LinkedIn outreach is harder than ever, with generic messages often ignored. Closely‘s AI solves this by automating personalization, analyzing LinkedIn profiles, company details, and trends to craft tailored messages that feel relevant. The result? Users report 35% higher response rates, 2x more meetings booked, and 10+ hours saved weekly.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How Closely uses AI to create personalized LinkedIn messages.
- Steps to configure your account for better outreach.
- Tips for importing, enriching, and segmenting prospect data.
- Crafting message templates with AI variables for better engagement.
- Using multi-step sequences to combine LinkedIn and email outreach.
- Tracking and improving campaign performance with analytics.
Closely’s AI simplifies outreach, helping you scale personalization without losing the human touch. Whether you’re a solo professional or part of a team, this guide will help you achieve 5x response rates while saving time.
How to Personalize 1,000 LinkedIn DMs with AI in Seconds
Setting Up Closely’s AI Personalization Features
To get the most out of Closely’s AI-powered personalization, it’s essential to set things up correctly. The platform combines real-time data enrichment with AI insights to craft messages that feel genuinely tailored. But to make this magic happen, you need to configure everything right from the start. Here’s how to do it.
Creating Your Closely Account
The first step is setting up an account that fits your needs. Closely offers two main plans:
- Starter Plan: $49/month, includes 1 LinkedIn account and 1,000 credits, which cover up to 500 AI personalizations.
- Growth Plan: $127/month, ideal for teams, offering 3 LinkedIn accounts and 3,000 credits (1,500 AI personalizations).
Once you’ve chosen your plan, connect your LinkedIn and email accounts securely. This integration lets Closely analyze your network, helping the AI understand your connections and relationships. This is key for crafting messages that feel personal and relevant.
From there, use the unified dashboard to manage your outreach and AI preferences. The dashboard allows you to set preferences like message tone, industry focus, and how deeply personalized your messages should be. You can also add team members under one account for streamlined management. Closely’s AI agents will analyze your profile and network to learn your typical communication style, ensuring your outreach feels authentic.
Importing and Enriching Your Prospect Data
Closely’s enrichment engine takes basic prospect lists and turns them into detailed profiles, ready for AI personalization. It pulls data from over 30 sources in real time, achieving impressive match rates – over 95% for contact information and an average of 65% for phone numbers [3].
Start by importing your prospect data via CSV files or integrations with tools like Clay. Provide basic details like names and company information, and the system will handle the rest. It enriches each profile with verified emails, phone numbers, job titles, and insights about the company. Compared to manual research, this process improves data accuracy by 41% [3].
The AI also pulls the latest information from company websites and LinkedIn profiles, such as product details, pricing, and signals that indicate a good fit with your ideal customer profile (ICP). Built-in compliance with privacy laws like CCPA ensures that prospects who have opted out are flagged, and tools are available to manage consent preferences. Additionally, the enrichment process includes lead scoring, which prioritizes prospects based on factors like job changes, company growth, and industry trends. This helps you focus on those most likely to respond.
Once your data is enriched, it’s time to organize it for targeted campaigns.
Organizing Your Audience into Targeted Groups
With your enriched data in place, the next step is segmentation. Tailored segmentation can boost profit growth by 15% annually, compared to just 5% without it [4].
Closely’s tools let you segment prospects based on demographics, firmographics, and behaviors. For example, you can group contacts by job title, company size, industry, location, or even the technology they use. Firmographic segmentation is especially useful for B2B outreach – organizing prospects by company size (startup, mid-market, enterprise), industry, or growth stage allows for more precise targeting.
Behavioral segmentation takes things further, analyzing LinkedIn activity, website visits, and engagement patterns. The AI identifies prospects more likely to respond by evaluating recent interactions, job changes, or company updates. These dynamic segments automatically update as behaviors change, ensuring your outreach stays relevant.
You can also map customer journeys to understand how different groups move through your sales funnel. This allows you to create customized campaigns for cold prospects, warm leads, or re-engagement efforts. Psychographic segmentation adds another layer by analyzing LinkedIn posts, shared content, and interests. This insight enables the AI to adjust its tone – data-driven messages for technical decision-makers or strategic, outcome-focused communication for executives.
For highly targeted campaigns, combine segmentation methods. For instance, you could create a segment for "VP-level prospects at growing SaaS companies in California who recently posted about scaling challenges." This level of detail helps the AI craft messages that feel relevant and timely.
Finally, segmentation supports A/B testing, allowing you to experiment with different messaging strategies within similar groups. Over time, this approach refines your outreach, ensuring each segment receives the most effective personalization possible.
Creating Personalized Messages That Get Responses
Once you’ve segmented your audience and enriched your data, it’s time to tailor your outreach using AI-driven tools. Closely’s AI can analyze everything from LinkedIn posts to company updates, helping you craft messages that feel personal and genuine, not robotic. When done right, personalized LinkedIn messages can achieve a 67% higher response rate [2].
Setting Up AI Variables and Message Templates
Closely’s AI uses dynamic variables like {firstName}, {companyName}, {recentPost}, and {sharedConnection} to automatically pull in details from a prospect’s profile. This makes personalization seamless.
Start by building message templates that sound natural and conversational. Use specific variables to create engaging openers. For instance, you might write: "Hi {firstName}, I saw your post about {recentTopic} – it reminded me of challenges we’ve helped other {industry} companies tackle." The AI fills in the blanks with data from the prospect’s profile, making each message feel tailored.
But personalization doesn’t stop at names and job titles. Closely’s AI can go deeper, analyzing LinkedIn activity, recent job changes, or company news. For example, if someone recently changed roles, the AI can insert a {jobChangeContext} variable to reference their career move. If they’ve shared industry-relevant content, it can generate a {contentInterest} variable to highlight their interests.
"It’s not the biggest teams that win anymore, it’s the most creative." [5] – Sean Mackay
To get the best results, create multiple templates for different situations – cold outreach, warm introductions, and follow-ups. Keep each template focused, using only 3–4 impactful variables. Testing is key here: A/B test different combinations to see what resonates most with your audience [2].
Keep your messages concise – under 400 words. Why? LinkedIn InMail messages of this length have a 22% higher response rate [2]. Focus on the most relevant personalization elements and avoid overloading your message with too many details.
Building Multi-Step Message Sequences
Once your templates are ready, integrate them into structured sequences to maintain a natural flow of communication. Closely’s multichannel sequences combine LinkedIn and email outreach, often resulting in 2x higher reply rates compared to single-channel efforts [6].
Start with a LinkedIn connection request that includes subtle personalization. Use variables like {sharedConnection} or {companyNews} to create context. For example: "Hi {firstName}, I noticed {companyName} recently expanded into {newMarket}. Let’s connect to share insights on similar opportunities."
Timing matters. Stick to U.S. business hours (9 AM–5 PM) and avoid weekends. Closely’s intelligent scheduling ensures messages are sent at the right time.
After the connection is accepted, follow up with a message that offers value. For instance: "Thanks for connecting, {firstName}! With {companyName} focusing on {businessPriority}, I thought this {relevantResource} might be helpful." This keeps the conversation useful and engaging.
The third step transitions to email. Build on your LinkedIn interaction and include a soft call-to-action. For example: "Following up on our LinkedIn chat – I mentioned strategies for {specificChallenge}. Would a quick 15-minute call next week work to explore how this applies to {companyName}?"
Closely’s engagement-based triggers help make your outreach feel organic. For instance, if a prospect views your profile or likes your post, it can automatically trigger a follow-up message. This responsiveness adds a timely, personal touch.
Writing Messages That Build Relationships
With personalized templates and sequences in place, the next step is fostering genuine relationships. Use AI insights as a starting point for meaningful conversations, not a replacement for authentic interaction.
Focus on providing value at every stage rather than pushing for an immediate meeting. If the AI identifies a prospect frequently discussing team scaling challenges, reference specific solutions you can offer. For example: "I noticed your post about scaling teams – here’s a resource that’s helped others in {industry} tackle similar challenges."
Keep your tone professional yet conversational. Avoid overly formal or aggressive language. Instead of saying, "I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss our solutions", try: "I’d love to share some insights about {specificChallenge} that might align with {companyName}’s growth goals."
If a prospect recently spoke at an event, acknowledge it: "I really enjoyed your insights on {eventTopic} at {eventName} – your perspective on {specificInsight} resonated with challenges we’re seeing across the {industry} space."
Consistency is key when using multiple channels. Ensure your tone and message align across LinkedIn and email. Closely’s unified inbox makes it easy to track conversations and avoid repeating yourself or sending conflicting messages.
Remember, 91% of consumers are more likely to engage with brands that offer relevant, personalized experiences [5]. Apply this to B2B outreach by showing prospects you understand their unique challenges and goals.
"Brands and individuals who strike the right balance between leveraging AI and fostering human touch are the ones who truly succeed." [2] – Becca Eisenberg
Refine your approach over time. Monitor which personalization tactics get the best responses and adjust your templates accordingly. If industry-specific insights perform better than company news, shift your focus to what works.
Let AI handle the heavy lifting – analyzing data and filling in variables – while you concentrate on crafting messages that genuinely help prospects solve problems and achieve their goals. This combination of technology and human connection is the key to building lasting business relationships.
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Tracking and Improving Campaign Performance
Once your campaigns are live, keeping a close eye on their performance is key to getting the best results. Closely’s analytics dashboard simplifies this process by offering detailed insights for each campaign and team member. You can see what’s working, refine your messaging, and scale strategies – all from one convenient platform [1]. This approach has been shown to boost response rates by 35% while saving team members an average of 10 hours per week on manual prospecting tasks [1].
To take things further, A/B testing is an excellent way to fine-tune your strategy and identify what resonates most with your audience.
Running A/B Tests to Improve Results
A/B testing is a straightforward yet powerful method to compare two versions of a message or piece of content to see which one performs better [9]. Before you begin, it’s important to set a clear goal and hypothesis [9]. For instance, you might want to test whether including a case study in your initial outreach increases engagement. Focus on testing one element at a time for accurate results [11].
Start with simple, high-impact areas like subject lines or calls to action [12]. Here are some elements worth testing:
- Opening Lines: Try different approaches, such as starting with a question versus a bold statement.
- Subject Lines: Experiment with personalized subject lines compared to value-driven ones in your email sequences.
- Calls to Action (CTAs): Test softer, more conversational CTAs against direct, action-oriented ones.
- Message Formats: Compare the effectiveness of written messages versus voice messages.
- Social Proof: See if case studies outperform portfolio links or testimonials in driving engagement.
Run these tests simultaneously to minimize external influences [10]. Closely’s platform makes this easy by splitting your audience randomly, ensuring unbiased results. Make sure your sample size is large enough to provide meaningful insights [9], and let your tests run for at least two weeks to gather reliable data [10]. Avoid making changes mid-test, as this can skew your findings [12].
Track metrics like connection acceptance rates, message open rates, and conversions [9]. Once the results are in, analyze them to see which variation performed best and whether the differences are statistically significant.
When you’ve identified a winner, dig deeper into the metrics to validate your strategy and apply the learnings.
Understanding Your Campaign Metrics
Closely’s analytics dashboard offers a wealth of data to help you understand your campaign’s performance. With over 20 key metrics and intuitive visualizations, it’s easy to interpret the results and adjust your approach [8]. Here’s what you can track:
- Connection and Response Rates: Monitor your LinkedIn connection acceptance and response rates in real time. These metrics are displayed in a clear percentage format.
- Email Performance: Keep tabs on open rates, click-through rates, and reply rates. Visual indicators highlight trends, making it easy to spot what’s working.
- Conversions: Track how many prospects move through your sequence and convert into leads. Optimized campaigns using Closely can generate up to 45% more pipeline opportunities [1]. Look at actions like demo requests, meeting bookings, or sales conversions to measure success.
- Timeline Analysis: Use the timeline feature to understand the flow of your campaign, including when actions occur. This can help you identify the best times to send messages and avoid overwhelming your prospects.
- Prospect-Level Insights: Dive into individual prospect behaviors to refine your follow-up strategies and personalize your outreach [8].
Regularly reviewing these metrics during active campaigns can help you spot patterns, such as the best times to engage or where prospects might lose interest. This information allows you to make targeted adjustments for better results.
Making Data-Driven Campaign Adjustments
The insights from your analytics can guide improvements in targeting, messaging, and timing. Closely’s reporting tools make it easy to spot trends and refine your strategy [7]. Here are some ways to use this data:
- Refine Your Audience: If certain roles or industries respond more frequently, adjust your targeting to focus on these groups. Prospect breakdowns can reveal shared traits among your most engaged leads.
- Optimize Your Messaging: Look at which personalization tactics drive the most engagement. For instance, if highlighting recent company achievements works better than generic messaging, shift your approach.
- Adjust Timing: Use timeline data to identify the best times to send messages and tweak follow-up intervals based on response patterns.
- Improve Sequences: Pinpoint stages in your sequence where engagement drops off and test alternative approaches, such as adding more value or revising your CTA.
- Evaluate Channels: Compare the performance of LinkedIn versus email campaigns. Use this analysis to focus on the channels that deliver the best results.
As you implement these changes, track their impact over time and document what works. This will help you build a playbook for future campaigns, ensuring continuous improvement. By leveraging these insights, you can keep your outreach both effective and highly personalized, driving toward those impressive 5x response rate improvements.
Advanced AI Personalization Strategies
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Closely’s AI personalization, these advanced strategies can take your outreach to the next level. By tapping into more sophisticated AI tools, you can craft campaigns that are not only better targeted but also more timely and compliant, ensuring they truly connect with your prospects.
Using Predictive Analytics for Better Timing
Closely’s AI dives into historical data, interaction logs, and behavioral patterns to figure out the perfect times to reach out. It considers factors like time zones, industry habits, and individual engagement history [13]. By analyzing metrics such as email open rates, website activity, and previous call outcomes, the AI identifies when prospects are most likely to respond [13].
The importance of timing can’t be overstated. Research highlights that reaching out to leads within one minute can increase conversions by an incredible 391%. On the flip side, waiting just five minutes can slash lead qualification rates by 80%. Compare that to the industry average response time of 42 hours, and it’s clear why top-performing companies prioritize speed [14].
To make the most of predictive analytics, focus your outreach during peak business hours and use real-time insights to tailor your approach [13]. Pairing this with multichannel strategies can further amplify your results.
Combining LinkedIn and Email Outreach
Blending LinkedIn and email outreach can significantly improve your engagement rates. In fact, this combination has been shown to double reply rates and boost overall responses by as much as 70% [1].
Closely simplifies this process by letting you create multichannel sequences directly from one dashboard. With features like intelligent delays and engagement-triggered actions, you can seamlessly coordinate your efforts. For instance, if a prospect interacts with your email, the AI can automatically send a LinkedIn connection request, ensuring your message remains top of mind. Plus, the unified dashboard makes it easy to monitor metrics like open rates, clicks, connection requests, and replies across both platforms [1].
Following US Compliance and Best Practices
As your personalization tactics grow more advanced, staying compliant becomes increasingly essential. U.S. AI regulations emphasize security, transparency, and fairness, while states like California and New York enforce specific laws around data privacy and bias reduction [16] [15] [17].
To keep your outreach compliant, stay informed about the latest AI regulations and consult with compliance professionals when needed [17]. Key steps include safeguarding data privacy by minimizing the data you collect, using strong encryption, and securing proper user consent [17]. Regular audits of your AI systems can also help identify and address any potential biases [17].
Conclusion: Scaling Your Success with Closely’s AI
Using Closely’s AI for message personalization can significantly enhance your outreach efforts. It not only improves response rates but also saves time, allowing you to focus on building meaningful connections. These tactics build on the personalization and setup techniques we’ve covered earlier.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
- Audience Segmentation: Tailor your messages by segmenting prospects based on industry, role, company size, and behavior.
- Advanced Personalization: Personalization is more than just adding a name to your message. Closely’s AI dives into prospect data to craft messages that align with their role, company updates, and industry trends. This method has led to a 35% boost in response rates while maintaining a human tone that fosters authentic relationships[1].
- Analytics-Driven Refinement: Regular testing and adjustments based on analytics help you achieve long-term success. Users who consistently monitor and fine-tune their campaigns report a 45% increase in pipeline opportunities[1].
- Multichannel Strategy: Combining LinkedIn and email outreach expands your reach and engagement. Closely’s unified dashboard simplifies this process, with users seeing a 52% jump in LinkedIn engagement when using the platform’s automation features[18].
By adopting these strategies, you can consistently elevate your outreach game and achieve the results we’ve discussed.
Getting Started with Closely’s AI Tools
Ready to put these ideas into action? Here’s how to get started:
- Set Up Your Account: Create a Closely account and import your prospect data. The Starter plan, which includes one LinkedIn account, unlimited email accounts, and 1,000 monthly credits, is an excellent way to explore the platform.
- Enrich Your Data: Closely automates data enrichment by filling in missing details like contact information, job titles, and company data. This step alone can save you up to 10 hours a week on manual prospecting tasks[1].
- Personalize Your Messages: Begin with AI-enhanced message templates for basic personalization. Gradually, you can develop more advanced sequences as you gain confidence with the platform. The AI-powered sales agents handle lead research and qualification, freeing you to focus on closing deals.
- Track Your Metrics: From the start, monitor metrics like connection acceptance rates, message responses, and conversions. Use these insights to refine your approach and scale successful campaigns to larger audiences.
- Stay Consistent: Regular activity and systematic follow-ups are crucial. Closely’s automation tools are most effective when used consistently, helping users achieve up to 3x more qualified connections[18].
FAQs
How does Closely’s AI choose the best time to send personalized messages for higher response rates?
Closely’s AI takes the guesswork out of timing your messages. It studies recipient behavior and engagement patterns to pinpoint the ideal moment to send personalized outreach. Using advanced predictive models, it ensures your messages hit inboxes when prospects are most likely to respond.
By analyzing factors like time zones, past interactions, and activity trends, Closely makes it easier to boost your LinkedIn campaign performance with less effort.
How can I set up Closely’s AI personalization features to improve my LinkedIn outreach results?
To get started with Closely’s AI personalization for LinkedIn outreach, here’s what you need to do:
- Link your LinkedIn account: This connection allows for smooth automation and personalized messaging.
- Add your prospect data: Upload relevant information and clarify your outreach goals so the AI can craft messages that truly connect with your audience.
- Customize AI settings: Adjust the tone, style, and targeting preferences to match your campaign’s objectives.
These steps will help you create outreach campaigns that feel personal and increase your chances of getting meaningful responses.
How does Closely protect user data and comply with privacy laws when using AI for prospect data enrichment?
The platform places a strong emphasis on data privacy by adhering to privacy-by-design principles, ensuring it complies with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. Personal data is handled with care to protect user anonymity and prevent any unauthorized access.
Additionally, it upholds transparency by clearly informing users about how data is collected and used. With strict governance measures in place, the platform ensures its AI-driven tools function responsibly while safeguarding sensitive information.