How I use LinkedIn for Lead Generation
Michael AlexanderI sent messages to thousands of people on LinkedIn. Most ignored me at first but through lots of testing I found what actually works.
LinkedIn has over 700 million users. The platform is filled with decision makers and potential clients but generic messages get ignored. Here's what works better:
The Basics That Work
- Send connection requests without any message. This feels weird but gets more accepts
- Look at their profile and recent posts before messaging them
- Share something helpful before asking for anything
- Write short messages. Long pitches don't work
- Talk like a normal person
What Makes Messages Work
My best performing messages always included:
- Something specific from their profile showing I looked at it
- A piece of advice or help they could use
- One simple question they could answer yes or no to
The System That Worked
I set specific times each day for sending messages. This helped me stay organized and track what worked. I made basic templates but changed them for each person.
The biggest lesson was focusing on building real relationships. When you help people first they naturally want to work with you.
Practical Tips That Get Results
Here are some proven approaches that consistently work:
- Read their recent posts and mention one
- Connect them with someone who could help them
- Share an article that relates to their work
- Ask if they want to hear your thoughts on a topic they posted about
Most people try too hard to sell right away. Building trust first works much better. The people who became my best clients started as simple LinkedIn connections where I focused on being helpful.
These small changes took my response rate from 5% to over 40%. The more I helped others the more my business grew.
Here's another thing that works well. After connecting wait a few days before sending a message. This feels more natural and gets better responses.
I still use LinkedIn every day. The platform keeps growing and these basics still work. Focus on helping others and the rest follows naturally.
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