The provided source material contains information about LinkedIn prospecting tools and templates, as well as details about the Handshake career platform. However, it does not include any information regarding "Hand & Stone" freebies, samples, or promotional offers. Consequently, this article focuses on the topics actually present in the data: optimizing LinkedIn outreach and utilizing the Handshake network for early career opportunities.
LinkedIn Prospecting Automation Tools
Effective LinkedIn prospecting often relies on automation software to streamline outreach and manage lead generation. One such tool discussed in the source material is Linked Helper.
Linked Helper Features and Trial Period
Linked Helper is described as a tool that can speed up and scale LinkedIn prospecting. It offers a 14-day free trial, allowing users to research the service's possibilities and enhance their LinkedIn outreach effectiveness during this period. The source material notes that users can download Linked Helper 2 to access this trial.
Operational Workflow
The prospecting process using Linked Helper generally follows these steps:
- Search for Targeted Leads: Users can utilize the "Visit & Extract Profiles" action to study the market, collect contact information, and build a database of leads. This function allows for the collection of profile data and emails, either through the LH Email Finder or by integrating with Snov.io.
- Set Up Further Actions: Once a list of target users is in the Queue list, users can assign specific actions for the software to perform. These can be customized with pauses between actions to mimic natural behavior. Actions may include:
- Visiting profiles.
- Putting likes on posts.
- Inviting 1st-degree connections to LinkedIn groups and events.
- Writing welcome messages.
- Checking for replies with specific delays (e.g., 3 days).
- Manage Responses: The software gathers all customer responses in a standalone section, and users can download message history for marketing analysis.
LinkedIn Profile Optimization
According to Jane Deehan, Senior Content Marketing Manager at LinkedIn, optimizing a personal profile is crucial for prospecting. Key recommendations include:
- Completeness: Complete every section of the profile.
- Visuals: Add a background photo with CTAs (Calls to Action).
- Headline: Create an intriguing headline that goes beyond a simple job title.
- Summary: Turn the summary into a personal story.
- Audio: Record name pronunciation.
- Professionalism: Avoid buzzwords.
- Endorsements and Recommendations: Manage endorsements proactively and request recommendations.
- Creator Mode: Turn on Creator mode.
- Activity: The platform favors active users. Consistent prospecting and engagement—such as commenting, posting, and direct messaging—are recommended, ideally on a daily basis or at least three times per week.
LinkedIn Prospecting Message Templates
The source material provides specific templates for LinkedIn connection requests and follow-ups, designed to be personalized and effective.
Connection Request Templates
Targeting Competitor's Commenters:
- Template: "Hi {First Name}, I’ve just read your comment on {Competitor’s Post}. Your perspective on {Topic} really stood out to me! Have you ever considered {YourQuestion}? I’d love to get connected and talk the topic further."
- Why it works: It acknowledges the prospect's insights, expertise, or roadblocks.
- Automation Note: Linked Helper can collect post likers or commentators. While {First Name} is automated, other variables like {Competitor’s Post}, {Topic}, and {YourQuestion} must be manually entered or fixed in the message text.
Reaching Out to Mutual Connections:
- Template: "Hello {First Name}, I noticed we’re both connected with {Mutual Connection}. Their work in {Industry/Field} is impressive, much like your contributions. I’m curious to learn more about your experience with {Relevant Topic} and share insights from my end."
- Why it works: It leverages mutual connections to encourage conversation with strangers.
- Automation Note: Linked Helper has variables {Mutualfirst} and {Mutualsecond} to automatically fill in names. However, the tool does not automatically detect the industry, so the industry name should be spelled out manually.
Inviting to an Event/Webinar:
- Template: "Hi {First Name}, We are colleagues in {Industry}, so I know how vital these secret tips will be for {Indicate unique, useful information that will solve a person’s pain}. On the webinar, we’ll share 10 techniques for attracting followers who are ready to buy from you. Hope to see you online. Will appreciate your feedback! {Date. Time. Link to registration.}"
- Why it works: It offers helpful, unique information for free immediately.
Follow-Up Strategies
- Email and InMail Follow-Ups: If there is no response to connection requests, the source suggests following up via email or InMail, particularly if the prospect has an open profile or if the user has LinkedIn Premium.
- Integration: Linked Helper integrates with Snov.io, allowing users to "Send person to Snov.io campaign" to switch from LinkedIn messaging to email campaigns.
- Personalization: Data indicates that personalized follow-up messages generally receive more replies.
Xobni Outlook Plug-in
While not a free sample tool, the source material describes Xobni, a plug-in for Microsoft Outlook designed to improve productivity and contact management.
- Functionality: Xobni indexes emails in Outlook to allow for searches approximately 50 times faster than standard Outlook search.
- Social Integration: It connects with LinkedIn and Facebook profiles to display the employer, job title, and photo when sending or receiving emails.
- Features:
- Acts as an automatic address book and sidebar in Outlook.
- Displays recent emails and phone numbers.
- Threads conversations based on subject lines.
- Finds attachments by person and places the most recent versions at the top.
- Includes a search function within attachments.
- Offers connectivity with Hoovers and Skype.
- Provides email statistics and analytics (e.g., response times, most frequent contacts).
Handshake Career Platform
The source material provides an overview of Handshake, a career social network tailored for Gen Z.
Platform Overview
Handshake is described as "the better career social network built for Gen Z" with the tagline "For where you're going, not where you've been." It is designed to assist early-career individuals in finding opportunities.
Key Statistics and Offerings
- Employers: Almost 1 million employers utilize the platform.
- Users: Over 15 million job seekers are on the network.
- Opportunities: The platform lists jobs and internships.
- Support: Over 1,500 career centers assist students from day one.
- Events: Users can meet real employers at events, online, in messages, and in person (IRL).
App Access and Terms
Users can get the Handshake app by entering their mobile number. By doing so, they agree to receive texts from Handshake to provide a link to access the app. These messages are for informational purposes only. Standard message and data rates may apply. Users can reply STOP to unsubscribe or HELP for assistance. Links to Handshake's terms of service and privacy policy are provided.
Conclusion
The provided source material focuses on B2B prospecting tools and career networking rather than consumer freebies or samples. For individuals interested in professional networking and lead generation, Linked Helper offers a 14-day trial for automating LinkedIn outreach, utilizing specific message templates and profile optimization strategies. For early-career job seekers, Handshake provides a robust platform connecting millions of students and recent graduates with employers and internships. The Xobni plug-in serves as a productivity tool for Outlook users, integrating social profile data to streamline email management.