If you are responsible for business development, having the right conversations with the right people that have never heard of you might be your biggest challenge.
Guess what? If you are using LinkedIn, it would be a safe bet that you are already connected to a significant number of your decision makers but haven’t even attempted to have a meaningful conversation. These are professionals that have heard of you, and if you post on a consistent basis, they may even know you.
Here is how to filter your connections to identify your 1st degree relationships that you want to grow:
- Click Advanced search next to the search bar on the top of your LinkedIn page.
- Complete filters on the left hand side including title, location and if you have premium, company size.
- In the middle of the search box, under Relationships choose 1st degree only.
- Search
- Make your list and send a direct message through LinkedIn:
XXX, It has been some time since we first connected on LinkedIn and I thought it might make sense for us to set up a brief call to learn more about each others’ respective businesses and explore how we may be able to work together. I have Monday morning or Thursday afternoon available, please let me know what works best for you. – Brynne
Want to automate your appointment setting? Here is an alternative message that is used in conjunctions with @TimeTrade:
XXX, It has been some time since we first connected on LinkedIn and I thought it might make sense for us to set up a brief call to learn more about each others’ respective businesses and explore how we may be able to work together. Here is a link to my calendar http://ScheduleaCallwithBrynne.com please pick a time that is most convenient for you. I am looking forward to our call. – Brynne
Before you do any other prospecting, make sure you are leveraging your current network, it just makes sense. Share your success or social selling tips in the comments below!