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Template

Download the following json file and import it to a new n8n workflow:

mcp_to_prospects_to_csv.json

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Overview

This n8n workflow creates a chatbot that understands natural language requests for finding business prospects and automatically:
  • Interprets your query using AI (Claude Sonnet 3.7)
  • Converts it to proper Explorium API filters
  • Validates the API request structure
  • Fetches prospect data from Explorium
  • Exports results as a downloadable CSV file
Perfect for sales teams, recruiters, and business development professionals who need to quickly find and export targeted prospect lists without learning complex API syntax.

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Key Features

  • Natural Language Interface: Simply describe who you’re looking for in plain English
  • Smart Query Translation: AI converts your request to valid API parameters
  • Built-in Validation: Ensures API calls meet Explorium’s requirements
  • Error Recovery: Automatically retries with corrections if validation fails
  • Pagination Support: Handles large result sets automatically
  • CSV Export: Clean, formatted output ready for CRM import
  • Conversation Memory: Maintains context for follow-up queries

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Example Queries

The chatbot understands queries like:
  • “Find marketing directors at SaaS companies in New York with 50-200 employees”
  • “Get me CTOs from fintech startups in California”
  • “Show me sales managers at healthcare companies with revenue over $10M”
  • “Find engineers at Microsoft with 3-5 years experience”
  • “Get customer service leads from e-commerce companies in Europe”

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Prerequisites

Before setting up this workflow, ensure you have:
  1. n8n instance with chat interface enabled
  2. Anthropic API key for Claude
  3. Explorium API credentials (API Key)
  4. Basic understanding of n8n chat workflows

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Supported Filters

The chatbot can search using these criteria:

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Company Filters

  • Size: 1-10, 11-50, 51-200, 201-500, 501-1000, 1001-5000, 5001-10000, 10001+ employees
  • Revenue: Ranges from 0−500Kupto0-500K up to 10T+
  • Age: 0-3, 3-6, 6-10, 10-20, 20+ years
  • Location: Countries, regions, cities
  • Industry: Google categories, NAICS codes, LinkedIn categories
  • Name: Specific company names

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Prospect Filters

  • Job Level: CXO, VP, Director, Manager, Senior, Entry, etc.
  • Department: Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Finance, HR, etc.
  • Experience: Total months and current role duration
  • Location: Country and region codes
  • Contact Info: Filter by email/phone availability

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Installation & Setup

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Step 1: Import the Workflow

1

Create a new workflow.
2

Download the workflow JSON from above.
3

In your n8n instance, go to Workflows Add Workflow Import from File
4

Select the JSON file and click Import

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Step 2: Configure Anthropic Credentials

1

Click on the Anthropic Chat Model1 node
2

Under Credentials, click Create New
3

Add your Anthropic API key
4

Name: “Anthropic API”
5

Save credentials

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Step 3: Configure Explorium Credentials

You’ll need to set up Explorium credentials in two places:

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For MCP Client:

1

Click on the MCP Client node
2

Under Credentials, create new Header Auth
3

Configure the header:
  1. Name: api_key
  2. Value: YOUR_EXPLORIUM_API_TOKEN
4

Save credentials

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For API Calls:

1

Click on the Prospects API Call node
2

Use the same Header Auth credentials created above
3

Verify the API endpoint is correct

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Step 4: Activate the Workflow

1

Save the workflow
2

Click the Active toggle to enable it
3

The chat interface will now be available

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Step 5: Access the Chat Interface

1

Click on the When chat message received node
2

Copy the webhook URL
3

Access this URL in your browser to start chatting

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How It Works

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Workflow Architecture

  1. Chat Trigger: Receives natural language queries from users
  2. Memory Buffer: Maintains conversation context
  3. AI Agent: Interprets queries and generates API parameters
  4. Validation: Checks API structure against Explorium requirements
  5. API Call: Fetches prospect data with pagination
  6. Data Processing: Formats results for CSV export
  7. File Conversion: Creates downloadable CSV file

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Processing Flow

User Query <Icon icon="arrow-right" /> AI Interpretation <Icon icon="arrow-right" /> Validation <Icon icon="arrow-right" /> API Call <Icon icon="arrow-right" /> CSV Export
     ↑                                  ↓
     └──── Error Correction Loop ←──────┘

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Validation Rules

The workflow validates:
  • Filter keys are allowed by Explorium API
  • Values match expected formats (e.g., valid country codes)
  • Range filters have proper gte/lte values
  • No duplicate values in arrays
  • Required structure is maintained

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Usage Guide

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Basic Conversation Flow

1

Start with your query

"Find me VPs of Sales at software companies in the US"
2

Bot processes and responds

  • Generates API filters
  • Validates the structure
  • Fetches data
  • Returns CSV download link
3

Refine if needed

"Can you also include directors and filter for companies with 100+ employees?"

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Query Tips

  • Be specific: Include job titles, departments, company details
  • Use standard terms: “CTO” instead of “Chief Technology Officer”
  • Specify locations: Use country names or standard codes
  • Include size/revenue: Helps narrow results effectively

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Advanced Queries

Combine multiple criteria: 
"Find engineering managers and senior engineers at B2B SaaS companies
in New York and California with 50-500 employees and revenue over $5M
who have been in their role for at least 1 year"

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Output Format

The CSV file includes:
  • Prospect ID
  • Name (first, last, full)
  • Location (country, region, city)
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Experience summary
  • Skills and interests
  • Company details
  • Job information
  • Business ID

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Troubleshooting

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Common Issues

“Validation failed” errors
  • Check that your query uses supported filter values
  • Ensure location names are spelled correctly
  • Verify company sizes/revenues match allowed ranges
No results returned
  • Broaden your search criteria
  • Check if the company exists in Explorium’s database
  • Verify filter combinations aren’t too restrictive
Chat not responding
  • Ensure workflow is activated
  • Check all credentials are properly configured
  • Verify webhook URL is accessible
Large result sets timing out
  • Try adding more specific filters
  • Limit results by location or company size
  • Use the size parameter (max 10,000)

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Error Messages

The bot provides clear feedback:
  • Invalid filters: Shows which filters aren’t supported
  • Value errors: Lists correct options for each field
  • API failures: Explains connection or authentication issues

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Performance Optimization

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Best Practices

  1. Start broad, then narrow: Begin with basic criteria and add filters
  2. Use business IDs: When targeting specific companies
  3. Limit by contact info: Add has_email: true for actionable leads
  4. Batch by location: Process regions separately for large searches

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API Limits

  • Maximum 10,000 results per search
  • Pagination handles up to 100 records per page
  • Rate limits apply based on your Explorium subscription

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Customization Options

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Modify AI Behavior

Edit the AI Agent system message to:
  • Change response format
  • Add custom filters
  • Adjust interpretation logic
  • Include additional instructions

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Extend Functionality

Add nodes to:
  • Send results via email
  • Import directly to CRM
  • Schedule recurring searches
  • Create custom reports

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Integration Ideas

  • Connect to Slack for team queries
  • Add to CRM workflows
  • Create lead scoring systems
  • Build automated outreach campaigns

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Security Considerations

  • API credentials are stored securely in n8n
  • Chat sessions are isolated
  • No prospect data is stored permanently
  • CSV files are generated on-demand

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Support Resources

For issues with:
  • n8n platform: Check n8n documentation
  • Explorium API: Contact Explorium support
  • Anthropic/Claude: Refer to Anthropic docs
  • Workflow logic: Review node configurations
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