How to Use LinkedIn for Consulting Leads

When we started HireSweet, I had zero LinkedIn presence. 8 years later and after a lot of testing and iterating, LinkedIn drives ~30-50% of our leads & revenue. Lately, I've been getting a ton of questions about our learnings. So, here it is - the founder-led LinkedIn playbook I've been giving to anyone who asks 👇 1. Start with the lowest hanging fruit: invitations to connect. They work (30-50% conversion rate) and they allow you to control the direction in which your network grows. Start with 2nd degree connections in your target audience, based in your area. Surprisingly no personalized notes will yield +80% more connections! Free users can send ~50 per week. Paid users ~150 per week. Hit that quota every single week, or lose it forever. 2. Optimize your profile. Clear headline, nice picture (I would avoid AI-generated), and a detailed company description. Use the "featured" section, include a nice call to action and illustrations. 3. Enjoy the process, listen to your audience, build relationships. Play the long game. Build a real sense of community. Don't be pushy, nurture people over time with posts, so they come to you when they're ready. 4. When reaching out to cold prospects, add value. Send a guide, white paper, or video that helps your prospects succeed in their job. Personalize. 5. Post 3-5 times per week, high-quality posts. Turn on Creator Mode, get a paid LinkedIn account, and add a "Visit my website" button to your profile. 6. Best times to post: mornings on Monday to Friday, as people are getting to work (8-9AM) or heading to lunch (12PM). 7. Create a process to help you generate posts. Examples: What have you learned recently? What unique industry beliefs do you hold? What do you often find yourself explaining to clients or new hires? 8. Don't come up with 5 new ideas per week. Find 1-2 good ideas and repurpose them as text, images, videos, and polls. 9. Posts perform better in that order: - Polls (+100% vs text) - do one per week - Text + relevant picture (ideally a selfie - I don't really do this myself but it works) (+50% vs text) - Text with no picture - Videos (about the same as text but more time-consuming) - External links --> Avoid them 10. For text posts, open with a strong hook, focus on readability, keep it simple (one key idea per post), and end with a question to make it simple to engage. 11. LinkedIn Live is the most underrated LinkedIn feature. Each attendee can invite up to 1,000 people per week (!!) - as long as they're 1st degree connections. Do more LinkedIn Lives! 12. It's rather easy to get a "Top Industry Voice" badge. Go to the Collaborative Article page, pick a relevant topic, and leave 3 valuable comments per day. This is how I got my badge within a week. Now it's your turn - do you agree/disagree with this recipe? What are your top LinkedIn tips for founders? 👇 (If you made it this far, feel free to bookmark this post to revisit it later!)

How to Get Consulting Clients Without Sending a Single Resume You don’t “apply” for consulting work. You attract it. Most executives make the mistake of treating consulting like a job search: ❌ Tweaking their resume ❌ Blindly reaching out to recruiters ❌ Hoping someone “gives them a shot” That’s not how this game works. Companies don’t hire consultants the way they hire employees. They hire trusted experts who can solve urgent, high-value problems. 👉 You don’t need a resume. You need conversations. Here’s how you start landing clients—without ever applying for a “job.” Step 1: Tap Into Your Network (Your Fastest Path to Cash) 80% of your first consulting clients will come through people you already know. Your past colleagues, peers, and industry connections already trust you. They just don’t know you’re available. Here’s your script: “Hey [Name], I’m helping companies [solve big problem]. Who do you know that could benefit from that?” 🚀 Example: Maxwell’s First $50K Client Maxwell, 60+, landed his first consulting deal by reaching out to former colleagues. Instead of asking for a “job,” he positioned himself as an external marketing strategy consultant. Lesson? Your first client is probably sitting in your phone right now. Step 2: Build a LinkedIn Presence That Attracts Clients Your expertise is invisible until you make it public. When companies look for consultants, they don’t check job boards. They check LinkedIn. The 3-Post Strategy to Build Credibility Fast: 1️⃣ Your Availability Post – Announce your transition. Example: 🔹 “After 25+ years in [industry], I’m now advising companies on [problem you solve]. If you’re facing [specific challenge], let’s connect.” 2️⃣ Industry Insights Post – Share a valuable tip, case study, or framework. 🔹 “Most companies struggle with [big challenge]. Here’s a 3-step framework I’ve used to solve it.” 3️⃣ Client Win Post – Share a real success story. 🔹 “Just helped [company] increase [key metric] by X%. The key? [Insight you applied].” Do this for 30 days, and you’ll start getting inbound leads. Step 3: Create a Referral Pipeline That Works for You You should never be the only one promoting you. The One-Line Referral Ask: “Who do you know that needs help with [your expertise]?” 🔹 Why It Works: It’s not a sales pitch—it’s an invitation to help. 🔹 Bonus Hack: Offer a free strategy call to build relationships before selling. 🚀 Example: Gordon’s 5-Week Sprint Gordon, a former teacher pivoting into software sales, had ONE interview in two years. After consistently engaging his network, he booked 50 calls in 5 weeks—leading to 3 paid offers. Final Thought: Stop Applying. Start Connecting. 💡 Your network is your client pipeline. 💡 Your LinkedIn is your credibility builder. 💡 Your referrals are your growth engine. Instead of sending out 50 resumes this month… 📌 Start 50 real conversations. 👉 Who in your network needs to see this today? Drop a comment or tag them below. 🚀

Ever feel like finding the right connections or opportunities on LinkedIn is like trying to solve a giant puzzle blindfolded? 🧩 What if I told you there’s a smarter way to crack it? Enter advanced keyword searches, the secret weapon most people aren’t using yet. 🕵️♀️ Whether you’re an entrepreneur seeking clients, a job seeker eyeing your next move, or a sales professional hunting leads, mastering advanced search tools can help you unlock LinkedIn’s full power. Here’s how to make your searches more precise and effective:   1.) Master Boolean Searches Think of Boolean operators as your search superpower. 💪 Use them to run smarter queries: ·  Quotes for exact phrases (e.g., "digital marketing specialist"). ·  AND to include multiple criteria (e.g., “marketing manager” AND “content strategy”). ·  OR to broaden the search (e.g., “SEO” OR “social media strategy”). ·  NOT to exclude terms (e.g., “leadership” NOT “entry-level”).   2.) Leverage Filters Filters are your shortcut to relevant results. You can refine by location, industry, company, and even connection level. For example, looking for SaaS founders in New York? Combine a location filter with the keyword "founder" for laser-sharp results. 🎯   3.) Don’t Skip ‘All Filters’ LinkedIn’s 'All Filters' option is a treasure trove for setting up detailed title searches. If you’re targeting senior executives, you can filter by job title (“CEO OR CMO”) and years of experience. Precision is everything.   4.) Search Posts, Not Just Profiles Here’s a pro move many overlook: switch your search to ‘Posts.’ This helps you uncover trending discussions and key voices in your industry. For example, searching “AI in business” in posts can lead you to relevant conversations and thought leaders. 💡   5.) Save Your Searches Did you know LinkedIn Premium users can save up to 15 search queries? 🔔 Anytime your saved criteria match new profiles, you’ll receive notifications. It’s like LinkedIn works for you while you sleep. Why does this matter? Because success on LinkedIn isn’t about having a massive network—it’s about having the rightnetwork. These techniques can help you focus on high-impact connections instead of wasting time wading through irrelevant results. ✨ Have you tried advanced LinkedIn search tools before? Got strategies of your own? Share your tips in the comments below—your input could help someone else level up! ⬇️ Want more insights like this? Connect with me here on LinkedIn, and let’s take your LinkedIn strategy from ordinary to extraordinary. 🚀 #BuzzPro #LinkedInSearches #SEO

Two hours a day on LinkedIn and it will change your professional life. I've seen firsthand the incredible impact that a consistent, targeted approach on LinkedIn can have. Many people spend hours on the platform without seeing results simply because their time is unfocused and scattered in short bursts throughout the day. But if you dedicate two intentional hours, with a structured plan, it can make all the difference. Here's my proven blueprint, refined over years of personal experimentation and analysis, for maximizing those two hours: ✔️ 40 Minutes - Content Creation Focus on creating high-quality content that delivers value. Don’t aim for a rigid post count; instead, post as often as you have meaningful insights to share, up to 4 times a day. LinkedIn’s algorithm favors quality over quantity, so prioritize posts that resonate with your audience. ✔️ 30 Minutes - Engagement (Comments, Likes, Groups) Engage with relevant groups and comment on posts from peers and influencers. Contributing insights or resources builds your credibility and strengthens connections. The algorithm also rewards this type of active engagement, increasing your visibility. ✔️ 20 Minutes - Strategic Connection Requests Send connection requests to professionals who fit your target criteria, like specific job titles, companies, or locations. If spread across the week, you can send up to 230 requests. Aim for 30–35 daily to steadily grow a high-value network. ✔️ 20 Minutes - Targeted Outreach Send direct messages to people you want to reconnect with or who have shown interest in your profile or posts. Keep messages short, personalized, and to the point—this isn’t a sales pitch but a relationship-building exercise. Quality outreach leads to better response rates and valuable connections. I insist on sending 125 DM's (on average) per business day, which yields me 5-7 replies and 3-5 meetings. Weekly = 600 DM's = 15-25 future calls/zooms. ✔️ 10 Minutes - Analyze and Optimize Use LinkedIn Premium’s analytics to track what’s working and refine your strategy. Regularly assessing your performance helps you understand what resonates and fine-tune your approach for better results. Consistency is key, but most people give up before seeing the payoff. Partnering with someone who can help you stay accountable and refine your approach can make all the difference. Give it two hours a day, stick with it, and see how LinkedIn can change your professional life. The destination is SO worth the journey. It enabled me to start Onward & Upward Consulting without spending one penny on business development. Talk about professional leverage.

If you want more consulting clients, stop waiting for your marketing to bring prospects to you. There’s a faster, more direct way to start talking to the right people: Reach out to them yourself. One by one. And suggest a call. It’s easier than it might seem. AND it even works in a business environment like ours. This is the approach I’ve used for over 10 years - with my own business and with my clients. Here’s what it looks like: 1️⃣ Make a list of people you’d genuinely like to work with. Start with people already in your extended network. They might be past colleagues, warm-ish LinkedIn connections, or second-degree contacts who fit your target market. 2️⃣ Choose a reason to reach out that’s real - and not about selling There are a few ways to do this, but they all need to come from a place of curiosity and respect. Here are three that I use often: Ask for their help. → You’re doing informal research on a problem in their space → You’re writing a short piece and want their input or quote (This only works if you’re actually doing it - and you should be.) Rekindle an existing relationship. → A quick check-in or follow-up after a long gap React to something they’ve shared → You saw something they posted and have a thoughtful POV to add   3️⃣  Keep it simple and easy to respond to Here’s an example using the research approach: “Hi [Name], I’m talking to product marketing leads at B2B SaaS firms about how they’re positioning their analytics tools right now. I’m seeing some interesting patterns and blind spots. If you’re open to a short call, I’d love to hear your take and share what I’m seeing.” Follow up once if you don’t hear back. Then move on. If you do hear back? You’re in a real conversation, which is where clients come from. This is still the fastest path to more and better clients. Most consultants never try it. What’s holding you back?

10 Proven Strategies I Use to Generate Leads on LinkedIn (For Myself & My Clients) 1. 60% of my inbound leads come from strategic commenting. 2. I connect with people who have already engaged with my content, increasing my acceptance rate to 85%+. 3. Partnering with industry leaders for posts, webinars, and podcasts doubles audience reach and shortens the trust-building cycle. 4. 70% of LinkedIn searches are intent-driven. I use the right keywords in the headline and summary to get found by decision-makers. 5. Posts that blend expertise with personal insights get 3x more engagement than generic content. More engagement = more inbound leads. 6. I turn connections into clients by sending weekly newsletters with zero-pitch, high-value insights for my clients. 7. Cold outreach. It helps generate 5-20 leads per month. 8. Featuring client wins and testimonials increases inbound DMs by 40%. People trust results more than promises. 9. I track who views my profile and engages with my posts, then send hyper-personalized messages. This approach gets a 50%+ response rate. 10. 30% of my clients come from referrals. I actively build partnerships with complementary professionals to exchange high-quality leads. Which of these strategies are you using? P.S. Need help generating business from your

No leads from LinkedIn? Remember one thing - engagement before pitching. Start you sequences actively engaging with ICP content and everything else will fall into place. 1. Comment on posts to get noticed and add value before connecting. Key Elements: ↳ Target: Engage with your ideal clients. ↳ Value: Offer insights, not just "great post". ↳ Be Real: Comment genuinely, not generically. Example: "Amazing! 👏 The message is so clear and effective. But you can get a lot more eyeballs on your content with a beautiful design in your brand colors." 2. Send a personalized connection request. Key Elements: ↳ Specific: Mention their profile, content, or company. ↳ Brief: Keep it short and no selling. ↳ Curious: Say you want to learn from them. Examples: ↳"Hey [Name], Love how you're helping X with Y. Having worked as a marketer for B2B SaaS companies, I would love to connect and learn more about [their company's name]" ↳ "Hey [Name], I came across your post about [topic of the post] and really resonated with [aspect of post you relate with]. Would love to connect!" 3. Send a DM providing value to start a real conversation. Key Elements: ↳ Thank you: Acknowledge the connection. ↳ Reference: Mention something specific. ↳ Value: Offer insights or resources. ↳ No Pitch: Avoid direct sales language. Examples: ↳ "Hi [Name], thanks for connecting. I noticed that [specific problem area] is a common challenge in the [industry] sector. I have some experience in this area and thought I could share some insights." ↳ "Hi [Name], thanks for connecting. I found this resource [link] to be really helpful for [topic], and thought you'd like it" 4. Transition to a call. Key Elements: ↳ Short: Propose a quick chat. ↳ Benefit: Highlight the value. ↳ Casual: Frame it as a friendly convo, not a sales pitch. Examples: ↳ "I was wondering if you're open for a quick networking call. In that call I would give a free consultation about my expertise in X." ↳ "Would you be against a call discussing these insights?" ↳ "Would you be open for a quick networking call?" Key Takeaways: ↳ Engage First: Comment before you connect. ↳ Be Real: Personalize, don't copy-paste. ↳ Give First: Value before the ask. ↳ Keep it Short: Brief messages work best. ↳ Focus on Benefit: Explain "what's in it for them." ↳ Be Authentic: Let your personality show.

We sent 53,783 LinkedIn messages last month. Avg 23% response rate. 👇 Here's what the best messages had in common. (1) First things first. The best LinkedIn message in the world won't work well if you're targeting inactive people. We used LinkedIn Sales Navigator to exclusively send messages to decision makers who have posted on LinkedIn in the last 30 days. (2) The best messages focus on the problem you can help a prospect solve. Most messages in your prospect's inbox talk about the solutions they sell. Don't pitch your solution. Pitch a fix to their problem. (3) Start with a pattern disrupt If you scroll through your inbox you will see tons of messages starting with "Hey [NAME]" or Hi [NAME]" This is the best way to make sure your message blends in and never gets opened. Instead - use a pattern disrupt. Something like "I know this is random..." or "You seemed like the best person to reach out to about this..." Using the word "this" invokes curiosity to get them to open the message. (4) Always end with a clear Call to Action Don't make people guess what to do next. Spell it out for them. This can be asking a question, pitching a call, or sharing a lead magnet. I like to use this one: "Would it be alright if I shared a few ideas for how your team can do [X thing] better?" BONUS: Focus on converting positive responses to booked meetings ASAP. Whenever someone responds positively to my idea CTA I send this: "That sounds like a plan to me [NAME] - Let's find 15-20 minutes where I can share a few ideas + learn a little about how your team is [currently solving X problem] Feel free to find a time that works best for you here: [Insert Call Link] Let me know if that link works for you." PS - this sets me up to follow-up if they don't book a meeting with "Did that link work for you [NAME]?" PPS - Shoot me a message if you're looking to build a LinkedIn strategy that actually generates new revenue for your company.

The problem isn't that you don't know how to use LinkedIn. It's that you're using it completely wrong.. BACKGROUND • Most teams think of LinkedIn as a research tool w/ InMails • That's why it "doesn't work for you" • LinkedIn isn't a research tool. It's an ecosystem builder. Get the LinkedIn ecosystem right, and it becomes a revenue multiplier across every other acquisition channel. PROBLEM LinkedIn has never been harder: ➝ Response rates dropping below 3% ➝ Increasing competition for attention ➝ "Proven templates" that don't work anymore ➝ Prospects immune to standard pitches But it's never been easier to stand out from the crowd. SOLUTION Here's the exact process that's generating 30%+ response rates: (1) TARGETING ➝ Filter for "posted in last 30 days" (this alone 3x's results) ➝ Send 50 connection requests per day (Mon-Thu) aka 200/wk ➝ Focus on growing your 1st-degree connections ➝ Exclude anyone you've messaged before ➝ Build saved searches in Sales Nav for efficiency (2) MESSAGING ➝ Skip personalization (counterintuitive, but data proves it works) ➝ Focus on problems, not solutions ➝ Use pattern interrupts (not "Thanks for connecting") ➝ Keep initial messages under 300 characters ➝ Test different problem statements every 14 days (3) FOLLOW-UP ➝ 4 messages over first 30 days ➝ Retarget every 90 days ➝ Track responses in dedicated lead lists ➝ Move positive replies to separate pipeline ➝ Book calls immediately (don't nurture in DMs) (4) CONTENT ➝ Post 5x per week (no excuses) ➝ Follow the 80/20 principle: • 80% educational content • 20% social proof/case studies ➝ Use the "Content Ecosystem" approach: • Founder-led content • Sales-led content • Marketing-led content ➝ Document real problems you're solving ➝ Share specific numbers (no fluff) The results? • a HealthTech company booked 38 meetings in 4 months • an Advertising company closed $210K ARR in 10 months • a Logistics company generated $1.5M pipeline in 60 days TAKEAWAYS • LinkedIn is so much more than a research tool. • It's an ecosystem builder for revenue. • It's content, engagement, outbound, research, relationships, etc Master LinkedIn, and watch it become your highest-converting channel. Follow me for more ways to turn LinkedIn into a top revenue generator for your company.

LinkedIn tips and tricks are everywhere— 99% of them are fluff. Try my formula instead: 1/ Define your target audience Find out your ideal buyer's: + Preferences + Needs + Demographics + Interests + Pain points These are pieces of the puzzle that help you form a clear picture of your target audience. 2/ Craft a magnetic offer for them: This step is critical— this is what makes you stand out. Develop a UVP (unique value proposition) that addresses the specific challenges or desires of your target audience. In other words, your offer should VERY clearly communicate the benefits and value you provide to your ideal customer profile (ICP). (Tip: Showcase exactly how your product or service solves a specific problem or fulfills a need for your audience.) 3/ Create content that speaks to them: Tailor your content to resonate w/ the interests and concerns of your ICP. (In other words, speak only to what THEY are interested in.) Spend some time uncovering their values and preferences. Ultimately, you need to provide helpful (and relevant) information via your posts. 4/ Keep connecting with ideal prospects: Lead gen is an active process— not a passive one. Stop scrolling mindlessly and start engaging w/ your ICP. + Regularly comment on their posts + Join some LinkedIn groups your ICP frequents + Send out connect requests to your ICP each week 5/ Reach out to them with personalized DMs: Don't just send generic DMs that have no personal touch. Instead, take a minute to show you've done your homework. Personalize the conversation by referencing something specific from their profile or previous interactions. Above all, the secret is to focus on building a genuine connection rather than immediately pushing for a sale. LinkedIn is a game of strategy— learn to play it well.