3 Truths About LinkedIn Outreach I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

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I've got a confession to make.

I used to be the world's worst LinkedIn outreach guy.

My messages were generic.

My pitches were pushy.

My response rates were... well, let's just say they were less than impressive.

But then I discovered a secret that changed everything.

And I'm going to share it with you right now.

You see, most people approach LinkedIn outreach all wrong.

They think it's about:

• Selling themselves

• Pitching their products

• Closing deals.

But the truth is, that's the fastest way to get ignored and even blocked.

So what's the secret to LinkedIn outreach success?

Well…

Grab a cup of coffee.

And take a notebook with you.

The outreach game is simple:

Start conversations, not sales pitches

People hate sales pitches.

There, I said it.

I learned this the hard way.

I used to send generic pitch messages to all my connections.

And honestly?

I wasn't getting much of a response.

Then, I realized...

The key to LinkedIn outreach isn't selling yourself.

It's starting conversations.

Think about it.

We want to connect with other people, not be sold to.

So, instead of pitching yourself right off the bat, ask thoughtful questions.

For example:

What are your biggest challenges? What projects are you working on? What does success look like for you?

By starting a conversation, you're showing genuine interest in the other person.

And that's what people want. Not pushy sales tactics.

So, start conversations. Build relationships. And the sales will come.

Provide free advice tailored specifically for them

People are busy.

And nobody cares what you need.

A better job. A connection to their boss. A sales meeting for your product.

Nobody has a need for YOU.

Stop living in a world where you're the center of attention.

That's why most outreach fails. It's all about you.

And remember:

They don't have time to waste on a sales pitch.

They don't have time to read a generic template.

They don't have time to sift through a long-winded message.

So how do you make an impact?

How do you stand out?

How do you flip the script?

Give something first.

You provide free advice.

You tailor it specifically for them.

You offer a nugget of your expertise that would uniquely help them based on what you learned, free of strings.

That's how you get their attention.

That's how you show them that you're worth listening to.

Remember: people don't buy products, they buy solutions.

They don't buy features, they buy results.

So give them a result.

Give them a solution.

Be of value.

And you'll see doors opening that you never thought possible.

Research… Research… Research.

The ONLY way to crush cold outreach on LinkedIn:

Research. Research. Research.

The more you research...

...the more personal you can get.

The more personal you get...

...the more human your outreach feels.

The more human your outreach feels...

...the more likely it is to get a response.

It's not rocket science.

But it takes effort.

So, how do you do research?

1. Look through their profile.

2. Dig into their content.

3. Find common ground between you two.

4. Highlight 1-2 personal hooks in your initial message.

Nobody likes getting those robo-outreach messages. So, set yourself apart.

Do the research. Find the hooks. Make it personal.

P.S. If you don't have 5 minutes to look up someone, then don't expect them to give you 30 minutes of their time.

Final thoughts

LinkedIn outreach isn't about you.

It's about them.

Your target audience. Start conversations, provide value, and be patient.

Remember, people don't want to be sold to.

They want to connect with someone who genuinely cares about their success.

So be that person.

Talk soon,

Nick

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