Sales development is in constant growth. Cold emailing can work today for some prospects, tomorrow cold calling may prove more effective.
But one thing is for certain: LinkedIn has become a powerful tool for cold outreach.
It’s also a great escape when your emails get stuck in spam and you can’t send any until your email deliverability is back on track.
With over 900 million users worldwide, LinkedIn provides an extensive network of professionals and potential clients to connect with.
However, with so much competition on the social platform, creating an effective sales strategy to stand out from the noise and book meetings is important.
Here are 5 ways to improve your cold outreach on LinkedIn.
1. Research Your Prospects
Researching your prospects before starting cold outreach on LinkedIn is crucial because it lets you personalize your messages, making them more relevant and influential to the prospect.
Start by thoroughly analyzing your prospect’s LinkedIn profile to kick off successful research. It’s a great way to get valuable information and personalize your message effectively.
Pay close attention to job history, skills, and endorsements. Identify any mutual connections or interests you can use as ice-breakers.
Review their recent posts or articles to understand their professional interests and priorities. This information is a goldmine for drafting a message that directly addresses their needs, showing your thoughtfulness and preparation.
Adopt smart research practices such as keeping an eye out for recent updates like job shifts or accomplishments which can be useful in personalizing your message.
Find any deets on your prospect that you can use in your message:
- First, if you want to search LinkedIn profiles on Google, check out this guide to know how.
- Identify shared connections or mutual interests that can be used as conversation starters.
- Use advanced search features on LinkedIn to narrow down and target specific criteria aligning with your ideal customer profile.
- Be respectful of the prospect’s time and privacy.
- Draft your message based on the collected information to make it more relevant and engaging.
- Be mindful of commonalities and points of interest to build rapport and trust in your outreach.
2. Send Personalized Messages
Personalization goes beyond generic templates, showing that you have invested time in understanding the individual, their industry, and specific interests. Doing so increases the probability of a positive response and establishes a foundation for a more authentic and productive relationship.
To send personalized messages effectively, start by referencing your research in your message and always use the person’s name for an added personal touch. Adjust your language to match their industry or role, showcasing attention to detail and a genuine understanding of their professional context.
Mention specific details from their profile or recent activities to demonstrate that your outreach is thoughtful and informed.
For instance, if your prospect has mentioned preferring LinkedIn voice messages over written ones, you can simply go ahead with that.
Here’s how you can personalize your LinkedIn outreach:
- Start with the prospect’s name.
- Reference specific details from the prospect’s profile or recent activities in your message.
- Showcase your interest in common areas or shared passions to establish a connection.
- Avoid generic templates and make each message unique to the individual prospect.
Example:
3. Keep it Short But Clear
In a professional setting, people often receive a high volume of messages, and brevity ensures that your communication is quickly digestible. It increases the likelihood of your message being read and understood, as professionals are more likely to engage with concise and to-the-point content.
Clear and brief messages also respect the prospect’s time, reflecting professionalism and efficiency.
To achieve concise and clear cold outreach messages on LinkedIn, focus on:
- Clearly emphasize the purpose of your message without unnecessary details.
- Be direct and specific about why you’re reaching out and what you seek to accomplish.
- Keep the message length short enough to be read on a phone screen without scrolling.
- Use clear and straightforward language to avoid any ambiguity.
- Establish expectations.
Example:
4. Offer Value
Providing value in your cold outreach gives the prospect a convincing reason to engage with your message.
Your LinkedIn prospects get tons of connection requests and messages every day. To grab their attention and show them your value proposition, highlight what you can do for them. That way, you demonstrate the potential benefits of connecting.
Providing value can take various forms, such as solving a specific problem, offering a unique service, or sharing valuable insights. Make sure you clearly express your value, so you stand out from the crowd and have a better chance of forming a mutually beneficial connection.
Here’s how you can offer value:
- Highlight the benefits your product or service brings to the table.
- Tackle your prospect’s pain points and show them how you can solve them.
- Share your experiences and skills.
Example:
5. Always Follow-Up
Following up on your cold outreach messages on LinkedIn is important for several reasons. First off, people are usually busy, so your initial message might get forgotten or lost in their inbox.
A timely and polite follow-up increases the chances of your message being seen and reminds the prospect of your initial outreach. It shows persistence and determination, letting them know you’re genuinely interested in connecting.
Also, it gives you a chance to remind them of the value you bring and revive the conversation if it hasn’t moved forward.
How to follow up:
- Give it around a week before shooting a follow-up message to allow the prospect some time to reply.
- Be polite and show respect, recognizing that the prospect has a busy schedule.
- Remind the prospect of your initial message and express continued interest in connecting or collaborating.
- Include a brief recap of the value you can offer to re-emphasize the benefits of engaging with you, but don’t be repetitive.
- Don’t be too pushy or aggressive; just keep it positive and professional.
Example:
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective cold outreach on LinkedIn is a strategic process that involves thorough research, personalized messaging, briefness, value proposition, and persistent but respectful follow-ups.
Combining these elements creates a complete approach to LinkedIn outreach, increasing the odds of building authentic and beneficial professional connections.
Also, don’t forget that LinkedIn outreach gets easier if you have an effective strategy for personal branding. Make sure your profile is up-to-date and showcases your skills, experience, and personality.
Lastly, keep in mind that every connection you make on LinkedIn has the potential to open new doors for collaboration, networking, or career opportunities. So don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with others – you never know what exciting possibilities may arise!
