Don't Get Hacked by Your Own LinkedIn Sales Strategy: Avoid These 5 Cyber Sales Mistakes

This one has been a long time coming.

99% of the cybersecurity salespeople I've connected with here on LinkedIn have made most of these mistakes, so I wanted to provide some constructive feedback.

To those one-percenters whom I've spoken with over the last few years, please share your thoughts. You did something right to get my attention - why not share how you do it?

While LinkedIn has become a popular platform for salespeople in the cybersecurity industry to connect with potential customers, some common mistakes can negatively impact the effectiveness of your efforts.

1. Spammy or impersonal messaging: Many cyber salespeople fall into the trap of sending generic, copy-pasted messages to a large number of people. This approach is often perceived as spammy and lacks the personal touch that builds trust and credibility with potential customers.
2. Ignoring personalization: A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work on LinkedIn. To be effective, take the time to research and understand your target audience and tailor your messages accordingly.
3. Overselling: Overpromising and overselling your product can come across as desperate or untrustworthy. Instead, focus on highlighting the specific value your product can bring to the customer and do it in insanely simple fashion.
4. Failing to engage in professional dialogue: LinkedIn is a professional network, and salespeople must approach it with a professional demeanor. Refrain from using casual language, abbreviations, and emoticons, as this can diminish the credibility of your brand.
5. Not following up: Just because someone doesn’t respond to your initial message doesn’t mean they’re not interested. It’s important to follow up and keep the conversation going, but don't be persistent to the point of annoyance.

In a nutshell, get to know the human beings you are connecting with here on LinkedIn for more than 30 seconds before you make that fatal decision to cut-and-paste that sales pitch - often times forgetting to change the name it is addressed to - and clicking send.

#cybersecurity #sales #CISO #CSO #technology #LinkedIn