From Lead Generation to Social Selling: The Truth Why It Might Not be Everyone's Cup of Tea

In my early freelancing days, I jumped into LinkedIn lead generation for B2B clients. It was quite a ride…

My first client was with me for a solid two years… they set the bar pretty high!?

But after them, most clients would hang around for just about six months.?

That had me scratching my head, especially after working with this IT company from Hong Kong. They were cool, knew exactly who they wanted to reach (think engineers, accountants, surveyors, filemaker users), and even gave me a killer script. We had a good run for about nine months and managed to turn 10% of those leads into actual customers.?

That got me super excited to up my game.

So, I started throwing in more good stuff like creating content and spending more time managing leads and engaging with people.?

Looking back, I was stepping into the social selling scene way before it became the new buzzword. I didn’t know that I was doing more than just lead generation.?

But, here's the kicker, some clients still decided to part ways after six months, even with all the extra value I was throwing in.?

That got me thinking…

Turns out, I wasn't great at telling them about the long game, like building a solid rep in their industry. And, I didn't ask the right questions upfront.

I was giving them what they asked for, "lead generation" plus content, but they were hoping for those leads to magically turn into sales.?

Honestly, I can't be mad at my early clients.?

They were missing a piece of the puzzle, not having a clear game plan or a way to turn those cold leads warm.

If I could hop into a time machine, I'd tell my younger self to take it easy. Not seeing the value in what you're doing doesn't mean it's not there. What I've learned is pretty straightforward…?

Working with clients who get your value is way more rewarding than trying to win over the skeptics.

And that's something anyone in business can relate to.?

It changes the whole game.

Now, about Social Selling, I know some folks are on the fence, and I get it.?

Here's why it might not be everyone's cup of tea:

• Not a Quick Fix: Social Selling isn't about instant sales. It's more about building a solid relationship over time. It's not what you'd expect, but the real win is earning trust and credibility, not pushing for a quick sale.
• Needs Your Time and Energy: It's not something you can set and forget. You've got to keep at it, creating content, chatting with your audience, and being all in. It's a bit more than some folks bargain for, especially if they're used to the old-school way of selling.
• Your Brand is Everything: How you present yourself online is key. Building a brand that's authentic and clicks with people is crucial, but man, it's not easy and it sure takes time.
• One Size Fits None: What works like a charm on one platform or with one crowd might totally bomb with another. You've got to be ready to switch things up, keeping up with the social media game's twists and turns.

Getting the hang of these aspects can help you set the right expectations and come up with strategies that actually work, using social media not just to sell, but to build real, lasting connections.

So, there you have it...

The lowdown on social selling and why it might just be the game-changer you've been looking for (or not, depending on how you see things).

If this chat sparked a little something in you, and you're itching to dive deeper or maybe even give social selling a whirl, why not start today?

Think of it as planting a seed.

It doesn't sprout overnight, but with the right care (aka engagement, authentic branding, and a bit of patience), you'll see it grow into something amazing.

Whether you're ready to jump into the social selling pool or just want to dip your toes in, remember, I'm here to help you navigate these waters.

So, what do you say?

Ready to turn those leads into genuine connections and, ultimately, happy customers?

Drop me a message, and let's brainstorm some ideas to get your social selling journey off to a flying start. Let's make those connections count!

Reach out now, and let's turn your LinkedIn into a profit machine! ??