How Not to Sell Via LinkedIn
Watch this week's Short Attention Span Sales Tip here.
Good morning!
Every month, I typically receive two or three unsolicited LinkedIn messages like this one on Aug. 2 from Danielle Rice:
“Hey Bill, I'm a huge fan of what you've created at The Sales Vault and would like to invite you as a guest on the 'Are You Happy' podcast. Our show has over 4M followers across social media and I am certain that your perspective on business and happiness would be really valuable to our audience.”
Huge fan!
I looked her up. She has followed me on LinkedIn since August 1, 2023.
Think about that for a second:
She sent me the message on the 2nd.
She’s been following me since the 1st.
And she’s a huge fan?
This is not the first time I have been approached like this via LinkedIn, only the latest. People like this do a search, find what they are looking for, then copy and paste the company name with an ego-stroking statement designed to hook the recipient.
A LinkedIn sales pitch must deliver two things:
- Authenticity — The tone of your message must come from a place of honesty.
- Assistance — How will your product or service help me?
So, let’s rewrite Ms. Rice’s message, this time with honesty:
“Hey Bill. I can’t say that I know you or The Sales Vault. In fact, there’s a good chance I know nothing about your industry. What I do know is how to get others to know you and to know The Sales Vault via our podcast, 'Are You Happy?'. If you are open to a chat, I’d like to learn more about you and talk about how I can help you get your word out there.”
My reaction to her message was anything but positive. She comes across as lazy, dishonest, deceitful, and something all salespeople seek to avoid: sale-sy.
Danielle, if you are not going to take the time to figure out The Sales Vault is a subscription-based website for salespeople and selling owners in the graphic arts who wish to learn sales best practices, at least tell me how your "Are You Happy" podcast will benefit me.
That will make us BOTH happy.
It’s ideas like these that make up The Sales Vault. Visit SalesVault.pro or call Bill Farquharson at 781-934-7036.
Bill Farquharson is a respected industry expert and highly sought after speaker known for his energetic and entertaining presentations. Bill engages his audiences with wit and wisdom earned as a 40-year print sales veteran while teaching new ideas for solving classic sales challenges. Email him at bill@salesvault.pro or call (781) 934-7036. Bill’s two books, The 25 Best Print Sales Tips Ever and Who’s Making Money at Digital/Inkjet Printing…and How? as well as information on his new subscription-based website, The Sales Vault, are available at salesvault.pro.
