The constant pressure to keep a small business running can be exhausting.

From the time your alarm shocks you awake, you’re already thinking about the million things you need to do.

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of business ownership.

You have to think about the product you’re developing or your marketing strategy.

Sometimes, you lose sight of important things like actually getting clients.

Finding new clients can seem like a time-consuming process.

But it doesn’t have to be.

It can even take just 15 minutes of your day and you can do it all on just one website.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through a quick but effective LinkedIn routine that can help you stay on top of your sales game—without overwhelming your day.

Let’s start with the basics!

What is a Sales Pipeline?

A sales pipeline is like your business’s lifeline.

It’s the path that every potential client takes.

Starting from the moment they hear about you, to the glorious day when they decide to hit that “buy” button or sign that contract.

Your pipeline might look something like this:

In this blog, we will be focusing on the first three stages— lead generation, lead qualification, and initiating first contact.

• Lead generation is where you attract and identify potential clients who might be interested in your product or service.

• Lead qualification is where you figure out which leads are the most likely to become customers or clients by checking if they need what you’re offering.

• Initiating contact is when you first reach out to your qualified leads to introduce yourself and start a conversation.

If you don’t have a pipeline, you’re essentially leaving your sales to chance.

And let’s be real—that’s not a solid strategy.

A pipeline gives you a clear picture of where each lead stands in your sales process, so you know exactly where to focus your energy.

It’s how you stop wasting time on leads that go nowhere and make sure you’re converting the ones that really matter.

Why do Small Businesses need a Sales Pipeline?

You might be thinking, “I’m just a small operation. Do I really need all this?“

The short answer is: absolutely! 

Here’s why:

• Predictable Income: By knowing how many leads are at each stage, you can better predict future sales.

• Stay Organised: Knowing which stage each lead is in keeps you on track and makes sure no potential client falls through the cracks.

• Higher Conversion Rates: A well-managed pipeline helps you nurture leads and guide them towards making a purchase.

Without a solid pipeline, you’re just hoping for sales to happen, instead of making them happen.

Maximise Your Morning Routine with LinkedIn

Now, let’s get to the good stuff. 

How can you fill your sales pipeline with just 15 minutes a day on LinkedIn?

This ritual is all about consistency and focus.

Here’s how to break it down:

Step 1: Optimise Your Profile (4 minutes)

First things first— your LinkedIn Profile.

Think of it like your shopfront.

 If it looks messy or unclear, potential clients will just keep walking away.

You need to show exactly who you are, what you do, and why you’re the person to solve their problems.

Here’s how to do it:

• Headline: Make your headline super clear. Something like “I craft sustainable skincare products that are gentle on you and the environment” gets straight to the point.

• Profile Pic: Use a clear, professional photo. No blurry selfies!

• Summary: Keep it punchy and focused on the value you bring to clients. Tell them exactly how you can help them solve their biggest problem.

Show Off Your Work: Include links to your portfolio, blog posts, or projects you’re proud of. This is your chance to say, “Hey, I know my stuff!”

As your business evolves or you take on new projects, make sure your profile reflects your current expertise and offerings.

You don’t need to do this step every day.

You just need to revisit and update your profile periodically.

If your profile is as updated as it can be, you can allocate more of your 15 minutes towards the other steps below!

Step 2: Check Your Notifications and Messages (3 minutes)

Now that your profile is looking sharp, check your notifications and messages. 

This should take about 3 minutes.

If you’ve got connection requests, accept the ones that make sense and reply to any messages that need your attention. 

Keep it short and sweet.

Step 3: Engage with Your Network’s Content (2 minutes)

Engagement is key to staying visible.

Like, comment, or share posts from your connections.

This helps you stay on their radar, and you might even spark a conversation that leads to business. 

Spend about 2 minutes on this.

Step 4: Post a Quick Update (2 minutes)

Post something valuable—an article, a tip, or maybe a quick insight related to your industry. 

Don’t overthink it.

The goal here is to stay active and show your expertise.

Step 5: Connect with Potential Leads (4 minutes)

Now for the most important part: finding potential clients.

Use LinkedIn’s search tool to find people in your target market.

You can do this by:

• Searching with relevant keywords

Start by typing keywords related to your target market. 

For instance, if your target market is environmentally-conscious homeowners, you can use terms like “sustainable living” or “eco-lifestyle.”

Keywords help you zero in on people who are actively discussing or interested in topics related to your business.

• Use filters to narrow down your search

Once you’ve entered your keywords, use LinkedIn’s filters to refine your search.

These filters are available when you use the search bar on LinkedIn and then click on “People” to see individual profiles. 

You can search by location, industry, or even job titles and roles!

Once you’ve found potential clients, send them a connection request.

Approach Cold Leads with a Warm Attitude

When reaching out to new connections, remember: everyone is human.

Instead of going straight for the sale, try to build a genuine relationship. 

Be warm, friendly, and most importantly, helpful.

If your keyword search strategy worked then chances are you already have something in common with them— you can start the conversation with that!

Make sure to personalise your message.

Mention something specific from their profile like a fun fact about them that they shared in their About section.

This shows that you’ve taken the time to actually pay attention.

Also, keep your message short!

People can be busy. It’s best to get to the point, but be friendly.

Here’s an example of what your first message could look like:

The goal here isn’t to close a sale immediately.

It’s to open a door, start a conversation, and plant the seeds for a potential business relationship.

Why Just 15 Minutes Can Make a Big Difference

Now, you might be thinking—15 minutes? Really? Can that even make a dent in my sales goals?

Here’s the deal: Consistency is everything.

A little bit of daily effort compounds over time.

It’s about making it a part of your morning routine.

It also helps to prevent the burnout that comes from trying to do it all at once.

Plus, 15 minutes fits neatly into most people’s attention spans, making it more likely you’ll stick to the habit.

Make Every Work Day Productive by Boosting Your Sales Pipeline Before Your Coffee Gets Cold

This LinkedIn ritual isn’t just about ticking boxes off your to-do list.

It’s about starting your day with purpose, and setting yourself up for success before most people have even hit their snooze button.

No stress, no hustle— just 15 minutes of focused LinkedIn work that signals a productive day.

This routine is also flexible.

These are just our suggested steps but you can feel free to adjust it to fit your style and what works best for your business.

Tweak it, adapt it, make it your own!

The important thing is to be consistent and genuine in your LinkedIn interactions.

By the time your coffee’s cold, you’ve already made meaningful progress in growing your business.

Now that’s how you set the tone for the day!