Zero Sales Calls: How to Close Clients Over LinkedIn DM

Over 2 years ago, I left my corporate marketing role to start my Fractional CMO business; I was confident in my ability to deliver results.

Sounds familiar?

I had spent years leading marketing teams, building growth strategies, and scaling campaigns.

But suddenly, I was on my own.

- No brand name backing me

- No warm inbound leads from a company website

- No history of clients

I could talk about what I did all day, but convincing prospects to trust me enough to pay me?

That was a different challenge.

I assumed I’d have to spend hours on sales calls, pitching my services and proving my expertise. But the more calls I booked, the more I realized something:

Most people don’t want to hop on a call.

Many busy CEOs, founders, and executives prefer to make quick decisions. They don’t want to sit through a long pitch—they want to know:

✅ Do you understand their problem?
✅ Can you solve it?
✅ What’s the price?

Once I realized this, I shifted my approach. Instead of pushing calls, I started closing deals entirely through DMs—on LinkedIn.

That’s how I landed my first high-ticket fractional client without a single call.

And it’s exactly what you’ll do this week with this 3-step framework.

Step 1: Start a Strategic Conversation (Without Sounding Salesy)

The key to closing clients in the DMs is starting conversations naturally.

Here’s how to find potential leads:

🔹Look at who’s engaging with your posts (likes, comments, shares).
🔹Check who’s viewed your profile on LinkedIn.
🔹Find people in relevant Facebook or LinkedIn groups.

💬 DM Openers That Feel Natural:

“Hey [Name], I saw your comment on [mutual connection’s] post. Great insights! Are you also working on [related challenge]?”

“I noticed you’re in [industry]. How’s business been for you lately?”

“Loved your post on [topic]! Are you currently looking to improve [problem you solve]?”

Your goal: Spark a real conversation, not pitch immediately.

Step 2: Identify Their Problem & Give a Quick Win

Once they engage, shift the conversation to uncover their biggest challenge.

✅ Ask a direct but casual question:

“What’s been your biggest challenge with [problem] lately?”
“Are you happy with the results you’re getting from [current solution]?”
“I hear that a lot. Curious, have you tried [quick solution]?”

✅ Give them a quick win to prove your expertise.

If they mention a struggle, share a simple, actionable tip they can implement immediately.

💡 Example DM Flow:

👤 Prospect: “Yeah, I’ve been struggling to get leads. I post on LinkedIn, but no one bites.”
✅ You: “I hear that a lot! One thing that’s worked for my clients: Instead of just posting, engage with 5-10 ideal prospects per day. It boosts visibility and sparks real convos.”

They’ll either say:

💬 “Wow, I never thought of that!” (Now they see you as an expert.)
💬 “That makes sense, but I’m still stuck.”(Now they need your deeper help.)

Either way, you’ve built trust without selling.

Step 3: Make a Direct Offer (Without Feeling Pushy)

Now that you’ve helped them, it’s time to transition into your offer.

🔹 Smooth ways to pitch in the DMs:

“This is exactly what I help clients with. Do you want me to map out a custom plan for you?”
“I have a service that fixes this. Do you want me to share details?”
“If you want a full strategy, I have a [coaching/session/service]. Interested?”

🔹 Examples of DM Offers:

“I have a 4-week strategy session where I help Fractionals land 3 new clients—want me to send details?”
“I offer a done-for-you service that solves this—if you want, I can share pricing and next steps?”

The key?

You’re not selling—you’re offering a solution in a way that feels natural.

🫵 Weekly Challenge

👉 Use this 3-step framework to convert ONE DM conversation into a paying client.