Comments on: 3 Reasons LinkedIn Won't Help You Sell

By: TonyD

TonyD — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:22:09 +0000

Great article. It’s good to read something contrary to the hype.

By: Patrick OMalley

Patrick OMalley — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:47:45 +0000

First of all, I am a big Jil Konrath fan, and agree with her points. However, you make good contrarian opinions.

I also think that another great feature of LinkedIn is that it allows you to find connections when they move from one job to another. What if an old colleague changed jobs, didn’t tell you, and is now working at a company that you want to sell to?

This is another reason that I believe int he power on LinkedIn.

Thanks,

Pat O’Malley

http://www.PatrickOmalley.com

By: Polo

Polo — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 19:16:59 +0000

@Bob VL…. you said it in one sentece very well…

“… do not use LinkedIn as a sales tool because I caution this mode of intrusion, and/or the invasion of privacy.”….

If it is get linked to someone I know, it is fine. But I wouldn’t use it for prospecting, since a) I don’t want to hookup with someone I don’t know yet 2) missing value of recommendations

Linked allows now hide your contact list completely even from your contacts:

This setting is in “Connections Browse”

Inquisix

As such Linkedin is valuable to keep existing links but does not represent value of a recommendation. For this Inquisix is better. But these 2 services don’t compete necessary. It’s almost like comparing a Facebook with Myspace for example. Both are social networking sites but different proposition.

Jigsaw, Demandbase

Jigsaw and Demandbase are for purchase of self-maintained lists for cold calling. Also a different category.

Salesconx

Salesconox is an extreme case of misusing links (warm connections) and selling them for profit as lists. I think this particular service should be banned.

By: Bob VL

Bob VL — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:20:37 +0000

Absolutely correct Karen. That is why I mentioned that I do use LinkedIN for research and reference resources…and I will also look look down in the well : “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty”.

Thanks Karen!

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:33:55 +0000

re: Bob – agreed…but isn’t a big part of sales the prework and research you do about contacts and companies you are trying to get into?

If you don’t think this is important – I’d suggest you ready Harvey Mackay’s book “Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty”.

By: Bob VL

Bob VL — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:19:44 +0000

P.S.

There is yet another factor that I have not seen addressed as yet, and one that I am a bit uncomfortable with. I do not use LinkedIn as a sales tool because I caution this mode of intrusion, and/or the invasion of privacy.

Sure it is OK to use LI as a reference tool, and a research resource, and

I would feel a bit uncomfortable by “intruding” in this space just to sell somebody something.

By: Michael Kreppein

Michael Kreppein — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:06:09 +0000

Tom,

You should read Jan’s post on better ways to use online systems for getting referrals.

http://www.salesteamtools.com/2008/02/14/what-would-you-give-for-an-introduction-to-your-ideal-prospect/

By: Tom Blue

Tom Blue — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:40:30 +0000

I have never felt like LinkedIn was a good sales tool either. It can help if you are looking for specific executives and you want to find out more about them, but not for lead generation. The way we prospect at my company is by targeting growing companies, by email marketing, and getting referrals.

By: Stone Payton

Stone Payton — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:00:07 +0000

What a delight to find you Jan, and Sales Team Tools (lost track of you since “Eyes On Sales.”) I found this post — and the comment stream — so rich, I just had to let our own readers know about it.

I even surfaced the question at our monthly meeting (consortium of Atlanta area Marketing pros) this morning. Result: 8 experts, almost as many perspectives, lively discussion . . . several new ideas for leveraging LinkedIn and other vehicles.

Anyway — Thanks for raising the question!

- Stone

By: Bob VL

Bob VL — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:57:07 +0000

Ok, maybe we call LinkedIn a Social Business Network.

Use it for both social and business purposes, prospects, and as much in life, the two do overlap. I have many business associates as friends that I have never done business with. Vice Versa. Rather, as a NETWORKING tool, it is a good , uh network, to keep in touch with people in similar veins.

Reconnect and communicate with people we would not have the oppportunity to do wo if it were not for email and tools like LinkedIn. Personally, I do not “use” the tool for prospecting – rather I try to employ the opportunity to get in touch, and keep in touch with resources. My two cents.