Every business out there needs to grow, and if you’re not landing clients, it’s likely because your outreach strategy isn’t working. If you’re sending messages and not getting responses, there’s a good chance it’s because your approach needs fine-tuning.
Most people make the same mistake when reaching out, they rely on compliments and polite flattery to break the ice. If this sounds like you, your emails or DMs probably look a bit like this:
“Hey, I was scrolling through your Instagram and came across your post on productivity. Great stuff! Anyway, I’ve got an idea that could boost your sales. Can I send it over?”
While this seems harmless, it’s not a great way to make an impression. It comes off as overly complimentary and a little desperate. If someone walked up to you and said, “You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met! Can I grab five minutes of your time?” you’d probably feel a bit uncomfortable.
The truth is, business owners can spot when someone is trying to butter them up just to get something in return. It’s time to switch up the game. Below are four outreach strategies that can help you stand out, gain attention, and actually land clients.
1. The “You’re Busy, So I’ll Get to It” Opener
Business owners don’t have time to read long introductions or fluffy compliments. Instead of acting like their biggest fan, acknowledge their busy schedule. Something like this:
“Hey, I know you’ve probably got a lot going on, but I wanted to quickly point out something that could save you some time.”
Or, if you know they’ve been occupied with meetings:
“I realize you’re likely buried in back-to-back Zoom calls, but I didn’t want to sit on this without sharing it with you.”
By addressing their busy lifestyle right away, you show that you respect their time. It’s a subtle way of connecting with them on a professional level while keeping things casual.
2. The “Straight to the Point” Approach
No one likes fluff, especially when they have a business to run. Instead of easing into your message, try hitting them with a quick observation that’s relevant to their business.
“I noticed your website takes a bit longer to load, which could be affecting user experience. Thought you’d want to know.”
It’s concise, direct, and shows you’ve already looked into something specific. This tactic proves you’ve done your homework and makes your message feel more valuable right from the start.
3. Make It Personal with a Quick Video
Standing out on social media platforms like LinkedIn can be tough, but sending a short video message can make a huge difference. It feels more personal, and most people don’t take the time to do it, so it automatically sets you apart.
You can try something like this in a 30-second clip:
“Hey [Name], I saw your latest post about business growth and had a quick idea on how you could improve client engagement. If you’re open to it, let me know, and I’ll give you a brief overview.”
This approach works because it’s quick and it shows you’ve taken the time to speak directly to them. It feels genuine and avoids the robotic feel of a typical copy/paste message.
4. Humor: The Great Attention Grabber
People love to laugh, and humor is a great way to break through the monotony of business talk. If you can make someone smile while pitching them an idea, you’ve already won half the battle.
For example, try something like this:
“I signed up for your newsletter and didn’t get hit with a flood of value (yet), but I’ve got a couple ideas that could make your content even more engaging.”
This light, humorous approach is refreshing and helps you stand out from the generic pitches filling their inbox. It also shows you’re someone who’s easy to talk to, which can be a big plus in building business relationships.
Final Thoughts
If your outreach isn’t working, it’s likely because it feels too generic or overly complimentary. Business owners want to know how you can help them, not just hear about how great they are.
By being direct, personal, and a little creative, you can craft messages that get noticed and start real conversations. Focus on being authentic and offering value right from the start.
Good luck, and let me know how these strategies work for you!
