stakeholders.
Related posts
- How Real Estate Agents Use Closely to Generate 50+ Qualified Leads Monthly
- HR Tech Companies: Reach Decision Makers with Closely’s Lead Finder
- Closely vs Dripify: Which LinkedIn Automation Tool Delivers Better ROI in 2025?
- SaaS Companies: Scale LinkedIn Outreach with Closely’s Multi-Channel Campaigns