Podcast Summary: The LinkedIn Strategy You’re Missing w/ Matt Lakajev | Ep 353

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Futur Podcast
• Host: The Futur (Chris Do)
• Episode: The LinkedIn Strategy You’re Missing w/ Matt Lakajev | Ep 353
• Release Date: June 7, 2025
• Description: The Futur Podcast explores the intersection of design, marketing, and business through in-depth conversations with inspirational figures from various fields. Hosted by Chris Do, CEO of The Futur, the show delves into the motivations and insights of its guests to provide valuable lessons for listeners.

1. Introduction

In Episode 353, Chris Do welcomes Matt Lakajev, the founder of Seven Figure Creators, to discuss effective LinkedIn strategies for small business owners and creators. The conversation centers on leveraging LinkedIn for lead generation, optimizing sales processes, and building a robust personal brand without needing an extensive follower base.

2. Matt Lakajev’s Background

Matt Lakajev introduces himself, highlighting his journey from software sales to founding Seven Figure Creators.

[00:32] Matt: "I run a program called Seven Figure Creators where we work with small business owners and LinkedIn creators, showing them how to implement a system to generate leads themselves so they don't have to rely on other people."

He shares his experience at Zoom Video Communications and his transition into lead generation, emphasizing the challenges of cold calling and the realization that small businesses need a few warm leads rather than numerous cold contacts.

3. Evolution of Lead Generation Strategies

Matt recounts his early attempts at cold outreach and the difficulties he faced, leading him to pivot towards a more strategic approach using LinkedIn.

[02:10] Matt: "We realized they just need a few warm leads per week. I remembered I could do that on LinkedIn, it's a lot easier."

He details the initial launch of his LinkedIn program, which quickly gained traction, leading to the establishment of a dedicated program focused on helping small business owners generate leads on LinkedIn.

4. LinkedIn as a Lead Generation Tool

Matt asserts the effectiveness of LinkedIn as a professional platform for lead generation, contrasting it with other, more "scammy" platforms.

[05:06] Matt: "I don't believe that content is a requirement for selling. I believe that content itself is an accelerant to start more high-quality conversations with ideal clients."

He emphasizes that content and messaging combined can accelerate conversations with ideal clients, leading to increased revenue.

5. LinkedIn Strategies for Established Businesses

For established businesses (typically under five employees and earning between $80K to $250K in revenue), Matt outlines a three-step strategy to enhance their LinkedIn presence and generate leads:

1. Build a Targeted Connection List:

   • Identify and connect with ideal clients using LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
   • Personalize connection requests to increase acceptance rates.

   [08:19] Matt: "If I'm an established business, I would never go out cold. I would always reference your existing connections and try to find lookalikes."

2. Optimize LinkedIn Profile:

   • Ensure the profile clearly communicates what the business does and who it serves.
   • Use the banner to target the ideal client avatar effectively.

   [09:19] Matt: "Your profile needs to be crystal clear about what you do and who you help."

3. Implement a Lead Magnet:

   • Add valuable resources in the featured section to capture emails.
   • Use lead magnets as a litmus test for effective content.

   [10:25] Matt: "Put something inside your featured section that acts as a litmus test to see how well your content converts."

6. Sales Process Optimization

Matt delves into optimizing the sales process post-connection on LinkedIn:

• Profile Audit: Ensure clarity and readability, especially on mobile devices.
• Lead Magnet Utilization: Offer free resources to capture lead information.
• Content Strategy: Focus on content that drives leads rather than just impressions.

[12:19] Matt: "If you're an existing business owner, what I would look to implement is a clear profile, a lead magnet, and a content strategy that drives leads."

7. Overcoming Common Challenges

Matt identifies common pitfalls businesses face in lead generation and sales:

• Overemphasis on Brand: New users often focus too much on branding instead of generating quality leads.
• Cold Outreach Ineffectiveness: Cold calling and emailing often result in low conversion rates for small businesses.

[06:21] Matt: "I think there's an overemphasis put on brand, especially for people starting out on social media."

8. Generating Quality Leads

Matt emphasizes the importance of quality over quantity in lead generation:

• Focus on Ideal Clients: Narrow down the target audience to ensure higher conversion rates.
• Personalized Outreach: Personalized messages referencing mutual connections improve acceptance rates.

[16:01] Matt: "You want to pick a micro-niche you're serving and start there because the quality of leads will be much better."

9. Reigniting Conversations with Leads

For businesses with an existing but inactive audience, Matt suggests strategies to reignite interest:

• Offer Campaigns: Proactively reach out to existing contacts with tailored offers or invitations to events.
• Event-Based Engagement: Host interactive events like Zoom calls instead of passive webinars to build trust and encourage participation.

[41:49] Matt: "Run offer campaigns and then just DM more people and make offers. 5 months later, he made $96K in a month as a solo."

10. Final Insights and Recommendations

Matt concludes with actionable advice for businesses struggling with lead generation and sales on LinkedIn:

• Consistency is Key: Repeating successful strategies builds clarity and results over time.
• Simplify the Sales Process: Make the sales journey as effortless as possible for potential clients.
• Invest in Quality Interactions: Higher-priced offerings often attract more committed and suitable clients.

[58:13] Matt: "If you take a couple of things from this conversation and implement them, you'll be better than 99% of other people."

He encourages listeners to utilize available free resources and consider implementing the discussed strategies to enhance their LinkedIn lead generation and sales processes.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Lakajev [00:22]: "I believe, controversially, that you don't even need more than 500 followers to actually make a living doing this as a creator."
• Matt Lakajev [05:06]: "I don’t believe that content is a requirement for selling. I believe that content itself is an accelerant to start more high-quality conversations with ideal clients."
• Matt Lakajev [16:01]: "You want to pick a micro-niche you're serving and start there because the quality of leads will be much better."
• Matt Lakajev [58:13]: "If you take a couple of things from this conversation and implement them, you'll be better than 99% of other people."

Conclusion

In this enlightening episode, Matt Lakajev shares his expertise on leveraging LinkedIn for effective lead generation and sales. By focusing on quality connections, optimizing LinkedIn profiles, and implementing strategic outreach, businesses can significantly enhance their lead generation efforts without needing large follower bases. Matt’s practical advice and actionable strategies provide valuable insights for creators and small business owners aiming to maximize their LinkedIn presence and convert connections into valuable clients.

For more detailed strategies and resources, visit sevenfigurecreators.com.