Samantha McKenna

Founder @ #samsales l Sales + Cadences + Executive Branding on LinkedIn l Ex-LinkedIn l Keynote Speaker l 13 Sales Records l Early Stage Investor l Overly Enthusiastic l Swiss Dual Citizen l Creator, Show Me You Know Me®

I had my first exposure to competitive "sales" in sixth grade when my school raised money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  Knocking door to door and delivering a pitch was the start of my education; I still have the portable TV that I won for second place, which fuels my competitive spirit.

I’ve spent my career in sales doing a few things – breaking records, putting others first, creating global sales programs, educating through peer interaction, and going to great lengths to make people feel valued.  I’ve launched new verticals, overseen the GTM strategy for some of the most successful initiatives in company history, and put in processes across businesses that redefine how each company works and succeeds.

As the founder of #samsales, I oversee an all-women team of 14 who believe in a manners-first and buyer-first approach. We:

•	Run sales trainings that cover prospecting via your likely under-utilized LI Sales Nav licenses, how to write great email copy, Show Me You Know Me™, perfect discovery calls, etc. all while being sales methodology agnostic

•	Speak at 100+ annual events - keynoting for SKOs, international conferences, and podcasts alike re: sales, social selling, and women in tech/sales/leadership

•	Write the content you have in Outreach.io, etc using our proprietary techniques + the most up-to-date data on what works to drive opens + replies

•	Teach social selling - as an LI influencer, ambassador of Sales Navigator, and former LI leader, I understand how to use the ecosystem to truly SELL. I've personally trained tens of thousands on the platform, ranging from 10-person teams to Fortune 500 brands. 

•	Build brands for C-Suites on LinkedIn.  If you want to build a brand on LI but don't know what to write, don't understand the algorithm, and don't have the time to manage, our full-service strategy will manage it exclusively like we do for some of the most prominent/highly visible execs you see on LI.

As a founder, I have one goal - to make as much positive impact as we can.  Since our inception, we’ve raised over 120K via personal donations + our annual charity events for incredible causes, and have given away hundreds of our trainings to the military and transitioning teachers, free of charge.

When you hire us, you're not just hiring a team, but rather investing in one who constantly puts good into the world.

Who am I, otherwise - 

Philanthropist, investor, dog lover, die hard competitor, writer, former Nickelodeon game show contestant, extrovert, expert in self-deprecating humor, and willing to walk through fire to make you laugh.

Limited Partner

Sign up for our newsletters, webinars, and all our content here www.samsalesconsulting.com 

Phyllis: Thanks for your email! I'm not the right person, Rebecca Taylor is.
Rep: Hi Rebecca, Phyllis suggested I reach out to you...
😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑

A few ways to level up your replies to these kinds of referrals:

A. Always reply to these emails. This person did the unthinkably kind thing - they replied AND gave you the name of the contact. Gratitude FTW.

B. In the email, ask, "I'll send her a note in just a minute - do you mind if I reference your name or would you prefer I not?"

"in just a minute..." signals your hope for a quick reply

C. Change your subject line 

"Training Inquiry - Referred by Phyllis Nefler" (with permission)

"Training Inquiry - Referred by a colleague" (without permission)

Bonus points if you add a little Show Me You Know Me here and really make an effort.

D. Don't bury the lede 

The reason you want to change the subject line is that you worked to get the most powerful thing: a piece of information that will exponentially up the odds of an open, but also a reply. 

I most often see this info pop up in the body or in a PS, which robs us of using that really great piece of data right in the subject line.

E. "Suggested" isn't exactly truthful, right? 

Be super careful with language as "suggested" ...well, suggests...that the person thought it was a good idea for you to reach out when, in fact, they simply gave you the correct name.

Imagine if Rebecca asks Phyllis who says, "I didn't suggest anything, I simply pointed them in the right direction", and now we've lost trust, and potentially the reply/meeting.

Bonus?

Connect with all parties on LinkedIn, especially Phyllis. Just because she wasn't the buyer this time, doesn't mean she won't be down the line.

This and about 12 other plays for proactive and reactive referrals is part of our Show Me You Know Me masterclass, and with 91% of buyers willing to offer referrals, one of the easiest ways you can set your pipeline on fire for 2026. 

#samsales

85% of sellers use spreadsheets to manage their books and deals. I know because...I'm one of them. What? Who said that? 

But, I can tell you why: because it's maddening to not have a single pane view of all our deals, next steps, contacts, client data, etc. 

As a seller, moving between countless tabs and products to remind myself of status and next steps, was inefficient, so I built something that made sense for how I think...the ever-so-modern-Google spreadsheet 💁‍♀️

If you're like me, what ZoomInfo launched with their GTM Workspaces solution should stop you in your tracks. 

One home for complete buyer context and even a way to help scale your Show Me You Know Me with automated research, making it even easier for you to stand out with your buyers. 

We know that sellers still spend more time admin'ing than selling, but I don't think we consider as much how the inefficiencies of running through all these different tabs and platforms costs us in pipe and deal progression. 

This product happens to be one step in the very right direction. https://lnkd.in/eQP9g3ee

#samsales

Craig Davis

An award-winning Senior Customer Service Representative with 12+ years of experience. Helping hospitality companies create amazing customer experiences that drive 7-figures in annual growth.

I help content creators on LinkedIn by leaving value-driven comments.

My first job was working as a Janitor at the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York in June 2006. I enjoyed learning how to serve people, do a job, and learn about its mission.

I volunteer to serve Thanksgiving food, Christmas Gifts and attend church conferences.

Those experiences translated to my first full-time job, working at a casino in October 2011.

Out of over 1,000+ employees with no phone experience, I became the first-ever Employee of the Month in the Call Center for Outstanding Customer Service.

My former manager wrote in 2015:

"His dedication to excellence and delivering above and beyond what is required makes him a solid addition to any organization." - Elba Batista, Former Customer Relations Manager at Resorts World Casino New York City.

Working in hospitality taught me how to be patient, empathetic, and caring.

My goal is to become a Customer Success Associate at a hospitality tech startup in New York, NY. Here are three reasons why:

1) To start, I want to make a career change that I will be happy with for a long time.

2) Throughout my career, I’ve become an expert at uncovering people’s desired outcomes to help create amazing customer experiences.

3) You get my skills and relevant customer experience to bring a hospitality tech startup in New York, NY.

Why a hospitality startup? To bring insights from working in hotels.

I create content on LinkedIn that focuses on personal branding, adding value, and sharing webinar takeaways. I like to visit Farmer's Markets in New York.

To see webinar takeaways from May 27th, 2020 to now, click "See all" on the featured tab.

To follow my content, follow my hashtag: #CraigNotes

If you are open to how we can work and help each other, please send an InMail or LinkedIn Message.

Specialties: Customer Experience | Hospitality Expert | Account Management | Communication | Relationship Management | Data Analysis | Project Management | Customer Engagement | Relationship Building | Market Research | Customer Retention | Salesforce.com | Customer Support | Troubleshooting | Data Entry | Technical Support

Technical Skills / Systems: | Trello | OS365 / Microsoft Office - Word, Excel, Sharepoint, Powerpoint | Google Suite - Docs, Sheets, Slides | SQL | Slack | Hubspot | OnQ | Meridian | HotSoS | MARSHA | Guestware | Canva | Zoom

Senior Customer Service Representative

•	Facilitated exceptional customer experiences through utilizing data within the hotel data 
        management system, resulting in $5K of extra daily revenue.

•	Boosted customer testimonials by handling customer inquiries during the nomination which 
        resulted in winning the 2019 Certificate of Excellence award from TripAdvisor for the hotel.

•	Upsell ~$900k on an annual basis for upgrades in service packages and room upgrades 
        consistently by educating customers on incentives and rewards.

7 LinkedIn challenges I’m taking on in 2026

(Here's how to completely transform your networking)

1. I will ask for specific help when I need it

- Start your post with: "I need your advice on this."
- Share what you tried. Be straight to the point.
- Ask why you need help. (Not clear? Rewrite)

2. I will personalize my comments

- When commenting, share your personal experience.
- Write how you felt or what the post reminds you of.
- Even if you think no one will read it, still share.

3. I will go on a call with 1 connection monthly

- Check connections you haven't spoken to.
- In your DM, mention a recent post you loved.
- Finally, ask to speak for 15 minutes. Follow up.

4. I will write at least 1 LI Recommendation per quarter.

- Reach out to your 1st degree connections.
- Think of how they added value to you and thank them.
- Send a draft. Talk about the situation, with results.

5. I will reflect on my comments to improve them

- Look at the last 10 comments you wrote.
- Think of how you can make your comments better.
- Ask yourself: "Does my comment expand on the post?"

6. I will connect with at least 1 new person per day

- Check posts from 2nd and 3rd-degree connections.
- Check their content and send a personalized request.
- Offer to support their posts. Check their posting time.

7. I will write 7 thank you cards to send in person
- Find a store or shop online to buy blank cards.
- Let your connections know you are sending a card.
- Ask where to mail it to and thank them for their help.

This list is important to help you build real relationships.

Let's make 2026 the year of quality networking!

(Save and Repost this ♻️ to help someone start 2026 strong.)

P.S. Which of these (1-7) will you start first in 2026? Happy New Year!

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

Helping beginners navigate LinkedIn and stand out with proven tips and strategies | 10+ years on LinkedIn, known for writing "really good comments" that convert

This is easily overlooked in LinkedIn comments:

Making the author of the post look "great".

Often times, we fall into this trap of trying to say the best thing. Something that'll attract likes and replies.

But we forget about the author of the post.

My simple formula is:

1. Always tag + acknowledge the author of a post
2. Compliment them.

Why should you do this? Because...

1. You're valuing the author's work
2. You're not making it all about yourself
3. It shows "authenticity" to your audience

In a nutshell...

Don't make your comment look good.
Make the author look great too!
It's an excellent combination!

Sounds "good"? :)

(Save and repost this to help others make authors of posts look great.♻️)

P.S. Do you compliment a post's author in your comments? Or do you just leave your thoughts?

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

Working hard towards your New Year’s resolution?

Or is momentum starting to fade?

Here's the truth:

Most people have resolutions that fade before the month ends.

In my opinion, the best way to stay the course and to accomplish your goals is to start smart. To do this you:

Take a goal.
Break it down.
Make it realistic.

For example: my goal is to comment on at least 20 new people's posts. Daily.

So I:

-Set aside time to comment daily
-Ensure my commenting time is uninterrupted
-Have a list of 20 accounts that I want to comment on

This means I have to step out of my comment zone, too.

And I have to build a habit. One that I can handle.

But the good thing is the more you do it, the better you get.

Carry this momentum forward and make each day count so you can ensure that you meet your goal.

Let's make 2026 a great year for stretching ourselves!

(Save and repost this so someone can start 2026 well.♻️)

P.S. What new habits are you starting to build this year?

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

The best thing about the new year?

You get a chance to work on you.

Wrote LinkedIn Articles for 5 years since December 2020.

The theme for 2026 is in the article.

(Save and repost this.♻️)

P.S. Do you make New Year's Resolutions?

👉 Click my hashtag #CraigNotes for more of my posts.

Tuesday, 8:05am January 6th, 2026 Mom is resting. She made breakfast for the family. Baby bro is in his room. Right now, it's partly cloudy. It's 35 d

Open article: My theme for 2026 by Craig Davis • 2 min read

taplio

The Battle

Samantha McKenna

Craig Davis

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreSamantha McKenna's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreCraig Davis's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Samantha McKenna

Craig Davis

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Samantha McKenna's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreCraig Davis's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSamantha McKenna's LinkedIn Performance