The 3C Method

Connect. Cultivate. Convert

March 2020 put a halt to in person meetings and events. It also opened up pandora's box for online networking. The world started changing and it affected all of us. The face of networking and events shifted and there was an influx of people signing up on LinkedIn. … they all had that ”aha” moment and realized they needed a different avenue to get in front of their potential clients.

As a LinkedIn Trainer, I was like YASS! They finally understood that LinkedIn was the platform to grow their network, increase their visibility and credibility and discover a land of opportunities!

And then all hell broke loose…

Spam messages, sales messages, sales calls, they had no idea what they were doing or even worse they hired someone who had “LinkedIn expert” in their headline (ironically I saw many of these LinkedIn trainers popping up when in fact they were more of a social media manager, not exactly an expert over here in my playground). I?had to fix this, so I created my 3C Method.

Let’s talk about the days of networking events in person.? I love going to networking events, conferences and lunch ‘n learns to meet people in person and take my knowledge of something deeper or learn something new.?

What I don’t love is when I am talking with someone at one of these events and they push their business card into my hand. #nothankyou

Online networking in the form of summits, conferences and webinars are here to stay and we need to learn how to utilize these opportunities.?

One way, is by using my 3C Method.

Connect with Purpose

It’s not a numbers game. More connections does not necessarily mean more opportunities. You should not be concerned with having tens of thousands of connections. Instead you should be focused on the quality of your connections.

This platform doesn't function like Instagram.

TIP: Always personalize the message with your connection request. Do not automate this part of your LinkedIn strategy. Do not outsource this. Connection requests with a personal note have an acceptance rate of 53%.

Don't be this person:

Hey?Mary

You should do a book. Seriously. I was just checking out your profile, and you're cool.I know we hardly know each other... I'm just saying. ??

If that's something you're interested in doing then let’s do a call. No charge. No strings. Just me helping you. Here's my calendar...

Or this one which I think takes the cake...

Hope all is well! I just launched my LinkedIn Marketing course on Udemy! I'm looking to enroll 50 new students in the next few weeks. Would you like to share with your network? Thanks in advance..

He then sent me two more messages which I could tell were "automated".

First, let’s establish one thing upfront. Blind cold connection requests don't work anymore.

Nobody likes the "spray and pray" game anymore. Sure it worked in 2003, but it doesn't work now, so please just stop trying to hit a daily quota by sending "XX" amount of the same scripted Inmail to everyone. It's actually hurting your reputation.... we talk about you in groups.

TIP : Follow someone first and comment on their posts. This puts your name right in front of them, so that when you do send over your connection request it’s not a blind message.

Is your profile set up so people will want to connect with you?

5 things you need to do BEFORE you start connecting on LinkedIn

1. Create a custom branded Background Banner?

• Reputation building - testimonial
• Call to Action - tell you readers what you want them to do

2. Have a great headshot- and please for the love of all make sure it’s not outdated

If you’ve gone gray, lost your hair, aged more than 5 years- get a new headshot.

This plays into the trust factor. I can’t tell how many times I've had a meeting with someone from LinkedIn that looked like a stranger.. This only make us wonder WHAT ELSE ARE You HIDING?

3. Create a strong headline = customize it - use 220 characters is you like.

This is one of my favorite things to do with my clients! Stand out, I typically go against using your title like CEO or CFO but it depends on who you are and who you are targeting . Everytime you comment on a post your headline is shown. Take advantage of this by creating something memorable

4. Put some time into your About You section- this is a great opportunity to connect with your audience. Tell the story of how you got started in business share a nickname of what coworkers called you- for me I was the solutionist- I’d always figure out a way to get the job done.

Telling your story helps you become relatable and memorable.

5. Fill out the rest of the field- put the effort in - experience section can be like a SEO mecca village! Plus you never know WHY someone will say yes to your connection request- for me the volunteer part gets read a lot, as does my story of my mom on my website.

Cultivate the relationship

You don’t marry on the first date, stop selling to someone in your first InMail. Just stop!

As a Business Owner, building relationships isn’t an option. You need to be building relationships with your clients, employees and members of your community both online and offline.

WHY??

Don’t be Sam the Car Salesman following a prospect around the lot asking 5 times if they’re? ready to sign the contract (please don’t be that person!)

If you pitch me in your first or second message you will get blocked and deleted. I just don’t have time for that nor do I want my Inmail to be full of wasted messages.

TIP: Instead check out their content, review their profile is there any synergy between the two of you? Visit their other social profiles or website.?

If this person if worth connecting with, put in the time to make it an easy yes for them.

Think of it as dating. My husband did a great job of this on our first date. He casually asked me about drink preferences and if I liked asparagus. He cooked dinner on our first date; steak, asparagus, salad, Martini’s before dinner and red wine with the dinner. He put in the effort and I respected that...okay I feel head over heels for the guy.

What can you offer to them? For me-it's usually an introduction to someone cool that I feel would be a great connection. Or maybe there is a strategic connection you can introduce them to.

My biggest wins have been commenting on others posts. This has led to being a guest speaker, collaborations referrals and clients.

TIP: I like to send a voice message or even a video message - it really helps personalize or humanize things right?? Don’t? be afraid to use GIFS and make someone laugh- remember you are dealing with a person behind the profile.

Convert into an opportunity

Think bigger than clients. Think collaborations, speaking gigs, referral partners and brand ambassadors.

Sure, new clients are great. But think about it, they pay you once and then they are done. And they might refer you some business, but what if your Linkedin profile, led to conversations with connections that converted into a Lifetime of referrals? Doesn’t that sound better?

TIP: Stop thinking that the only reason you are on LinkedIn is to land clients. You are actually limiting yourself with this mindset and missing out on bigger opportunities. Many times we get in our own way of our success.?

My Final thoughts

• H2H Human to Human - there is someone behind that profile treat them as you would want to be treated.
• Social Selling?- telling stories, sharing great tips and industry trends helps you build relationships and increase your brand awareness.

Tell your story it helps you become relatable and memorable?

When you're working to build relationships with your network keep these three ideas in mind:

1. Be willing to reciprocate. Remember that there is a give and a take in all relationships. If you aren’t willing to be there for someone who has been (or even who would be) there for you, that person will be less likely to help you out if you need it.
2. It’s not all about the benefits. Don’t be so focused on the end goal that you forget that it's possible you won't benefit from the relationship. And hey, that’s okay. You have friends who won’t help you move into a new home, but you still think of them as friends. Similarly, sometimes your business relationships won’t turn a profit or bring in foot traffic.
3. Be genuine. Treat others as you'd want to be treated, and welcome conversations, feedback and new ideas. You'll make new friends and maybe even get new clients in the process!

Ready to go from boring to BAD@$$ on LinkedIn?

Let's turn up the heat and increase your brand awareness with a Profile revamp and optimization session!

You can learn more about my VIP intensive here

#growwithmary #linkedintips #womeninbusiness?#careerdevelopment