LinkedIn is a great tool to find new leads and potential buyers for your venue. Today we’re covering how to find those new leads to grow your network.
1. Add connections to your network
You need to make the first move, and that means taking the initiative to connect with new people and grow your network. One way to find new people to connect with is by looking in the “People You May Know” sidebar section where LinkedIn will list off the people who either know your existing network or are similar to people in your existing network.
Browse this section at least once a week for any familiar faces or names and get added! Let’s make it your goal to have 100+ high-quality connections on LinkedIn.
2. Connect with previous clients and leads
There are probably so many people you have interacted with on a professional basis throughout your career that you aren’t connected to on LinkedIn. This is a huge lost opportunity to keep those relationships up to date and stay engaged with what’s going on with them. Take an hour or two this week to go through your entire network of people – past clients, past coworkers, current leads, missed opportunities, etc. and send them all invitations to connect on LinkedIn.
Again, let’s get you to that goal of having 100+ quality connections on LinkedIn.
3. Engage with posts every day
There’s no point in having those quality connections without engaging with them and nurturing those potential business relationships. We know your time is precious and as a Sales Manager you have a lot on your plate already, but this really shouldn’t take you more than five minutes a day. It could be the difference between landing a new sale or losing it to another venue.
Every day before you sign off and head home, take a look at your LinkedIn profile and read through the updates made from your connections. Make it a routine to comment on at least two of them. Show genuine interest in what they have to say and ask more questions to get the conversation started.
4. Invite conversations on your profile
Once you’ve gotten into the routine of engaging with other people’s posts every day, it’s time to start making some of your own! Use a conversational tone and talk to your connections as if they’re right there in the room with you. Most of all, do not constantly sell to them. Everyone will be more trusting of you if you’re candid.
5. Join groups related to your industry
Groups are an excellent way to find new leads and connect with new people.
You should join groups that have your ideal clients as members. Here’s a list of three LinkedIn groups for event professionals to get you started. Browse the Members list and start adding people who would be relevant to your network. Let them know in the note of your invitation request that you discovered them in the group!
Event Planning & Event Management
Event and Hospitality Industry Network – by Cvent
6. Do manual searches for meeting planners
Here’s a little secret we’ll let you in on… LinkedIn has a super powerful search function that you don’t need a premium account to access. All you have to do is use the filters in the search bar to get the results you want.
Let’s walk through it step-by-step.
- Go to the Search Bar on LinkedIn and click on ‘People’.
- Click on All Filters.
- Narrow down by Location & Industry.
- To get very specific you can narrow it down by Company.
And voila! You’ll have your list of dream clients right there in front of you, based on your search criteria, so you can start sending personalized connection requests.
7. Follow up with profile viewers
LinkedIn is not shy about letting you know who’s viewing your profile.
Take some time every week to see who’s been checking your profile on LinkedIn and send them a connection request. Let them know in your connection request that you’re available to chat about their venue needs! They’re already a warm lead since they’re interested enough to investigate your profile.
Related article: How To Create A LinkedIn Strategy and Tactical Plan That Will Transform Your Hotel The Next Decade
Over to you
The hotel industry is always changing, especially during a time of crisis. Make sure to future-proof your business and continue attracting new guests by investing in these solutions.
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