#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Updated: June 26, 2026

PlayBook#3 – (Framework sourced from Matt Lakajev’s strategy)

Why this Playbook matters

Content creates attention.
Conversations create revenue.
Matt is very clear about this:

→ Cash comes from conversations, not posts.

So we focus on moving people from passive viewers
to chats that lead to calls.

This Playbook gives you:

• Warm network activation
• Cold and “lukewarm” outreach
• Sales Navigator approach
• DM conversation flow
• Lead segmentation system


Section A — Start With Warm Leads First

(Quickest path to money)

Before searching for strangers, reconnect with the people who already know you.
This is called Warm Network Activation.

Steps:

  1. Export/download your LinkedIn connections list
  2. Identify anyone you have worked with or spoken to before
  3. Message them using this simple re-activation script:

Warm Activation Script

“Hey [Name], it’s been a while.
I’m helping [target group] with [specific problem].
Are you still working on that or do you know anyone who might need help?”

Low pressure. Fast response. Easy pipeline lift with existing trust.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section B — The “Closed-Loss” Campaign

(Revisit old leads every 30 days)

People who once said:
• “Not now”
• “No budget”
• “Maybe later”
may now be ready.

Matt’s rule:
Re-engage every 30 days.

Message template:

“Hi [Name], things change fast.
Quick check-in — is [problem] still a priority for you this quarter?”

This works because timing changes buying decisions.


Section C — Cold Outreach Strategy

(Better: Warm-introduced Cold)

Sales Navigator: Champions & Twins Method
One of Matt’s strongest strategies.

  1. Identify your Champions
    (best clients, super fans, most trusting buyers)
  2. Use Sales Navigator to find Twins
    People with the same:
  • Industry
  • Job title
  • Company type/size
  • Region
  1. Filter to 2nd-degree connections
    (to show mutual trust signal)
  2. Send the message:

“Hi [Name], I noticed you’re connected with [Champion].
We helped them with [specific result].
Thought it might be worth connecting.”

Not cold anymore — trust inherited.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section D — Lead Segmentation (The 3 Tiers)

Not every prospect is equal.
Adjust your speed of follow-up based on their intent.

TierTypeHow to handle
Tier 1 — HotInbound leads w/ clear interestMove to call within minutes
Tier 2 — WarmViewed your profile, clicked featured, likes your postsEngage gently over days
Tier 3 — ColdNo signals yetHigh volume, low personalization

This prevents wasted time and maximizes outcomes.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section E — The Waterfall DM Technique

DMs must feel natural — not like a job interview.
Matt teaches this:

The Waterfall:

  1. Acknowledge — validate them
  2. Add value — offer a small resource or insight
  3. Peel-back question — one targeted question
    (Not paragraphs. Not multiple questions.)

Example sequence:

Step 1: “Appreciate your recent post on [topic] — great point.”
Step 2: “I have a case study that solves exactly that.”
Step 3: “Out of curiosity, is [pain point] part of your focus this month?”

This creates conversation without pressure.


Section F — “Sell Only the Next Step” Philosophy

Do not sell your full service in DMs.
Your only goal is micro-commitments that move forward.

Step-by-step progression:

  1. Connection request
  2. One reply
  3. Resource clicked
  4. Short chat
  5. Short call booked
  6. Full call delivered

Each step earns trust to unlock the next.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section G — Real Tracking = Real Growth

Use a simple tracker (spreadsheet or CRM):

NameTierLatest ActionNext StepDue Date
John D.WarmViewed profileEngage with postTomorrow

If you do not track, you cannot scale.

Matt calls this building a “Trust Score” system.


Mistakes That Kill Sales Conversations

Wrong ApproachBetter Approach
Long paragraphsShort, text-message style
Pitching immediatelyEarn permission first
Asking too many questionsOne purposeful question
Focusing on yourselfFocus on their problem
Ghosting warm leadsScheduled follow-ups

The buyer should feel like the conversation is about them — not your target.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Quick Action Checklist

Complete these before you move to Playbook #4:

☑️ 25 warm reach-outs this week
☑️ Closed-loss follow-ups sent
☑️ Build a Champions list (min. 5 names)
☑️ 10 “Twin” outreach messages per day
☑️ Tag every active lead by Tier

When these are done —
Your pipeline will contain constant conversations.


Final Goal of Playbook #3

A healthy sales pipeline that never runs dry.

Once people are replying to you consistently,
you’re ready for:

Playbook #4 — Convert Conversations Into Sales Calls
(Scripts, trust gates, and call booking flow)

PlayBook#3 – (Framework sourced from Matt Lakajev’s strategy)

Why this Playbook matters

Content creates attention.
Conversations create revenue.
Matt is very clear about this:

→ Cash comes from conversations, not posts.

So we focus on moving people from passive viewers
to chats that lead to calls.

This Playbook gives you:

• Warm network activation
• Cold and “lukewarm” outreach
• Sales Navigator approach
• DM conversation flow
• Lead segmentation system


Section A — Start With Warm Leads First

(Quickest path to money)

Before searching for strangers, reconnect with the people who already know you.
This is called Warm Network Activation.

Steps:

  1. Export/download your LinkedIn connections list
  2. Identify anyone you have worked with or spoken to before
  3. Message them using this simple re-activation script:

Warm Activation Script

“Hey [Name], it’s been a while.
I’m helping [target group] with [specific problem].
Are you still working on that or do you know anyone who might need help?”

Low pressure. Fast response. Easy pipeline lift with existing trust.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section B — The “Closed-Loss” Campaign

(Revisit old leads every 30 days)

People who once said:
• “Not now”
• “No budget”
• “Maybe later”
may now be ready.

Matt’s rule:
Re-engage every 30 days.

Message template:

“Hi [Name], things change fast.
Quick check-in — is [problem] still a priority for you this quarter?”

This works because timing changes buying decisions.


Section C — Cold Outreach Strategy

(Better: Warm-introduced Cold)

Sales Navigator: Champions & Twins Method
One of Matt’s strongest strategies.

  1. Identify your Champions
    (best clients, super fans, most trusting buyers)
  2. Use Sales Navigator to find Twins
    People with the same:
  • Industry
  • Job title
  • Company type/size
  • Region
  1. Filter to 2nd-degree connections
    (to show mutual trust signal)
  2. Send the message:

“Hi [Name], I noticed you’re connected with [Champion].
We helped them with [specific result].
Thought it might be worth connecting.”

Not cold anymore — trust inherited.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section D — Lead Segmentation (The 3 Tiers)

Not every prospect is equal.
Adjust your speed of follow-up based on their intent.

TierTypeHow to handle
Tier 1 — HotInbound leads w/ clear interestMove to call within minutes
Tier 2 — WarmViewed your profile, clicked featured, likes your postsEngage gently over days
Tier 3 — ColdNo signals yetHigh volume, low personalization

This prevents wasted time and maximizes outcomes.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section E — The Waterfall DM Technique

DMs must feel natural — not like a job interview.
Matt teaches this:

The Waterfall:

  1. Acknowledge — validate them
  2. Add value — offer a small resource or insight
  3. Peel-back question — one targeted question
    (Not paragraphs. Not multiple questions.)

Example sequence:

Step 1: “Appreciate your recent post on [topic] — great point.”
Step 2: “I have a case study that solves exactly that.”
Step 3: “Out of curiosity, is [pain point] part of your focus this month?”

This creates conversation without pressure.


Section F — “Sell Only the Next Step” Philosophy

Do not sell your full service in DMs.
Your only goal is micro-commitments that move forward.

Step-by-step progression:

  1. Connection request
  2. One reply
  3. Resource clicked
  4. Short chat
  5. Short call booked
  6. Full call delivered

Each step earns trust to unlock the next.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Section G — Real Tracking = Real Growth

Use a simple tracker (spreadsheet or CRM):

NameTierLatest ActionNext StepDue Date
John D.WarmViewed profileEngage with postTomorrow

If you do not track, you cannot scale.

Matt calls this building a “Trust Score” system.


Mistakes That Kill Sales Conversations

Wrong ApproachBetter Approach
Long paragraphsShort, text-message style
Pitching immediatelyEarn permission first
Asking too many questionsOne purposeful question
Focusing on yourselfFocus on their problem
Ghosting warm leadsScheduled follow-ups

The buyer should feel like the conversation is about them — not your target.

#3 Find and Start the Right Conversations – by Matt Lakajev

Quick Action Checklist

Complete these before you move to Playbook #4:

☑️ 25 warm reach-outs this week
☑️ Closed-loss follow-ups sent
☑️ Build a Champions list (min. 5 names)
☑️ 10 “Twin” outreach messages per day
☑️ Tag every active lead by Tier

When these are done —
Your pipeline will contain constant conversations.


Final Goal of Playbook #3

A healthy sales pipeline that never runs dry.

Once people are replying to you consistently,
you’re ready for:

Playbook #4 — Convert Conversations Into Sales Calls
(Scripts, trust gates, and call booking flow)

Author
Written By
Vikash Kumar
Building AI agents, n8n workflows and end-to-end automation for 30+ Brands across India, the US, Europe, Dubai & Australia. 7+ years of Experience saving founders real hours every week - no code required.
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