Is it ok to send introductory e-mails as soon as you're connected with potential prospects on LinkedIn?
I am involved in IT outsourcing. What is the best practice to follow up with potential prospects on LinkedIn? How do I get similar prospects from Facebook? I think FB is considered for more informal communication, but what do you think? How can I reach out to my prospects via these platforms?
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Aug 4, 2014
Yes it create a good gesture and this habit give you lot of good connection on Linked in
Jul 28, 2014
If you have something of value to me please let me know. But do your research before and be clear and precise in your value proposition. If you want to introduce yourself please do not contact me. I am working on my business and only want to be introduced to salespeople who have taken the time to determine how they can be of service to my business based on my actual needs.
I find my buyers appreciate my research and my solutions better when I do not waste their time with blind introductions.
Jul 28, 2014
YES! I have made some great connections via linked in. It all depends on how serious the other party is about connecting and using this resorce
Jul 27, 2014
I think following up on LinkedIn as soon as possible is wise. You may not get anywhere, but it shows you're paying attention and wanting input and possible biz relationships. I agree that FB is probably a little too casual and harder to talk one on one re specifics. I've had some good prospects from joining some of the discussion groups on LinkedIn, though I don't get too carried away with it.
Jul 26, 2014
It boils down to who initiated the connection and why. If you have a genuine interest in working with your prospect and they have a need for your services, then an intro email would be welcomed. But if it's the same ol' spam everyone else does, don't do it.
Jul 26, 2014
I feel its appropriate and agree with everyone about being personal but equally important is to do your homework to ensure that the people you're approaching could in fact benefit from what you're offering. Many times over I've seen advertisers just trying to sell to everybody which is very annoying when in doesn't apply to what you do or your industry, so choose your targets wisely.
Someone has touched on the Canadian anti-spam legislation and although it shouldn't be ignored, I don't feel there should be a concern when it comes to Linked In. For starters Linked In is a business site designed for the purposes of networking, job seeking and learning. All who signed up know or at least should know this and thereby shouldn't be surprised when approached. Secondly, Linked In acts like a filter. When sending an invite, you're limited to only 200 characters or so and no URLs are permitted. In addition, your prospect has a choice of whether or not to accept you and when they do then they have "consented" for you to contact them. Otherwise, Linked In won't allow you to invite them again unless you know their email address.
There are also few exemptions to the law.
1) You're allowed to email someone if their email is visible to the public and there is no stipulation anywhere that states "don't me email me". What I do is, I'll usually take a snippet of the website or profile that displays the contact information, date it and keep it for my records so they can't argue it was never there if removed.
2) You're allowed to call your prospect to introduce yourself and ask politely if you can forward more information via email. If they agree then you can email them and I would record the conversation so that they can't dispute giving you their email and consent in the future.
3) You're also allowed to email the prospect if you were referred to them by a third party. Just clearly state at the beginning of your email how you came by their contact information.
4) This is a no brainer, but if you done business together in the past or met at social event and exchanged business cards then emailing them is also allowed.
Finally, I don't think it can hurt to have a small disclaimer at the bottom of your email that lets your prospects know that they can opt out from receiving future emails from you simply by letting you know. If they don't opt out then I don't see why this couldn't be considered as their consent to receive future correspondence from you.
Kind regards to all,
Tom
Jul 25, 2014
I'll address LinkedIn only. When you ask if it's OK to contact, what I hear is a bit of trepidation about presenting your services. Keep in mind that EVERYONE of us on LinkedIn has something to sell to others.
That said: Yes, it is definitely OK. Start by posting a brief outline of your services/products, then follow up periodically with updates, enhancements, improvements, price-changes. Keep in front of all of us. Before you post I suggest you determine as much as possible what size company you want to do business with. Then announce what you have with the intent of capturing the attention of that specific niche. As people "like" you, or join your group, message them immediately with your marketing collateral. Good Luck!
Jul 25, 2014
Absolutely. Reach out while you are "fresh" is someone's mind. Wait too long and they may forget how they meet you.
I agree with what many have said though. Keep in honest, personable, and not salesy. This is the top of your marketing/sales funnel and you want to establish a good relationship.
Jul 25, 2014
Ravindra... I think it is perfectly acceptable to send an introductory email that speaks to what you do, however as others noted below should ask them questions about their own business - and how the two of you can support one another. Then the key is to genuinely engage with them, not just wait for an opportunity to sell them. Here is the email I tailor/customize to a LinkedIn request.... and will say I get productive responses from it, including requests for meetings and them providing me information about them.
As always, run tests and see what resonates and engages. As far as Facebook... I am finding that it is getting far less effective and time consuming to engage with someone there. Though it will depend on someone's target market. Depending on the size of companies you work with, it may not be valuable. At least not as much as LinkedIn.
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