Tips for Engaging With New Professional Contacts

Struggling to turn networking into real, lasting connections? Here’s how you can start building powerful relationships in 7 simple steps! Most people network but fail to stay memorable. True connection isn’t just about exchanging business cards—it’s about creating mutual value. Strong networks open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and friendships. We’ve all been there—attending an event, meeting great people, exchanging info, and then… silence. Days pass, and it feels awkward to reach out again. Sound familiar? I’ve used these 7 practical strategies throughout my 20+ year career in leadership, finance, and operations, and they’ve led to lasting, high-value relationships that have shaped my career. 7 Steps to Build Fruitful, Lasting Connections: 1. Ask Better Questions Forget small talk! Ask questions that show genuine interest. Instead of “What do you do?” try “What’s something exciting you’re working on right now?” 2. Find Ways to Add Value Immediately Did they mention a problem they’re trying to solve? Offer a helpful resource, introduction, or idea—without expecting anything in return. 3. Follow Up Within 24 Hours Send a quick, thoughtful follow-up message. Mention something specific from your conversation to stand out. Example: “I really enjoyed our chat about leadership development. Here’s the article I mentioned!” 4. Be Consistent Relationships fade without consistent communication. Reach out every few weeks with something valuable—a relevant article, an invite, or even just to check in. 5. Leverage Social Media Comment on their posts, share their work, and stay visible. People remember those who engage consistently. 6. Join Their Circle If they’re part of a group or community (in person or online), join in. Shared spaces strengthen relationships naturally. 7. Be Yourself Authenticity is key. People connect with real, relatable individuals, not perfect personas. Don’t be afraid to show your personality. According to a Harvard Business Review study, professionals with strong networks are 58% more likely to find new career opportunities and report 42% greater career satisfaction. Building lasting relationships takes time. Follow these steps consistently over 3-6 months, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in both the quality and depth of your network. I met a fellow executive at a leadership conference. Instead of just swapping LinkedIn profiles, I asked, “What’s one challenge you’re facing that keeps you up at night?” That question sparked a meaningful conversation, and I later sent a helpful resource. We stayed in touch, exchanged ideas, and, over time, became collaborators. Today, that connection is a trusted professional ally. Whether you’re in operations, finance, or leadership development, building a solid network is essential for long-term success. The right relationships don’t just help—they multiply your opportunities.

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

If you struggle to keep conversations going during networking, this tip will increase your response rate. Talk about people’s passions. Why? After getting more than 17,000 followers and networking with hundreds of job searchers, I can confidently say that: People love talking about what excites them. It’s an easy way to build rapport. Here’s how I’ve helped 50+ data professionals leverage this strategy to increase response rates and build meaningful relationships: 1️⃣ Do some research. Look at their LinkedIn or portfolio. Find something impressive. 2️⃣ Start with flattery and curiosity. Example: “Hey [Name], I noticed you [accomplishment/project]. That’s incredible! What’s the part you enjoy most about it?” 3️⃣ Follow their passion. Ask questions to show genuine interest. Let the conversation flow naturally. 4️⃣ Find common ground. When they mention something you relate to, dig deeper. Build the connection. 5️⃣ Tie it back to your goal. Shift the conversation to their role or company. Example: “Oh, does your team work on X?” “How does your company approach Y?” For instance, let’s say their passion is travel. You: “That’s awesome! Where’s the most interesting place you’ve been?” Them: “I loved Thailand!” You: “That’s on my list! Did you manage to work remotely while there?” From there, the conversation naturally moves toward their job. Pro Tip: Not everyone will engage, and that’s okay. You don't have to be "perfect" to start networking. Yes, you will still get rejected, that’s part of the game. But you'll get better after multiple iterations. Focus on connecting with the right people. Try this next time you’re stuck in a conversation and let me know how it went.

Most people tell you to network, but they don’t teach you how. Here’s what you can do: 🔹 Quality Over Quantity: Before attending, study the event's attendee list and identify 2-3 people you want to meet. This focused approach can lead to deeper, more meaningful conversations. I’ve recently done this myself at a TED event. 🔹 Adopt a Giving Mindset: Offer to share your expertise or resources. For example, if someone is working on a project you have experience with, volunteer to provide insights or introduce them to someone who can help. This shows you're invested in their success. 🔹 Research Smartly: Look into their recent projects or publications. If your contact has recently published a paper or given a talk, read it and mention specific points you found intriguing or valuable. This demonstrates genuine interest and sets you apart. 🔹 Make the First Move: Send a message acknowledging a challenge they mentioned in a public forum or LinkedIn comment. For example: "Hi [Name], I saw your post about the challenges of remote team management. I've faced similar issues and found that regular virtual coffee breaks helped. Would love to share more if you're interested. Best, [Your Name]" 🔹 Build a Habit: Set a weekly reminder to engage with your network on social media. This could be liking, commenting on, or sharing posts from your contacts. Regular engagement keeps you top of mind and builds a foundation for deeper connections. Tomorrow’s newsletter is packed with actionable insights to turn casual contacts into valuable connections. ➡ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eE-aFmFy 💜 Career Well-being is the best work-life newsletter, according to my readers! Join us! #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #careerbutterfly #CareerWellbeing

"You are so interesting to talk to!" My networking partner said this after our coffee chat last week. Plot twist: I barely talked about myself. For 45 minutes, I asked about her career transition. Her challenges with remote team management. What she was learning about AI implementation. I listened. Asked follow-up questions. Showed genuine curiosity about her experience. She did 80% of the talking. Yet somehow, I was the "interesting" one. This reminded me of something negotiation expert Chris Voss teaches: interested people are interesting!!! It sounds backwards, but it works. The best networking conversations I have had? I spent most of them learning about the other person's journey, not pitching my own. The strongest professional relationships I have built? They started with me asking "What's the most challenging part of your role right now?" instead of leading with my resume. Here's what I have learned about building real connections: Stop trying to be impressive. Start being impressed by others. Ask questions that matter to them. Listen like their answer will teach you something new. Because it probably will. The fastest way to become memorable is to make others feel heard. What's the best question you have been asked in a networking conversation? What made it so good?