Is this the BEST LTD for LinkedIn Automation? Closely Review (AppSumo 2024)

In this review, I’m testing Closely, a cold outreach tool that combines LinkedIn automation with email campaigns. After my recent review of AIMfox, many viewers wanted to know how these tools compare. Let’s explore Closely’s features and capabilities to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your business.

Plans & Pricing [00:38]

Closely is currently available on AppSumo for $69 per lifetime code. What’s interesting is that you can stack unlimited codes with this deal. While Plan 1 offers basic features, I recommend starting with Plan 2 ($138) as your minimum investment. This tier includes crucial features like:

• CSV imports
• Audience imports from groups
• Human-like behavior automation algorithms

The main difference between higher tiers is that you get 2,000 credits per code, and every two codes add an additional user. At ten codes, you unlock white labeling capabilities, allowing you to offer Closely as a service to your clients.

Closely Setup [01:54]

Getting started with Closely requires syncing your LinkedIn account. The process involves:

1. Adding your LinkedIn credentials
2. Installing the Chrome extension
3. Connecting your account through the extension

I encountered some initial sync issues using the web platform, but the Chrome extension method worked seamlessly and almost instantaneously.

Security Settings [03:51]

Let’s address the security aspects of LinkedIn automation. While automation is widely used, it’s important to understand the potential risks:

• LinkedIn’s terms of service may not explicitly support automation
• Both Closely and AIMfox include safety measures:
• Randomized posting times
• Customizable activity windows
• Dedicated IPs for each LinkedIn account
• Gradual scaling of outreach activities

These precautions help prevent account flagging while maintaining a natural-looking activity pattern.

Chrome Extension [06:45]

The Chrome extension adds powerful features directly to your LinkedIn browsing experience:

• Email discovery on profile pages
• Quick lead exports
• Direct integration with Closely’s campaign features

While not mandatory, the extension significantly enhances your workflow when prospecting on LinkedIn.

Lead Finder [08:37]

Closely’s lead finder allows you to search for prospects in two ways:

1. Through the Chrome extension while browsing LinkedIn
2. Directly within the Closely web app

The extension method provided better results in my testing, offering:

• More accurate location filtering
• Access to LinkedIn’s full database
• Email discovery capabilities
• Optional phone number extraction

The web app’s lead finder has some limitations compared to AIMfox, particularly in location targeting and search result volume.

Creating a Campaign [11:26]

Campaign creation in Closely follows a structured process:

Campaign Setup

• Name your campaign
• Select connected accounts
• Configure warmup mode settings (recommended for account safety)

Audience Selection

• LinkedIn search
• CSV import
• Post engagement targeting
• Event attendee targeting
• Group member targeting
• Network import

Action Sequencing

• Connection requests
• Follow-up messages
• Profile views
• Post engagements
• Conditional branches based on prospect responses

My Network [13:46]

The My Network feature serves as a basic CRM within Closely:

• Filter and search your connections
• Add notes and tags
• Export contacts for campaigns
• Track relationship status

While not as robust as a full CRM, it provides useful organization tools for relationship management.

Working Days/Working Hours [20:01]

Closely allows you to set specific working hours and days for your automation:

• Choose active days (e.g., Monday-Friday)
• Set working hours
• Configure time zone settings

This helps maintain a natural activity pattern and prevents suspicious 24/7 automation.

Email Integration [20:55]

Email campaign features include:

• Google and Outlook integration
• Custom tracking domain setup
• Open and click tracking
• Conditional sequences based on engagement
• Multi-channel campaign coordination

Setup Tracking Domain [21:54]

Setting up a custom tracking domain involves:

1. Access to DNS settings
2. Creating a CNAME record
3. Verification in Closely
4. Integration with your email campaigns

This feature helps improve deliverability and provides accurate engagement metrics.

Integrations [25:03]

Closely offers integration with:

• HubSpot
• PipeDrive
• Webhooks (for custom integrations)

Conclusion [25:48]

Closely earns a 7.8/10 rating, matching AIMfox but for different reasons. Here’s my final assessment:

Strengths:

• Comprehensive multi-channel outreach
• Robust safety features
• Flexible campaign automation
• Email integration
• Custom tracking capabilities

Areas for Improvement:

• Lead finder limitations
• Initial setup complexity
• Basic CRM features
• Limited email provider options

While more technical than AIMfox, Closely offers greater feature depth and flexibility. The choice between the two depends on your specific needs:

• Choose Closely for multi-channel campaigns and advanced automation
• Choose AIMfox for simpler, LinkedIn-focused outreach with AI assistance

If you’re looking for a powerful cold outreach tool that combines LinkedIn and email automation, Closely’s AppSumo deal provides excellent value, especially at the Plan 2 level.