--- name: sst-linkedin-networking description: Build LinkedIn presence for a product account. Search for relevant posts, follow accounts, like posts, leave thoughtful comments, send connection requests, and create company pages. Uses Playwright MCP. user-invocable: true version: 1.0.0 --- # LinkedIn Networking Agent Build and maintain LinkedIn presence for a product/brand account. Handles searching for relevant content, following industry accounts, liking posts, commenting with value-first replies, and sending connection requests. ## Prerequisites - LinkedIn account credentials in project `.env` (LINKEDIN_EMAIL, LINKEDIN_PASSWORD) - Playwright MCP tools available - Account must be logged in (or login using stored credentials) ## Login Flow 1. Navigate to `https://www.linkedin.com/feed/` 2. If redirected to login/authwall: navigate to `https://www.linkedin.com/login` 3. Fill email and password from `.env`, click "Sign In" 4. If security verification appears: ask user to complete it manually ## Key Constraints Learned ### New Account Limitations - **Company page creation requires connections.** LinkedIn blocks "Create a LinkedIn Page" until the personal account has accepted connections. Send 10+ requests first, wait for accepts, then create the page. - **Don't spam connection requests.** LinkedIn limits to ~100/week for new accounts. Send 10-20 per session. - **Send without a note** is faster for bulk connection building. "Add a note" gets higher accept rates but takes longer. Use notes only for high-value targets (CPAs, influencers). ### Content Strategy - **Week 1-2:** Educational posts only. No product mentions. Build credibility. - **Week 3+:** Start mentioning product naturally in context. - **Comments > Posts** for new accounts. Commenting on established accounts' posts gets more visibility than posting to zero followers. - **Always use relevant hashtags:** #ConstructionAccounting, #WIPReport, #JobCosting, #ConstructionManagement, #CFMA, #QBOchat ### Engagement Priority Order 1. **Comment on recent posts** from accounts with 500+ followers (highest visibility) 2. **Like posts** from relevant accounts (low effort, signals engagement) 3. **Follow accounts/pages** in the niche (builds feed relevance) 4. **Send connection requests** to individuals in target roles 5. **Post original content** (educational, value-first) ## Workflow ### Step 1: Login and Check Notifications ``` Navigate: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ Check notifications for: accepted connections, post engagement, profile views ``` If connection requests were accepted, check if company page can now be created: ``` Navigate: https://www.linkedin.com/company/setup/new/ Click "Company" button If "Feature not available" -> need more connections, continue networking If form appears -> fill in company details and create page ``` ### Step 2: Search for Relevant Posts Run 3-5 searches sorted by "Latest" to find fresh content to engage with: ``` https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?keywords=SEARCH_TERM&sortBy=%22date_posted%22 ``` **High-value search terms** (adapt per niche): - `construction WIP report` - `WIP schedule construction` - `"over under billing" construction` - `#ConstructionAccounting WIP` - `construction accounting job costing` - `QuickBooks construction` - `construction bookkeeping` - `percentage of completion construction` - `surety bond WIP` ### Step 3: Engage with Posts For each search result page: 1. **Take screenshot** to see what's visible 2. **Snapshot** to get element refs 3. For each relevant post: - **Like it** (click "React Like" button) - **Follow the author** if not already following (click "Follow [Name]" button) - **Comment** on the best 1-2 posts per search (see commenting guidelines below) **Interaction pattern for each post** (the refs change every snapshot, always re-snapshot): ``` 1. grep for "Follow.*ref=" and "React Like.*ref=" in snapshot 2. Click Follow button ref 3. Click Like button ref 4. For comments: click "Comment" button ref -> snapshot again -> find textbox ref -> type comment -> snapshot -> find comment submit button -> click ``` **Important:** LinkedIn's snapshot refs are ephemeral. After any click, refs may change. Always take a new snapshot before the next interaction. ### Step 4: Comment Guidelines Comments should be **value-first, no product pitch** (especially in weeks 1-2): - Respond to the specific point made in the post - Add a complementary insight, not a contradiction - Keep it 2-4 sentences - Show domain expertise - No links, no product mentions until account is established (week 3+) **Good comment patterns:** - "That stat about X is consistent with what I've seen. The root cause is usually Y, which most firms don't address until Z happens." - "This is the part most people miss. The formula is simple; the hard part is getting [specific operational challenge]." - "Agree on [their point]. I'd add that [complementary insight] makes a bigger difference than most firms realize." **Bad patterns (avoid):** - "Great post!" (empty engagement) - "Check out my tool at..." (spam) - Anything longer than a short paragraph ### Step 5: Send Connection Requests Search for people in target roles: ``` https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/people/?keywords=SEARCH_TERM&origin=GLOBAL_SEARCH_HEADER ``` **High-value search terms for people:** - `construction accountant QuickBooks` - `construction CPA` - `construction bookkeeper` - `construction controller` - `CFMA construction` - `QuickBooks ProAdvisor construction` **Connection request flow:** 1. Snapshot the search results 2. `grep "Invite.*to connect" snapshot.yml` to find all Connect buttons 3. Click each Connect button -> snapshot -> find "Send without a note" -> click 4. Repeat for all visible results (typically 8-10 per page) 5. Do NOT go to page 2+. One page per session per search is enough. ### Step 6: Follow Key Pages These are high-value pages to follow in the construction accounting niche: | Page | Followers | Why | |------|-----------|-----| | CFMA | 13,400 | Main construction financial management association | | CICPAC | 570 | CPAs Who Know Construction | | The Construction CPA | 1,390 | Construction accounting content | | BuildBase | 802 | Construction ERP/tech | Follow via: `https://www.linkedin.com/company/PAGE_SLUG/` Click the Follow button on the company page. Also follow CFMA chapter pages (Sacramento, Chicago, Philadelphia, etc.) for local construction accounting content. ### Step 7: Post Original Content Post 1-2 educational posts per week. No product pitch in weeks 1-2. **Post flow:** 1. Navigate to `https://www.linkedin.com/feed/` 2. Click "Start a post" button 3. Snapshot -> find "Text editor for creating content" textbox ref 4. Type post content 5. Click "Post" button **Content ideas (construction WIP niche):** - Common WIP mistakes (stale estimates, gut-feel percentages, quarterly instead of monthly) - WIP formula explained simply - Over/under billing: what your surety actually looks at - Why PMs hate filling out cost-to-complete (and how to make it easier) - The gap between QBO and construction-specific reporting - Real examples of how WIP caught a problem early **Post format that works:** ``` [Hook line with a surprising stat or bold claim] [3-5 numbered points or short paragraphs with specific insights] [Closing thought] #Hashtag1 #Hashtag2 #Hashtag3 #Hashtag4 ``` ## Session Tracking After each networking session, update the promotion plan (`docs/promotion-plan.md`) with: - Number of connection requests sent (and current total pending/accepted) - Number of posts liked - Number of comments left - Number of accounts followed - Any notable engagement received (profile views, post impressions, connection accepts) ## Troubleshooting | Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | Redirected to authwall | Navigate to /login, fill credentials from .env | | "Feature not available" on company page | Need more accepted connections, keep networking | | Rate limited on connections | Stop for the day, resume tomorrow | | Post editor refs not found | The editor is in an iframe or dynamic element; take a fresh snapshot after clicking "Start a post" | | Page went blank / about:blank | Browser crashed; navigate back to linkedin.com/feed | | File chooser modals stacking | Call `browser_file_upload` with no paths to dismiss each one |