CSV imports are a powerful way to bring your own lead lists into Botdog, but they can sometimes be tricky. Here's an expanded guide to troubleshooting CSV import issues:

  1. Check File Format
    • Ensure your file is saved as a true .CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file.
    • Some spreadsheet programs may save as .XLS, .XLSB or .XLSX by default. This formats also work with Botdog. 
  2. Verify Columns
    • Your CSV must contain a column with LinkedIn profile URLs.
    • Label this column clearly, e.g., 'LinkedIn URL' or 'Profile Link' so that you can find it easily.
    • Other useful columns might include 'First Name', 'Last Name', 'Company', but the LinkedIn URL is essential and the only one required.
    • Ensure your column headers are in the first row of the CSV.
  3. LinkedIn URL Format
    • Each LinkedIn URL should be complete and correct.
    • Correct format: https://www.linkedin.com/in/username
    • Remove any tracking parameters or unnecessary additions to the URL, they could lead to issues.
    • Verify that each URL leads to an individual profile, not a company page or post (that's a frequent mistake)
  4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
    • Ensure the LinkedIn URL column contains only URLs.
    • Remove any additional text, notes, or formatting from this column
    • If you have other information, place it in separate, appropriately labeled columns.
    • Don't confuse company page URLs with personal profile URLs.
    • Company URLs typically look like: https://www.linkedin.com/company/companyname
    • Botdog needs personal profile URLs for connection requests.
    • If copying from other sources, paste as plain text to remove any hidden formatting.
  5. Preview and Validate
    • If possible, use Botdog's preview function to check how your data will be imported.
    • Verify that the columns are mapping correctly to Botdog's fields.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Open your CSV in a text editor to check for any obvious formatting issues.
  2. Try importing a small subset of your data first to test for issues.
  3. If using Excel, try saving as a CSV, then opening and re-saving in a plain text editor before importing.

If you've tried these steps and are still experiencing issues, don't hesitate to contact our support team. we can provide specific guidance based on your file and the platform's requirements.

Remember, a clean and correctly formatted CSV is key to successful data import and efficient campaign setup in Botdog!