What Should I Do Before Reaching Out to a Potential Client?

The short answer is that you need to interact with the potential client before sending them a message. This means engaging with their profile through activities like watching their profile, liking their recent posts, and commenting on them. Only after this initial interaction should you reach out directly.

Full Explanation

Before you reach out to a potential client, it is important to build a connection by interacting with their online presence. Simply sending a message without any prior engagement may come across as impersonal or intrusive. By watching their profile, you become familiar with their content and interests, which helps you understand them better. Liking recent posts shows that you appreciate and acknowledge their work, while leaving comments allows you to express genuine interest and start a conversation naturally.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Watch their profile: Spend time reviewing what the potential client shares, their background, and their activities.
Like their recent posts: Show your appreciation by liking posts that resonate with you or are relevant to your interests.
Comment on their posts: Engage through thoughtful comments that demonstrate genuine interest and encourage interaction.
Send them a message: Once you have established some presence through interaction, reach out with a personalized message that reflects your understanding and interest.

Real Examples

Imagine you find a potential client on a professional social platform. Instead of messaging them immediately, you spend a few days reviewing their profile and liking several recent posts they have shared. You then leave meaningful comments that contribute to discussions around their content. Only after these steps do you send a message introducing yourself and your intent, making your outreach more personalized and likely to be well-received.

Common Mistakes

Reaching out without any prior interaction: This can feel abrupt and less engaging to potential clients.
Not personalizing the message after engagement: Failing to reference the prior interaction or the client’s content can make messages seem generic.
Overwhelming the client with too many likes or comments: Interaction should be genuine and moderate, not excessive.

FAQs

Why should I like and comment before messaging?: Liking and commenting shows genuine interest and helps you build rapport, making your eventual message more personalized and welcomed.
How long should I interact before reaching out?: There is no fixed timeline, but sufficient interaction to demonstrate genuine interest helps create a stronger connection.
Is it necessary to watch the profile every time?: Yes, reviewing the profile ensures you understand the potential client’s interests and background before engaging.

Key Takeaways

Interact with a potential client before messaging them.
Engagement includes watching their profile, liking posts, and commenting.
Build rapport through genuine interaction to increase the chances of a positive response.
Personalize your message after meaningful engagement.