The #1 Secret to Getting a Response from C-Suite Executives

Did you know the most powerful connection you can use with the C-suite isn’t their common connections, interests, passions, hobbies, employers, colleagues past or present? It’s their university! Yes, while all the other connection points are an excellent way of connecting in general, C-suite executives are extremely involved with their alma maters. If you went to their university or know someone who did, it’s your golden ticket.

How do you find a C-suite’s University?
Tap into the powerful LinkedIn Alumni tool. It’s a tool that provides you with information about where your fellow alums work, what they do, where they live and then narrow the results according to your ideal prospects using additional filters, keyword search, as well as the all-important second degree connection, the sweet spot on LinkedIn.

Let’s say you are looking for pharmaceutical executives in the New York area. The tool helps you quickly narrow down your vast alumni network to only those who live in New York and work in pharma. The additional filters let you narrow your list even further to discover 'Where they work', 'What they studied', 'How your connected', etc.  LinkedIn Alumni will then show you the exact profiles of the alums who fit your criteria.

Once you’ve identified alums that are your ideal prospects it’s time to make contact. While there are no guarantees, fellow alums are more likely to reply than random strangers because you share a common experience/connection point. You can say something along the lines of the following:

Hi Sharon, I’m a fellow XYZ University alum and came across your profile. I graduated in 1990, also with a degree in Business Admin and currently live in the New York area as well. I was wondering if you would be available for quick phone call next Thursday?Thank you and Go Tigers! LauraT 555-212-1212

Note that the message immediately mentions the alumni connection, is professional and shows that you’ve done your homework (indicating that you’re not just sending out generic messages). The goal here is to establish rapport and ask for a phone call - during the call you want to invite the prospect to coffee or lunch. Online opens doors, offline closes the deal.

Check out my video "LinkedIn Alumni Feature" and learn how to find your ideal prospects. Then download the LinkedIn Alumni Cheat Sheet

BONUS Feature!
While you can’t search LinkedIn by age, by using the alumni feature and making a few assumptions about graduation year, you will generate a decent list of the age group you are targeting. See cheat sheet for details.

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Be sure to check out the additional videos in this series on my YouTube Channel (be sure to subscribe) or directly from my site, LauraVirili.com, to learn how to Kill it Online & Off