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We’ve just hit £30K per month in revenue for a product launched only 10 months ago. If we were to start over today, here’s the roadmap we’d follow to secure those first 10 customers and then methodically power up to the next 100.
Launching a product can feel as thrilling—and occasionally as nerve-wracking—as setting foot into a wilderness. But one of the simplest ways to navigate early challenges is to lean on your existing network. This often-overlooked approach can be transformative when carried out with intention.
When you reach out, avoid leading with, “Can I sell you something?” Instead, invite your potential contacts to share their expertise. A well-framed query might be:“We’re launching something in this space. I know you’ve encountered a lot of solutions in your field. Could I bounce a few ideas off you for next year’s product strategy?”
Interestingly, in about one out of five cases, the person will respond with, “Let’s talk about how we might use this.” When they broach the subject first, it shifts the conversation dynamic and creates a more receptive environment for genuine collaboration. Remember, out of 100 such calls, only 8 may be with the right person—but the entire 100 will guide you in identifying who that right person might be.
LinkedIn can be a fertile watering hole for finding and engaging the professionals who align with your offering. Much like an ecologist attempting to attract specific pollinators, it’s crucial to understand your audience’s habits and craft the right signals.
Define Your Target Audience
Before you post a single update, construct a detailed persona of your ideal customer. Picture their demographic profile, job titles, and the issues they grapple with. For example, you might zero in on a “VP of Content at a 1,000-person DTC brand” who must juggle strategy, analytics, and team leadership.
Plan Your Content Calendar
Maintain consistency by scheduling three LinkedIn posts per week. This regular tempo ensures your audience knows exactly when to expect fresh insights. Tools such as Google Calendar or Trello can be your daily field guides.
Generate Content Ideas
Keep a note-taking tool at the ready for whenever inspiration strikes. If a colleague mentions a problem mid-meeting or you stumble upon an illuminating case study, jot it down. Over time, you’ll gather a thriving repository of ideas to share with your connections.
Create Engaging Content
Engage With Your Network:
Dialogue is the lifeblood of LinkedIn. When someone reacts to your post, respond thoughtfully. Share others’ content, and join discussions in your feed. Genuine engagement can set off a ripple effect, expanding your influence beyond your immediate circle.
Analyze and Iterate:
Pay close attention to metrics like likes, shares, comments, and click-throughs. Like any good scientist reviewing experimental data, use these insights to refine what resonates best with your audience.
Build Your Network:
Steadily expand your circle by sending personalized connection requests to individuals in your field. A quick note explaining why you find their work intriguing often increases acceptance rates—and sets a warmer tone for future conversations.
Overcome the Initial Hurdles:
At first, your posts may not garner massive engagement. Just as in field research, perseverance is crucial. Each post is a test, a chance to observe patterns and learn from feedback. Keep at it, refine your approach, and soon enough, you’ll find your stride.
Constructing a robust LinkedIn network is akin to nurturing a micro-ecosystem: each meaningful connection can either flourish into mutual growth or remain a dormant link. Below is a systematic approach for adding prospects to your network in a way that feels authentic and enduring.
Identify Your Prospects
Aim to pinpoint 25 new prospects weekly—be they potential clients, collaborators, or thought leaders in your domain. LinkedIn’s search and Groups features can help you home in on the precise profiles you need.
Send Connection Requests
Understand Acceptance RatesTypically, only about 20% of your requests will translate into connections. Out of the 25 you send each week, expect five to be accepted. Don’t be discouraged; rejection or silence is a normal part of the networking environment.
Avoid Immediate Messaging
Once a prospect accepts your request, resist the urge to message them straight away. Give the relationship room to breathe before diving deeper.
Engage Through Content
When new connections join your network, they’ll see your posts in their feed—your chance to stand out.
Build Relationships
Over time, consistent visibility and engagement can transform casual connections into genuine professional alliances.
Imagine a communal resource—a place where peers and industry professionals naturally gather to share knowledge. Watering hole posts fulfill that role on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
Finally, let’s talk about reaching out to the new contacts in your LinkedIn circle. The goal here is not to fire off an aggressive sales pitch, but rather to extend an invitation for a deeper dialogue—one that could evolve into a lasting connection.
Reconnect With Purpose
Reach out to individuals who connected with you about a month ago or showed interest in your posts. This spacing allows the contact to feel organic rather than forced.
Personalize Your Approach
Tailor each message to the person’s background, referencing any mutual interests or industry overlaps you’ve observed. This sense of familiarity often warms them to further discussion.
Offer Value, Not a Pitch
Propose a test run of your product or an exclusive look at a feature in development. Framing it as a chance for them to offer feedback positions them as co-creators, not just targets.
“Hi [Name],
I noticed your recent engagement with my post on [specific topic], and I really appreciated your insights.
We’re testing out a new feature that aligns with your expertise in [relevant field].
I’d love for you to try it and share your feedback, as it will help us refine the final version.
Let me know if you’re interested, and I can set up a brief trial.
Best,
[Your Name]”
Emphasize Their Influence
Think of your connection as a valued collaborator who can shape your product’s trajectory. Highlight how their commentary will impact final decisions or future directions.
Foster Open Dialogue
Encourage them to share experiences or challenges they’re facing. These candid moments often uncover hidden insights that can inspire product improvements.
Maintain Regular Engagement
Keep them in the loop about significant milestones—especially those directly influenced by their suggestions. When people realize they’ve shaped your product, they’re more inclined to champion it.
Build Long-Term Relationships
Over time, some of these contacts may become dedicated customers or trustworthy evangelists who amplify your reach by sharing success stories or referrals.
Analyze and Adapt
Collect data on response rates, feedback quality, and conversion metrics. Continuously refine your strategy based on what resonates. The insights you gather now lay the groundwork for each subsequent outreach cycle.
By weaving together personal connections, consistent content strategies, and value-driven engagement, you can replicate a structure that has guided us to $300K per month—and possibly beyond. Like any carefully orchestrated ecological system, success lies in understanding the dynamics at play, nurturing the right relationships, and adapting swiftly to new data.
😈
k bye.