Using One-to-One Communication to Build Your “List”

List building is something you’ve no doubt heard of when digging into ways to grow your business. One effective approach to building your list is en mass outreach through social media, email marketing, speaking, and writing. An additional tactic you should consider is direct outreach. While not as quick or straightforward to scale, proactively connecting with potential clients, business partners, and decision-makers one-to-one via social, email, text message, or a good ole fashion phone call can be a game-changer.

Before we discuss how to get started with a direct outreach strategy, it’s crucial to ensure you understand this is not the same as spamming or ‘cold calling,’ or any other type of unsolicited messaging. Yep, those weird in-mail messages on Linked In – not what we’re suggesting. To be clear, direct outreach takes time and should begin with authenticity.

Direct outreach requires you to look for ideal prospective clients, business partners, and decision-makers consistently and in various locations. Then, once you have identified someone you ‘need to know,’ you find an authentic way to connect one-to-one. Hopefully, your carefully constructed outreach will open the doors to a conversation that will lead to your regular communication and a deeper relationship over time. As you continue to nurture the relationship, you will naturally find options in your sales cycle (whether it’s paying for something or taking advantage of some free options) for potential clients that would prove valuable. And, for those that are not potential clients, you will naturally find ways to work together and strengthen one another’s’ pursuits.

Ready to learn the steps to getting started?

Here they are:

on social channels, search for hashtags relevant to your target market, the benefit you provide, and products or services you offer or are similar to what you offer
based on your search, you’ll find groups, companies, and individuals that might be of interest; make a list and start reviewing their accounts and activity to confirm relevancy
extend your search by looking at suggestions or similar groups, companies, individuals after your initial research and repeat #2

Now, you should have a targeted list to start connecting. Focus on the top 10 to begin. Get to know those on your hit list by joining the group (or asking to join the group) or following.

Follow these steps to progress the relationship at a steady pace and earn the right to connect via direct message, email, or other types of direct messaging:

Consume – read the articles they post, attend the scheduled lives, watch later, look at the pictures, etc.
React – when it strikes you (and it’s authentic), like or otherwise express your positive reaction to the content
Comment – after several likes (or similar), begin commenting with affirmation and adding to the conversation
Share – whether you share their content to your accounts or post things they’ve written or created on your page natively, tag and let them know how amazing you think they are publicly
Reach Out – once you know what makes them tick, have a real reason for expressing appreciation, gratitude, or otherwise recognizing when you send a DM or other type of direct communication

As a final note, here are three things to avoid:

do not post your content in their groups or on their accounts unless requested
avoid being controversial in groups to get a reaction
do not try to sell, in any way, during your first direct outreach

Not all direct outreach will work. You may get radio silence, which is fine and to be respected. A general rule of thumb is to repeat outreach 1-2 more times. Avoid using phrases such as “in case you missed it,” “trying one more time,” or any other version that draws attention to the fact you’re waiting for a message. Craft a new and authentic message. If you’ve tried 2-3 times using the above strategy with no response, move the contact to a different list and consider trying again in 6 months or so.