Tips for Networking in a Digital Environment

I've officially been on LinkedIn for 10 years (as of today), and have been sharing Career & Job Search content for the last 4. The job market has changed, hiring skills have adapted, but one piece of advice always sticks... use LinkedIn to *network when you don't need to network.* If you can learn anything from this platform, it's that you can generate conversation - authentic conversation - through comments, messages and content sharing. LinkedIn doesn't need to be a place you only use for a job search, or when you need something. Every time you sign in, use this chance as a new opportunity to meet, network and grow. For 10 years on LinkedIn, here are 10 of my best networking tips: 1. Always. Be. Curious. 2. Don't start networking conversations with paragraphs about yourself. 3. Lead with questions. 4. Genuinely comment on people's posts. 5. It is ok to DM people you don't know. Get over this fear. 6. Don't be afraid to share your value on LinkedIn - how can you help others? 7. Use humor in communication, we don't have to be so serious all the time! 8. Find a commonality, it is the best way to connect with someone you don't know. 9. Don't be afraid to follow up. And follow up again. 10. Be yourself. Don't overuse messaging templates that are not your tone, let your personality shine through how you network with others. #networking #linkedintips #networkingtips #careergrowth #linkedincoach

5 Tips to boost your LinkedIn response rate.  Tired of your LinkedIn messages getting lost in the digital abyss? 📥 It's time to rethink your approach and increase your chances of making meaningful connections! 1. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: Instead of diving straight into the DMs with a sales pitch, take the time to engage with your prospect's content. Like their posts, leave thoughtful comments, and show genuine interest in what they have to say. Building rapport first increases the likelihood of your message being noticed and welcomed. 2. 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆: Avoid generic, one-size-fits-all messages that scream "spam." Take the time to personalize your outreach by referencing specific content or insights shared by your prospect. Show them that you've done your homework and tailor your message accordingly. 3. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗨𝗽𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁: Instead of immediately asking for something, focus on providing value to your prospect. Share helpful resources, insights, or relevant industry news that demonstrate your expertise and establish credibility. By offering value upfront, you lay the foundation for a more meaningful conversation. 4. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗜𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿: Clearly communicate the purpose of your message and why you're reaching out. Avoid vague or overly salesy language that can turn people off. 5. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆: If you don't receive a response to your initial message, don't give up! Follow up strategically with a polite and friendly reminder. Acknowledge their busy schedule and reiterate the value you can offer. Remember, building relationships on LinkedIn is all about authenticity, engagement, and providing value. By taking a thoughtful and strategic approach to your direct messages, you can increase your chances of making meaningful connections and driving results. #LinkedInTips #Networking #DSO #DentalIndustry  

I've found the best networking comes by following up on introductions. When a colleague or friend makes an introduction, I always take the time to follow up with the new connection. I find that this is the best way to build relationships and create opportunities. With a recommendation from someone who knows both parties, a new connection is more likely to have interest in meeting. In turn, when I’m facilitating new connections, I try to highlight why I thought the two parties might benefit from connecting. This helps to ensure that both parties are on the same page and that they have a reason to want to talk to each other. If you're looking to grow your network, I encourage you to follow up on introductions. Keep the good karma going by making intros between people in your network. It's a great way to meet new people, learn about new opportunities, and make connections that can benefit you in your career. Here are a few tips for following up on introductions: → Respond promptly—For intros via email, I reply all with the original sender on bcc and include a specific thank-you to the person who made the introduction. This shows your appreciation and lets them know that you value their connection. → Share scheduler—In the same email (after thanking the person who made the introduction), I address the new connection directly to express my interest in meeting and share my scheduler link. My scheduler (Calendly) allows people to see when I’m available and grab a time slot that works for their schedule; this requires no follow up emails or additional back and forth. →Follow up after your initial meeting—Be prepared to follow up with the new connection after your initial meeting. This could include sending an email with links to resources or additional connections mentioned in your discussion, a simple thank-you message, scheduling another meeting, or connecting on social media. By following up on introductions, you can build strong relationships and create opportunities for yourself and others. So next time you receive an introduction, remember to follow up!

Has it gotten away from you? It did from me. But, here is what I do and you should too. I started a post I was really excited about this morning around 6:30a. It didn't get finished. I got busy. It happens sometimes and guess what? It's OK. I view LinkedIn as my community and a networking platform. It is where I meet people and have great conversations. Sales is generally a by-product from networking and meeting people. 🚫 That doesn't mean it's passive. 🚫 It doesn't mean I don't have targeted prospects 🚫 It doesn't mean I just go to the newsfeed and look at post. Here is what I do and what I recommend. 🔥 Start with a targeted list of prospects 🔥 Also have a list of people who influence your prospects. Who are the speakers, authors, consultants and C-suite who publish regularly and your prospects pay attention to their content. (This is HUGE!) 🔥 Look at your prospects accounts and see if they publish regularly. If they do, awesome. Comment on their posts before sending connection requests or asking for anything like a meeting. 🔥 If they don't, keep commenting on the influencers posts and build a digital relationship with them. They will appreciate it. Anyone who posts appreciates those who comment on their posts. 🔥 Be active and be a giver. When, its right, send connection requests and ask for meetings. But, please do your research and have good reasons for them to accept your connection or consider a meeting with you. 🔥 Pay attention to what your prospects react to and comment on. Go engage with those posts. Show up as an engager before asking for meetings. Most people look for an easy button or automation tools to create meetings. The data is not very favorable for trying to capture existing demand. Create demand by networking, meeting people and adding value to your community. It's a game changer and doesn't feel like more work but more fun. I used the eclipse picture because I had it for the post that I didn't actually publish. 🤷🏽♂️ #modernselling #socialprospecting

HELP!!! Have you ever asked people in your network to "keep an eye out" for job opportunities? It's a common tactic but often ineffective. Proactively reaching out is great for finding unadvertised opportunities and getting on the radar of potential employers, but the approach matters. The main issue is that people want to help but often don't know how. Vague requests like "Can you keep an eye out for me?" don't provide enough information for them to act. How you ask for help matters and here's a good way to structure your message: → Friendly Introduction: Example: "Hi [Name], I hope you're well. You may have heard about the layoffs at Peloton. My role was eliminated, and I'm seeking my next career move. Could you help?" → Share Specifics: Example: "At Peloton, I was a Marketing Operations Manager. I want to use my skills in digital marketing, data analysis, and project management in my next role. I'd also love to manage a small team." → List Companies or Industries of Interest: Example: "I'm particularly interested in staying in wellness tech, like companies such as Zwift, Noom, and Headspace." → Share Potential Job Titles: Example: "I'm targeting roles like Marketing Operations Manager, Marketing Project Manager, Demand Generation Manager, and Sr. Marketing Analyst." → Make a Specific Ask: Example: "I'm hoping you might know of a relevant job opening or someone at a wellness tech company you could introduce me to. I'd greatly appreciate it and would be happy to return the favor in the future!" Make it as easy as possible for the other person to help you! The same goes for contacting recruiters about specific job roles! #Jobsearch #Gethired #Networking #CSG

Networking, let's get this straight, isn't a game of how many business cards you can collect; it's about sowing seeds for relationships that bear fruit over time. It's not about who you know, it's about who wants to know you. Here's how you do it: 1️⃣ Dive into the virtual world. Attend webinars, online forums, or any digital gathering where industry leaders are speaking. Don't just be another name in the attendee list. Ask questions, engage in the chat, follow up with speakers or participants afterward. Make your presence felt. 2️⃣ But don't stop there. Physical presence still counts. Hit up local industry meetups, conferences, or seminars. When you're there, don't just hover around the snack table. Introduce yourself, start conversations, listen more than you talk. Be genuinely interested in what others are doing and find common ground. 3️⃣ Let's talk about informational interviews – a grossly underutilized tool. Reach out to professionals, not for jobs, but for insights. Ask them about their journey, the challenges they face, the trends they see. This is not about you asking for favors; it's about understanding their world. And here's the kicker: people love talking about themselves. Let them. ➡ ➡ ➡ But here's the crucial part: offer value in every interaction. Don't be a leech, sucking information and connections without giving anything back. Share your insights, offer your help, maybe connect them with someone in your network. It's a two-way street. And remember, the time to build your network isn't when you're desperate for a job. It's now. When you're not asking for a job, but for advice, connections, and insights. By the time you need your network, it should already be there, strong and waiting. Networking is a long game, play it wisely. #networking #linkedin #linkedinconnection #linkedinhacks

Are your networking convos going nowhere?  Then, you are likely not asking the right questions at the end of the chat. So let me fix this for ya. Here are my favorite end-of-chit-chat questions to make sure you keep the new connections moving forward. ⭐ Expanding Your Network: "Based on our conversation, who else would you recommend I speak with to gain further insights into this field?" ⭐ Gaining Deeper Industry Insight: "Are there any groups, associations, or forums you think I should join to connect with other professionals in this field?" ⭐ Understanding Company Culture: "Who in your organization has been pivotal to your understanding of the company culture, and might they be open to a discussion?" ⭐ Exploring Opportunities: "In your opinion, which companies or teams are doing exciting work in this space that I should explore further?" ⭐ Finding Mentors and Advisors: "I'm interested in finding a mentor in the field. Is there someone whose career path you admire and who might be open to a mentorship conversation?" ⭐ Learning About Roles and Functions: "Which colleagues of yours have taken interesting paths or roles that you think I could learn from?" ⭐ Asking for Introductions: "Would you be comfortable introducing me to anyone in your network who you think could provide additional perspective on my job search?" ⭐ Keeping the Conversation Going: "What events or meetups would you suggest I attend to meet like-minded professionals in this industry?" ⭐ Following Industry Developments: "Are there any upcoming industry events or webinars that you think would be beneficial for someone in my position to attend?" ⭐ Staying in Touch: "How can I best keep in touch with you as I continue exploring this field and potentially seek your advice again in the future?" So...will you use these banging questions in your next networking chat? Then drop a "YEAH" Lil Jon style in the comments below. #networking #networkingtips

Here’s where most people drop the ball when they network. They plant a seed, but they don’t cultivate it. It’s great to go to a networking event and meet some new people. Even better to have a good one-on-one conversation. But too often, when we network, we have a nice cup of coffee, find out some interesting information about the other person, and then promptly file it away in their mind and go back to their work. By doing so, you don’t keep the relationship growing. You don’t have to become best friends and go golfing every week. But you have to keep a low level of engagement going over time. A low simmer. Find ways to stay in touch: ↘ Send them a follow-up email saying you enjoyed the conversation. ↘Connect with them on social media channels. Even if it’s just LinkedIn, you now have another avenue for communication. They’ll see your updates and vice versa. ↘Look for ways to connect them with opportunities. It might not happen for months, but if there is a way you can help them, do it. ↘Put a reminder in whatever time-scheduler you use to reach back out for a follow-up meeting (Google notes or Outlook reminders work just fine). It could be next month, next quarter, or even six to twelve months down the line, but remind yourself to reach back out them. By expanding your network, you are creating opportunities for your career down the line. The line might be 3 months long…or 3 years, but if you don’t start the ball rolling, you’ll never have a chance to reap the rewards.   By starting and cultivating these relationships, you are investing in social capital. There will be a point in the future when one of these people will be able to help you: They could be the person approving a new position (that you want) in your company, they could give an introduction to a potential client, or they could have a start-up company that wants to hire you. Plant the seeds. And then nurture them. #networking #networkingworks #socialnetworking

How to network without being “salesly” (And build genuine relationships) — Networking is hands down one of the most underrated aspects of business. A network built on reciprocity is also one of the BIGGEST assets any founder can call upon 10 tips to grow yours the RIGHT way: 1. Offer help first When reaching out to someone, think about how you can help them before asking for anything in return. This can be through introductions, sharing resources, or providing insights to a post of theirs. The goal is to leave no doubt that you’re not just a “taker” but a “giver”. — 2. Acknowledge milestones It might not mean much to you, but any personal milestone is HUGE inside for someone in your network. - Job changes - Work anniversaries - Professional accomplishments. Show that you CARE about their journey. — 3. Personalized connection requests (I know you’re sick of these fake connect requests as much as I am…) So show some personalization! Mention how you found them, why you want to connect, and a specific common interest or goal. It’s the little extra efforts like this that separate you from others. (p.s. “Let’s find synergies” is making you look like you’re spamming) — 4. Regularly update your LinkedIn profile Keep it current with your: - Skills - Projects - Latest achievements A well-maintained profile makes it easier for people to understand your professional background… Which makes it easier for them to relate to you when you speak. — 5. Open your network to others I’m ALWAYS looking for opportunities to introduce my connections to each other. This not only helps them, but it also strengthens your position as a valuable connector. If you be the person who helps build relationships… They’ll remember you for it. — 6. Follow up Stay in touch with your contacts regularly to maintain your relationships. You don’t have to do this daily or even weekly… But a little check-in here and there goes a long way in showing you care. — 7. Organize networking events Host your own networking events or small meet-ups. (In person or through Zoom) This is another great way to be a connector. Strong networking skills involve being able to bring people together in a meaningful way. — [BONUS] - Become the go-to guy in groups Underrated hack: join LinkedIn groups related to your industry or interests. While in the group… - Share your expertise - Be active in discussions - Connect with group members There’s nothing like chatting with like-minded people. (And most people don’t do it). — By implementing these strategies consistently, you will build authentic and meaningful relationships. The goal is to cultivate and build a network that supports and grows with you. What’s your biggest struggle in terms of networking? — Found value in this? Repost ♻️ to share to your network and follow Ignacio Carcavallo for more!

🌟 Networking Tip of the Week: Mastering the "Connect" Button on LinkedIn! In the realm of networking, every click of the "Connect" button holds significance. So when should you use it? 🔍 Follow vs. Connect: "Follow" when you're intrigued by someone's content and want more. "Connect" when you're aiming for a meaningful connection. *My general rule of thumb is that we should have or be ready to have a meaningful 30 minute chat before we add each other to our professional network. 💡 How to Connect: Include a Note: Personalize your connection request. It's your digital handshake. Find Common Ground: Tangible connections fuel meaningful interactions. Hint: I don't mean "We're in the same professional group on LinkedIn" Purposeful Outreach: Job hunting? Reach out with purpose, and include previous connections or professional overlap. 🤝 Building Bridges: Interested in our company or one in my network (or any other professional on LinkedIn for that matter)? 🛑 Don't click connect right away.... Start with a message providing context. Once you've had a meaningful conversation, then hit that connect button. Your network get's less powerful when you don't actually know the people that you are connected to. 📈 Upgrade for Impact: Upgrading your account amplifies your networking potential. It's an investment in meaningful connections and it allows you to message potential meaningful connections without moving too quickly to "connect." 🔗 Let's Connect! Don't hesitate to reach out if you're keen to connect about our company or any shared interests. Let's make meaningful connections together! #NetworkingTips #LinkedInStrategy #ConnectWithPurpose #BuildingConnections #ProfessionalNetworking