Why Cold Pitching Without Trust Costs You Sales

I wasn’t in the store for 10 seconds before the salesperson tried to sell me.

"Hi! Want to buy this? It’s perfect for you!"

I froze.
I didn’t know what to say.

I hadn’t even looked around yet.
He didn’t even know what I needed.

It felt… uncomfortable.
Not because he was rude, but because it was too much, too soon.

I wasn’t ready to buy.
I didn’t even know if I wanted to stay in the store.

So I smiled politely, said “no thanks,” and left.

The Same Mistake Happens on LinkedIn Every Day

We connect with someone… and before we can even read their headline, there’s a pitch in our inbox.

It’s the digital equivalent of being sold to the second you walk in the door — and it triggers the same response: hesitation, discomfort, and disconnection.

Why This Costs You Sales

From 30+ years building businesses and 10+ years writing online, I’ve learned one thing:

It doesn’t matter how good your offer is — if there’s no trust, there’s no sale.

Cold pitching without trust:

• Feels pushy and transactional.
• Skips the relationship-building stage.
• Creates resistance instead of curiosity.

How to Build Trust First on LinkedIn

If you want a “yes” without chasing – be attractive before making an offer:

1. Show up consistently with valuable, relevant posts.
2. Engage genuinely — comment, ask questions, and listen before selling.
3. Share proof — results, testimonials, and examples of your work.

These steps make the pitch feel like the next natural step, not an intrusion.

Remember

The discomfort I felt in that store is the same discomfort your prospects feel when you pitch them before they know you.

Lead with trust, and the sale often happens naturally — without the pressure.

Question:
What’s the fastest way someone has earned your trust on LinkedIn?

Wishing you success,
Hector Quintanilla
Entrepreneur • Investor • Business Writer • Creator of The Trust Newsletter