Getting Real on LinkedIn: What Smart Outreach Means for Women Leaders

By: Alisa Cook, CEO, Ally Marketing Systems, LLC

Ever feel like you are doing everything right yet still not getting seen on LinkedIn? You are not alone. Between leading your business, supporting your clients, and juggling life outside work, showing up on LinkedIn feels like one more task on a never ending list.

And yet it is often the place where your next client is watching.

Smart outreach is not about blasting DMs or sounding polished. It is about showing up as a real person. That is crucial for women leaders who face unique challenges around visibility, networking, and access to decision-makers.

A LinkedIn study shows women are 14 percent less likely than men to have strong third-degree connections – connections that create leverage and opportunity.

Without that network, warm introductions and trusted recommendations are harder to come by.

But here is the good news building that visibility does not have to feel fake, forced, or like another job.

It starts with listening.

1. Start with their story not your offer

Women are often great listeners but outreach training often pushes us to start with the pitch.

The smarter move? Begin with their story.

Refer to something they shared. Acknowledge what you saw. Then ask a question that shows you were paying attention.

This is not about flattery. It is about validation and creating a reason to connect beyond a transaction.

2. Lead with curiosity not conviction

We have all been burned by sales messages that pretend to care then pivot hard into a strong offer. Real curiosity feels different. It sounds like , "This post struck a chord. I’m exploring that idea too" or "What’s your experience with it?"

You are not angling for a sale. You are beginning a relationship.

3. Keep it brief clear and human

You are a woman building something valuable. You don’t need complicated messaging. Most decision-makers scan messages quickly. Aim for clarity. One idea. One ask. One reason to respond.

Skip long intros and canned lines like "hope you are well". Try something grounded "I saw your post and it resonated. I recently spoke with a client and..."

Don't make these up. Pull from real experiences and conversations. Sincerity works. Every time.

4. Follow up with value not pressure

Smart outreach does not end after a connection request. It is what you do next. Share a quick insight from their content or recommend an article you use. Engage with their content. Support them with genuine interaction.

Women entrepreneurs often build lasting business through trust. That starts in tiny moments like these.

5. Make room for real conversation

This is LinkedIn, but we are still people - not profiles. It is okay to mention your own struggles building a business while managing burnout parenting or just a messy morning.

When another woman says I notice you that is not fluff. It is strategy. It's sincerity. It's conversation.

Final thoughts

If you are a coach consultant or agency leader and you are tired of being the best kept secret smart outreach is how you change that.

Not by posting more. Not by automating faster.

By showing up real brief and human.

Because your next client does not want perfect. She wants honest relevant and to know she matters.

When your message makes her feel that the conversation starts.

Question for you What’s one message you received on LinkedIn that felt genuine? What set it apart?