"It looks like we have mutual connections" 🤦‍♂️ [STOP DOING THIS]

Any time you send a LinkedIn connection request, and you use the line "It looks like we have mutual connections" in it, I KNOW you are going to connect-and-ptich me. So what do I do with your request? I ignore it...same goes for stalkers.


Who the fuck cares if we have mutual connections? I don't know who I've connected to on LinkedIn anymore after a decade on the platform. I get that sometimes you're using automated tools to send out connections in bulk, but let's stop for a second and think about how we could improve this tactic.


Why not pick one of those mutual connections and create a "why you, why you now" style message like:


"Hey PBC, I see you're connected to [insert name of someone at a customer account]. Did you know we work with their team to help them overcome [challenges your platform solves for that is relevant to me]? I would love to connect with you to understand if we can help your team do the same."


You've created social proof, made the message relevant, and have removed the dread of accepting your request. I would accept this message 8/10 times...and I am sure other leaders would, too. Give it was a whirl, and if it works, send me three fiddy.

💌 Cold Emailing
👥 Social Selling
👨‍💻 LinkedIn
61
funcoupons
WR Officer
21
👑
Bringing the fire, bro. I wholeheartedly agree. 

I'd like to add a tip for recruiters. Do not tell me that "my experience looks to make me a great fit for this open role," unless it actually does. Hiring an AE? Okay. Hiring for a software engineer? First off, don't message me - and second, definitely don't tell me that my sales experience will help me build software. WTF. 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
9
SaaS Eater
This one kills me, I have 5+ years experience managing MM SaaS sales at this point. When I get a LinkedIn recruiter pitching me an entry level AE role my blood boils. 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
8
🦊
I about had a come apart on the last one that did this to me.
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
4
SaaS Eater
Ya its brutal. I don't think I have responded to one in probably 3 years now. 
BmajoR
Arsonist
4
Account Executive
You should send them a reading comprehension course in response. 
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
5
SaaS Eater
I used to do this type of thing, then realized im just shitting on a bad salesperson and that doesn't help anyone so I got off my high horse and just started ignoring them lol
Sunbunny31
Politicker
1
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
We have a BDR position...

AAAaaargh!
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
8
☕️
Relevance, relevance, relevance. Gotta have it, or you look like a chump!
RandyMoss
Politicker
5
Account Executive
Love the add about recruiters! I've been AE/Territory Manager/Enterprise for the last 5 years and I got an InMail from a recruiter saying exactly that about my experience. He was trying to hire for a beginner BDR/SDR role. Did you even LOOK at my profile, sir?? SMH. To the point of the original post - I understand the automated tools to send bulk messages, spray & pray, etc. But, recruiters, please do an OUNCE of research to avoid wasting each other's time.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
7
🦊
The answer is no, no they do not. I also feel your pain.
UrAssIsSaaS
Arsonist
6
SaaS Eater
Lol didnt see your repsonse and just said the exact same thing 

Prunetracey
Fire Starter
0
VP Growth
Same

Prunetracey
Fire Starter
2
VP Growth
I've had more recruiters than I can count call me about an SDR or AE role that my "experience looks good for". Whilst I would never back down from making calls with my teams, please read my experience. You really think I'm going to take a $200K pay cut? 

Fair dinkum.....
Sunbunny31
Politicker
2
Sr Sales Executive 🐰
Ah, we've had the same LI messages.   "I read your impressive profile.  We are hiring for an AEM developer role...." 

No, no you did not read my profile.

Though it is impressive.
CuriousFox
WR Officer
9
🦊
I understand what you're saying. The issue stems from influencers giving people the advice to send the mutual connection request. IMO of course. 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
6
☕️
My advice to influencers: go influence someone into giving you FT role and find something to keep yourself engaged.
funcoupons
WR Officer
5
👑
Go influence yourself to be more than a disappointment to your parents and the housefly of the internet.
Incognito
WR Officer
7
Master of Disaster
CAN I UPVOTE THIS 4848595 TIMES PLZ

The sheer volume of automated dumbass messages on LI has ruined it for everyone. 
paddy
WR Officer
5
Director of Business Development
GET THIS MAN HIS OFFICER STATUS ALREADY
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
@sahil you heard the man. Induct me, post haste. Please.
sahil
Notable Contributor
1
Deepak Chopra of Sales
Only Corp decides who is an officer. Will bring it up to his highness
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
4
War Room Enthusiast
Who would have guessed tailored messages would work better than generic ones…
FamilyTruckster
Politicker
3
Exec Director, Major Accounts
The statement “looks like” drives me bonkers. Either we do, or we don’t. Looks like you’re an idiot. 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
This! "Yes, that is a fact...what do you want?"
someoneinsales
Tycoon
2
Director of Sales
Couldn’t agree more! Be upfront about what you want. Don’t slide into the DMs with I see we have the same connections let’s be friends….then when they open the door you are standing there asking if they have 15 minutes to save 15% on car insurance. Get your shit together
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
7
☕️
If it's a gecko...I might say yes. If it's that vampire Flo...I'm saying no.
someoneinsales
Tycoon
2
Director of Sales
Right! Flo can’t even go to the beach with out spazzing out! Or cock blocking in the laundry unit. The gecko would actually be a pretty chill conversation with no pressure.
antiASKHOLE
Tycoon
2
Bravado's Resident Asshole
"It appears we both have genitals.. might I be able to introduce you to something that will help take care of those for you?"... the real backdoor approach. 
DungeonsNDemos
Big Shot
2
Rolling 20's all day
lmao, my favorite is when they bring up "having mutual interests that we can benefit each other" or some crap like that. 
And then it turns out they have some weird, completely unrelated to you and your business. 
mitts2
Politicker
1
Account Executive
Bringing even 2% of personalization into a connection request goes a long way. I only respond to recruiters if there is a shred of proof that you actually looked at my profile and cared enough to reference something real. Same goes for outbounding. Show you took the time and you have a reason for reaching out. 

"Why you, Why now?" is going to be engraved on my headstone
NoSuperhero
Politicker
1
BDR LEAD
Great timing for this post as in our team we're reworking messaging for linkedin and emails.
beerisforclosers
Politicker
1
Account Manager
PREACH. Show me some value don't crawl into my Inbox looking for something from me with no relevance.
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
Got another one today from a current vendor, asking if I would like to connect with them because we have mutual connections. Guess who I am mutually connected to: our account manager...
Coffeesforclosers
Notable Contributor
1
Director Sales and Market Development
Spend money on the MF'in inmail assholes!! Sorry stole some of this in my post but it happened 4x today and i had enough lol
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
0
Business Development Manager
What do you consider a stalker?

I will follow and engage with someone before I send a connection request. That way they might recognize me from the interactions on their posts.

Would this fall into your stalker bucket? 
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
A stalker is someone who views my profile near-daily, sends a request that I ignore, and keep sending them to me.
TheLaughingWolf
WR Officer
1
Business Development Manager
Got ya. That would be pretty annoying. 
LordBusiness
Politicker
0
Chief Revenue Officer
Preach. I’ll sometime have my team as me “I saw your connected with X, can you introduce me” ….Umm, I connected with the person when you were in junior high, if I knew them well enough to intro you, don’t you think they’d be buying from us already 🙄
Mr.Saucey
Valued Contributor
0
Commercial Account Executive
Or 4/5 times
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
Can't lie, this made me chuckle.
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
Hey PBC, I see we are both connected to Jim.  What a douche, am I right?  Anyway, we should connect and talk about him over a beer.  What do ya say?
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
4
☕️
I say yes. No sales for you, but I'll drink a beer.
goose
Politicker
0
Sales Executive
I'll put it on the Gong expense account...
6

So, most people I know did not plan on becoming a sales person initially, it just happened. So, curious to know how my fellow warriors here ended up in sales anyway ? The more interesting stories the better..!!

Question
7
12
Members only

You talk to a friend after a while and they ask you to stop sounding like a salesperson.

Question
34
What do you do?
22% End friendship
38% Start evaluating life choices
40% Ask other savages what they'd do
58 people voted
6

What's something ridiculous you've done to earn your way onto a prospect's shit list?

Question
2