LinkedIn connections-Making the Right First Impression.

I recently received a message on LinkedIn that started with, "I stumbled across your profile, and I wanted to..." followed by a sales pitch. This made me ponder - how do such approaches affect us?

You stumbled across me? Boy, that makes me feel special.

The Impact of First Impressions: Think about it - whether in business, personal relationships, or dating, introductions are crucial. Saying "Hi, I just stumbled into you and thought you might like to date me?" sounds rather abrupt, right?

In my early days in sales, dealing with luxury items like cars, yachts, and jets, our manual advocated a different approach. It advised saying, "Mr. Jones, my job is to search through thousands of luxury items for sale and find the ones I can assist in selling. I came across your ad today and thought to reach out to you because I know I can help you sell it." This method implies exclusivity and offers value, piquing interest and curiosity and it sounds confident.

Beyond appearing obvious you want them to buy your service: It's not just about the initial transaction. When initiating a relationship, look beyond the immediate gain. Seek to genuinely understand the person. Many contacts I've approached initially for sales have evolved into lifelong connections.

• Engage Sincerely: Like and comment on their posts. Do it both before and after your message. Avoid being too obvious and show genuine interest in them.

• Personalize Your Approach: Mention something specific about them, like an article they wrote, and express genuine appreciation. "I just read your piece on X, and it was not only well done but also useful to me."

• Avoid Clichés: Phrases like "We could help each other" or "benefit from each other's connections" are overused and can lump you with others who say the same. Stand out by being different.

• Psychological Trigger: When you sound like everyone else, it can trigger a negative psychological response, placing you in the 'I'm trying to sell you something' category.

The words we choose can either open a door or shut it firmly. A common pitfall is sounding like everyone else, which can activate a psychological trigger in the listener. This reaction often lumps you in with countless others who have approached them in the same way, leading to a negative or dismissive response.

For example, consider the typical experience at a car dealership. If a salesperson approaches with the standard line, "Can I help you find something today?" most people instinctively say, "No, thanks." This isn't necessarily because they don't need help; it's a reflexive response triggered by being categorized with every other sales interaction they've had. They're responding not just to you, but to every similar sales approach they've encountered in the past.

A More Effective Approach: To avoid triggering this reflexive rejection, try altering your approach. For instance, saying something like, "I know you're probably just looking, but if you need help finding something specific, just let me know." This more relaxed, non-intrusive approach can change the dynamic. It feels less like a sales pitch and more like genuine assistance. As a result, you're more likely to get a positive engagement like, "Oh, actually, I am looking for a blue Ford pickup. Do you have any on the lot?"

This subtle shift in communication strategy can make a significant difference. It's about breaking the pattern of what's expected and offering a fresh, more personalized interaction. This way, you're not just another salesperson; you're a helpful guide, changing the way potential customers perceive and interact with you.

💡 Key to Success: The feeling your approach evokes matters. Make them feel special and valued. Showing genuine interest and offering a solution can open the door to meaningful conversations. It's about building a relationship, not just making a sale.

Takeaway: How we initiate conversations in sales can significantly influence our success. It's crucial to make the other person feel valued and unique. This approach has been pivotal in my sales career and is an essential skill to develop. #SalesStrategy #LinkedInNetworking #FirstImpressionsMatter