How to Choose the Right LinkedIn Marketing Tool

November 10, 2024•11 min read
How to Choose the Right LinkedIn Marketing Tool

Looking to boost your LinkedIn game? Here's how to pick the perfect tool:

  1. Know your needs: Lead gen? Content scheduling? Analytics?
  2. Must-have features:
    • Multi-account management
    • Automation (within LinkedIn's rules)
    • Performance tracking
    • Customization options
  3. Check tool quality:
    • Growth potential
    • Integration with other software
    • Compliance with LinkedIn policies
    • Pricing options
  4. Top tools to consider:
  5. Stay safe:
    • Use tools responsibly
    • Protect your account (2FA, regular checks)
    • Safeguard your data

Remember: Start slow, personalize your approach, and always prioritize genuine connections over pure numbers.

Quick Comparison:

Tool Starting Price Key Feature
Sales Navigator $79.99/month Advanced search
Expandi $99/month Dynamic personalization
Dux-Soup $14.99/month Automation
Lempod $9.99/month per pod Engagement boost

Pick a tool that fits your goals, budget, and comfort level with automation. And always keep it real on LinkedIn!

What Are LinkedIn Marketing Tools?

LinkedIn marketing tools are software that boost your impact on the world's biggest professional network. They help businesses tap into LinkedIn's 900 million users for leads, brand visibility, and networking.

These tools come in different shapes and sizes:

  1. Social Media Managers: Schedule posts, handle multiple accounts, and check performance. Sprout Social, for example, offers a unified inbox and deep analytics (starts at $199/user/month).
  2. Lead Generators: Find and connect with potential clients. Expandi automates outreach and campaign management ($99/month).
  3. Analytics Tools: Dive deep into your LinkedIn performance. HubSpot's social media tools, part of their CRM, offer insights across multiple channels.
  4. Content Creators: Help craft engaging posts and articles. Later helps with visual content planning ($25/month for Starter plan).

Most tools have basic features like post scheduling, analytics, and profile management. But the extras can make a big difference:

Take ActiveCampaign (starts at $15/month for Lite plan). It offers advanced email marketing and CRM integration, smoothly moving leads from LinkedIn to email.

These tools come in two flavors: online platforms and browser add-ons.

Online platforms:

  • Run non-stop
  • Often pack more features
  • Usually cost more

Browser add-ons:

  • Work right in your LinkedIn browser
  • Often cheaper
  • Might have fewer features

Dux-Soup, a browser add-on, starts at $14.99/month. It's great for small businesses but needs your browser open to work.

Zopto, an online platform, starts at $197/month/user. It's more robust and can run campaigns 24/7 without you.

When picking a tool, think about your budget, how big your LinkedIn efforts are, and how hands-on you want to be. And remember: while automation is powerful, use it wisely to keep your LinkedIn presence genuine and follow the platform's rules.

How to Check Tool Quality

When picking a LinkedIn marketing tool, you need to make sure it's up to snuff. Here's what to look for:

Growth Potential

Can the tool keep up as your business grows? You don't want to outgrow your tool too quickly.

Take Dux-Soup, for example. They've got different plans:

  • Pro plan: $14.99/month (good for solo users)
  • Turbo plan: $55/month (handles bigger operations)

This way, you can start small and level up when you need to.

Working with Other Tools

Your LinkedIn tool should play nice with your other software. It makes life easier.

Sales Navigator ($79.99/month and up) is a good example. It connects smoothly with lots of CRM systems. This means you can manage leads and sync data without headaches.

Safety and Rules

Following LinkedIn's rules is a must. You don't want your account getting in trouble.

QuickLead.io is built to follow LinkedIn's policies. This is super important now that LinkedIn's cracking down on automation in 2024.

Cost Options

Prices can be all over the map. You need to find a tool that fits your budget AND gives you what you need.

Here's a quick look at some tool prices:

Tool Basic Plan Advanced Plan
Dux-Soup $14.99/month $55/month
Sales Navigator $79.99/month $149.99/month
Lempod $9.99/month per pod N/A
PhantomBuster $59/month Custom pricing

Don't just go for the priciest option. Think about what you're getting for your money.

Lempod, for instance, says it can boost your post reach by 10-30 times your follower count for just $9.99 a month per pod. Compare that to LinkedIn Ads, where the same money might only get you 1000 impressions or a few clicks.

Many tools offer free trials or starter plans. It's a great way to test drive before you buy.

Must-Have Features

Picking the right LinkedIn marketing tool can make or break your strategy. Let's look at the key features you need:

Managing Multiple Accounts

Got more than one LinkedIn profile? You need a tool that can handle it. Expandi's dashboard lets you manage several accounts at once. It's perfect for agencies or businesses with multiple brands.

Time-Saving Features

Automation is crucial. Look for tools that can do routine tasks for you. Snov.io automates sending connection requests and follow-up messages. You can send up to 100 of these daily without breaking a sweat.

Results Tracking

You can't improve what you can't measure. Go for tools with solid analytics. LinkedIn Sales Navigator ($79.99/month for Professional plan) offers advanced search filters and lead alerts. These help you see what's working and tweak your strategy.

Custom Options

Want to stand out? Personalization is key. Expandi excels here, offering dynamic personalization beyond just names and company details. One campaign using this approach got an 83% response rate.

Here's a quick look at some top tools:

Tool Multiple Accounts Automation Tracking Customization Starting Price
Expandi Yes Yes Yes Yes $99/month
Snov.io Yes Yes Yes Yes $39/month
LinkedIn Sales Navigator No Yes Yes Yes $79.99/month

Pick a tool that fits your goals. If you're all about content, check out AuthoredUp. It helps with everything from drafting to publishing, and even lets you repost successful LinkedIn posts with one click.

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Steps to Pick the Right Tool

Picking the perfect LinkedIn marketing tool can supercharge your business. Here's how to do it:

List Your Needs

First, grab a pen and paper. Write down what you're looking for:

  • What do you want to achieve on LinkedIn?
  • Which tasks are eating up your time?
  • How many accounts are you juggling?
  • What's your budget looking like?

Let's say you're all about lead generation. You might want a tool that's a pro at outreach. Take Expandi, for example. It costs $99 a month, but users have seen response rates shoot up to 83%. Not too shabby, right?

Try Before Buying

Don't just take their word for it - test drive these tools yourself. Most offer free trials.

SocialPilot lets you play with their Professional plan for 14 days. It usually costs $50 a month for more than three users. You can schedule posts and dig into analytics during the trial.

Linked Helper also gives you 14 days to test their full version. At $15 a month per account, it's a budget-friendly way to dip your toes into automation.

Setup Plan

Got your tool? Great! Now, don't go crazy with all the features at once. Here's a smarter approach:

1. Start small

Pick one or two key features to focus on. Using Zopto? It starts at $215 a month. Begin by setting up your ideal customer profile for targeted outreach.

2. Gradually increase usage

Slowly ramp things up. LinkedIn has limits, and if you suddenly go from zero to a hundred, you might get your account flagged. Expandi, for instance, caps you at 100 invites and messages per day, but lets you increase over time.

3. Monitor and adjust

Keep your eyes on the prize. Tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator ($79.99/month for Professional) give you detailed stats. Use these to fine-tune your strategy.

4. Integrate with existing tools

Make sure your new LinkedIn tool plays nice with your current setup. Many tools, like Dux-Soup (starting at €12.99 per month), can link up with your CRM to keep everything running smoothly.

Tool Types and Suggestions

LinkedIn marketing tools come in two flavors: LinkedIn's own and third-party options. Let's dive in.

LinkedIn's Own Tools

LinkedIn's got some heavy hitters in its arsenal:

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

This premium tool starts at $79.99/month and packs a punch:

  • Find your dream prospects with advanced search
  • Get lead recommendations tailored just for you
  • Stay in the loop with real-time updates on leads and accounts
  • Reach out directly with InMail credits

B2B companies love this one. One user saw a 35% jump in qualified leads after just three months.

LinkedIn Campaign Manager

LinkedIn's ad platform lets you:

  • Target audiences with laser precision using professional data
  • Choose from various ad formats
  • Track your performance with detailed analytics

HubSpot knocked it out of the park with this one, scoring 4x more leads compared to other social platforms.

Other Company Tools

Third-party tools can add some extra oomph to your LinkedIn game:

Dux-Soup

This popular automation tool starts at $14.99/month for the Pro plan:

  • Automate profile visits and connection requests
  • Create custom outreach campaigns
  • Export data to your CRM

Dux-Soup stays on top of LinkedIn's algorithm changes with frequent updates - 43 in 2022 and 35 in 2023.

Expandi

For $99/month, this cloud-based tool offers:

  • Smart inbox for conversation management
  • Dynamic personalization for outreach
  • Multi-account management

One Expandi campaign hit an 83% response rate with its dynamic personalization.

Lempod

This engagement-focused tool costs $9.99/month per pod:

  • Join industry-specific engagement pods
  • Get automated likes and comments on your posts
  • Boost your content's visibility

Users report hundreds of likes and comments within 30 minutes of posting.

When picking a tool, think about what you need, your budget, and how much automation you want. And remember: use these tools responsibly to keep your LinkedIn relationships real.

Staying Safe

Let's talk about using LinkedIn marketing tools without getting into trouble. It's like walking a tightrope - you want to boost your strategy, but you need to be careful.

Using Tools Correctly

LinkedIn's rules are clear: no bots or automated tools that act like humans. Here's how to play it safe:

  • Use tools for scheduling, analytics, and CRM integrations, not for faking human interactions.
  • Start slow. Send 20-30 connection requests a day, then gradually increase.
  • Keep it real. Experts say stick to under 100 connection requests daily.
  • Make your messages personal. Generic stuff looks spammy.

Here's a story that drives this home:

"My buddy Dave went overboard with automation. He sent hundreds of requests daily. His connections exploded, but LinkedIn shut him down in a month. He lost it all. Me? I took it slow, handled connections myself, and used tools for scheduling and stats. My network grew steadily and safely."

Protecting Your Account

Keep your LinkedIn account locked down:

  • Turn on two-factor authentication. It's like adding a second lock to your door.
  • Watch out for weird login patterns. LinkedIn does.
  • Go for cloud-based tools over browser extensions. They're harder for LinkedIn to spot.
  • Keep an eye on LinkedIn's rules. They change.
  • Check your account regularly for any red flags.

Data Safety

When using LinkedIn marketing tools, protect your info like it's gold:

  • Do your homework on tools before using them. Read reviews and start small.
  • Use residential or 4G mobile proxies to blend in with regular users.
  • Use a different proxy for each LinkedIn account. It's like not putting all your eggs in one basket.
  • Be picky about connecting third-party tools to your LinkedIn account. Stick with the trustworthy ones.
  • Regularly clean up the tools and apps linked to your LinkedIn account. Ditch the ones you don't use or trust anymore.

Here's some wisdom from Kyroto, a Medium author:

"To navigate LinkedIn's tighter anti-fraud measures, you need a mix of smart proxy use, controlled activity, and strategic account management."

Wrap-up

Picking the right LinkedIn marketing tool can supercharge your business. Here's what to keep in mind:

Match the tool to your goals. Want more leads? Expandi might be your go-to, with some users seeing an 83% response rate. Focused on content? Look for tools that excel in that area.

Don't let price fool you. Cheap isn't always bad, and expensive doesn't guarantee results. Octopus CRM starts at $9.99/month, while Zopto can run up to $780/month for agencies. Pick what fits your needs and budget.

Go for user-friendly options. Dux-Soup, starting at $14.99/month, is known for its easy interface and frequent updates. They pushed out 43 updates in 2022 and 35 in 2023 to keep up with LinkedIn's changes.

Think about how it fits with your current tools. LinkedIn Sales Navigator ($79.99/month for Professional) plays nice with many CRM systems, making lead management smoother.

Safety first! Use tools responsibly to protect your LinkedIn account. As Kyroto, a Medium author, puts it:

"To navigate LinkedIn's tighter anti-fraud measures, you need a mix of smart proxy use, controlled activity, and strategic account management."

Start small and build up. This helps you stay within LinkedIn's limits and avoid red flags. With Expandi, for example, begin with targeted outreach and slowly work up to their max of 100 invites and messages per day.

Use data to your advantage. Tools with solid analytics, like LinkedIn Sales Navigator, can help you refine your approach. One B2B company boosted their qualified leads by 35% in just three months using this tool.

FAQs

Can I use automation on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn automation is a hot topic. It can save time, but you need to be careful. Here's the deal:

LinkedIn says no to bots or automated tools that act like humans. That means no mass-sending connection requests or messages.

But some automation is okay:

  • You can schedule posts with tools like Hootsuite or Buffer
  • LinkedIn's Campaign Manager tracks ad performance automatically
  • Many tools sync your LinkedIn activity with your CRM

The trick? Use automation wisely. Candyce Edelen, Founder of PropelGrowth, puts it bluntly:

"Most if not all of the LinkedIn automation tools claim that they're 'safe' because LinkedIn can't detect them. Don't be fooled. These products are not safe, and your profile is not safe if you use them."

To play it safe on LinkedIn:

  1. Be real. Use tools to boost, not replace, human interaction.
  2. Keep it under 250. That's your daily limit for connections and messages.
  3. Slow and steady. Don't suddenly go crazy with LinkedIn activity.
  4. Stick to LinkedIn-approved tools. If it works with LinkedIn's API, you're good.

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