---
tags: A2, Prospecting
---
# ✍️ Assignment 2: Connect with 20 leads
Once you have a solid LinkedIn profile, it's time to start sending contact requests to your leads!
:::info
**✍️ Your assignment**
- [ ] Choose 20 leads that match your IBP (Ideal Buyer Persona)
- [ ] Send them a connection request with a note.
- [ ] You should try out at least 4 different messages and see which one feels most natural and works for you.
:::

## ✅ Some best practices
- **Remember your objective**. Your objective is for your connection request to be accepted. You're not looking to sell or close a meeting at this stage.
- **Make it personal.** You may have a template, but make sure to adapt it to each individual. No copy and paste. You should always strive to find some common ground. Same industry/location or something you found interesting about them in your cold message helps.
- **Give them a reason to reply.** Make sure you’re *not* pitching in the very first message. You can instead ask a question about how they got certain results in their latest case study. This shows you’re actually interested, and in 9/10 cases, they’re going to appreciate the kind words and reply.
- To improve your opening rate, **make sure that you include the recipient’s name at the beginning.**
- You should **focus your message on the recipient, not yourself.**
- **Mention something from your recipient’s career**, like the company they worked for, their successful project, or achievement they made.
- Let the message be **short and precise.**
- **Show authentic interest and curiosity**. Superficial, "one size fits all" compliments will be noticed immediately.
- **Look for commonalities**
- **Include a question for them**, and let them know what to do next and what to answer you.
 
## ☠️ Some mistakes to avoid
- **Don’t try to sell anything**, and don’t pitch in your request message.
- **Don’t call them to your sales page** or to take action and buy.
- **Don’t focus on yourself** and your needs, otherwise, they will ignore you.
- **Avoid to many "I"** - make it about them.
 
## Your turn!
Ready to go!

Let's review the instructions step by step:
1. Visit their profile and click on "Connect". If "Connect" doesn't appear on their profile, click "More" > "Connect".
2. You should get a popup like this one.


3. Click on "Add a note".
4. Write your note and send.

## A couple of examples for inspiration

To reiterate, there is no magic formula for the perfect outreach note. It will depend on each industry, company and your ICP. Here are some that have worked for us in the past.

> “Enjoyed reading your views on [TOPIC] on the [GROUP NAME] discussion board. We share many of the same perspectives. Let's connect.”

> “[NAME], saw your post on [TOPIC] and loved your advice. What do you think of [QUESTION RELATED TO ADVICE]”

> “Congrats on your new job at [COMPANY]. Having worked with [NAME COMPETITOR OR SIMILAR COMPANY] AND [NAME COMPETITOR OR SIMILAR COMPANY], I can imagine [COMMON PROBLEM] will be a challenge. Happy to share my best practices ”

> “Congratulations on the launch of your startup! You definitely picked the right city for it :) Many of the companies you are going after are our customers. Happy to share any insight that may be helpful.”

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