Before uploading a CSV (comma-separated values) file to We-Connect, let’s cover how to set up your file correctly. Below are some tips to ensure your CSV transfer goes smoothly:
Your CSV file should only include 1st-degree connections or 2nd & 3rd-degree connections. Lists cannot include both types of connections.
If you are unsure what type of connections your CSV file contains, you can de-dupe it against a list of your connections. You can also download a file of your first connections directly from your LinkedIn account.
An email address or LinkedIn URL is mandatory to upload a file. Without either of these, you will not be able to run campaigns to contacts.
When uploading contacts via a CSV file, use LinkedIn profile URLs rather than Sales Navigator or Recruiter URLs. This does not apply to other import methods, such as uploading via LinkedIn search, events, posts, or groups.
Your uploaded CSV file cannot be used as a suppression file to exclude or blacklist contacts.
When you upload your CSV file, you may notice some null records. These records will populate as they get mapped to We-Connect’s database or when you launch your campaign.
The maximum file size should not exceed 1 MB.
How to import contacts to We-Connect using a CSV:
Now that you know how to set your file up for success, here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of how to upload and map your CSV file.
Step 1: Navigate to 'Contacts’ and select the 'import’ icon.
The contacts tab is where you can manage all your existing network connections and saved lists. Choose filters using the funnel icon or import contacts with the import icon.
You can also choose to upload contacts when creating a new campaign using the campaign manager.
Step 2: Choose CSV import and choose a file source.
There are three file source options: LinkedIn, email, or LinkedIn and email. The choice depends on the data you have on a contact and the campaign you want to run.
For the example below, our CSV file contains both the contact’s LinkedIn URL and email address, so we’ll select ‘Email and LinkedIn.’
Step 3: Map contact properties between the file & We-Connect.
We-Connect will automatically map contact properties for you. These properties include first name, middle name, last name, company name, location, LinkedIn URL, and email address. If, for some reason, your properties are not automatically mapped, you will see the option to map the columns yourself.
If you have additional contact information that you’d like to use in We-Connect, you can add custom fields to create new contact properties. Do this before uploading your CSV file to We-Connect.
Step 4: Save your new list by naming & specifying its type
The last step is to save your file. To do so, enter the name of your list and specify the type of contacts it contains, such as first-degree connections, second or third-degree connections, or group members.
Once your list is saved, you can find it in the 'My Contacts' tab of We-Connect.
If you have any follow-up questions about importing contacts as a CSV don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team. We’re always happy to help.