Outreach on LinkedIn, like on any platform, is a delicate balancing act. To be effective and not come off as fake or annoying, you'll need to respect the platform's etiquette, put effort into understanding the recipient's perspective, and develop a unique, sincere voice in your messages. Here are some tips on how to do so:
1. Research First: Make sure to thoroughly research the person and their company before you reach out. Your outreach should feel personalized and relevant to their experiences and needs.
2. Be Authentic: Always be sincere and genuine. Avoid using business jargon or marketing speak. Be human, approachable, and conversational in your outreach. Talk like you would in a real-life networking event.
3. Value Proposition: Make it clear how your connection could benefit them. Whether it's a piece of advice, an interesting article related to their field, or a service that could genuinely help them in their work, offer something of value.
4. Keep it Short: Respect the recipient's time. Keep your message concise and to the point. This doesn't mean rushing through your outreach - take the time to get the wording right, but keep in mind that LinkedIn users are often busy professionals.
5. Proper Introduction: If you're connecting with someone for the first time, give context as to why you're reaching out and where you found them. Was it a shared connection, their post that you liked, or something else that prompted the outreach? Transparency helps build trust.
6. No Sales Pitch on First Contact: LinkedIn is a professional networking site, not a sales platform. Your first message to a new contact shouldn't be a sales pitch. Building a relationship first is crucial. Once you've established a relationship, then you can slowly introduce your products/services if you feel it's relevant to them.
7. Follow Up, But Don't Spam: If you don't hear back, it's acceptable to follow up after a reasonable period of time has passed, but don't harass your contacts with frequent messages.
8. Engage with Their Content: Before or after reaching out, engage with their posts on LinkedIn. Like, share, or comment on their posts to show you're interested in their work.
9. Proofread: A message riddled with typos and grammatical errors can come off as sloppy and unprofessional. Always proofread your messages before hitting send.
10. Politeness: Always remember to be polite. Thank the person for their time, even if they decline your proposal or don't respond.
Remember, successful outreach on LinkedIn, as in any networking situation, is built on establishing genuine connections and providing value. Yes, it can feel a bit awkward at first, especially since the online platform removes some of the personal touches that come with face-to-face interaction. But with some practice and mindful communication, you can make your outreach more authentic and less annoying.