Don’t Expect Me to Educate Your Sales Team: A Plea to Prospective Sellers on Social Media

“I’d love to share this crazy conversion strategy that has helped us close over 73% of the offers we make to prospects,” started the message on LinkedIn. Count me skeptical. Especially when a later message asked, “So, what is the focal point of your business at the moment?”

As a busy professional, I’m sure you can relate to the feeling of constantly being bombarded with messages, emails, and phone calls from people trying to sell you something. It’s an unavoidable part of doing business in today’s world.

However, there’s one thing that’s become increasingly frustrating for me as a prospective customer: the sheer number of cold-calling messages I receive on LinkedIn and other forms of Social Media from salespeople who haven’t bothered to learn more about me before making a pitch.

I’m not even talking about spam messages from bots or scammers — I’m talking about real, human salespeople who evidently think it’s my job to educate them about my needs and my business.

Let’s get something clear: it’s not your prospect’s job to do your research for you.

• If you’re trying to sell me something, it’s your responsibility to understand my needs and how your product or service can help me.