Download Valuable Information from LinkedIn for Free

By Wayne Breitbarth, Andersen Alumnus and CEO-Power Formula LLC (Author of “The Power Formula for LinkedIn Success: Kick-Start Your Business, Brand and Job Search’)

Have you downloaded a list of your LinkedIn connections lately? Did you even know it's possible to download it?

This extremely useful function has been available for quite some time, but most people have not taken advantage of it.

But the good news is LinkedIn has expanded this feature, and now—in addition to a list of your connections—you can download lots of other valuable data from your LinkedIn account.

Now, if you're saying to yourself, It's probably hard to figure out how to do it—and even tougher to know how to capitalize on the information, I've got good news for you: It's very easy to do.
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Here's how to get your data download

Just follow these four simple steps:
  • On your LinkedIn home page, click Me in the top toolbar.
  • Choose Settings & Privacy from the drop-down menu, which takes you to the Privacy section of this page.
  • Scroll down and click Getting a copy of your data, and choose either a full download or specific data files.
  • When you receive the email from LinkedIn, follow the instructions to download your data files.

That's it. Within ten minutes, you'll get the specific file you requested, and you'll receive the full download within a day. It will be sent to the primary email listed in your LinkedIn account.

Here's what you'll get

You will obviously find some of this information to be more useful than others, but I can assure you there are some real gems in here. Here is a partial list of what you'll receive. Click here to see the full list.

Account information:.

  • Registration information
  • Login history, including IP records
  • Email address history and status
  • Account history, including account closures and reopens

Other information:

  • Name, including the current name on your account and any previous name changes
  • A list of your first-degree connections
  • Photos that have been uploaded to your account
  • Endorsements you've received
  • A list of the skills on your profile
  • Recommendations given and received
  • Connection invitations sent and received
  • Inbox communications
  • Group contributions
  • Your search history
  • Content you've posted, shared, liked, or commented on
  • Mobile apps you've installed
  • Ads you've clicked on
  • The targeting criteria LinkedIn uses to show you ads

In my opinion, the most useful information is the list of your first-degree connections. In that spreadsheet you'll find first name, last name, current job title, current company, and connection date.

Note: Prior to the fall of 2018, you would also receive the email addresses of your connections, but that is no longer included in this spreadsheet unless your connection opted into sharing that as part of the download—and there's not much chance of that. You can still get your connections' email addresses from the Contact info section on their individual profiles, unless they've chosen to not display it, which is typically not the case.

Here's what you can do with the data

What you can do with this data is only limited by the extent of your imagination, but here are a few of the suggestions I give my Linkedin consulting clients about using the data to grow their businesses and find their next jobs.

A list of your first-degree connections

If you're currently employed as a business development professional or you own a business, it might be beneficial to pare down this list to the people you want to specifically prospect. Then look up their email addresses, drop them into the spreadsheet, and import that spreadsheet to your CRM or email system for future nurturing and/or followup. However, be sure you receive the appropriate permission prior to adding them to any mass email list.

If you're a job seeker, especially if you're a sales or business development professional, you could pare down this list to people who might be of interest to your prospective employers. If you walk into your job interview with this impressive list of prospects who are already in your first-level LinkedIn network, you'll no doubt make a terrific first impression.

Your LinkedIn recommendations

If you're currently employed as a business development professional or you own a business, look through the list of your recommendations, and choose a couple of the very best quotes. When you send out proposals, include those quotes to show how thrilled your past clients were with you and your products and services. KaChing!

If you're a job seeker, grab some great quotes and place them in the relevant Job Experience entries on your profile. Positive comments about your skills and abilities go a long way with prospective employers.

Don't delay—go get your data now. And why not do yourself a favor and make a note to follow this procedure at least quarterly. You never know when you'll need this goldmine of information.

Special Offer

If you'd like me to provide a detailed critique of your profile and help you develop a winning LinkedIn strategy, be sure to take advantage of my special offer: A one-hour, one-on-one consultation for just $197.

This consultation will take place on the phone, and I will share my computer screen with you. There are limited spots available, so don't delay. Book yours today by clicking here.