We’ll dive deep into the art of LinkedIn outreach, exploring a proven strategy that can help you effortlessly attract new clients in 2024.
So, get ready to say goodbye to traditional, pushy sales tactics and embrace the E3C method – a powerful LinkedIn outreach strategy that will help you secure not only five-figure but also six-figure deals, all without being salesy.
The best part? No tedious setup is required!
The Changing Landscape of LinkedIn Outreach
Before we delve into the intricacies of the best LinkedIn outreach strategy, let’s take a moment to understand why LinkedIn outreach is more crucial than ever in 2024.
Traditional methods of selling simply don’t cut it anymore. Buyers are more informed than ever before, and instead of being sold to, they want to be engaged with – that’s where social selling, and specifically, LinkedIn outreach, comes into play.
While LinkedIn is a goldmine for professional networking and lead generation, leveraging the platform to its full potential requires a strategy that not only captures attention but also builds meaningful relationships. This is where the best LinkedIn outreach strategy, called the e3c method, has your back.
When to Use the E3C LinkedIn Outreach Strategy?
The e3c LinkedIn outreach strategy is a versatile approach to generating leads on LinkedIn. The best part? You can adapt it to various scenarios. Whether you have a few minutes each day or several hours to dedicate to LinkedIn lead generation, this method can seamlessly fit into your schedule.
So, when exactly should you consider using the e3c method?
- Connecting With High-Quality Prospects and Thought Leaders: The e3c LinkedIn outreach strategy is most effective when you want to connect with high-quality prospects or influential thought leaders in your industry. These are the individuals who can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, or collaborations.
- Balancing Engagement Levels: One of the key advantages of the e3c LinkedIn outreach method is its flexibility. You can use it whether you intend to spend just a few minutes a day on LinkedIn or if you’re dedicating hours as part of your full-time role in lead generation. The method adapts to your pace, ensuring that you can consistently connect with valuable prospects without feeling overwhelmed.
- Combining Strategies for Optimal Results: To maximize your outreach efforts, consider running the e3c LinkedIn cold outreach strategy alongside a more direct email outreach campaign.
This combination allows you to conduct split tests, identifying which segments of your target audience respond best to either the e3c LinkedIn outreach method or a traditional, sales-based email approach. The synergy between these strategies can significantly enhance your overall lead-generation efforts.
The Four Stages of the E3C – The Best LinkedIn Outreach Strategy
Now that we’ve established when to leverage the e3c cold LinkedIn outreach strategy, let’s delve into its four distinct stages.
Stage 1: Engage
The first stage of the e3c method focuses on engagement. It’s all about establishing a connection and creating a positive impression with your prospects.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering this stage:
Identify Your Prospects
Begin by compiling a list of high-quality prospects you want to add to your pipeline. These prospects should align with your goals and target audience.
Open Profiles in New Tabs
Given LinkedIn’s 100 connection request limit per week, it’s essential to manage your outreach effectively. To avoid reaching this limit prematurely, consider running this method at a rate of around 20 connection requests per day (Monday to Friday). You can tweak this number depending on your needs and any random connection requests that may arise.
Engage With Valuable Comments
Once you’ve opened the profiles of your selected prospects, visit each profile and assess if they have posted content that you can engage with. If they do, you can start leaving meaningful comments on those posts.
But how do I write meaningful comments?
Well, when leaving comments on your prospects’ posts, avoid generic phrases like “nice post” or “thanks for sharing”. Instead, try to create comments that go beyond the surface.
Here’s how to leave meaningful comments:
- Share what specifically caught your attention in their post. Make sure to refer to certain parts of their posts.
- Provide value by sharing insights or experiences related to the topic.
- Ask open-ended questions to encourage a response and initiate a conversation.
Gradual Engagement
You can repeat this engagement process one or two more times, depending on how many touchpoints you wish to establish before sending a personalized connection request.
Typically, engaging twice is sufficient, but some prospects may require more or fewer interactions. Consider factors such as the prospect’s following and engagement level when determining the ideal approach.
The key to successful engagement at this stage is to create a genuine connection by showing interest in the prospect’s content and initiating a meaningful conversation. By doing so, you’ll stand out from the crowd and pique their curiosity.
Remember, social selling is a game-changer, but buyers seek engagement and value, not just sales pitches. The e3c method’s first stage equips you with the tools to engage authentically and lay the foundation for fruitful connections.
Stage 2: Connect
Once you’ve successfully engaged with your prospects, it’s time to move on to the second stage – making the connection. This stage is all about building a bridge between you and your prospects, starting with personalized connection requests.
Here’s how to navigate this crucial step:
Personalize Your Connection Requests
To increase your chances of acceptance, it is a good idea to write a connection request message that is as personalized as possible.
For example, you can use commonalities or references to your previous engagement to make the connection request more relevant. Plus, it is a good idea to include a conversation-starting question to encourage dialogue that can lead to acceptance of your connection request.
The more personalized your connection request, the more likely it is to be accepted. Moreover, personalized requests often lead to more meaningful conversations through direct messaging, setting the stage for potential sales conversations or even phone calls.
The Goal: Acceptance
Remember that the primary goal of this stage is to get your connection request accepted, not to immediately pitch your products or services. So, keep your focus on establishing a connection, as this paves the way for future conversations.
Amplifying Your Presence
Another advantage of connecting is that both you and your prospect will begin seeing each other’s content in your LinkedIn feeds. This exposure helps in building top-of-mind awareness, which can lead to inbound interactions. Your prospects might resonate with your posts, recognize a fitting opportunity, and reach out to you.
As an example, consider the following simple yet personalized connection request:
“Hey Rebecca, I found myself bringing your content and loved your recent post on [insert the topic of the post that you engaged with]. I thought the next natural step was to send you a connection request.
Let’s connect!
Best,
[Your Name]
In this message, you’ve not only referenced the specific content you engaged with but also initiated a connection in a friendly and engaging manner. Personal touches like this can make all the difference.
Check out more examples of the top LinkedIn invite messages.
Do you feel overwhelmed with sending connection requests to a growing list of prospects or leads? Consider using a reliable LinkedIn auto connect tool that allows you to send personalized LinkedIn connection requests in autopilot mood.
Learn how to send connection requests by email with Octopus CRM.
Stage 3: Converse
With connections established, it’s time to transition to the third stage of the e3c method – conversation. This stage is crucial for building rapport, understanding your prospect’s needs, and positioning yourself as a valuable resource.
Here are the key components of this stage:
Leading with Value
As you begin conversing with your prospects, make sure to lead with value. Avoid the temptation to immediately pitch your products or services. Instead, focus on understanding your prospect’s pain points and challenges.
Exploring Options
In this stage, you have several options:
Option 1: Responding to Connection Request Questions
If you included a question in your connection request, wait for your prospect to respond. Engage in a natural conversation based on their response.
Option 2: Continuing to Share Valuable Content
Keep sharing valuable content that resonates with your prospects. This can encourage them to engage with your posts and initiate conversations based on shared interests.
Option 3: Running a “Sell by Chat” Sequence
Consider running a “sell by chat” sequence if you’ve identified a potential pain point. For instance, you can start by asking questions that aim to uncover the prospect’s challenges. Then, offer solutions through typed responses or by providing valuable resources.
Utilizing Resources
If you have a relevant resource that addresses a prospect’s specific pain point, consider sharing it during the conversation. This can help build trust and activate reciprocity – when you do something helpful for someone, they’re more likely to reciprocate.
For example, you might say:
“Hey [Prospect’s Name],
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend.
I always like to ask new connections this question: What kind of content would be useful for you right now when it comes to selling on LinkedIn? It’s crucial to stay in tune with what sellers need help with.
I’ll also create some content to answer your question as a token of appreciation. Chat soon.
Best,
[Your Name]
In this example, you’re not only showing genuine interest in the prospect’s needs but also offering value by creating content tailored to their request.
Explore more examples of the LinkedIn cold message.
Once again, you may find it difficult or overwhelming to manually send messages on LinkedIn when you have to converse with a large list of prospects. This is where a LinkedIn automation tool like Octopus CRM allows you to automatically send messages in bulk on LinkedIn. The best part? The tool allows you to personalize your messages.
Learn everything you want to know about Octopus CRM LinkedIn lead generation tool.
Stage 4: Call or Referral
The fourth and final stage of the e3c method focuses on converting your conversations into action – whether that’s scheduling a call or making a referral.
Here’s how to navigate this critical stage:
Scheduling Calls
If your conversations reveal a strong fit between your offerings and the prospect’s needs, consider sending your calendar link. Tools like Acuity or Calendly can simplify the scheduling process, particularly when dealing with different time zones. This streamlined approach eliminates the hassle of manual back-and-forth scheduling.
Exploring Referral Opportunities
Not every conversation will lead to a direct sale, and that’s perfectly normal. Instead of abruptly ending the conversation, it is good to explore opportunities to assist your prospect in other ways. Could you introduce them to someone in your network who can provide the help they need? Perhaps you have valuable resources or insights that can guide them in the meantime.
This approach allows you to leave the door open for future interactions. You never know when your prospect might come back and say, “Hey, I have someone in my network who could use your expertise. Can I make an introduction?”
Moving to a Discovery or Sales Call
This is the stage where your conversations evolve into discovery or sales calls. Typically, starting with a 15-minute discovery call is more manageable and can lead to booking additional calls as needed.
The primary focus during this initial call is to address part of your prospect’s problem and, if appropriate, schedule a follow-up sales call. However, in some cases, if both you and the prospect have time, you may dive straight into a more in-depth conversation.
Before we close this article, you may want to explore more ways to tap into LinkedIn marketing to grow your business. Read our comprehensive guide on how to use outreach marketing for your business.
Conclusion
Mastering the e3c method for LinkedIn outreach in 2024 is a journey that combines strategy, authenticity, and patience. It’s a powerful approach that allows you to engage with high-quality prospects, build meaningful connections, and ultimately convert conversations into valuable business relationships.
So starting today, embrace social selling and adhere to the four stages of the best LinkedIn outreach strategy – Engage, Connect, Converse, and Call or Referral. You’ll not only stand out in a crowded marketplace but also establish yourself as a trusted partner in your industry.