LinkedIn is the leading platform for B2B sales, marketing, and recruitment in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with 326 million members, making it the largest regional market globally. In Australia, LinkedIn is a core tool for professionals, with over 80% of B2B social media leads originating from LinkedIn. Here are the key takeaways:
- Digital-first sales are on the rise: 30% of sellers close deals worth over $500,000 without in-person meetings.
- AI-driven tools are reshaping outreach: 82% of B2B marketers in APAC use generative AI for personalization and automation.
- LinkedIn Sales Navigator delivers ROI: A 312% return on investment over three years, often paying for itself in under six months.
- Australian user demographics: 47% of users are aged 25–34, and over half earn more than $100,000 annually.
- Key industries leveraging LinkedIn: Financial services, HR/recruitment, and wealth management lead LinkedIn adoption in Australia.
The platform is essential for multichannel campaigns, combining LinkedIn outreach, email, and CRM tools to engage decision-makers. Tools like Closely streamline LinkedIn automation, saving time while increasing response rates. This guide explores strategies, AI-powered tools, and compliance best practices to optimize LinkedIn outreach in APAC markets.
LinkedIn APAC Market Statistics and ROI Data for Australian B2B Sales
LinkedIn in the Australian Market
User Demographics and Market Data
Australian LinkedIn users are part of the massive 326-million-strong APAC community [4]. Among these users, over half of the professionals earn more than $100,000 annually, with a significant portion holding bachelor’s degrees (33%) or master’s degrees (18%) [4].
The platform is particularly popular among mid-career professionals, with 25–34-year-olds making up 47% of users and 18–24-year-olds accounting for 29% [4]. The gender breakdown shows a slight male majority, with 56.9% male users compared to 43.1% female users [4]. Additionally, LinkedIn plays a crucial role for regional B2B marketers, with 86% actively using it to connect and engage [4]. These stats highlight LinkedIn’s importance as a professional networking tool in Australia.
The shift toward digital interactions is evident in Australia’s sales landscape. Remote work has made decision-making easier for 68% of Australian buyers [1]. Interestingly, 30% of sellers have closed deals worth over $500,000 without ever meeting the buyer in person [1]. This demonstrates how geographic barriers are becoming less of an obstacle in today’s market.
"Remote working enables sales: Over two thirds of buyers (68%) say remote working has made purchasing decisions easier." – LinkedIn State of Sales Report 2022 [1]
However, 81% of sellers report that deals tend to stall when key stakeholders leave their roles [1]. This underscores the growing need to build multi-threaded relationships across organizations. Mobile engagement also plays a big role, with LinkedIn app users spending an average of 48 hours per month on the platform [4].
Top Industries Using LinkedIn in Australia
Several industries in Australia have embraced LinkedIn as a key tool for business growth. Financial services, wealth management, and HR/recruitment are at the forefront of LinkedIn adoption [5]. These sectors use the platform to build relationships, establish authority, and generate high-quality leads. Successful sellers in these industries prioritize preparation – 71% of top performers “always” research their prospects before reaching out, compared to 50% of average sellers [1].
Cold calling is becoming less effective, with only 23% of buyers in the region favoring it as a method of outreach [1]. Instead, businesses are shifting toward personalized, research-driven engagement. Australian coaches, consultants, and B2B service providers have particularly leaned into LinkedIn as their go-to platform for professional branding and lead generation [5].
High-growth companies in Australia are taking their LinkedIn usage to the next level by integrating it with other systems. About 56% of Australian businesses report outperforming their peers through digital transformation and operational efficiency [8]. These companies use LinkedIn as a central hub for connecting customer data, conducting prospect research, and managing relationships to maximize ROI.
"Tech adoption is a great first step, but it’s integration that truly unlocks growth. Integration is the bridge between potential and performance." – Scott Brinker, VP, Platform Ecosystem, HubSpot [8]
Sales professionals are also leveraging AI-powered tools for precise geographic targeting. For instance, they can search for specific decision-makers in cities like Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney [5]. Hyper-local searches, such as "CEOs in Perth with 50 employees", or refined Boolean queries like ("Financial Planning" OR "Wealth Management") NOT "Insurance Agency", allow businesses to segment their leads effectively and focus on high-intent prospects who are actively engaging on the platform [5]. This level of targeting helps businesses tailor their strategies to meet local market demands and prioritize meaningful connections.
How I made $5 Million with LinkedIn Outreach (1 Hour Masterclass)
AI-Powered LinkedIn Automation with Closely
Closely uses AI-driven tools to streamline LinkedIn outreach, combining data extraction and personalized messaging to deliver results that feel genuinely human. By pulling data from prospect websites and LinkedIn profiles, it addresses the "dirty data" problem that 47% of sellers in the APAC region say is their biggest hurdle [1].
To ensure safe and efficient automation, Closely employs residential proxies and sets daily activity caps that mimic human behavior, avoiding LinkedIn’s security triggers [10]. Operating 24/7 in the cloud, the platform includes a "warm-up mode" that gradually ramps up activity for new campaigns. With only 23% of APAC buyers open to cold calls, Closely focuses on warm, digital-first outreach [1].
The platform enriches LinkedIn profiles with over 30 real-time data points, such as verified business emails and direct phone numbers [10]. This saves users 10–15 hours per week on manual tasks while increasing response rates by 35% and engagement by 52% [9][10]. Closely also integrates seamlessly with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive, keeping your sales data clean and synchronized across platforms [9][11].
"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 [9]
Using the Closely Surfer Chrome extension, you can extract high-intent leads directly from LinkedIn Search, Sales Navigator, Recruiter, or even posts and groups [11]. AI agents then analyze company signals – like recent funding, tech stack updates, or leadership changes – to craft messages that resonate with Australian decision-makers who value a research-based approach [9][1].
These features are available through tailored subscription plans designed to grow alongside your market needs.
Getting Started: Closely Starter Plan
The Starter Plan, priced at $49/month, is ideal for individual sellers or founders entering the Australian market. It includes one LinkedIn account, unlimited email integrations, and 1,000 credits per month that can be used for 250 verified emails, 50 direct phone numbers, or 500 personalized AI messages [9][10]. White-label options allow you to maintain your brand identity.
This plan automates key LinkedIn tasks like profile visits, connection requests, and follow-ups, all while keeping your account safe with built-in residential proxies [10]. It’s a great way to test outreach in cities like Sydney or Melbourne before expanding further. The unified inbox consolidates LinkedIn DMs and emails, reducing the chance of missing leads [9].
Scaling Outreach: Closely Growth Plan
For teams looking to scale, the Growth Plan at $127/month supports three LinkedIn accounts and provides 3,000 credits per month, which can be used for 750 emails, 150 phone numbers, or 1,500 personalized AI messages [9]. This plan allows for multichannel campaigns, blending LinkedIn and email outreach to better connect with Australian buyers who prefer warm digital engagement [1].
Enhanced AI features pull buying signals and tech stack data to refine campaign targeting [12]. Companies using this plan report a 123% increase in demos generated and 45% more pipeline opportunities [9][11]. A/B testing tools let you compare message variations, helping you tailor your approach for different audiences, such as Australian versus Singaporean prospects [9]. Real-time lead enrichment ensures you’re always targeting verified decision-makers.
Advanced Features in Closely Essential and Custom Plans
For agencies and larger teams, the Essential Plan ($205/month) and Custom Plan ($350/month) offer advanced tools to manage multiple clients or territories. The Essential Plan supports five LinkedIn accounts with 5,000 credits, while the Custom Plan scales to 10 accounts with custom credit allocations [9]. Both plans include features like team management dashboards, CRM auto-sync, and API access for tailored integrations.
Agencies can white-label the platform, rebranding it for their clients. Dedicated customer success managers and 24-hour support are included, ensuring smooth coordination across APAC time zones [9]. Features like a unified inbox and lead scoring help prioritize high-intent prospects across teams.
These plans also tackle the challenge of multi-threading – 81% of APAC sellers lose deals when key stakeholders leave [1]. Closely tracks job changes and company updates in real time, alerting your team when a decision-maker moves roles. This feature has been shown to boost win rates by 22% [9][11]. Deep CRM integrations ensure every interaction is logged, making reporting seamless across platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Pipedrive.
Current promotion: Use promo code BLACKFRIDAY20 for 20% off all subscription plans [9].
Building Multichannel Campaigns for APAC Audiences
The APAC region is incredibly diverse, spanning established economies like Australia and Singapore to growing markets such as Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, and Hong Kong. In smaller markets, where the pool of potential buyers is often limited, it’s important to broaden your approach. Don’t focus solely on C-suite executives – managers and individual contributors often have substantial influence in B2B purchasing decisions. In fact, buying committees in the region can include as many as 20 people [3].
When choosing channels, match them to your message. LinkedIn works well for short, conversational introductions, while email is better suited for detailed value propositions and sharing resources. If LinkedIn outreach doesn’t get a response after 3–4 messages over two weeks, shift to email to maintain momentum [13]. Interestingly, 23% of APAC buyers prefer digital-first approaches over cold calls, so warm, personalized outreach should be your go-to [1].
"Top performers use technology, yes, but they don’t use it to simply knock on more doors. Instead, they use it to knock on the right doors, finding the welcoming buyers and delivering the right message at the right time." – LinkedIn State of Sales Report 2022 [1]
High-performing sales teams in the region spend more time researching prospects – 71% compared to 50% among their peers – helping them address the 47% of cases where data is incomplete [1]. Additionally, combining organic LinkedIn activity with paid campaigns can make a big difference. Buyers exposed to both organic and paid content are 61% more likely to convert than those who only see ads [14].
Personalizing Outreach with Closely’s Data Enrichment
To strengthen your multichannel strategy, personalized data enrichment can make every interaction more impactful.
In APAC markets, generic outreach often falls flat because buyers expect messages that are tailored to their needs. Closely’s data enrichment tools pull real-time information from LinkedIn profiles and company websites, such as verified business emails, direct phone numbers, and technographic insights. This helps fill in gaps where data might be incomplete [1].
Closely’s AI also analyzes key signals – like funding announcements, leadership changes, and tech updates – to help you craft highly relevant messages. For instance, if a fintech company in Sydney announces a new funding round, Closely can flag this as a trigger event and recommend messaging that acknowledges their growth and specific challenges. Personalized LinkedIn connection requests, when done right, can achieve acceptance rates of up to 45%, compared to just 15% for generic requests [13]. Despite this, 87% of connection requests still lack personalization [13].
When sending connection requests, aim for 200–250 characters. Focus on creating a concise hook, providing context, offering specific value, and including a soft call-to-action [13]. Closely’s AI can draft these elements based on a prospect’s profile activity and company updates, giving you a solid starting point to add your personal touch.
"Effective personalization goes beyond inserting a prospect’s name – it requires researching their recent activity, understanding their challenges, and crafting messages that demonstrate genuine value." – Daniel Saks, CEO, Landbase [13]
The platform’s lead scoring feature is another game-changer, helping you prioritize prospects based on engagement signals and buying intent. For example, if someone has recently viewed your LinkedIn profile or posted new content, they’re signaling interest and may be ready for follow-up [5]. Closely tracks these behaviors and highlights high-intent leads in a unified inbox, so you know exactly who to focus on.
Best Practices for Multichannel Outreach in APAC
Start with a multi-touch sequence that builds trust before making any direct requests. For example:
- Day 0: Send a thank-you message with a genuine compliment.
- Day 4: Share a useful resource without any sales pitch.
- Day 10: Introduce how you’ve helped similar companies in a conversational tone.
- Day 17: Make a direct ask for a conversation, clearly outlining the value you can provide.
Space your follow-ups at least 3–4 days apart to avoid overwhelming your prospects [13].
To coordinate your outreach effectively, use LinkedIn for initial, conversational interactions. Transition to email when you need to share detailed content like case studies or product specs. Save phone calls for high-value prospects or when you’re ready to close deals that require real-time dialogue [13]. With 68% of APAC buyers saying remote work has simplified purchasing and 30% of sellers closing deals over $500,000 without face-to-face meetings, digital channels need to handle the bulk of the sales process [1].
When running LinkedIn Ads in APAC, limit demographic filters to two – such as Job Function and Seniority. Over-targeting could exclude key decision-makers who influence buying decisions [3]. Ensure your campaign reach includes at least 1,000 members to account for the large, complex buying committees typical in the region [3]. Use LinkedIn Lead Gen Forms with auto-filled profile data to streamline the process, and set up Matched Audiences to retarget users who’ve engaged with your content [7].
Timing matters too. Avoid outreach on Mondays and Fridays, as mid-week responses tend to perform better [13].
Closely also helps you stay on top of stakeholder changes by alerting you to shifts in key roles, ensuring you can quickly re-engage with the right contacts. Its automatic CRM sync keeps everything up to date, so you don’t miss a beat.
Next, we’ll dive into how staying compliant with regional data privacy laws can strengthen your outreach efforts.
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Compliance and Best Practices for LinkedIn Outreach in APAC
Data Privacy Laws in Australia and APAC
If your organization has an annual turnover exceeding $3 million, you must comply with Australia’s Privacy Act 1988 and its 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). These principles outline how personal information should be collected, used, and protected during LinkedIn outreach campaigns [15][16].
Here are three APPs that directly influence your LinkedIn strategy:
- APP 7: You can’t use personal data for direct marketing unless you have consent or a pre-existing relationship. Plus, your messages must include clear opt-out options.
- APP 8: When transferring prospect data overseas – a common scenario in APAC-wide campaigns or when using offshore tools – you must meet specific requirements.
- APP 11: You’re responsible for safeguarding prospect data stored in CRMs and automation platforms.
On November 29, 2024, Australia introduced the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, which expanded enforcement powers and established a statutory tort for serious privacy breaches [16]. Additionally, under the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) Scheme, you must alert the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and any affected individuals if a breach poses a risk of serious harm [16].
To ensure compliance, tools like Closely’s data enrichment features can be a game-changer. By sourcing verified business emails and direct phone numbers, these tools help reduce the risk of outdated or inaccurate information.
But compliance is just one part of the equation. Ethical outreach is equally important for building trust with audiences across the APAC region.
Ethical Outreach: Building Trust in APAC Markets
While adhering to data privacy laws is non-negotiable, ethical practices take your outreach efforts to the next level. Research-backed strategies are key to building genuine connections. In fact, 71% of high-performing sales professionals in APAC always research prospects before reaching out, compared to only 50% of average performers [1]. This isn’t just about improving outcomes – it’s about respecting prospects’ time and establishing credibility from the outset.
"Sales tech often leads to sellers simply becoming more efficient at spamming potential buyers… Top performers use technology, yes, but they don’t use it to simply knock on more doors. Instead they use it to knock on the right doors." – LinkedIn State of Sales Report 2022 [1]
Avoid sending generic, mass messages. Impersonal outreach can harm your brand reputation and may even lead to your LinkedIn account being flagged [7]. Instead, leverage tools like Closely’s AI to craft personalized messages that reflect a prospect’s activity or recent company updates. This approach ensures every interaction feels intentional and relevant.
In APAC markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines, buying decisions often involve as many as 20 stakeholders [3]. Don’t limit your outreach to C-suite executives – managers and individual contributors frequently play a pivotal role in B2B purchase decisions. When building your target lists, include these roles to engage the entire buying committee. Additionally, LinkedIn’s native Lead Gen Forms can help you ethically gather data by auto-filling member profiles, making the process seamless [7].
It’s also worth noting that only 23% of APAC buyers prefer cold calls, while 68% say remote work has simplified purchasing [1]. Focus on warm engagement strategies that leverage mutual connections, shared interests, or timely company news. Building trust through thoughtful digital interactions is far more effective than outdated, cold outreach methods.
Measuring Success: Campaign Analytics with Closely
After setting up automated outreach and crafting personalized multichannel strategies, keeping an eye on key performance metrics is the next step to fine-tune your campaigns.
Key Metrics for LinkedIn Campaign Performance
Start by tracking connection acceptance rates to assess how well your targeting and profile optimization efforts are working [18].
Boosting response rates is crucial, and personalized, warm messaging can make all the difference – research shows that 71% of top-performing sellers in the APAC region take the time to research their prospects before reaching out, resulting in up to 5x higher response rates [17][1].
Another important metric is conversion rates, which measure how LinkedIn conversations transition into booked meetings and closed deals. Implementing advanced strategies can lead to a 45% increase in deal size and a 29% rise in new sales opportunities [17][1]. Interestingly, 30% of sellers in APAC are closing deals over $500,000 without ever meeting the buyer face-to-face [1], underscoring the significant role of digital engagement in driving revenue.
Data quality is another area to watch closely. Incomplete data is a challenge for 47% of sellers [1], but Closely’s enrichment tools help you maintain accurate contact information and quickly adapt to stakeholder changes – an issue that stalls deals in 81% of cases [1].
By focusing on these metrics, you can use Closely’s advanced analytics dashboard to refine and enhance your outreach strategy.
Using Closely’s Advanced Analytics for Optimization
Closely’s analytics dashboard brings all your key metrics together, making it easy to identify what’s working and where improvements are needed. For instance, you can analyze engagement patterns to determine which messaging variations drive the most replies and adjust your approach accordingly.
If your follow-up messages aren’t performing consistently, tweak your sequence timing. Spacing follow-ups 3–4 days apart, instead of sending them daily, can reduce the risk of overwhelming your prospects [18].
Take advantage of signal-based targeting to time your outreach effectively. Instead of following arbitrary schedules, trigger messages based on events like hiring announcements, funding rounds, or leadership changes. This approach resonates with APAC buyers, where only 23% prefer cold calls [1].
Timing also plays a crucial role in conversions. Deals closed within 50 days have a 47% win rate, compared to 20% or lower for longer timelines [19]. Closely’s reports can help you identify bottlenecks in your sales cycle, allowing you to make small adjustments that lead to better results.
For APAC-specific strategies, keep an eye on metrics like Share of Voice and employee advocacy, which are highly valued in the region [2]. Additionally, Closely’s multichannel analytics can reveal how LinkedIn activity correlates with email engagement, enabling you to coordinate touchpoints without overwhelming prospects [18]. Mastering these digital interactions gives you a distinct edge in today’s competitive landscape.
Conclusion
LinkedIn continues to play a pivotal role in driving B2B growth throughout Australia and the APAC region, delivering highly targeted and impactful results. The platform accounts for over 80% of social media leads [6]. With a global membership exceeding 1 billion and 61 million senior-level influencers, it provides unparalleled access to key decision-makers [6]. As businesses increasingly embrace virtual selling, LinkedIn’s importance in reaching the right audience has only grown.
In the APAC region, success isn’t just about reaching large numbers – it’s about precision and thoughtful engagement. Strategies that focus on personalized, research-driven outreach consistently outperform generic, automated tactics. As highlighted in the LinkedIn State of Sales Report 2022:
"Top performers use technology, yes, but they don’t use it to simply knock on more doors. Instead they use it to knock on the right doors" [1].
This underscores the value of quality over quantity when it comes to outreach.
Tools like Closely leverage AI to simplify multichannel outreach, blending LinkedIn automation with advanced data enrichment. Features like its unified inbox, AI-powered reply detection, and smart usage limits make it possible to scale outreach efforts while maintaining a personal touch. With flexible plans tailored to businesses of all sizes, Closely ensures that even growing teams can access enterprise-level capabilities.
FAQs
How can AI tools improve LinkedIn outreach in the Australian market?
AI tools have the power to reshape LinkedIn outreach in Australia by making the process quicker, more tailored, and incredibly efficient. These tools dig into a prospect’s profile, activity, and connections to craft personalized connection requests and follow-up messages that sound genuine and match your brand’s voice. This level of customization not only saves time but also increases the chances of getting a response.
Beyond personalization, AI takes over repetitive tasks like organizing message sequences, updating CRMs, and managing outreach across different platforms. This means professionals can reach more leads daily without compromising on quality. Plus, AI provides real-time insights to fine-tune campaigns, helping you engage more effectively with Australian decision-makers and speed up the sales process.
Which industries in Australia benefit the most from using LinkedIn?
LinkedIn holds particular importance for industries in Australia that thrive on professional networking, talent acquisition, and B2B sales. For example, technology companies, especially SaaS and enterprise software firms, benefit greatly. Australia’s high SaaS adoption rates combined with LinkedIn’s ability to connect with senior-level professionals make it a powerful tool for these businesses.
Professional services, including consultants, coaches, and other B2B providers, also reap rewards. LinkedIn helps them generate leads while building credibility and authority within their fields. Consumer brands, on the other hand, use the platform to tailor their messaging and engage directly with regional audiences, strengthening their local presence.
Recruitment and HR teams across industries rely heavily on LinkedIn to identify top-tier leadership and specialized talent. It has become an essential hiring platform in Australia. In summary, sectors like technology/SaaS, professional services, consumer brands, and recruitment/HR gain the most from LinkedIn’s features in the Australian market.
How does Closely comply with Australian data privacy laws?
Currently, there isn’t specific information available regarding how Closely complies with Australian data privacy regulations, including the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. If you have access to any resources or documentation outlining Closely’s compliance efforts, please share them, and we can help provide a more detailed and relevant response.