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Sales Skills / Make the First Contact Count / Lesson 16

LESSON 16 · MAKE THE FIRST CONTACT COUNT

Connect With a Note, Not a Pitch

Forty ways to connect with a short personal note instead of a pitch, and to be accepted far more often.

A connection request is a handshake. Be human, not salesy.

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 a note helps

A short personal note shows you are a real person, and many people accept notes more often than blank requests.

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Plan to add a note to every request.

TIP 2

Keep it under 300 characters

The platform limits note length, and a short note reads better anyway.

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Count the characters in your last note.

TIP 3

Start with something specific

A post, an article or an event they attended gives you a genuine opening line.

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Find one specific detail first.

TIP 4

Be honest about your reason

Saying “I enjoy your content” or “we work in similar areas” is true, simple and enough.

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Write your reason in one sentence.

TIP 5

Do not pitch in the note

A sales message in a connection request is the fastest way to be declined or reported.

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Remove any mention of your product.

TIP 6

Do not ask for a call yet

The connection comes first, and the conversation can grow once they accept.

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Wait until after they accept.

TIP 7

Use a warm tone

Friendly, plain words feel like a handshake and not like an advertisement.

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Read the note aloud before sending.

TIP 8

Use their name correctly

A misspelled name in the first line tells them you did not look.

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Check the spelling on their profile.

TIP 9

Mention a shared contact

A mutual connection raises trust, but only if the link is real and appropriate.

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Check for a genuine shared name.

TIP 10

Mention a shared group

Belonging to the same community gives you an easy, true link.

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Look at their group memberships.

TIP 11

Mention a shared event

Having attended the same conference or webinar is a natural conversation starter.

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Check the event page for their name.

TIP 12

Avoid empty flattery

“I am impressed by your amazing profile” sounds like a template and is ignored.

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Replace it with one concrete detail.

TIP 13

Avoid copying the same note

People often compare notes, and identical wording looks automated.

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Rewrite each note for the person.

TIP 14

Avoid sending in bulk

Platforms limit and sometimes restrict accounts that send many requests quickly.

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Send a handful each day.

TIP 15

Avoid connecting with everyone

A smaller, relevant network is more useful than a huge, random one.

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Choose people you could genuinely help.

TIP 16

Choose relevant people

Aim at those whose work overlaps with yours or whom you want to learn from.

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List ten names today.

TIP 17

Send small batches

A few thoughtful requests daily beats fifty careless ones weekly.

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Set a daily limit of five.

TIP 18

Track your acceptance rate

Counting shows whether your notes are working.

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Record sent and accepted in a sheet.

TIP 19

Compare notes with and without

A small test shows whether a note really lifts acceptance for you.

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Send five of each type.

TIP 20

Learn what works

The notes that get accepted show what your audience likes.

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Write down your three best.

TIP 21

Thank new connections

A short thank-you message starts the relationship warmly.

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Send one within a day.

TIP 22

Do not pitch after they accept

Immediate sales messages after accepting annoy people and lose the connection.

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Wait and offer value first.

TIP 23

Start a conversation

A simple question about their work invites a reply.

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Write one open question.

TIP 24

Offer help before asking

A useful article or introduction builds goodwill.

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Share one helpful link.

TIP 25

Follow their content

Staying aware of what they share gives you things to talk about.

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Follow five new connections.

TIP 26

Comment on their posts

Thoughtful comments keep you visible without selling.

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Leave two comments this week.

TIP 27

Respect a decline or silence

No response is a polite no, and respecting it protects your reputation.

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Move on gracefully.

TIP 28

Keep your own profile strong

Many people check your profile before accepting.

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Review it today.

TIP 29

Be consistent

A little every day builds a network faster than occasional bursts.

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Set a fifteen-minute daily slot.

TIP 30

Be kind in every message

Warmth is remembered, even by those who say no.

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Smile as you write.

TIP 31

Learn from replies

Replies, even negative ones, teach you about your approach.

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Note one lesson.

TIP 32

Share good notes with colleagues

A shared set of tested notes helps the whole team.

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Send your best to a teammate.

TIP 33

Review monthly

A monthly look shows trends in acceptance and conversations.

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Set a recurring reminder.

TIP 34

Use notes before events

Connecting ahead of an event makes meeting in person warmer.

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Connect with three attendees.

TIP 35

Use notes after events

A note after meeting reminds them who you are.

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Send them within a day.

TIP 36

Use notes to ask for introductions

A warm note to a mutual contact can lead to an introduction.

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Ask one person today.

TIP 37

Send your first note today

The only way to learn is to try it for real.

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Write and send one now.

Easy things to say

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

OPEN

“Hi Maria, I enjoyed your post on onboarding.”

LINK

“We both know Sam from the retail forum.”

INTEREST

“I am curious how you handle seasonal staff.”

HONEST

“I am not selling anything, just connecting.”

THANKS

“Thanks for considering my request.”

“Wishing you a good week.”

Your first week

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

DAY 1
Write three connection notes

DAY 2
Send five with a personal line

DAY 3
Track your acceptance rate

DAY 4
Compare notes with and without

DAY 5
Thank each new connection

DAY 6
Start one real conversation

DAY 7
Review your results

More lessons in “Make the First Contact Count”

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

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