The Irony of LinkedIn Leaders Complaining About Sales Outreach
The Irony of LinkedIn Leaders Complaining About Sales Outreach -
We've all seen it—LinkedIn posts from industry leaders lamenting the "irrelevant" sales pitches cluttering their inboxes. They're quick to point out how these pitches are off-target, not tailored to their needs, or just plain annoying.
The Double Standard
It's easy to call out the shortcomings in others while ignoring our own. If you're a leader setting high quotas for your sales team, you can't be surprised when they cast a wide net to hit those numbers. It's the nature of the beast. So, before you complain about another "irrelevant" pitch, consider the goals you've set for your own team.
The Quality vs. Quantity Conundrum
One of the top complaints about prospecting is that the message doesn't resonate with the target persona. But here's the thing: often, the offenders of sloppy outreach are seasoned sellers and BDRs. Why? Because the organization's target metrics rarely support a rep's desire for quality outreach.
Imagine a rep needs to set 30 demos in a month. The pressure to hit that number often outweighs the focus on quality, especially if they're falling behind. Management starts to push, and the rep feels forced to swing for the fences, compromising quality for quantity.
Realistic Goals and Accountability
This all points back to sales and marketing leaders setting realistic goals. If the goals are impractical, it's time to push back on C-Level. If this doesn't happen, the cycle of poor outreach will continue indefinitely. So, before you vent on LinkedIn, ask yourself: What are you doing in your organization to break this cycle?
Let's Open a Dialogue
Instead of pointing fingers, let's open a dialogue about responsible sales practices. How can we set realistic goals that encourage targeted, meaningful outreach? How can we train sales teams to do better research and personalization? And most importantly, how can we align our public complaints with the standards we set internally?
Final Thoughts
If your team is performing well, share your best practices. If you're not willing to share your "secret sauce," then expect the same kind of outreach you're complaining about. And let's not forget the role of failing startups in this equation, churning out rookie reps because they can't find a middle ground between unrealistic goals and sustainable production.
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