EdForteau.com

For this #SocialSaturday, I’m excited to introduce a recent LinkedIn connection, Ed Forteau —author of No More Cringe. Ed’s book is a concise, insightful guide on making authentic connections to expand your LinkedIn network, and it’s packed with practical tips to help you build meaningful relationships. Why spotlight Ed? After a great conversation and a quick dive into his book, I found it an excellent resource for anyone looking to grow their network without the usual awkwardness or gimmicks. If you’re using LinkedIn to foster new business relationships, this book offers actionable advice to help you succeed. Plus, it’s just $2.99 and free on Kindle Unlimited! I finished Ed’s book in just one day and I’m so glad I did! We all want to build stronger networks and allies, so if you’re ready to boost your reach with genuine connections, No More Cringe is a fantastic place to start. Grab your copy on Amazon, invest in your networking success, and connect with Ed! You just may find a new ally and friend.

???????????????????? ???? ???????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????????????? ??????????????????????????? If you've ever felt the awkwardness of trying to transition a casual LinkedIn chat into a business conversation, you're not alone. Going from social to market can feel like walking a tightrope—one wrong move, and the connection turns cold. ?? But what if it didn’t have to be this way? In the latest issue of The Strategic Ally Method: The Secret to Winning Clients Without the Hard Sell, I’m breaking down how to move from social exchanges to meaningful market opportunities…without ever feeling pushy or cringey. ?? Here’s a taste of what you’ll learn: ? The subtle art of genuine engagement that opens doors without pressure. ? How to bridge the gap between casual chat and professional value. ? Why offering value first (not a pitch) turns connections into clients. This isn’t about forcing a conversation. It’s about guiding it, step by step, in a way that feels authentic and leaves your connections wanting more. Want to build real, trusted relationships that naturally lead to business? Check out the full issue. ?? Have you cracked the code on moving from social to market? Share your experiences below—I’d love to hear what’s worked (or not worked) for you! #LinkedInTips #ClientAcquisition #Outreach #SocialSelling #Networking

?? ?????????? ???? ?????????????? ???????? ??????’???? ???????????? “??????????????”? ?? What if I told you there’s a way to build powerful, genuine connections—without ever feeling like you’re pushing a sale? In the next issue of ????? ?????????????????? ???????? ???????????: ????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????? ?????????????? ????????????? ????? ???????? ????????, we’re diving deep into ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ?????????????? ??????????????. It’s all about ditching the cringey tactics and becoming the ally your prospects actually want to work with. ?? Imagine this: ? Clients ???????????? ???? ??????—not because you pitched them, but because they trust you. ? Conversations that feel natural, effortless, and mutually beneficial—no uncomfortable sales pitch needed. ? Relationships built on genuine support, not transactions. Here’s the truth: People don’t want to be sold to. They want to connect with someone who understands their needs, who’s invested in their success. And that’s exactly what ????? ?????????????????? ???????? ??????????? helps you achieve. In this issue, I’ll show you how to: ? Gain attention by engaging without expectation ? Build “work friendships” that naturally lead to opportunities ? Become a trusted ally—someone prospects seek out when they need help No hard sells. No pushy tactics. Just real, meaningful connections that turn into business. ?? ?????????????????? ?????? and learn how to build client relationships that lead to opportunities—without ever feeling like you’re selling.

Why Familiarity Builds Trust—And Trust Drives Business When you're facing a problem, would you rather work with someone you know…or a complete stranger? Most people wait longer, pay more, and feel more confident working with someone they’ve built a relationship with—even if that person isn’t an expert on the exact issue. Why? Familiarity breeds comfort, trust, and confidence that the person will figure it out. Imagine you’ve got an email deliverability issue. Do you hire a specialist? Or do you turn to your tech person—the one who’s always helped in the past, even if they haven’t dealt with email before? Most choose the person they know because they trust their track record. Now, compare this to answering an ad for a specialist. You’d be shopping around, unsure if they can actually deliver. That’s the difference between a genuine connection and a transactional one. In my latest newsletter, I break down why focusing on genuine connections outshines chasing paid leads…especially in today’s competitive world. If you're tired of the "paid ad trap," this is for you. https://lnkd.in/gVzjcT3g Trust builds relationships. Relationships build business. Check out the newsletter for more insights on why genuine connections always win.

?????????????? ?????????? ??????????????????, ?????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????????????? We have become obsessed with numbers. How many people have liked your post or downloaded your lead magnet or your podcast? It’s the same in a networking event when you just stand up and deliver the same 30 second pitch and do nothing else but hope that suddenly lots of people will want to do business with you. ?? That dopamine hit we feel when we think people like what we have to say that drives to do it again. Most of us at one time or another have used LinkedIn to reach out to people randomly because we want more ‘connections’. Are they connections when you never get to know one another or just try and sell to them without building a relationship first? At the same time, as human we do thrive genuine connection. So why then do we randomly like or comment on posts without really paying attention. That’s one of the pitfalls about AI because it allows you to do that. But what is the point? Those tactics ultimately work on very small odds of actually working. Check out this short part of my latest Biz Bites podcast where I interview Ed Forteau. This is an episode you can not miss. Ed’s insights speak to what real leaders should be doing. So if you are about to use an AI to comment or blindly like posts all because you think that is what you should be doing to get ahead…think again. I will put the link to the full episode in the comments because you MUST adopt these tactics. ? I love podcasting ?? , but it is not a race to get the most downloads, I would much rather be building a relationship with my audience and create genuine connections, even if we never meet the audience needs to feel the connection. #leadership #podcasting #linkedin #value #leaders

Are you tired of feeling like your networking efforts fall flat? In this latest Catalytic Leadership podcast episode, I dive deep into the transformative power of genuine business connections with Ed Forteau, the mastermind behind the Genuine Connections Revolution. Ed’s insights on strategic networking and authentic engagement are game-changers for high-performing business owners looking to drive growth and collaboration. Ed, author of the new book "No More Cringe," shares his journey from early team-building days to his innovative client acquisition methods. His strategic ally approach focuses on expanding warm networks for consistent referrals, not just chasing potential clients. By leveraging LinkedIn's features like celebrating milestones and engaging with content, you can turn casual connections into valuable work friendships. Ed emphasizes the importance of perseverance and a well-executed plan for overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, drawing parallels to sports strategies like the Green Bay Packers' "Packer Sweep." Tune in to discover how to transform your networking game, elevate your leadership impact, and build a robust network that drives business success. Don’t miss these actionable insights on Catalytic Leadership—your path to leveraging genuine connections starts here. #podcast #networking #engagement https://lnkd.in/eG_Y27E3

?????????????? ?????????? ??????????????????, ?????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ??????????????????? We have become obsessed with numbers. How many people have liked your post or downloaded your lead magnet or your podcast? It’s the same in a networking event when you just stand up and deliver the same 30 second pitch and do nothing else but hope that suddenly lots of people will want to do business with you. ?? That dopamine hit we feel when we think people like what we have to say that drives to do it again. Most of us at one time or another have used LinkedIn to reach out to people randomly because we want more ‘connections’. Are they connections when you never get to know one another or just try and sell to them without building a relationship first? At the same time, as human we do thrive genuine connection. So why then do we randomly like or comment on posts without really paying attention. That’s one of the pitfalls about AI because it allows you to do that. But what is the point? Those tactics ultimately work on very small odds of actually working. Check out this short part of my latest Biz Bites podcast where I interview Ed Forteau. This is an episode you can not miss. Ed’s insights speak to what real leaders should be doing. So if you are about to use an AI to comment or blindly like posts all because you think that is what you should be doing to get ahead…think again. I will put the link to the full episode in the comments because you MUST adopt these tactics. ? I love podcasting ?? , but it is not a race to get the most downloads, I would much rather be building a relationship with my audience and create genuine connections, even if we never meet the audience needs to feel the connection. #leadership #podcasting #linkedin #value #leaders

Excited to be speaking alongside Corinna M. Hagen on September 17th! We'll be diving into a streamlined process to determine if your product is a true fit for your target market—without the frustrating trial and error. If you're tired of spinning your wheels and want actionable insights to accelerate your product-market fit journey, this session is for you! Join us for Midday Connect and walk away with proven strategies you can implement right away. Let’s turn that long search for product-market fit into a focused, effective process. Looking forward to seeing you there!

???????? ??????????: ?????????? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????????? Shar McBee and I are teaming up for a LinkedIn Audio Event where we’re combining forces to show you a client acquisition strategy that’s authentic, impactful, and effective. I'll be walking you through The Strategic Ally Method from my book No More Cringe—a proven framework for turning prospects into clients without the uncomfortable sales pitch. And Shar will bring the leadership principles from To Lead is to Serve, revealing how leading with service and trust inspires action and ensures your prospects take real steps forward. ???? ??????’???? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? ???????????? ?????????????????????? ???? ???????? ?? ???????????????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ??????????, ???????? ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??????. ? Join us for: Serve to Succeed: A Client Acquisition Blueprint ??? Date: Friday, October 4th ? Time: 11:00 AM EST/8:00 AM PST Don’t miss out on learning how to serve, lead, and grow your business.

???????????????? ??????????: ?????????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ?????????????? ???? ???? ???????????? Why does 80% of your business still come from referrals, despite all the marketing tactics out there? Simple—referrals are the lifeblood of professional services. But relying on referrals and networking makes scaling tough. Let’s change that. Join me and Phil Horne—who turns LinkedIn Sales Navigator into a client magnet—for a Marketing Jam Session. We’ll share how to elevate your referral strategy from good to unstoppable. I’ll dive into my Strategic Ally Method from my book ???? ???????? ????????????, the #?? ???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? ????????????, while Phil brings his Partnership Introductions and Name Drop approach to the table. Phil and I meet somewhat regularly to talk about changes in the industry and share what's working with our clients. We realized something powerful during our last meeting: combining our methods creates a game-changing strategy. We’re calling it Referral Surge—and it’s your ticket to turning connections into clients. Don’t miss this. Register now, and revolutionize your approach to client acquisition.