Growing Your Linkedin Network The Right Way
Tony Restell
Transforming your firm's social media to become a source of real business wins | Founder of Social-Hire.com, a B2B social selling agency | Social media marketing is like a Rubik's Cube. I'll help your business solve it!
This newsletter is all about winning business on LinkedIn - and one of the keys to doing this is figuring out how to forge relationships with your expanding network here.
What we want to avoid is becoming a stress-inducing LinkedIn pest! You know, the type who pitch you immediately when they send a connection request. Or who fire off a salesy message the moment you've connected. Or who hijack your posts by spamming about their business in the comments.
These approaches will get you nowhere - but most of you know that already. The question is, what's a better way of approaching this challenge?
In this month's newsletter we'll get some ideas on following up with new connections in ways that build trust and spark conversations, drawing on ideas from Beth Granger and Angus Grady. We'll finish up with some thoughts on whether upgrading from Free to Premium LinkedIn or to Sales Navigator would be beneficial, with insights from Mark White.
(Note: if this all sounds too much and you’d like to entrust your social media marketing to external experts, you’re welcome to?book in for a call?to discuss!)
Building relationships with your new connections
The key to success here is not rushing things - and finding ways to connect with people on a more human level. Note how Beth Granger makes the distinction in this first video between how you might follow-up with a new connection who asked to connect with you vs. what's appropriate with a connection you initiated yourself. Plus you'll see how we're both big fans of using the LinkedIn voicemail feature as a great way of building rapport quickly.
领英推荐
How to develop a conversation once someone's connected
Invest a little more time to really reap the rewards
With those initial ideas understood, let's now take a listen to Angus Grady. He's a master of spending a bit more time with each new connection to really ramp up results. His V.A.M.P. approach is explained here, in which he uses a combination of Video, Audio, Mail (ie. by post) and then Phone call to really build strong relationships with new connections. If you start by accepting that this really works (it does!), then you can focus on how this kind of approach could be adapted to your business...
Will upgrading to a Premium or Sales Navigator help?
A related question we're often asked when tackling growing your network and building relationships with people is... do I need to upgrade from the free account to really make this all work? In short, the answer is no - although there are some features that will help accelerate results. Here are some thoughts from Mark White to help you make the right decision.
I hope this selection of ideas and expert input really helps you to improve the relationships you forge on LinkedIn over the coming months. I’d welcome your thoughts and your own experiences of this - and?feel free to ask if there’s anything you’d like clarifying.
I untangle CEOs from their operations as they grow their team. You have a powerful vision so let’s free up your time and make it happen! Experienced Fractional Operations Manager
2 年Angus Grady VAMP technique is brilliant! I've been refining my approach with new connections so I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the great interview, Tony!
Accelerating Your LinkedIn? & Networking Learning Curve ? Exactly What to Say? Certified Guide ? Speaker, consultant, trainer ? Frequent LinkedIn Beta-Tester ? You Can't Automate Relationships?
2 年I really enjoyed our conversation!
Uncovering Storytelling ?? | Marketing Assistant @ DevriX | Curious about Business, Psyche, Universe
2 年Let me vent a little bit on this topic. 2 days ago I received a message from a Sales rep of Accounting/Finance software. She started with "Hey, I want to hear more about your problems in your company's Finances/Accounting". I got excited. FINALLY! A solution to all my problems. And when I replied to her automated sequence (it was obvious that it was automated but I didn't mind since it fits my needs), she directly asked me to schedule a call. Now let me repeat: Message 1: "Hi sir, I want to hear more about your problems in Finance/Accounting" Message 2 (my reply): "That's awesome! I do need some help with this. Tell me more how can you help me?" Message 3 (Sales woman's response): "Let's book a demo call. When can we meet." + She didn't even make the effort to connect. Now I might have jumped the gun by telling her that I'm interested in a conversation. But that's NOT how you network. Tony Restell, thanks for the detailed guide. I also have a couple of posts on this topic but not as extensive. Looking forward to reading more from you.
CEO Autistic Girls Network charity * Author of Nurturing Your Autistic Young Person * PhD candidate * Neurodivergent
2 年Only very personalised, relevant stuff works for me, otherwise I'm afraid the message gets ignored or not accepted. If I need a service I probably already know someone who does it or I will ask for a recommendation.