Double Down on Content
Your DM’s don’t really matter.
Last week I spoke about two DM’s which I’d been sent from two unknown connections who wanted to ‘connect’ - there seems to be a surge of DM’s and the use of automation software to generate ‘leads’ on LinkedIn.
I have had so many connection requests this week and every single one has been to sell me something - nobody has wanted to connect.
Read that again, every single DM I got alongside a connection request was to sell me something.
EVEN IF I DIDN’T WANT IT.
But I covered all that in last week’s article which you can read here.
There is one thing which all the connections have in common is that every single profile has very little content. By content, I mean actual content which has been created by that specific person - whether that’s a written post, an image or even a video.
Not only is there very little content but they also don’t post very often - of the 7 people who requested to be my connection this week, every single one had posted something over 3 weeks ago.
You know what’s even weirder? One of the connections (once I’d accepted) even alluded to me that they ‘hope I get some value from the content they share’ - but looking at that particular profile - that person had shared just 3 posts in the 3 months previous (1 post just 1 month ago and then 2 posts 3 months ago).
Mentioning in your DM’s that you hope that the ‘prospect’ gets some value in the content shared is an immediate way to get some interest in your profile because the next logical step is to go looking for that content.
I did. And I was disappointed.
You need content.
Content - whether that’s written, audio or video shows your hand. As the old saying goes, people buy from people and the fastest way to get someone to know you is to share what you’re working on or what your beliefs are.
If you’re selling or trying to get people interested in what you have to offer then the best way to do that is to repeatedly talk about what you offer - that’s the way to set you apart from your competition.
Creating and sharing valuable content on LinkedIn helps establish your professional presence and personal brand.
It allows you to showcase your expertise, knowledge, and passion in your field. When you consistently produce high-quality content, you position yourself as a thought leader and industry expert. This, in turn, makes you more appealing to those you reach out to you in the DM’s, as they are more likely to engage with someone who appears knowledgeable and credible.
It will work for you.
Creating content means that the algorithm on your chosen social network will work for you - it’s designed to share the content to as wide an audience as possible and it will push that content out to new people if it recognises that you’re posting valuable stuff.
When you share insightful articles, posts, and updates, you not only keep your existing network engaged but you also attract new followers and connections.
Engaging, exciting and valuable content encourages others to interact with your posts, leave comments, and share your content, ultimately expanding your reach.
This can lead to more DM requests, as people may want to connect with you to learn more or discuss topics you've covered in your content - this is what I mean when I say that the content will work for you - you don’t need that automation software because you’ll be organically growing your audience and attracting those ideal buyers.
Showing up for them.
Creating content on a regular basis and then sharing that content on LinkedIn demonstrates your commitment to your audience and the platform itself.
As I highlighted earlier in the article, when I looked at those who had wanted to connect, it showed me that they didn’t have that form of commitment.
Having a regular content flow showcases your dedication to staying informed, sharing knowledge, and actively participating in a professional community.
This commitment can attract those who are like you and those who appreciate your active involvement, making them more inclined to connect with you through DMs as they see you as someone passionate about your field and willing to engage in meaningful conversations.
It’s a circle.
When you take that approach, you lean into the fact that your content works for you - this generates interest and connections and then you’ll find that people want to connect.
The work you’re putting in to DM’s? Put that effort into creating content and you’ll grow your sales faster.
The TLDR ChatGPT Review;
Article Summary:
In my recent experience, I've noticed a significant rise in sales-focused direct messages (DMs) from connections on LinkedIn. It's become apparent that the majority of connection requests are essentially sales pitches, and this can be quite disheartening. What stands out is that many of these connections lack substantial content on their profiles, such as posts, images, or videos. The critical point emphasized in the article is the significance of sharing valuable content on the platform to establish a robust professional presence and personal brand.
Takeaway Action:
The key takeaway from my observations is that creating and sharing valuable content on LinkedIn is crucial for establishing a strong professional presence and attracting meaningful connections. By consistently producing high-quality content, I position myself as a thought leader and industry expert, which makes me more appealing to potential connections. Instead of relying on automation software for connection requests, I've found that organic growth can be achieved by sharing engaging content that attracts ideal buyers and showcases my commitment to my field and audience. In essence, focusing on content creation has proven to be a more effective way to build my network and boost my sales on LinkedIn.