57% of people polled say the biggest problem with LinkedIn lately is when people pitch in the DMs. 172 people voted for that option in a poll I posted.
It didn’t surprise me but it definitely inspired me.
So why don’t you…
JUST STOP!!!
I’m not saying that LinkedIn isn’t a place where you can meet potential clients.
I’m not saying that you shouldn’t book offline calls with people you’ve met on LinkedIn.
I’m not saying that LinkedIn shouldn’t be a crucial part of your business development process.
What it all boils down to is know, like, and trust. Get to know me before you pitch me.
The best way to get to know your connections here is to comment. Have conversations with us!!!
When you comment with a strategy…even better. Know who you want to be more visible to. Go to those conversations.
“How do I learn that engagement strategy, Deanna?” Great question, I teach it.
Now, let’s turn the tables. How do you react when you do get pitched?
I start out with “No, thank you.”
If they continue to try and pitch me…one of two things happens. Either I remove connection and block or..I have some fun.
Here’s an example of someone who kept pushing after I said “No, thank you” last week:
Them: “I rather you walk away from this conversation knowing for sure your online presence is rock solid, than always wonder what if…What do you say”
Me: “I’ve built a brand online organically…I’ve grown from 400-28,100 followers here. Do you think my online presence is rock solid?”
No answer.
For those pitches who have nothing to do with me and what I do, I ask them “Did you look at my profile before you sent me this message?”
Again, no reply.
I have to admit, I don’t get pitched a lot in the DMs because of my strategy in how I reply. So feel free to steal this.
To everyone who hates getting pitched via DM, I apologize because the majority of us on LinkedIn aren’t like that and we really want to get to know you. LinkedIn is a networking platform, pure and simple.
Have you had fun with the people who are pitching you via DM or do you ignore and block?