Ways to Connect with Other Entrepreneurs Online

You don’t need to attend awkward networking events to build connections. Here are 10 ways to network online (from your couch) to land your dream job, mentorship or just to stay in touch: 1. Start with warm calls, not cold DMs Reaching out to strangers is intimidating. So, begin with people you already admire or respect: past colleagues, old classmates, mentors, or anyone you’ve gotten value from. Reach out, share your goals, ask for advice, or simply reconnect. — 2. Build (or join) a 3-6 person mastermind Invite people you admire to check in monthly or quarterly. Ask 3 simple questions in each meeting: • What’s your biggest win? • What’s your biggest challenge? • How can we help each other? This becomes your personal board of advisors, and their networks become yours, too. — 3. Make intros within your own network Instead of always trying to add new people, try connecting two people you already know. It builds goodwill, and often sparks reciprocity. Some of my best opportunities came from introductions I made first. — 4. Be the tortoise, not the hare Strong networks aren’t built in a week. They come from consistency, trust, and staying top of mind. Check in. Celebrate small wins. Be helpful, even without asking for anything.  — 5. Send snail mail Want to stand out in a sea of LinkedIn messages? Send a handwritten card or even a fun comic with a note. The person will always remember your “extra” effort. — 6. Elevate the interaction • Only chatted with someone online? Try a call. • Had a few calls? Try a Zoom meeting. • Know them over Zoom? Meet up in person. Each upgrade strengthens the connection. — 7. Pick one platform to dominate Instead of being everywhere, go deep somewhere. For example, if it’s LinkedIn: • Endorse people • Write thoughtful comments • Share niche insights your network actually values   This depth pays off more than shallow visibility. — 8. Curate, don’t just connect Curate the best insights, tools, or articles in your niche, and share them regularly. You’ll become a trusted source people keep coming back or referring to. — 9. Do something fun together Shared activities build bonds. This could be as simple as playing a game, joining a sweepstakes, or co-hosting a webinar.  People remember who made them feel something. — 10. Swipe right (yes, really) Apps like Shapr or Invitly are designed for warm outreach — you match with people who want to meet others. It’s cold networking without the awkwardness. Networking isn’t about pitching. It’s about planting seeds. Start with one person. Reach out. Reconnect.  Then keep showing up, helping others, and making connections that count.

“Networking is awkward.” You know what’s more awkward? Graduating in May 2025 and applying to 127 jobs with… zero callbacks. Let’s fix that with networking ideas no one’s talking about. and I mean actionable.. 1. “Reverse Research” Your Way Into a Conversation Instead of asking people what they do, show them what you know about what they’ve done. How to do it: Find someone on LinkedIn in your target company/role Read their posts, podcasts, or panels they’ve been on Then send this message: “Hi [Name], I came across your [talk/article/post] on [topic]—your point about [insight] made me think differently. I’m researching [industry], and would love to hear your take on [specific follow-up]. Would it be okay to connect?” That’s conversation built on respect. 2. Book Club for Industry Geeks Start a virtual book or podcast club for your industry. Invite professionals to speak at the end of each cycle. How to do it: Pick 3 peers + 1 book or podcast Create a simple calendar (4 weeks = 4 touchpoints) End with a “Wrap-Up” Zoom chat—invite a guest Post your takeaways on LinkedIn and tag them Because learning together? Is the strongest way to network. 3. Write A “Public Thank You” Post on LinkedIn You probably learned something cool from someone recently. Now imagine you posted it publicly, gave them a shoutout, and showed how you applied it. How to do it: Tag the person Share what they taught you Share what you did next Ask your network, “What’s something YOU learned from someone this month?” You just gave free visibility, created a loop, and 10 people will want to talk to you after. 4. Turn Informational Chats into Co-Creation Networking chats often stop at “thanks for the time.” What if it didn’t? What to do: After the call, send a note: “Hey [Name], based on our chat about [topic], I drafted a small idea to build on your advice. Would love your thoughts!” Create a graphic, short write-up, or project plan (just 1 page!) Now you’re not just a student. You’re someone they collaborated with. That’s relationship-building, not just networking. 5. The 5-5-5 Strategy Most people get stuck on who to reach out to. Here’s a weekly formula: 5 People You Admire (Founders, creatives) 5 People From Your School Network (Alums, professors, guest speakers) 5 Peers Who Are Also Job Hunting (Build a support circle, swap leads) Message all 15. Repeat weekly. That’s 156 conversations in 3 months. You don’t “find” jobs—you build the path to them. Reminder: Networking isn’t about who has the fanciest title. It’s about who remembers you when an opportunity comes up. Be the person who listened, learned, shared, and followed up. If you’re reading this and job searching— try one new method this week. Not next month. Not when it feels “less scary.” Now. You’re not late. #May2025Grads #NetworkingTips #CreativeCareerMoves #JobSearchStrategy #InternationalStudents #GradJobHunt #BeyondTheResume #HumanConnection #Topmate

6 Unconventional Networking Approaches That Work For Introverts: Context: You Don't Need Events To Network Most people think the best way to network is by attending industry events. But the truth is, that's just one way to do it. And if you're an introvert? It's probably not even the best way to do it. Here are 6 ways you can network efficiently and land solid referrals, even if you are an introvert: 1. The Value-First Connection Request Most messages ask for help without giving value. Research what matters to them and lead with something useful. Use this template: “Hi [Name], I saw your post on [topic] and shared it with my team. The insight on [specific point] was spot on. Would love to connect and learn more about your work in [industry].” 2. Article Response Strategy Generic “Great post” comments go nowhere. Reference specific insights from their article and ask a thoughtful question. Here's how: “Your point about [X] reminded me of research on [Y]. How do you think this could affect [Z]?” 3. The Common Ground Approach Common ground outside work can spark better conversations. Leverage shared interests to build connections smoothly. Here's how: “I noticed we both enjoy [interest]. I recently [related experience]. Do you have anything similar coming up?” 4. The “Specific Question” Method Broad “pick your brain” requests get ignored. Ask one narrow, researched question. Here's a template: “I admired how you handled [challenge] in [project]. I’m facing something similar with [Y]. What’s one tactic that made the biggest difference?” 5. The Collaboration Invitation Co-creating content builds relationships without cold networking. Feature your connections' POV in content you are working on. You can do this by: – Asking them to share a quote – Inviting them to your podcast – Co-collaborating with an article Use this template: “I’m working on [content] and would love your perspective. Would you be open to [invite]?” 6. Strategic Group Engagement If someone from your target outreach is asking a question on a specific platform? Instead of replying in the comment section, DM them with the solution. Use this template: “Hi [Name], I saw your question on [platform] about [topic]. I’ve dealt with this before and found [brief tip] helpful. Happy to share more if useful!” 🧭 Karina avoided events and still landed 2 “dream job” offers in 70 days with our tailored outreach strategy. Want to build a similar plan? Grab a free 30 min call and we'll map it with you: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

Entreprenuers, here's how I made 100K+ from sliding into people's LinkedIn DMs 👇🏾 When I launched my first company helping media brands recruit diverse talent, I knew I had to get in front of the decision-makers who responsible for hiring. And where are they actively looking for talent? Right here on LinkedIn. Here’s the 5-step process I used to build trust, instantly showcase value, and turn cold DMs into real business deals: 1️⃣ Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence First Before reaching out, your profile should work for you. It needs to clearly communicate who you are, what you do, and why it matters. I recommend posting 3-5 posts about your brand, product, or industry so when decision-makers are snooping on your profile (and they will), they instantly understand your value. 2️⃣ Connect With the Right People I wasted too much time targeting junior employees because they felt more approachable. (I was a young 20-something who accidentally fell into entreprenuership). But what I quickly learned is that they don’t have buying power. Focus on connecting with department heads and senior decision-makers who can actually say “yes” to your offer. 3️⃣ Personalize Every Connection Request When sending connection requests, never leave the message blank. I kept mine short and sweet — just two sentences introducing who I was and why I wanted to connect. I NEVER hard sold. It was just a simple invite to explore how we could work together. People appreciate genuine curiosity. 4️⃣ Move the Conversation Offline Quickly LinkedIn is where the connections are made, but real deals happen off-platform. Once interest is established, aim to schedule a 30-minute intro call to dig deeper into their needs and explore solutions. Don’t let conversations linger too long in the DMs. 5️⃣ Follow Up, Fast. Speed matters. Your biggest mistake is delaying your follow up materials after a successful call. As soon as the meeting wraps, send over a well-prepared deck, one-pager, or demo that reinforces your offering and keeps the momentum going. When excitement is high, don’t give them time to second-guess or look for alternatives. Now all of this sounds great, but some of you may still be stuck at point 1. You may be thinking, “How do I clearly talk about my business and value?!” If that’s you, I'm hosting a FREE webinar to help you build a personal brand that helps you Get Noticed and Get Paid. Learn more and claim your spot via link in comments. ---- 👋🏾 Welcome! I’m Netta. I’m an entrepreneur, B2B content creator, and marketer teaching corporate side hustlers and entrepreneurs the marketing tactics and strategies to create revenue-generating businesses and brands. Check the comments to sign up for my weekly newsletter and join 5,000+ entrepreneurs using my marketing strategies to scale their businesses! 👇🏾

I’ve helped 100+ CEOs and entrepreneurs turn LinkedIn into a lead-gen machine. Most struggle with low engagement & zero conversions. To avoid this trap, here's my 5-step roadmap on how to network effectively and turn LinkedIn into a revenue machine: 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟭: Stop Scattering Your Energy Most people think: “I need to connect with everyone to grow.” That’s a mistake. To achieve real networking success: • Define your ideal connection – Who do you need to know? Who needs your expertise? • Prioritize decision-makers – Don’t just connect with peers; go after buyers. • Engage with top voices in your industry – This gets you seen by their audience. 🔹 Start here and avoid wasting time on random connections. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟮: Don’t Stop at 50 Requests—It’s a Numbers Game Now you have two options: • Send a few requests and wait for magic to happen • Go big, track responses, and refine your outreach There’s no wrong answer, but if you’re serious about growing, you need volume + strategy. ✔ 100+ connection requests per week ✔ 30%+ acceptance rate = you’re on the right track ✔ Keep tweaking your message for better results Networking is a game of persistence. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟯: Connect, But Go Beyond 'Thanks for Connecting' Focus on two core pillars: 1. Your First Message Matters • Skip generic intros—lead with value • Ask an engaging question to spark a real convo • Find common ground fast (industry, mutual interests) Once you master this, focus on: 2. The Follow-Up Formula • 80% of deals come AFTER the 3rd+ follow-up • Keep it casual but intentional (not salesy) • Offer useful insights, not just “Hey, checking in” Most people stop at one message. You shouldn’t. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟰: Build Social Proof While You Network Mistake: Talking about yourself too much. Easy fix: Use content to back up your credibility while you network. Here’s how: • Post insights from your conversations (without naming names) • Share behind-the-scenes of working with clients • Showcase what you’re learning + how it helps others Your profile should do the selling for you. 📌𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝟱: Make LinkedIn Work for You 24/7 This final step is how you: • Turn cold outreach into warm inbound leads • Position yourself as an authority • Build relationships that lead to high-value opportunities 🔹 Want more deep-dive insights on LinkedIn networking & lead-gen? I’m sharing exclusive strategies in my newsletter today. Get it here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCuasuC9 🚀