BellaZinga.Blog

Tag: Social Media

  • Why “Connect and Pitch” is a Bad Strategy on LinkedIn: A Cautionary Tale Featuring “John”

    Why “Connect and Pitch” is a Bad Strategy on LinkedIn: A Cautionary Tale Featuring “John”

    Let’s be real for a second. LinkedIn is supposed to be the professional equivalent of a dinner party—polite introductions, meaningful conversations, and maybe a connection or two. So, when someone treats it like a cold-calling free-for-all, it’s like they showed up, skipped the niceties, and started selling Tupperware.

    Cue “John.” John is the embodiment of everything wrong with the “connect and pitch” strategy. Here’s our delightful interaction, broken down for your amusement and education: (The names and some information have been changed or X’d out to protect the—ahem—innocent).

    —

    John:

    Hey Jill,

    Great to connect.

    Reason for the message is I already work with quite a few [XXXX]. I’m a [XXXX] who specifically works with [XXXX] to burn up to 30 lbs of body fat, [XXXX], and increase [XXXX] in 90 days without fad diets or living in the gym.

    I would love to see if I can hook you up with some free trainings on how they’re burning up to 30lbs of body fat, increasing their [XXXX], and [XXXX] levels.

    Lemme know below if you’re open to it (totally cool either way).

    Have an awesome day,

    John

    —

    Me:

    Radio silence. Because, you know, I’m a busy, career-driven individual. Scratch that. I’m a frazzled autism momma doing it solo, desperately trying to switch career paths in my late 50’s, who doesn’t have time for unsolicited pitches.

    —

    John (a few days later):

    Just bumping this up to the top of your inbox in case you forgot to reply?

    —

    Me:

    I didn’t forget to reply, John. I didn’t want to reply. I dislike it when you can’t even be bothered to establish a relationship or find out what I’m all about before hitting me up for my business. No warm-up there at all and certainly no reciprocity.

    (I know, I know, I was harsh…but I’m just so tired of these kinds of interactions…and I should point out, it’s 90% men who do this. Coincidink? Me thinks not…but I digress).

    —

    John:

    Hey Jill, never asked for business, was simply offering free resources. And I do build a relationship with those I do who appreciate the help, as I obviously can’t help anyone unless I get to know them and their situation better, which you were closed off to doing, which is no problem at all. All the best!

    —

    Me (fully done with John’s nonsense):

    John, where do I even begin?

    First, if I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that nothing is free.

    Second, why would you reach out with the assumption I needed to lose weight?

    Third, we both know that your approach is the epitome of the connect and pitch, which is just tacky and spammy. I’ve included a link to an article explaining why this strategy is a bad idea: Connect and Pitch Is As Low As You Can Go On LinkedIn

    Fourth, trying to gaslight me into thinking that wasn’t your intention is not a good look… and yes, that was gaslighting.

    Fifth, I’m a level 4/5 master coach with 30 years of experience training elite athletes. I’ve got an honours degree in kinesiology and have spent three decades learning about energy systems, sports injuries, on and off-ice training, nutrition, etc.

    Perhaps if you had gotten to know me before pitching me, you might have known that.

    You sound like a smart, driven, accomplished person. Please take this as feedback on how to approach new prospects in a way that will serve you better and not appear so spammy.

    Seriously, it turns people off—especially women like me. And if I’m your target market, I’ve just given you some valuable insight. 

    Take it or leave it.

    —

    Why the “Connect and Pitch” Strategy is a Lose-Lose (Starring John’s Final Reply)

    Ah, John. He couldn’t resist one last parting shot to truly drive home why the “connect and pitch” strategy is a universal turnoff. Let’s add his grand finale to our cautionary tale:

    —

    John:

    Thanks for your response, Jill! To be honest, you’re the first person it’s turned off, so I’ll continue to take my business advice from my trusted business mentors. And again, yes, I’m offering free resources and trainings.

    —

    Let’s pause for a second. This response is the chef’s kiss of dismissive backpedalling. But before we dissect the flaws, let’s address this whole “free resources” argument.

    Why “Free” Isn’t Actually Free

    John’s insistence that he’s offering something “free” might sound altruistic, but let’s not kid ourselves—it’s Marketing 101. Free resources are a lead generation tactic designed to build trust, showcase expertise, and eventually convert prospects into paying customers. It’s not inherently bad—when done right, it can provide real value.

    But here’s the catch: If you push these resources before building any trust or understanding, it reeks of insincerity. John’s foot-in-the-door approach might work on some, but for others—like me—it comes across as disingenuous and manipulative.

    Addressing John’s Final Defense

    1. “You’re the first person it’s turned off…”

    Sure, John. I’m the lone outlier in a sea of delighted recipients. Or maybe I’m just the first person to tell you directly that this tactic is irritating. Most people would ghost or block you instead of bothering to give constructive feedback.

    2. “I’ll continue to take my business advice from my trusted mentors…”

    Translation: “I’m dismissing your valid critique because it doesn’t align with my current strategy.” Cool, John. Just remember that even trusted mentors can be wrong sometimes, especially if they’re peddling outdated or spammy approaches.

    3. “Yes, I’m offering free resources and trainings…”

    And yes, we all know what that really means: “I’m offering free resources to hook you into my sales funnel.” Again, nothing wrong with this strategy if it’s done with authenticity and respect for the other person’s time and needs.

    Why This Approach Fails (Again)

    John’s refusal to acknowledge my feedback illustrates exactly why “connect and pitch” falls flat:

    • It’s One-Sided: He’s not open to hearing constructive criticism. If you’re unwilling to adapt, you’re limiting your potential to improve.
    • It Undermines Credibility: Doubling down on a questionable strategy doesn’t inspire confidence.
    • It’s Short-Sighted: Burning bridges with one potential connection to defend a flawed tactic is a loss in the long run.

    The Final Lesson

    “Free” is never really free, and everyone knows it. Offering resources isn’t the issue—plenty of people genuinely appreciate helpful content. The problem lies in the delivery. If you shove your resources at someone without first building trust or understanding their needs, it feels like a bait-and-switch.

    To all the Johns out there: If your strategy depends on flooding people’s inboxes with generic pitches, maybe take a step back. Listen to feedback. Adapt. Because let’s be real: For every person who tolerates your approach, there are probably ten others rolling their eyes and clicking “unfollow.”

    As for me, I’ll keep building connections the old-fashioned way—with sincerity, respect, and maybe even a little humour. And John? I sincerely hope he takes this as the tough love it’s meant to be.

    Let me know your thoughts—especially if you’ve had your own “John” encounter. Together, we can make LinkedIn a little less cringe-worthy and a lot more authentic.

    — Jill

  • The DOs and DON’Ts of Using Social Media to Attract Customers to Your Small Business

    The DOs and DON’Ts of Using Social Media to Attract Customers to Your Small Business

    You’ve done the research, made a plan, worked yourself to the bone, and your business is finally up and running. Congratulations! It’s time to push your business to the next level with social media. But wait, where do you even begin? Don’t worry; we’re here to help. 

    In this blog, we’ll be discussing the essential dos and don’ts of social media for small businesses. With this guide, you’ll be able to use the power of social media to benefit your business. So curl up with a hot chocolate, and let’s get started!

    Do’s for Social Media Engagement

    There’s no doubt about it; social media is a necessary step in the success of your startup. In fact, a recent survey found that a whopping 55% of consumers polled found new products exclusively through social media! Why not make that statistic work to your advantage with these pointers?

    1. DO be Consistent

    We know you’ve got a lot on your plate, and finding time to post weekly or even daily on social media can be overwhelming, but it’s key to attracting more followers. Whether you’re just starting on social media or an experienced user, keeping your profiles active and attention-worthy is essential to building a solid presence. 

    The challenge for many is finding the time to post frequently and interact with followers. These tips will help you get a leg up on your social media posting schedule: 

    • Plan ahead: Dedicate a few weekly hours to plan your content and draft posts, making it easier to keep your profiles active and generate interest. 
    • Utilize tools: Many great tools exist that can help you manage your social media accounts. Use scheduling tools to automatically post at times that suit you, and set up notifications to remind yourself when it’s time to post. Canva is a great tool for this!
    • Take advantage of user-generated content: User-generated content (UGC) is material your followers create and share with you. This is a great way to keep your posts fresh and dynamic. Look no further than TikTok for this example, where you can share and duet with other users.
    • Leverage influencers: Reaching out and interacting with influencers, or people with large followings, can effectively get more followers. Look for influencers in your local industry and ask them to collaborate or share your content. Always make sure you give more than you get; it’s bad form not to reciprocate.

    2. DO Socialize With Your Followers

    When it comes to connecting with followers, there is one tried and true method that always works: engagement. Authentically and constructively interacting is the key to building meaningful relationships with your followers. 

    When you share with your followers, you show them that you are active, care about their opinions, and are interested in their feedback. Here are some tips for engaging with potential customers: 

    • Reply to comments: Responding to comments is one of the most important ways to engage with your followers because it shows that you are listening and encourages further communication. 
    • Ask questions: Asking your followers questions is an easy way to get them involved in the conversation.
    • Share stories: Share stories about your experiences or those of people you know, which will help build relationships and make your followers feel like they know you better.

    3. DO use Visuals

    When it comes to standing out on social media, it’s all about the visuals. We’ve all heard the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and when using social media to attract clients, the images you use are critical. Think of pictures as a way to capture the interest of your target audience. 

    You want to be sure to grab their attention and make them stop scrolling. The right image can be the difference between someone stopping to look at your post or quickly moving on to the next one. But it’s not just about choosing a thought-provoking picture or graphic. You also want to be sure that the images you use are high-quality and relevant to your message. 

    Low-quality digital content can be a real turnoff, and if they aren’t relevant to the message you’re trying to convey, they’re likely to be overlooked. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your images on social media:

    • Use high-quality graphics: High-quality images make a much bigger impression than low-quality ones. If you’re not sure what counts as high quality, try to stick to sharp, clear, and vibrant pictures. If possible, use images tailored to your social media platform. For example, use square pictures on Instagram and landscape images on Twitter. 
    • Choose visuals that reflect your brand: Your images should be an extension of your brand and be consistent with your brand’s message and identity. If you’re a fashion brand, use pictures of beautiful clothing and stylish people. If you’re a tech company, use images of tech gadgets and cutting-edge technology. 
    • Showcase your work: Showing off your products is a great way to attract potential clients. Use pictures of your finished projects to show potential clients what you can do. This strategy will help them better understand your capabilities and see if you’re the right fit for them.

    4. DO Experiment With Different Platforms

    With so many platforms out there, it can take time to decide which ones are best for your specific business. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Different applications work better for different companies, so it’s essential to experiment with a few before settling on one that works for you. 

    Here are some tips to help you decide which platforms will be the most effective for your business:

    • Consider your audience: Different platforms appeal to different audiences. Think about who your customers are and what apps they’re most likely to be using. That’ll help you narrow down your choices. 
    • Determine your goals: What do you want to achieve with your online presence? Do you want to drive sales, build awareness, or simply provide information? Knowing your goals will help you focus on the platforms that can help you reach them. 
    • Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try out different applications to see which ones work best for your business. You might find that one works better for sales and another for customer service.

    Don’ts for Attracting Customers on Social Media

    1. Don’t Spam People

    Nothing is worse than being hit with a barrage of posts from the same company day after day. Keep your postings to a few times a week, and ensure you’re offering engaging and relevant information. 

    2. Don’t be too Salesy

    Nobody likes feeling like they’re being sold to, so make sure your posts don’t appear too pushy. Offer helpful tips, advice, and stories showing your company’s personality and expertise. 

    3. Don’t Skimp on Visuals

    Yes, we’re mentioning this again because it is so important! Social media is a visual medium, so make sure your posts are eye-catching and appealing. Include high-quality images and videos to make your posts stand out. 

    4. Don’t Forget to Engage

    Another tip worth mentioning again (don’t worry, there’s no quiz at the end of this; we just want you to remember it). Don’t just post and forget. Make sure you’re interacting with your followers and responding to their comments and messages. This ability to socialize and empathize with them will help build relationships and trust with your followers.

    Now Get Out There and Post!

    Deciphering the social media code may seem overwhelming at first. But by following these tips, you’ll find it easier to develop a strategy that works for your business and drives customers to the door. Just remember, don’t aim for perfection; all that matters is that you do get started! Mistakes will be made, but that’s how you learn!

    Did I miss anything? How do you engage your client base through social media? Share what works for you by commenting, then like and share this blog with your friends!