Simple signals tell you who’s serious and who’s not.

Most folks treat LinkedIn like a big phone book. They look at titles, company size, maybe a few keywords—and then they wonder why half their outreach lands on people who were never going to buy anything.

A client said to me last week, “Coach, we’re reaching decision-makers, but half of them feel like tire-kickers.”

Of course they do. Because titles don’t tell the whole story. A “VP of Marketing” who hasn’t touched their profile in six months is a different animal than a VP who invests in their platform, shows up every week, and looks like they care about the game they’re playing.

LinkedIn isn’t just a directory. It’s a scoreboard. And serious buyers leave clues.

Let’s break down the signals that separate real buyers from the folks who are just walking around the lot kicking tires.

Look Past the Title. Look at the Investment.

Anyone can claim a title. But people who are serious about growth make visible investments in their presence.

You’re looking for what I call commitment signals—little markers that tell you this person isn’t dabbling. They’re building.

Here’s what matters:

Premium Tools = Skin in the Game

People paying for LinkedIn Premium, Sales Navigator, or Creator Mode aren’t hobbyists. They’re investing money to grow their network, visibility, and deal flow. That’s a buyer mindset.

Credentials That Don’t Collect Dust

Certifications, badges, current training, and featured credentials show pride and professionalism. Folks who stay current are signaling one thing:
“I invest in myself, and I expect others to as well.”

Buyer Intent Signals

LinkedIn now tracks categories of software and services people are actively researching. That’s not a maybe. That’s in-market behavior. When someone is poking around in your category, they’re not browsing—they’re shopping.

Evaluate Profile Quality Like a Pro Scout

When I recruit for a team, I don’t just watch a kid swing a bat. I watch how he walks, how he talks, how he prepares. Everything is data.

Same thing here.

A Polished Profile Means Something

A filled-out LinkedIn profile with:

• real accomplishments

• a clean custom URL

• professional photos

• active recommendations

• featured posts or articles

…tells you they care about how they show up.

Nobody “accidentally” builds a sharp profile. It takes time, and time is an investment.

Content Consistency Tells You Who’s Actually Playing the Game

A buyer doesn’t need to post every day. But if they show up monthly? Weekly? If they comment with intention?
That’s someone who understands that visibility drives opportunity. Silent profiles are usually silent buyers.

Check the Network: Who Are They Surrounded By?

You can tell a lot about someone by who they spend time with.

If their network is full of:

• other active leaders

• decision-makers

• verified experts

• high-value circles

…that’s a person swimming in the right pond. People like this don’t window-shop. They build, grow, and look for smart partners.

Weak networks are usually a sign of weak buying power.

Why This Changes the Whole Outreach Game

Most people send outreach like they’re handing out flyers in a parking lot.

But when you can read the signals, you stop wasting time on the wrong folks. You start engaging the ones who have already shown—through their behavior—that they’re ready to spend money.

If someone:

• invests in their profile

• pays for premium tools

• maintains certifications

• has buyer intent

• builds a real network

…then they’ve already paid their “qualification fee.” They’re raising their hand without saying a word.

And here’s a truth most people ignore:

The companies spending $1,000+ per month on Sales Navigator are not the same buyers as the ones logging in once a quarter.

One has urgency.
One has budget.
One has intent.
One doesn’t.

Simple as that.

What TW3 Marketing Actually Does With This

Most firms blast messages at anyone with the right job title.

Not us.

At TW3 Marketing, we study the behavior behind the profile—the clues that tell us who is serious, who is stalled, and who is never going to pull the trigger.

We target buyers, not browsers.
Professionals, not pretenders.
Growth-minded leaders, not time-wasters.

Because the best prospects aren’t hiding.

They’re showing you who they are—if you know how to look.

If you want your LinkedIn outreach to stop feeling like a guessing game and start feeling like a real sales system, this is where it starts:

Stop chasing window shoppers. Start identifying real buyers before you ever send a message.