Tagging in Contactful: build lists that actually work
Tags are the fastest way to turn LinkedIn into an organized system. Instead of “I know I’ve seen this person somewhere…”, you get clean lists like #HiringManager, #WarmLead, #Investor, or #Shortlist — and you can export exactly what you filtered.
What tagging gives you (in 60 seconds)
Tagging isn’t “extra admin”. It’s how you keep context across hundreds (or thousands) of connections — and turn LinkedIn work into repeatable outcomes.
Tag sets you can copy (and start using today)
Here are practical tag frameworks. Start with one, refine in a week, and your LinkedIn lists will become a real asset.
1) Relationship status
Track where the relationship stands without rereading DMs.
2) Intent / purpose
Why is this person in your vault? Make that explicit.
3) Segment / niche
Segment by industry, persona, or geography for sharper outreach.
How to build a tag-driven contact list (step-by-step)
The simplest way to start: tag for who they are, why they matter, and what’s next.
Fast setup (the “10 core tags” approach)
Real scenario: turning 200 saves into a clean list
You saved 200 people from LinkedIn. Instead of scrolling forever, you filter:
Now you have a high-signal outreach list. You can create a pipeline stage (“Follow-up this week”) or export the filtered view to CSV.
How tagging helps each profession
Same feature, different outcomes. Pick your role and copy the tag strategy.
Recruiters: faster shortlists, fewer dropped candidates
Tagging gives you immediate control over candidate pools: who’s qualified, who responded, who’s waiting, and which role they match.
Recruiter win: export a role-based shortlist in one click
Filter by tags (e.g., Candidate + Role: Backend + Shortlist) and export. Your CSV becomes an ATS-ready list without manual cleanup.
- Keep role pipelines clean by tagging candidates by skill + seniority
- Separate “active” vs “future” candidates with status tags
- Export filtered shortlists to share with hiring managers
Talent Hunters: precision sourcing (without spreadsheet chaos)
Hunters move fast across many searches. Tags let you build reusable sourcing systems: by role, niche, seniority, and response status.
Hunter win: build 3 parallel lists for different searches
Contactful supports multiple custom pipelines—so you can run separate searches (e.g., “Role A”, “Role B”, “Role C”) while tags keep segmentation consistent.
- Use one shared tag system across all pipelines (skills, seniority, location)
- Filter + export per role search without duplicating work
- Keep follow-ups sharp with “Reply pending” and “Next touch” tags
Sales: better targeting, cleaner follow-ups, higher reply rates
Tagging turns LinkedIn selling into a repeatable system. Segment by ICP, buying stage, and intent—then filter and work the list.
Sales win: export only “ready-to-touch” leads
Filter by Prospect + Stage + Follow-up and export a clean CSV for your CRM or outreach tooling. Your next actions stay focused on high-intent contacts.
- Stop re-qualifying the same people—tags keep your ICP memory
- Separate “pipeline stage” from “segment” for clearer prioritization
- Build micro-campaigns using tag combinations (industry + role + intent)
Founders: relationships compound when you don’t lose context
Founders juggle partners, investors, advisors, and key accounts. Tags make sure intros and conversations don’t disappear into your inbox.
Founder win: a “strategic network” export anytime
Filter your strategic network (e.g., Investor + Warm) and export when needed: fundraising, hiring, partnerships, or BD planning.
- Track where each relationship fits (investor vs advisor vs partner)
- Use “Topic” tags to find the right people fast (hiring, GTM, product)
- Build a clean update list for quarterly outreach
Consultants: pipeline clarity + niche segmentation
Consultants win through relevance. Tags let you segment by niche, pain point, and relationship stage—so your outreach stays specific.
Consultant win: export a niche list for targeted content
Filter by Niche + Pain to build a list for personalized outreach, webinar invites, or case-study distribution.
- Turn “random connections” into structured lead lists
- Tag by pain points to personalize messages at scale (without automation)
- Export segments for email tools or a CRM when you decide
Yes—exports work with tag filters
Build a filtered view using tags, then export that view. Your CSV becomes pre-segmented, so you can act immediately.
Three export patterns people love
Why this matters
Most tools export “everything” and make you clean it up later. Contactful’s tagging + filters make exports intentional: you export exactly what you’re looking at.
- Cleaner handoff to CRM / ATS / outreach tools
- Less manual work, fewer mistakes
- Segments stay consistent over time
Tagging questions people ask
Quick answers to make the feature “click”.
What should I tag first: industry, role, or status?
How many tags is “too many”?
Can I combine tags when filtering?
Does export respect my tag filters?
Is tagging safe (no scraping / automation)?
Turn LinkedIn into a system—with tags
Save profiles, add tags + notes, and work clean lists with filters and exports. No scraping. No fragile automation. Just a lightweight relationship memory that helps you close loops.