How to Build Relationships Without Selling

Recruiting isn't about closing fast. It's about staying close. But here's the challenge: How do you follow up long-term without annoying the candidate? How do you stay on their radar… without feeling like a telemarketer? You ask for permission, and you earn the right to stay in the conversation. Here's a simple 3-part framework I teach leaders to use: 1. Acknowledge the timing "I totally get that now may not be the right time to make a move." When you acknowledge their current reality, you build trust. 2. Ask for alignment "Would it be okay if I stayed in touch over the next few months, just to keep the conversation open?" This shifts follow-up from "nagging" to agreed-upon access. 3. Set the tone for future value "I'll make sure anything I send your way is relevant to where you're headed, not just where you are today." Now you're not a recruiter. You're a future-focused partner. Bonus tip: Keep it human and low-pressure. Text updates. Quick voice notes. A win your team just had. A leadership thought that made you think of them. The goal isn't to sell. It's to stay worth replying to. Because the best candidates aren't always ready on the first call. But they do remember who stayed connected the right way. Play the long game, with permission, not persistence.

I’m tired of connecting with someone on LinkedIn only to get pitched their product or software within five minutes. Yes, sales matter. But relationships matter more. When the first message is a pitch, it tells me you’re chasing transactions, not building trust. It skips the part where we actually get to know each other. Where we learn if there’s alignment. Where we find out if what you’re offering even solves a real problem. The best partnerships I’ve been part of didn’t start with a cold pitch. They started with a conversation. Ask a question. Learn what matters to me or my team. Offer something helpful before asking for time. It’s not about playing games. It’s about respecting people and earning the right to share what you do. Sales will always be part of business. But if you’re not building relationships, you’re building a house on sand. #SalesWithIntegrity #RelationshipsFirst #LinkedInCommunity #TrustMatters #BusinessDoneRight #CustomerExperience #ListenBeforeYouPitch

Want to ruin a customer relationship before it even starts? Here's how: ✅ Talk about yourself immediately ✅ Make assumptions about what they want ✅ Ask for something before building any trust I bet many women are seeing a lot of connections already based on our lived experiences. Two things happened this week that made me shake my head: 1. The “Book Bro” connection I connected with someone on LinkedIn who seemed to be in a similar space. He responded right away: “Hey Courtney! Thanks for the connect. I’d love to share my new book with you that includes stories like xyz and the roadmap to scaling a xyz.” Here’s what I heard: “Hi Courtney! Nice to meet you. Please read all about me because I assume you’re dying to. Maybe we can do it over dinner with my parents?” Seriously—relationships don’t move that fast. And they don’t move at all if that’s how you treat people. I'm out. 2. The “Template Trap” I bought a book and was enjoying it. It pointed me to a fillable template online. I downloaded it, entered my info. And then… 🚨 Phone call from an unknown number 🚨 Voicemail from a hired rep 🚨 Text message 🚨 Another call 🚨 Spam email barrage I liked this author. I was enjoying the book. I was his future customer to lose. Now I blocked the number and won’t be buying the next one. And for what? A chance to push me down a funnel I didn’t opt into? Here’s the thing: Selling today is about building relationships. Not closing strangers. That connection you're trying to monetize might have become an advocate. That reader might’ve become a loyalist. But not if you treat them like a transaction from the jump. So— Do this: ✔ Start conversations, not pitches ✔ Earn trust before the ask ✔ Create value before capturing it Not this: ✘ Don’t lead with a CTA to your sales page ✘ Don’t assume interest = permission ✘ Don’t show up uninvited and unpersonalized Relationships are more valuable than transactions. Protect them like it. — ✴ Brought to you by your friends at The Outlier Initiative: helping brands build resonance—not just revenue.

I received a call yesterday from a good friend, an executive director at a thriving law firm.  We’ve known each other for years and while we ended up discussing business, it started my wheels thinking about relationships and how they build a business in professional services. After years of focusing the best marketing techniques in professional services, I always revisit one theme. Building strong relationships is key to developing a firm, and growing a practice. While having excellent skills will always be table stakes, the strength of a relationships is also an essential component. One thing is clear: it's all about the relationships we as individuals build and nurture. Here are five tips to strengthen those connections that matter to you. 💡 1.    Lead with Empathy Understanding what your clients or prospects are going through is crucial. It's not just about the business side—it's about seeing the bigger picture of their challenges and successes. When you truly empathize with others, it deepens trust and connection. 💡 2.    Find Common Ground We all have shared experiences—whether it's career paths, mutual interests, or personal milestones. Finding those commonalities can make the conversation more comfortable and genuine, helping to build a solid foundation for the relationship. 💡 3.   Care About Their Success It's not enough to focus solely on your own goals. You have to genuinely care about the other person's business, and that means understanding their industry, their pressures, and their needs. 💡 4.   Show Interest In-Between the Transaction A relationship built solely on a deal or a single litigation (even if the dollars are significant) is transactional, generally with a beginning and an end. Show interest in their life outside of work, and stay in touch with them in-between matters. 💡5.  It’s a Long Game Building strong relationships doesn’t happen overnight and there is no magical system that works the same for everyone. Follow up regularly, stay in touch, and show you’re consistently thinking of them. Relationships need nurturing, and this level of attention proves that you’re not just there for a quick win—you’re in it to support them for the long haul. Relationships are at the core of everything—whether you’re building a practice or growing a larger business.

Networking changed my life. It helped me secure my first big consulting deal that let me quit my full-time job. Here's how to build relationships on LinkedIn (the right way): Networking can either make or break your career. Do it wrong: You’ll ruin your reputation. Do it right: You’ll have people speaking well of you when you’re not around. Here’s how to network like a pro: 1) Be genuine People can sense fakeness from a mile away. Instead, speak with them to get to know them. Not just because you want something. Besides… There’s no point in building relationships with people you don’t like. 2) Be a friend We want to feel cared for. Reach out once every 3 months to see how they’re doing. • Offer help • Schedule a coffee chat • Ask about their recent trip Don’t build connections. Build friendships. 3) Change your intent Turn your “I want this” mindset into a “I want to help” mindset. Start conversations without trying to sell something. But because you want to help them. Stop asking. Start giving. 4) Think long term It doesn't matter if they can’t help you now. In the long run… …you’ll be able to reach out when you need it. Be there for them now. They’ll be there for you later. That’s a real relationship. 5) Don’t ask for immediate favors This is where most screw up. They’ve barely met someone and immediately: • Ask for a job • Request a resume review • Or want some other big favor You wouldn’t do this to a stranger on the street. Why do it on LinkedIn? 6) Be mutually beneficial Start by building foundations. When/if it makes sense, think of how you can collaborate. Just like in business… This isn’t a one-way street. I help you. You help me. That’s how the world works. 7) Create on LinkedIn You never know who’s watching. Share your thoughts on the feed daily. And give people a glimpse into what you’re doing. You may not realize it… But others are going through the same as you. One of them might just come back with a life-changing opportunity. P.s. - What's one more tip you'd recommend for people networking on LinkedIn? Thanks for reading. Enjoyed this post? Follow Jordan Nelson And share it with your audience.

How to build trust and make an impact in every interaction. When someone reaches out to me, my first move is always simple but powerful: I listen. Not just to reply but to truly understand where they’re coming from. The truth is relationships aren’t built on pitches; they’re built on real conversations. If they have a problem, and I can solve it right then and there, I will. No strings attached. If it’s outside my expertise (because, let’s face it, none of us are experts at everything), I’ll guide them to the right resources or connections. That’s how credibility is earned—not by selling, but by showing you genuinely care. 1️⃣ Solve the small wins. 2️⃣ Offer the right solutions 3️⃣ Add perspective and share insights. If you’re focused on building authentic connections or creating systems that serve people and produce results, drop a comment or message me. #relationshipbuilding #leadership #strategy