Instead of a generic first-touch video, use personalized videos specifically for follow-up messages. This approach feels more personal, stands out from text-based follow-ups, and is highly effective for re-engaging prospects, as demonstrated by booking a meeting with a VP of Sales.
For prospects actively posting on LinkedIn, delay your pitch. Instead, turn on their post notifications and meaningfully engage with their content for one to two weeks. This "warm-up" period makes them familiar with you, significantly increasing the likelihood they'll accept a meeting when you finally reach out.
After sending a detailed voice note on LinkedIn, immediately send a follow-up text with a "Too Long, Didn't Listen" (TLDL) summary. This respects the prospect's time, provides a quick synopsis, and generates a second notification on the platform, psychologically increasing the odds they will engage with your message.
A daily habit of sending 30 connection requests to your ideal customer profile (ICP) creates a consistent stream of new opportunities. Even a low acceptance rate translates to over 100 new connections per month, who will then see your content in their feed, building familiarity over time.
Instead of a canned opening line, start your cold call by simply stating the prospect's name and pausing. Their response—whether terse or friendly—instantly reveals their mood. Use this cue to calibrate your own tone, either matching their energy or softening your approach to build rapport from the first second.
Your LinkedIn strategy should adapt based on the prospect's activity. If a prospect accepts your connection request but doesn't post content, pitch them immediately in the DMs. Reserve the multi-week "warm-up" strategy of commenting and engaging only for the 10% of prospects who are actively posting on the platform.
Contrary to common advice, avoid adding notes to most LinkedIn connection requests, as a blank request is often more effective. Reserve personalized notes for high-signal situations like a direct referral, a mutual connection, or a prospect who recently left a competitor's company. This makes your noted requests stand out more.
Disrupt the standard cold call script with a direct, audacious opener. After confirming their name, state: "This is [Your Name] from [Company]. I'm calling to book a meeting with you." This transparent, pattern-interrupting approach often creates curiosity, gets you straight to the point, and works well with sales leader personas.
A single point of personalization is no longer enough. To be effective, layer multiple signals in one message: reference a conversation with a colleague, mention their current tech stack (e.g., a competitor), and quote their own LinkedIn profile bio. This depth proves you've done your homework and stands out from AI-generated messages.