Bad Social Selling on LinkedIn: It’s Time for a Reset!

I got a LinkedIn invite from a random stranger and accepted it for two reasons. First, I figured they would instantly try to sell me something. Second, I like seeing social selling pitches because 99.999% of the time, they are cautionary tales about how NOT to sell. This is good information since I advise people on selling.

I got this back: Firm Handshake, eye contact. Pretending like we’re meeting in person and wanted to give a good first impression

Since this didn’t immediately devolve into a sales pitch, I responded: Feels a little artificial but ok. I smile back. Look you in the eyes long enough to note eye color. And mirror your body language. Ha ha.

Less than 48 hours later, the sales pitch came. It said: Have you ever considered an operating system to 10X your agency without you in the daily operations? David, (Company Name)’s President, is offering a free consultation worth ($2k) which will help you add $150k-$200k and grow massively from just one session (PS) - he has 25 years of experience in building teams and has helped 800+ agencies.

I wrote, “No Thanks.”

And I thought, who in the heck is teaching this guy to sell?

There is so much wrong with this pitch! Where is the value building? Why, other than the fact that I own an agency, would this person think I would be interested in this over-the-top pitch? And why would I believe that David, the company president can deliver on the promise to share information that “will help you add $150k-$200k and grow massively from just one session”?

If you are social selling, and people consistently ignore or reject your pitch, here is a list of points to evaluate:

1.????? Why in the world do you think the message is relevant to leads? Is that reason compelling enough to achieve your desired outcome?

2.????? Being linked does NOT mean a lead knows, likes, or respects you. Agreeing to link only means they didn’t see a reason not to. It does not mean they care enough to agree to a meeting request.?

3.????? You are selling in the wrong channel. Most decision-makers do not go to LinkedIn to be pitched sales ideas by random strangers. They are likelier to read a well-written and benefit-driven selling email. ?

4.????? I am annoyed that I get ignored by the person who wanted to link as soon as they don’t get a positive response to their meeting request. This makes me highly cynical about the sender, their company, and their approach in general. No one who links simply to ask for the meeting ever circles back—a mistake when you think the prospect really is a fit for the product or service you sell. ?

Let me add this. I think sales is one of the most critical jobs on the planet. Non-selling co-workers depend on you to have stable incomes. Customers rely on you because you help them eliminate pain points and reach goals. SALES PROFESSIONALS MAKE A DIFFERENCE EVERYDAY!

Could you make a bigger difference and reach goals sooner if you embraced the heart of social selling, which is about building a foundation of trusted relationships at its core?

You decide.