Simple Leverage

The world of business development has changed. It has been drastically changing since the advent of social media.

No longer can you expect a possible client to call you right back after a cold call, especially if they don’t know you. They will not return your email either.

Same for candidates attempting to obtain face to face exploratory meetings who lob a call into a CEO or VP HR that they may not know.

In the days before social media, I guess my hit rate was about 20% in getting cold call, potential clients to actually call me back.  Today it probably about 5% if it just a plain, old, cold call.

How do you change the current equation to your advantage? I coach candidates who are looking for a job that you must LEVERAGE something about your background that will make your target WANT to call you back. Same answer with your business development initiatives. Give your client a reason to WANT to call you back.

Here is an excellent example of an email I recently sent to a potential client in the Midwest. Pay attention to the simple and honest use of leveraging my background and experience:

Good Afternoon ______,