Unsolicited Solicitations

We all receive them. Some may call them scam calls. Others may call them social media marketing. Still others will refer to them as sales pitches. A day does not go by that either via my home’s land line telephone, my personal cell phone and now my two main business emails, I, (much like many of you), receive connections from individuals or organizations, that you in no way even vaguely contacted to speak to them about their services.

For me as a solopreneur (with my own one-person business), I am a target for those who offer to redo my website, improve my social media search presence, help to run my travel department, (I work out of my own home, from my computer), or handle my inventory (I am a service business, with the only product I am offering is my expertise in job search strategy coaching). A number of these solicitations will come on a continual basis. If I do not respond today, (and in most instances I not only do not respond, but delete the solicitation based on the subject line) then a day or two later I am getting a follow-up email. A new factor that I am noticing that while such solicitations should have an opt out link, some are so unprofessionally done, they ask me to respond with the word Unsubscribe in a return email.

Very few if any people like to be solicited for business, let alone continually. I know one of the biggest concerns of my clients when I encourage them to reach out and reconnect with their network, is to not appear as if they are an “unwanted solicitor.” I tell my clients that I understand their concern, but there are approaches and courtesies that they should consider following.

If they are reconnecting with someone they know well in their network, (a former working colleague, an alumnus from their college, or a well-respected person in their profession), I always encourage them to write a short introductory note. If someone they know well, but they have not spoken with in a while, inquire as to how they are doing? Note, something that you may have recently learned about them, (an award they have won, a new job opportunity they have started. Often if they are looking to present themselves professionally, such items they will note on Linked In). Indicate that you are indeed in job search transition, but would value to have an informational conversation with them.

Perhaps you want to get their input on the state of the industry and job functions you and they are in. Or, you would like to learn more about the culture of the company at which they work, and what they have liked about working there. Additionally, tell them the types of roles you are targeting, and if they can suggest individuals with whom you may be able to speak about such openings. Notice, in all this reaching out, the inquirer is seeking information and professional connections. They are not trying to sell a product or service. They are not trying to make their connection feel “desperate” that they are missing out on something, or that their business or career is falling by the wayside. Most of all, they ARE NOT DIRECTLY ASKING FOR A JOB OR BUSINESS.

Developing one’s career or a new business venture is all about professionally building one’s network. Often those with whom you connect are happy to assist if you approach them respectfully. At one time or another they were in a similar situation as you. They might have been in job search for a period of months. Or they may have decided to go into business for themselves and needed to get the venture off the ground. Most likely those who did it professionally learned, it took the willingness to meet with people to have conversations to seek an understanding of what the market needed and what it lacked. They learned to explain succinctly the value their service might bring to an individual or business, so the person needing the service could make the decision for themselves if they sought to hire them for their skillset and talents. They learned quickly that “begging or making individuals sound as if are desperate” is the worst way to approach clients.

So, will the unsolicited solicitations stop. Most likely not. In fact, with technology allowing for those solicitations to be automated to hundreds of people at a time, they will likely continue to happen and grow. However, the best way to connect with those that need your talents and services, is to connect with the purpose of building a relationship, getting to know the person with whom you have connected and what is important to them, and listen to what they need, as opposed to assuming that you already know.

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