Linked in for sales & retention how to set up a telephone conversation when someone has just invited you to connect

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LinkedIn for Sales & Retention
How to set up a telephone conversation with someone who has
just sent you an invitation to connect.
The situation: You have just received an invitation via LinkedIn from
someone who you believe can help move your sales agenda forward. It
could be that they are working in a company that is on your 'sales target'
listing, or maybe they a decision maker who can buy your service, or thirdly
they appear to be well connected in your target market. However, the
bottom line is that you want to start a networking relationship with them
sooner rather later!
What to do??????
Many sales professionals will merely click on the 'accept invite' button ...
and leave it at that. They will often leave it a couple of weeks (sometimes
months) before they will attempt to make contact. Worse again, some
people accept invitations and will never try and make contact with contacts
Hi David,

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who might be able to help with their prospecting efforts! If you any of these
three things you have just missed an opportunity to start a conversation
with a potentially useful networking contact!
Here's an alternative way of accepting an invitation ... that might just help
your prospecting efforts ......................
Next time: How to starting a networking conversation via Linked
Step 1:
Evaluate and accept the invite if you deem appropriate to do so.
Step 2:
Send your new connection a message (via LinkedIn) within 48 hours of
accepting their invitation.
The message should
• Thank them for sending you the invitation.
• It should also state that you are looking forward to being a useful
networking resource for them.
• Lastly, the email should suggest a conversation between both parties
to discuss how you might network together.

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Here is a worked example of what that message might look like:
Paula,
Thank you for inviting me to connect with you.
I hope I can become a useful networking source for you.
When I connect with a new contact I like to set up a telephone
conversation to try an understand how we might best network
together for mutual business gain. When might suit you for this call
over the next few weeks?
David
Remember - they invited you to connect with them for business networking
purposes. Therefore, you are merely being consistent with their request by
asking for the next logical step in developing the relationship - a
conversation. The key to using the methodology is to 'strike while the iron
is hot' - You must follow up with step two within 48 hours of accepting their
invite.
Try it out ... it's not pushy it's just being assertive!
Ends
Next Time: - How to set up a conversation with someone when they have
just accepted your invitation to connect via LinkedIn.

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davemalonesalescoach
More tips and resources freely available at
www.insidesales.ie