You're struggling to connect with leads on social media. How can you engage without coming off as pushy?

I have always believed in value driven contents and deliverables, these are vital ingredients to gaining traction on the media space. I quite agree that the audience are more interested in information that touches their mind and related to their experiences rather than fictional messages.

It comes down to authenticity. Share valuable content, ask questions, and listen to your audience's needs. Building meaningful connections takes time, so focus on adding value rather than just selling. That approach will help you build trust and engagement naturally.

When struggling to connect with leads on social media, engaging in a genuine way is important. Here are some strategies to consider: 1. Don't be generic! Tailor comments & messages to show you care (mention their profile or past interactions). 2. Share helpful content relevant to their needs, showing expertise without selling. 3. Engage leads in conversations by asking thoughtful questions related to their needs or pain points. 4. Instead of immediately pitching your product or service, offer to help leads in a non-sales way. 5. Focus on long-term connections, not quick wins. Please respond to comments and show genuine interest. 6. Share real stories about your brand, customers, or experiences to connect on a human level.

Leading with value on social media is crucial for establishing genuine connections. By addressing your leads' pain points and interests, you position yourself as a trusted advisor rather than a pushy salesperson. For instance, sharing a case study on how your strategy improved a client's ROI can resonate deeply with potential leads facing similar challenges. This not only showcases your expertise but also builds credibility. "Your network is your net worth. Provide value consistently, and you'll never run out of leads."

Social media isn't about blasting out sales pitches. It's about building relationships through valuable content. By consistently providing insights that address their needs, you become a trusted resource, making them more receptive to your IT consulting services when the time comes. Don't be afraid to showcase your human side. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your company culture or team expertise. This personal touch fosters connection and makes your IT consulting firm more relatable to potential clients.

A good listener will mostly be a good speaker or mentor, when you pay rapt attention to the views of others in a conversation, it will provide you an opportunity to see things from other’s perspective and perhaps proffer a better solution to a problem.

I start by paying attention to what my leads are posting and engaging with their content thoughtfully. By commenting on their posts, asking questions, and showing genuine interest in their needs and challenges, I can build a rapport without coming off as pushy. This approach helps create a more natural and meaningful connection.

Social listening is more than just eavesdropping. By actively engaging and understanding their online conversations, you become a trusted voice in their community. This genuine approach builds relationships, fosters trust, and ultimately attracts high-quality leads who are already familiar with your value proposition. Don't be afraid to participate in industry discussions. Share your IT consulting expertise by offering insightful comments and engaging with relevant influencers. This establishes you as a thought leader and positions your firm as a go-to resource for their specific IT needs.

Focus on building genuine relationships without being pushy. Start by engaging with their content—like, comment, and share posts that resonate with you. Send thoughtful messages that reference something specific from their profile, like a recent achievement or shared interest. Offer valuable insights or resources that align with their needs instead of a hard sell. For example, if they post about needing marketing tips, share an article or your own experience. Show you’re there to help, not just to sell.

People buy from people they know, like, and trust. Social media personalization helps you achieve exactly that. By demonstrating that you see them as individuals and understand their needs, you foster genuine connections that convert into high-quality leads who are receptive to your IT consulting expertise. Leverage social media listening tools to identify relevant conversations and track brand mentions. This allows you to personalize your outreach at scale and engage with leads at the right moment with the right message, making your IT consulting services stand out from the crowd.

For email lead-gen, research the time-frames where your prospects are most likely to be active and make sure to do your outreach accordingly. If you're doing LinkedIn outreach, then it's always best to reach out to your prospect if they're online. Time is the silent deal-breaker, so when a lead responds they are 21 times more likely to enter the sales process when contacted within 5 minutes compared to 30.

Social media is a busy stream. By strategically engaging when it matters most, you cut through the noise and grab leads' attention. They see you as a knowledgeable consultant who genuinely cares about their needs, not just another social media lurker.

Timing is crucial in all aspects of lead generation. Engaging with posts or DMing your target prospects in the middle of the night isn’t going to do you much good! Always check where your target prospect is located to get a sense of when they might be active. Turn on notifications for their posts so you can interact quickly and effectively. By reaching out at the right time, your engagement will be more impactful and appreciated.

Keep track of your 'hit list' and engage with them regularly when relevant to you. Soft engagement is even more important in B2B, where deal values are higher and the customer journey is longer. Consistent, thoughtful engagement over weeks can make it appropriate to reach out directly—or even better, they might reach out to you!

Often, your target client may not even realise what kind of help they need. If you have some extra time, you can proactively identify the problem they're facing and offer a solution for free. This approach can make a significant impact and build goodwill. However, it’s important to strike a balance between offering valuable assistance and not overextending yourself. This strategy is particularly useful if you’re just starting out or if there's someone specific you want to impress and build a strong relationship with. By being thoughtful and selective about when and how you offer help, you can create opportunities for meaningful connections and potential business growth.

As with any digital marketing effort, it’s essential to track and analyse your progress and outreach efforts. Personalised outreach can be challenging to measure because each message is unique. However, after engaging in thoughtful interactions and conversations, you can refine and analyse your initial 'sales' message to see what works best. Additionally, track metrics such as the industry of your prospects, company size, and location. This data helps you understand which target prospects are most responsive to your efforts, allowing you to fine-tune your strategy for better results. Consistent tracking and analysis will enable you to adapt and optimise your outreach approach over time.