Personalized LinkedIn outreach with GPT-4O, PhantomBuster & Google Sheets

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2/3/2026

Append Row Google Sheets Spreadsheet Automation Data Entry

Overview

This sophisticated n8n workflow transforms raw LinkedIn leads into personalized, high-converting connection requests using GPT-4O AI and PhantomBuster automation. The system processes LinkedIn profile data, generates authentic icebreakers, and automatically sends connection requests twice daily, creating a hands-off lead generation machine that maintains human authenticity while scaling outreach efforts.

Key Benefits

🤖 AI-Powered Personalization Generate unique, human-like icebreakers for every LinkedIn connection request using GPT-4O, ensuring each outreach feels personal and authentic rather than automated.

⚡ Automated Workflow Execution Run your entire lead generation pipeline automatically twice daily (10 AM and 5 PM) USA Time with zero manual intervention required.

📊 Smart Data Management Seamlessly manage leads across multiple Google Sheets with automatic data cleanup, duplicate prevention, and organized lead tracking.

🎯 PhantomBuster Integration Leverage PhantomBuster's powerful LinkedIn automation to send connection requests at scale while maintaining platform compliance.

📈 Scalable Processing Process leads in optimized batches of 10 to maintain quality while scaling your outreach efforts effectively and remain within LinkedIn’s weekly connection request limits.

📧 Real-Time Monitoring Receive email notifications whenever connection requests are sent, keeping you informed of your campaign progress.

🔄 Continuous Operation Self-maintaining system that processes new leads, cleans up completed tasks, and prepares for the next cycle automatically.

💼 Professional Template System Uses proven icebreaker templates that follow the format: "Hey [name], loved seeing [personalized detail]. I'm also into [relevant connection], thought I'd connect."

How It Works

Phase 1: Lead Acquisition & Processing

The workflow begins with scheduled triggers that activate twice daily. Upon activation, the system first cleans up previously processed leads from the source Google Sheet to prevent duplicates. It then retrieves fresh LinkedIn profile data including names, titles, company information, locations, and profile URLs.

Phase 2: AI-Powered Personalization Engine

Retrieved leads are processed in batches of 10 through a sophisticated GPT-4O integration. The AI analyzes each LinkedIn profile and generates personalized icebreakers following a proven template structure. The system is specifically programmed to paraphrase LinkedIn information rather than copy it directly, ensuring messages feel human-written rather than automated.

Phase 3: Data Storage & Campaign Launch

Processed leads with their AI-generated icebreakers are stored in a dedicated Google Sheet for tracking and analysis. The system then aggregates all processed data and triggers a PhantomBuster agent that executes the actual LinkedIn connection requests using the personalized messages.

Phase 4: Cleanup & Notification

After successful campaign launch, the system removes processed leads from the source sheet, sends email confirmation notifications, and prepares for the next scheduled execution cycle.

Required Setup & Dependencies

Core Integrations:

Google Sheets API access with OAuth2 authentication
OpenAI API key for GPT-4O access
PhantomBuster account with API key and configured LinkedIn agent
Gmail account for notifications

Google Sheets Structure:

Source Sheet: Contains raw LinkedIn data (firstName, lastName, title, companyName, location, etc.)
Destination Sheet: Stores processed leads with icebreakers and tracking information

PhantomBuster Configuration:

LinkedIn connection request automation agent
Proper agent ID configuration in the HTTP request node
Valid API key with sufficient credits

Business Use Cases

Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) Automate personalized outreach to potential clients while maintaining the human touch that drives connection acceptance rates.

Recruitment Agencies Scale candidate outreach with personalized messages that reference specific experience and skills from LinkedIn profiles.

Business Development Generate partnerships and collaboration opportunities through targeted, personalized connection requests to industry leaders.

Coaches & Consultants Build professional networks by connecting with potential clients using AI-generated icebreakers that reference their specific challenges and opportunities.

Marketing Agencies Develop client relationships through personalized outreach that demonstrates understanding of their business and industry.

Revenue Potential

Direct Lead Generation:

Process 20 leads daily (10 per execution × 2 runs)
Average 25% connection acceptance rate = 5 new connections daily
Convert 10% of connections to qualified leads = 15 qualified leads monthly
Close 20% of qualified leads at $2,000 average deal size = $6,000 monthly revenue

Agency Services:

Offer as white-label service to clients at $500-1,500 monthly recurring revenue per client
Manage 10-20 client accounts for $5,000-30,000 monthly recurring revenue

SaaS Model:

Package as LinkedIn automation SaaS with tiered pricing ($49-299/month)
Target 100+ subscribers for $5,000-30,000 monthly recurring revenue

Difficulty Level & Build Time

Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced Estimated Build Time: 4-6 hours Technical Requirements: Understanding of API integrations, Google Sheets operations, and basic workflow logic

Setup Complexity:

API key management and authentication setup
Google Sheets structure creation and permission configuration
PhantomBuster agent setup and testing
AI prompt engineering for optimal icebreaker generation

Detailed Setup Steps

1. Google Sheets Preparation

Create two Google Sheets:

Source Sheet: Structure with columns for firstName, lastName, location, title, companyName, titleDescription, linkedInProfileUrl
Destination Sheet: Include all source columns plus id, photo_url, icebreaker, email_status fields

2. API Credentials Configuration

OpenAI: Generate API key with GPT-4O access
Google Sheets: Set up OAuth2 credentials in n8n
PhantomBuster: Create account, set up LinkedIn connection agent, obtain API key
Gmail: Configure OAuth2 for notification emails

3. PhantomBuster Agent Setup

Create LinkedIn connection request automation agent
Configure with proper message templates and targeting parameters
Test agent functionality and note the agent ID for n8n configuration

4. Workflow Import & Configuration

Import the provided n8n workflow JSON
Update all credential references to match your configured accounts
Modify Google Sheet IDs in all relevant nodes
Update PhantomBuster agent ID and API key in HTTP request node

5. AI Prompt Optimization

Review and customize the GPT-4O prompt for your specific use case
Test icebreaker generation with sample data
Adjust tone and style parameters as needed

6. Schedule Configuration

Set appropriate trigger times based on your target timezone
Consider LinkedIn usage patterns for optimal engagement

7. Testing & Validation

Run workflow manually with test data
Verify Google Sheets integration and data flow
Test PhantomBuster integration with small batch
Confirm email notifications are working

Advanced Customization Options

Enhanced AI Personalization

Integrate additional data sources (company websites, news articles) for richer context
Add industry-specific icebreaker templates
Implement A/B testing for message variations

CRM Integration

Connect to Salesforce, HubSpot, or Pipedrive for seamless lead management
Add lead scoring based on profile analysis
Implement automated follow-up sequences

Analytics & Reporting

Add detailed tracking and analytics dashboard
Implement conversion tracking from connection to closed deal
Generate automated performance reports

Multi-Platform Expansion

Extend to Twitter/X and Instagram outreach
Add email finder integration for multi-channel campaigns
Implement unified contact management across platforms

Advanced Filtering

Add AI-powered lead qualification before outreach
Implement company size, industry, and role-based filtering
Add sentiment analysis for optimal timing

This workflow represents a complete, production-ready solution that can immediately start generating leads and revenue while providing a foundation for advanced customization and scaling.

Personalized LinkedIn Outreach with GPT-4o, PhantomBuster & Google Sheets

This n8n workflow automates the process of generating personalized LinkedIn outreach messages using advanced AI, managing prospect data in Google Sheets, and potentially integrating with a scraping tool like PhantomBuster (though PhantomBuster is not explicitly present in the provided JSON, the directory name suggests its intended use). It streamlines the creation of highly relevant messages, saving time and improving the effectiveness of outreach campaigns.

What it does

This workflow is designed to:

Schedule Trigger: Initiate the workflow on a recurring schedule, allowing for regular execution of the outreach process.
Google Sheets Integration: Read and/or write data from a Google Sheet, likely to manage prospect lists, generated messages, and outreach status.
OpenAI Integration: Utilize OpenAI's capabilities (e.g., GPT-4o) to generate personalized LinkedIn outreach messages based on data retrieved from Google Sheets.
HTTP Request: Potentially interact with external APIs for additional data enrichment or to trigger actions in other services (e.g., PhantomBuster for scraping, or a CRM for updating records).
Aggregate Data: Combine and structure data from various steps for further processing.
Limit Data: Control the number of items processed at a time, useful for managing API rate limits or processing in batches.
Gmail Integration: Send emails, which could be used for notifications, approvals, or even sending the generated messages if LinkedIn outreach is done via email.
Sticky Note: Provides a place for notes or comments within the workflow for documentation and clarity.

Prerequisites/Requirements

To use this workflow, you will need:

n8n Account: A running instance of n8n.
Google Account: With access to Google Sheets for managing your prospect data.
OpenAI API Key: For accessing OpenAI's language models (e.g., GPT-4o) to generate personalized messages.
Gmail Account: For sending emails (e.g., notifications, approvals).
(Optional) PhantomBuster Account: If you intend to use PhantomBuster for lead generation or data scraping, you would need an account and relevant Phantom configurations. Note: PhantomBuster is not directly configured in the provided JSON, but suggested by the directory name.

Setup/Usage

Import the Workflow: Download the provided JSON and import it into your n8n instance.
Configure Credentials:
- Google Sheets: Set up your Google Sheets OAuth2 or service account credentials to allow n8n to read from and write to your specified spreadsheet.
- OpenAI: Add your OpenAI API Key credential to the OpenAI node.
- Gmail: Configure your Gmail OAuth2 credentials for sending emails.
Customize Google Sheets Node (ID: 18):
- Specify the Spreadsheet ID and Sheet Name where your prospect data (e.g., names, company, LinkedIn profile URLs, relevant notes) is stored.
- Configure the Operation (e.g., Read to fetch prospects, Append or Update to log generated messages or outreach status).
Customize OpenAI Node (ID: 1250):
- Select the appropriate Model (e.g., gpt-4o).
- Craft the Prompt to instruct GPT-4o on how to generate personalized LinkedIn messages. This prompt should reference data from your Google Sheet (e.g., {{$node["Google Sheets"].json["Name"]}}, {{$node["Google Sheets"].json["Company"]}}, etc.) to ensure personalization.
Customize HTTP Request Node (ID: 19):
- If integrating with PhantomBuster or another API, configure the URL, method, headers, and body according to the external service's API documentation.
Customize Gmail Node (ID: 356):
- Define the recipient, subject, and body of the email. This could be for sending the generated LinkedIn messages, internal notifications, or approval requests.
Configure Schedule Trigger Node (ID: 839):
- Set the desired interval for the workflow to run (e.g., daily, weekly).
Activate the Workflow: Once configured, activate the workflow to start automating your personalized LinkedIn outreach.

Remember to test the workflow with a small set of data first to ensure everything is working as expected before running it on a large scale.

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