6 Ideas to Improve Prospecting & Follow Up

Steve Claydon

6 Ideas to Improve Prospecting & Follow Up

We all know prospecting can be a tough nut to crack, but it doesn't have to be! As a sales leader, it's important to think outside the box and have fun with your prospecting sequence to stand out from the competition. In this article, we'll explore some creative and fun prospecting sequence ideas, including video strategies and direct mail.


Personalise your outreach with a little humour

We've talked in other articles about how important personalisation is. Short story: sales is personal, so you have to be. However, go beyond a few personal touches and make it memorable by adding some humour. (We use a u in humour, because we're Australian, in case you were about to correct us). Throw in a witty remark or maybe even a meme to get your prospects' attention and break the ice. But please, do your research - the more you know about your prospect, the more on point your humour can be. This can be in the form of emails, voice messages, or social media messages. Just remember to walk that fine line between personal and professional, which is easy if you remain relevant to your business.


Use personalised videos to engage

We're all about personalised videos here at Outbound. They find their way into pretty much every sales game we make. Personalised videos are a dynamic way to show your prospect who you are, which breaks the initial discovery discomfort while allowing you a chance to display your expertise.  Depending on where you are in the sequence these can be short introductory videos or slightly longer ones that provide value and showcase your unique selling proposition. But don't get too long! Keep them fun and engaging, always including a clear call-to-action.


Direct mail with a creative twist (we call it 'lumpy')

Lumpy mail is a seriously underrated approach in these automated digital days. We always find it super effective when its done creatively and strategically. You can include small gifts, like merch for your business, with a personalized note, to show your prospects that you care about them. At Outbound, we believe in being generous (it's one of our core values), so we love sending lumpy mail with real value, such as some of the books we've written, quality merchandise, or even a bottle of something special. Lumpy mail - if you haven't given it a crack, you're missing out, and so are your potential clients!


Use social proof in a creative way

These days, social proof has become one of the most powerful ways to build trust with potential customers. I don't know about you, but I can't remember the last time I ate at a restaurant without checking the online reviews first. Your prospecting process can include case studies, customer reviews, and testimonials to show how you've helped other businesses in the past. Take it to the next level by creating a short and sharp video or infographic that showcases your social proof. If you don't have much social proof yet, make it a part of your next strategy session to work out how to get some testimonials and case studies that you can start to promote.


Be persistent, but not annoying

Persistence is essential in prospecting, but you don't want to be 'that guy' who hits you up on LinkedIn every half an hour. Keep following up with your prospects until you get a response, but make sure to vary your messaging and approach so your prospects don't get bored or feel like you're spamming them. Use humor, creativity, and persistence to show your prospects that you're invested in their success and not just trying to make a quick sale.


Prospecting can be fun and creative with the right mindset and approach. Personalise your outreach with a little humour, use personalised videos, add a creative twist to lumpy mail, leverage social proof, and be persistent without being annoying. Remember to keep it professional, relevant, and engaging, and always have your business goals in mind. By taking a creative and fun approach to prospecting, you can build meaningful relationships with potential customers and achieve your sales targets with ease!

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