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3 LinkedIn outreach mistakes that are costing you clients (...fix these NOW)
Read time: 3 minutes
Welcome To The Clever Letter!
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Imagine this:
You spend hours crafting LinkedIn outreach messages…
Only to be met with a disheartening wall of silence.
The frustration gnaws at you – is your approach completely wrong?
Here's the hard truth:
Those crickets chirping in your inbox are a red flag.
Unseen mistakes in your LinkedIn strategy are sabotaging your chances of landing clients.
If left unfixed, you'll keep watching valuable business opportunities slip through your fingers.
But there's hope!
In this newsletter, I'm spilling the secrets on the top 3 LinkedIn outreach blunders costing you clients – and giving you the blueprint to fix them for good.
If you're ready to turn those LinkedIn connections into paying clients, keep reading.
Ditch the "Hey Bestie!" Intros:
Do you want to know how to get left on "read" by a LinkedIn connection?
Write like a BFF right off the bat.
Some examples:
"Hey buddy!"
"What's up, my man?"
"Hey friend!"
It's creepy and it doesn't work.
Here's what to do instead:
Start slow.
Don't be overly familiar.
Be polite and to the point.
Be authentic.
Build trust over time.
Build relationships on LinkedIn that are long-lasting.
It's better to have fewer connections that trust you than a lot of connections who don't want to hear from you again.
Example:
Instead of:
"Heyyy Sarah! Hope your day is amazing! 🤩 I can totally see us being business besties!"
Try: "Hi Sarah, I've been following your work in [industry], and I'm really impressed with [specific accomplishment]. Would you be open to connecting and discussing [potential area of collaboration/value you could add]?"
Key Takeaway:
Remember, LinkedIn is a professional network.
While friendliness is good, prioritizing a value-driven and respectful approach is what builds trust and leads to long-term client relationships.
Copy-Paste Outreach = Zero Clients
Mass-blasting the same generic message to countless prospects reveals a lack of genuine interest and makes them feel unimportant.
This approach demonstrates a "give me your money" mindset rather than a "how can I help you" focus.
Busy professionals value their time, and impersonal spam is a major turn-off.
Potential clients sense they're just another number on your list.
This damages your reputation and drastically decreases your chances of securing meaningful connections or leads.
Take the time to personalize!
Research each prospect
Identify their specific needs
Show how you could provide tailored value to their business.
Example:
Instead of: "Hi [Name], I help businesses like yours grow – are you open to discussing my services?"
Try: "Hi [Name], I noticed your recent article on [topic]. [Insightful comment referencing their work]. Would you be interested in exploring how we could address [potential pain point related to their article]?"
Key Takeaway:
Personalization shows you care.
Even small tweaks to your outreach messages can make the difference between getting blocked and sparking a valuable conversation.
Dump the Hard Sell
A hard-sell pitch right out of the gate screams:
"I only care about your money.”
This tactic erodes trust and makes prospects feel they're being targeted by yet another sales shark, not a potential partner.
Potential clients are far more likely to tune out or dismiss you immediately, jeopardizing any potential for a future connection.
Lead with value first.
Offer a relevant insight, helpful resource, or a question that addresses a potential pain point.
Build credibility and demonstrate your expertise before introducing your services.
Example:
Instead of: "Hi [Name], I offer top-notch [service]. Are you interested in a consultation?"
Try: "Hi [Name], I enjoyed your recent post about [topic]. Have you considered [alternative approach/potential solution]? I'd love to hear your thoughts."
Key Takeaway:
Building trust is essential on LinkedIn.
By demonstrating you have something valuable to offer beyond just your services, you'll attract better quality leads and nurture a relationship that can lead to future sales.
Final thoughts
So what should you do instead to get better results from your LinkedIn outreach?
Identify your ideal client.
Identify their needs before contacting them.
Offer a solution to their needs
Provide a clear call-to-action
Customize your message. Personalization is key.
Remember, be genuine, be human, and focus on THEIR interests, not just yours.
Talk soon,
Nick
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3 LinkedIn outreach mistakes that are costing you clients (...fix these NOW)