The power of the DM on LinkedIn
With the rise of the ‘fun’ social media platforms (Insta, Tik Tok etc.), LinkedIn is often overlooked.
Poor LinkedIn! If people only knew it’s like the Thor of the social media world – so powerful!
I agree that LinkedIn may not be for everyone.
But if you want to create genuine business connections with other professionals, LinkedIn is the place to do it.
And one of the best ways to connect with people is via DMs.
I can almost hear what you’re saying right now…
‘Geez Sam! Haven’t you seen all the spammy sales messages and marriage proposals that come through DMs?’.
Yes, I have! Trust me, I’ve turned down a few American soldiers in my time.
But these people are doing it all wrong.
Done right; DMs on LinkedIn can be pretty powerful (Thor-like!)
When you know how, DMs can work exceptionally well to forge genuine connections on LinkedIn.
Do the opposite of the spammy, marriage proposal-type messages, and that’s a great start!
Make your messages personal, conversational, easy and genuine, and you’ll find that connecting with warm leads through DMs can be a lucrative marketing tool.
Handy hint: Part of having a conversation is to listen. Listen to what others are talking about. Then create conversations to solve their problems.
Social media is about building relationships, not spamming people with untargeted salesy messages. Spray and pray techniques don’t do anything but alienate your audience.
You need to be connected to someone to DM them on LinkedIn
Before you can DM someone on LinkedIn, you need to be connected with them. Look at this as your first opportunity to connect with them.
When I’ve met someone I want to connect with on LinkedIn; I send them a personalised connection request with a message. I tell them where we met and why I want to connect with them.
If you’ve never met them in person but you’ve seen them online (mutual connections, LinkedIn search function etc.), let them know that too.
When I receive connection requests from people I don’t know without a message, I tend to ignore them. I’m sure you’d do the same.
In the past, I’ve blindly accepted people and bang! Spam city.
They send impersonal messages that are all about them and their sales pitch. It’s like they’ve vomited their message all over me without researching whether I need what they offer.
I often think these are done by mass marketers working for the company to try and create connections/sales.
So impersonal…
My top 4 tips for creating meaningful connections using DMs on LinkedIn
1. Know your audience
It’s the key to all social media. But drill it down here. What type of client excites you? Who do you love speaking to? Who is on top of your ideal client list? These are the people you want to nurture relationships with first.
2. Connect with your ideal audience
Now you have that cream of the crop client in mind, use the LI search function to find them. Type in their job position or keywords about what they do and see who comes up. Also, look at your current connections (your ideal clients) and see if they have connections that could be great for you.
3. Start connecting
Have a plan of how you’re going to connect with people. This can be a tad daunting and feels like a first date. Have a personalised script of what you’ll write in your message, and remember to tell them your big WHY for asking them to connect with you.
4. Nurture your connections
When someone accepts your connection request, it’s now time to nurture the connection. Don’t go in for a sale here either. That’s what those spammy people do! Create a short, casual conversation with one question or purpose. Be genuine and curious about what your connection needs or wants so you can help them.
The benefit of DMs on LinkedIn is that anyone can use them
Anyone can harness the power of DMs on LinkedIn. You don’t need to be a marketing expert; you just need to know your audience and how to hold a conversation.
You’re a human talking to another human.
That’s all it is.
If it makes it easier, think of it like dating. You’re nurturing or building a relationship with someone you think suits you.
You start small, introducing yourself
You ask them questions to find out more about them – their wants, desires, needs, pains
You offer a sympathetic ear to listen and acknowledge that you hear them
You start to open up about yourself
You offer them support
You may find that you’ve connected with someone, and it’s not working out. That’s fine too – they’re still a connection and may come back to you in the future if they need what you offer.
That’s the beauty of using DMs on LinkedIn – you can choose who you talk to and when.
Need a hand managing your social media (including LinkedIn)?
For many years, I’ve helped multiple business owners to conquer their social media and content marketing goals. I work across all platforms and help you connect with your audience (wherever they may be!).
LinkedIn is another brilliant social media platform that many people overlook. Please get in touch if you’d like to find out how LinkedIn can help you connect with your ideal audience.
You can find my services here or send me an email to connect.
Here are some other blogs you may find handy:
I’d love to hear about your experiences with LinkedIn connections – the good, the bad and the ugly! Please share your highlights (or lowlights) in the comments below.