Exporting Contacts from LinkedIn

1. Using LinkedIn’s Native Export Feature

Why Use LinkedIn’s Built-In Export?

• Official & TOS-Compliant: Exporting your connections via LinkedIn directly adheres to LinkedIn’s policies.
• Straightforward: The steps are relatively simple, and you’ll receive a CSV file.

Steps for Exporting from LinkedIn

1. Access Settings & Privacy
   • On LinkedIn’s desktop site, click the drop-down arrow under your profile photo (top-right).
   • Select Settings & Privacy from the menu.
2. Choose Data Privacy
   • In the left-hand navigation, click Data Privacy (or a similarly named tab, depending on LinkedIn’s current UI).
3. Get a Copy of Your Data
   • Find the option labeled Get a copy of your data or something similar.
   • LinkedIn offers multiple data export options; for Contacts, you want “Connections.”
4. Request & Download
   • Select “Connections” and then Request archive.
   • LinkedIn will compile a CSV file that typically includes:
     -First Name
     -Last Name
     -Email Address (only if the connection has opted in; typically a low percentage)
     -Position
     -Company
     -LinkedIn Profile URL
     -Date Connected
   • Within 10-30 minutes, LinkedIn emails you a download link. Save the CSV file for importing into HubSpot or another CRM.

Caveats of the Native Export

• Limited Email Addresses: Only a small fraction of your connections (those who opted in) will have email addresses in this file.
• No Additional Fields: You get basic fields—like name, company, and date connected—but not much else (e.g., location, industry, phone number).
• Manual Import to HubSpot: You’ll need to import the CSV into HubSpot and map fields accordingly.

2. Using Third-Party Tools 

Why Consider Third-Party Tools?

• Richer Data: Some tools can export additional fields like headline, location, industry, phone number (if visible on LinkedIn), and even profile photo URLs.
• Faster Filters/Batch Exports: They may let you sort, tag, or filter your connections before export.

Example: LeadDelta

Installation & Integration: LeadDelta typically works as a browser extension or a cloud-based platform that accesses your LinkedIn data (with your permission).

Richer Export Fields: In addition to the standard LinkedIn export columns, LeadDelta can include:

• Headline (the text under someone’s name on their profile)
• Location
• Industry
• Phone Number and Email (for any first-degree connection who has made that info visible)
• Profile Photo URL
• Number of Followers (for those who have >500 connections, you might see how many followers they actually have)

Caution About Authorization: LeadDelta (or other similar tools) might not be officially endorsed by LinkedIn. Using them could risk violating LinkedIn’s terms of service if the tool automates certain actions or scrapes data. Always read user reviews and disclaimers, and ensure you are comfortable with how the tool handles your LinkedIn credentials and data.

Import into HubSpot: After exporting the CSV, you can import it into HubSpot, mapping columns to the correct properties (like “First Name,” “Last Name,” “Company,” etc.). For extra fields, you may need to create custom properties in HubSpot—e.g., “LinkedIn Headline,” “LinkedIn Industry,” etc.

3. Other Methods or Integrations

1. LinkedIn Sync Tools & Chrome Extensions
   • A variety of Chrome extensions (e.g., Lusha, Wiza, AeroLeads) offer the ability to export contact info or push data to CRMs.
   • Some of these tools can sync partial LinkedIn data directly to HubSpot, but again, they might be in a gray area of compliance with LinkedIn’s TOS.
   • They can, however, be convenient if you want to quickly create or update HubSpot records on-the-fly while browsing LinkedIn profiles.
2. LinkedIn Sales Navigator Integrations
   • HubSpot has some built-in integrations with LinkedIn Sales Navigator, though these are primarily for viewing mutual contacts or sending InMails from HubSpot.
   • This integration does not typically offer a full “export all connections” function; it’s more about referencing LinkedIn data within HubSpot’s interface.
3. Manual Data Entry
   • In a pinch, you can always open a LinkedIn profile, copy details (email, phone, job title), and paste them into HubSpot.
   • This is obviously time-consuming for large contact lists, but feasible for a few high-value prospects.

4. Best Practices and Considerations

• Review LinkedIn’s Terms of Service: Before using any third-party tool, understand that LinkedIn often restricts scraping or bulk-exporting data that’s beyond what it provides in the native export.
• Stay Organized with Data Mappings: When importing to HubSpot, map columns to existing properties or create new custom fields (e.g., “LinkedIn Headline”). Confirm the data is consistent and free of extra formatting errors (like commas in phone numbers, weird line breaks in titles, etc.).
• Privacy & GDPR Compliance: If you’re in regions where GDPR or other privacy laws apply, ensure you have a lawful basis for storing personal data. Disclose how you’re using contact information if you plan to do marketing outreach.
• Update Frequency: LinkedIn data becomes stale quickly if your connections switch roles or companies. Consider exporting at intervals and merging or updating contact records in HubSpot for ongoing accuracy.
• Combine with HubSpot’s Workflows or Lists: Once you’ve imported your LinkedIn contacts, segment them in HubSpot via Active or Static Lists (e.g., “All LinkedIn Contacts” or “Former McKinsey Colleagues from LinkedIn”). Enroll them in workflows for personalized email outreach or follow-up tasks.