Sales Skills / Make the First Contact Count / Lesson 17

LESSON 17 · MAKE THE FIRST CONTACT COUNT

Comment Your Way Into a Conversation

Forty ways to comment your way into conversations, adding value so people welcome you.

A good comment is a polite knock. Add something real.

37 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan

37 tips that really help

These ideas come from Fanatical Prospecting (Jeb Blount), Cold Calling Techniques (Stephan Schiffman), The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.

TIP 1

Why comments work

A thoughtful comment puts your name and your view in front of the author and their whole audience.

TRY THIS
Plan five comments this week.

TIP 2

Choose the right posts

Comment on posts by people you want to meet and on topics where you know something.

TRY THIS
List five authors to follow.

TIP 3

Read the whole post first

Understanding the full message stops you from commenting on a headline and missing the point.

TRY THIS
Take a minute to read properly.

TIP 4

Add a real idea

An insight or example makes your comment worth reading and worth replying to.

TRY THIS
Write two sentences of substance.

TIP 5

Ask a good question

A genuine question invites the author to respond and keeps the thread alive.

TRY THIS
Write one question you truly want answered.

TIP 6

Share a short story

A small example from your experience adds colour and credibility.

TRY THIS
Add a two-line story.

TIP 7

Agree and say why

“Great post” says little, but “this matched what we saw because…” adds value.

TRY THIS
Give one reason.

TIP 8

Disagree politely

A respectful different view can start a useful conversation if handled kindly.

TRY THIS
Soften your wording.

TIP 9

Be genuine

People can tell the difference between real interest and a bid for attention.

TRY THIS
Comment only when you mean it.

TIP 10

Be quick

Early comments are seen by more people and noticed by the author.

TRY THIS
Check feeds once each morning.

TIP 11

Be consistent

Regular presence builds recognition over weeks and months.

TRY THIS
Choose a daily time.

TIP 12

Do not pitch in comments

Links and offers in comments feel like spam and can get you blocked.

TRY THIS
Leave your product out.

TIP 13

Avoid generic phrases

“Nice post” and “so true” add nothing.

TRY THIS
Replace with something specific.

TIP 14

Avoid arguments

Public arguments hurt your reputation and rarely change minds.

TRY THIS
Step back from heated threads.

TIP 15

Avoid negativity

Kind, constructive tone attracts the people you want.

TRY THIS
Check your wording.

TIP 16

Reply to replies

Continuing a conversation shows you care about the exchange.

TRY THIS
Respond within a day.

TIP 17

Thank people who respond

Gratitude makes people more likely to engage again.

TRY THIS
Say thank you.

TIP 18

Tag carefully

Tag people only when it truly helps them or the conversation.

TRY THIS
Think before you tag.

TIP 19

Follow up privately

After a good public exchange, a short private note can deepen it.

TRY THIS
Send one message.

TIP 20

Connect after engaging

A request after a real exchange is warmly accepted.

TRY THIS
Send one request.

TIP 21

Move to a call only when invited

Pushing for a call too early spoils the goodwill.

TRY THIS
Wait for a signal.

TIP 22

Track conversations

Counting meaningful exchanges shows what works.

TRY THIS
Record them weekly.

TIP 23

Comment on customers' posts

Supporting customers publicly strengthens loyalty.

TRY THIS
Comment on one today.

TIP 24

Comment on partners' posts

It supports them and shows your network that you collaborate.

TRY THIS
Comment on one.

TIP 25

Comment on prospects' posts with care

Real, helpful comments are fine, but flattery is not.

TRY THIS
Add value only.

TIP 26

Share others' posts with your view

Adding your take makes a share useful to your followers.

TRY THIS
Share one with a note.

TIP 27

Learn from other comments

Good comments teach you how to write well.

TRY THIS
Note one you admire.

TIP 28

Use alerts

Notifications help you comment while posts are fresh.

TRY THIS
Set up two alerts.

TIP 29

Spend fifteen minutes a day

A short daily habit builds momentum without taking over your day.

TRY THIS
Block it in your calendar.

TIP 30

Keep a list of authors

A short list keeps you focused on people who matter.

TRY THIS
Write ten names.

TIP 31

Keep a list of ideas

Notes on topics you know well make comments quicker.

TRY THIS
Start a note.

TIP 32

Review weekly

A short weekly review shows progress and improvements.

TRY THIS
Check on Friday.

TIP 33

Be patient

Relationships built through comments grow slowly but last.

TRY THIS
Give it two months.

TIP 34

Respect platform rules

Follow the guidelines to avoid restrictions.

TRY THIS
Read them once.

TIP 35

Leave one comment today

Starting small is better than waiting for the perfect comment.

TRY THIS
Post one now.

TIP 36

Celebrate your first conversations

Each real exchange is progress worth noticing.

TRY THIS
Note your first reply.

TIP 37

Keep adding value

The golden rule is to help first.

TRY THIS
Think of the reader each time.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.

ADD

“That point about onboarding really resonates with me.”

QUESTION

“How do you handle seasonal peaks?”

“We saw something similar with a local bakery.”

THANKS

“Thanks for sharing this.”

AGREE

“I agree, especially about the second step.”

EXTEND

“One more idea along those lines is this.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Pick five people to follow

DAY 2
Read their posts daily

DAY 3
Write one thoughtful comment

DAY 4
Add a question to another

DAY 5
Reply to replies

DAY 6
Track conversations started

DAY 7
Review weekly

More lessons in “Make the First Contact Count”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Connect With a Note, Not a Pitch Next: Share Posts That Show Expertise →