You're about to send a LinkedIn connection request, and the platform allows you to create a personalized message.

Do you take the time to do it? Yes or no?

If you choose not to do it, you must tune into this episode of "The Sales Evangelist Podcast." Even if you said yes, still click play.

Host Donald Kelly delves into the ongoing debate surrounding LinkedIn connection requests. Should sales professionals personalize them or keep them generic? 

Discover the importance of personalized connection requests and learn how to create meaningful conversations that can lead to sales opportunities.

The Great LinkedIn Debate

• Donald addresses a common question among sales professionals: the importance of personalizing LinkedIn connection requests. 

• He debunks myths, points out common mistakes, and emphasizes the potential impact of a well-crafted, personalized approach.

Personalized vs. Generic Requests

• Donald discusses why generic messages are ineffective and often ignored. 

• He advocates for personalized messages, which he argues can significantly increase your chances of connecting and engaging with your targeted prospects.

The LinkedIn Monetization Insight

• An interesting point Donald raises is LinkedIn's decision to charge for personalized connection requests. 

• He interprets this as evidence of their effectiveness and a tool that LinkedIn monetizes because it works, not because it doesn't. This key insight provides a unique perspective on the platform's internal data and user behavior.

Donald's LinkedIn Connection Strategy

• Listen to Donald's own methodology for LinkedIn engagement. 

• His process involves Sales Navigator, account and lead list building, proactive engagement with recent posters, and meaningful follow-up through multiple communication channels. 

• Donald's tactic is all about grabbing attention, starting conversations, and fostering relationships that lead to sales opportunities.

Engagement Leads to Opportunity

• Donald emphasizes that engagement is the key to unlocking potential business opportunities. 

• He shares personal anecdotes and client results to support his stance on using personalized connection requests to initiate conversations.

Join Donald and his colleagues for a live discussion on LinkedIn, furthering the conversation on this topic. Connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about it.

“Do you feel that you're so unique that you are the only one asking them to connect because you have a mutual connection? That's so preposterous!” - Donald Kelly.

Resources

The Sales Evangelist Sales Mastermind

LinkedIn Sales Navigator

Donald C. Kelly on LinkedIn

Sponsorship Offers

1. This episode is brought to you in part by Hubspot.

With HubSpot sales hubs, your data tools and teams join a single platform to close deals and turn prospects into pipelines. Try it for yourself at hubspot.com/sales.

1. This episode is brought to you in part by LinkedIn.

Are you tired of prospective clients not responding to your emails? Sign up for a free 60-day trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator at linkedin.com/tse.

1. This episode is brought to you in part by the TSE Sales Foundation.

Improve your connection on LinkedIn and land three or five appointments with our LinkedIn prospecting course. Go to the salesevangelist.com/linkedin.

Credits

As one of our podcast listeners, we value your opinion and always want to improve the quality of our show. Complete our two-minute survey here: thesalesevangelist.com/survey. We’d love for you to join us for our next episodes by tuning in on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Stitcher, or Spotify. Audio provided by Free SFX, Soundstripe, and Bensound. Other songs used in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by Brightseed and Hill.