--- title: How to Use LinkedIn Responsibly | The Sales Blog description: There is a difference between connecting with people on LinkedIn so you can pitch them whatever it is you sell and targeting your dream clients and engaging with them. A Numbers Game In the first case above, every contact that connects with you is as good as any other. This person who is indiscriminately connecting […] image: https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_707549833.jpg --- ### [Now booking SKO meetings for 2026/27! 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This person who is indiscriminately connecting and pitching doesn’t even pretend that they are concerned about their effectiveness. Instead, they believe they are simply playing a numbers game. The approach is the same for those who make cold calls to lists of people and companies without any segmentation that might indicate they care about what the company sells. The [spray and pray](http://thesalesblog.com/2018/09/08/those-contributing-to-the-demise-of-linkedin/) approach is what people do when they don’t know how to help salespeople become more effective. It’s as true on LinkedIn as it is the telephone. ## Targets Are Better Than Leads The second approach, targeting your dream clients is different. [You have some theory](http://thesalesblog.com/2018/08/31/you-need-a-a-theory-for-why-your-dream-client-should-change/) as to what might be challenging these companies or providing them with opportunities. You have a very high level of knowledge about their usage of what you sell, as well as the people there who would care about the outcomes you help improve. Unlike the spray and pray approach of those who lack the chops—and the leadership to help them develop them—the targeted approach provides insights and ideas provide the salesperson something worth sharing and the prospective client something worth learning. Because these salespeople have something to share that benefits the client—whether they buy from this salesperson or not—they have an easier time engaging around something meaningful. ## A Reason to Meet Here’s the thing. Your product is not advice. Your services are not advice. Your solution, as good as it may be, is also not advice. When a [pitch](http://thesalesblog.com/2015/01/28/let-pitch/) is nothing more than what one might find on your website, it isn’t a pitch at all. It doesn’t compel change, it doesn’t provide a reason to act, and it doesn’t create any desire on the part of the prospective client. Neither does piling on all the things that make your company the wonder that it is. The rules of engagement in prospecting preclude one pitching without asking for an opportunity to speak with the person before launching into a pitch. If you want someone to engage with you, ask them for an opportunity to speak with them. If you want to improve the effectiveness of this ask, [start with the phone](http://thesalesblog.com/2016/02/29/phone-first-email-second/), and use LinkedIn later, so share something of value without asking for anything. ###### Tags: [Sales](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/sales) [2018](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/tag/2018) Post by [Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/blog/author/anthony-iannarino) on September 11, 2018 Written and edited by human brains and human hands. ![Anthony Iannarino](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hubfs/ai-blog-profile-crop.jpg) Anthony Iannarino is an American writer. He has published daily at [thesalesblog.com](https://www.thesalesblog.com) for more than 14 years, amassing over 5,300 articles and making this platform a destination for salespeople and sales leaders. Anthony is also the author of four best-selling books documenting modern sales methodologies and a fifth book for sales leaders seeking revenue growth. His latest book for an even wider audience is titled, The Negativity Fast: Proven Techniques to Increase Positivity, Reduce Fear, and Boost Success. Anthony speaks to sales organizations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge sales strategies and tactics that work in this ever-evolving B2B landscape. He also provides workshops and seminars. Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn, X or Youtube. You can email Anthony at [iannarino@gmail.com](mailto:iannarino@gmail.com) [Follow me on my website](https://www.thesalesblog.com/anthony-iannarino) [Follow me on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/thesalesblog) [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iannarino/) [Follow me on Twitter ](http://www.twitter.com/iannarino) [![AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg?width=400&height=400&name=AISA-square-ad-SKOs-26-27.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/authority) [![ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg?width=318&height=179&name=ai-cold-calling-video-sidebar-offer-1.jpg)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/free-cold-calling-video) ![salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover (1)](https://www.thesalesblog.com/hs-fs/hubfs/salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(1).jpg?width=768&height=994&name=salescall-planner-ebook-v3-1-cover%20(1).jpg) ### Free Sales eBook: Sales Call Planner Planning your sales call improves the likelihood of making a successful call, and it demonstrates to your dream client your professionalism. 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What we’re doing right now **is working**, even in this challenging economy. **Would you like some help?** [![Solve for Sales](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2922376/d3a4938b-2008-4a27-8b44-7b2223f6d035) ### Join my Weekly Newsletter for Sales Tips Join 100,000+ sales professionals in my weekly newsletter and get my *Guide to Becoming a Sales Hustler* eBook for FREE! --- ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org/", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Anthony Iannarino" }, "dateModified" : "2021-06-15T6:01:56 PM", "datePublished" : "2018-09-11 21:36:36", "description" : "There is a difference between connecting with people on LinkedIn so you can pitch them whatever it is you sell and targeting your dream clients and engaging with them. A Numbers Game In the first case above, every contact that connects with you is as good as any other. 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