Making Meaningful Connections in the Social Media Field

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸. That it was only for extroverts, salespeople, or those who knew the “right” people. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The truth? LinkedIn changed my career more than any job board ever could. From landing internships to publishing research and breaking into power & energy, the biggest opportunities in my career didn’t come from job boards—they came from building the right connections. Yet, so many professionals hesitate to network strategically because they: * Feel awkward reaching out to strangers * Don’t know what to say in a cold DM * Fear getting ignored or rejected I get it—I used to be the same way. But once I started using LinkedIn the right way, I landed mentors, internships, and research opportunities that shaped my entire career. Here’s How You Can Do It Today: ✅ 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 * Look for professionals in your target field (engineers, hiring managers, senior leaders). * Use LinkedIn’s “People Also Viewed” section to find similar profiles. * Join industry groups to see who’s actively sharing insights. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 Forget “Hi, can I pick your brain?” That doesn’t work. Instead, try this: 💡 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗠 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: “Hi [Name], I came across your profile while learning about [topic]. I admire your work on [specific project]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on [question]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” ✅ 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗠 * Like and comment on their posts genuinely * Share their work and add your insights * Make your name familiar before sending a message ✅ 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 People respond better when you bring something to the table: * Share an article or resource relevant to their work * Offer a fresh perspective on one of their posts * Ask a specific, thoughtful question instead of just “Can you help me?” The Outcome: I’ve used this exact strategy to build meaningful relationships that led to: ✔ Internship opportunities before I even applied ✔ Research collaborations that boosted my career ✔ Insights from industry leaders that I couldn’t find anywhere else If you’re not leveraging LinkedIn for strategic networking, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. 💡 Try this today: Pick ONE person you admire, craft a thoughtful DM, and hit send

Networking Tips I wish I had when I started out Ever wonder why some DMs get replies while others go ignored? Having been on both sides, here’s what I’ve learned about making your messages count: 1. Skip the Copy-Paste: AI-generated messages or cookie-cutter templates stand out for the wrong reasons. They come off as generic and lack authenticity. I can often tell right away because many people send the exact same message. You can still use AI to refine your message just don’t depend on it entirely. 2. Add a Personal Touch: Think about why you’re reaching out. Is it their recent project, a shared interest, or a specific experience of theirs that resonates with you? Mention it! This goes a long way in showing you genuinely care. 3. Break the Ice with a Real Connection: Networking is about building relationships, not just seeking favors. Start a conversation, not with an “ask.” I often see job seekers asking for referrals in their first message or sending resumes and immediately inquiring about open roles. Instead, try sharing something about yourself, your interests, your journey, or why this person’s story resonates with you. 4. Be Clear and Intentional: Respect the other person’s time. Keep it short and focused. A clear purpose shows that you value their insights, rather than just looking for a “quick win.” 5. Remember, They’ve Been in Your Shoes Too: Most people want to help, especially if they see effort and genuine interest. A well-thought-out message can open doors you didn’t expect. I know the nerves of sending those first few DMs, I’ve been there! But with these tips and a bit of practice, you’ll stand out and build real connections. Happy networking!

Networking isn’t about collecting business cards or sending generic LinkedIn messages—it’s about building real, meaningful connections. But let’s be honest: it can feel awkward, especially when you don’t know where to start. Here’s how I’ve learned to make networking both effective and authentic - Provide some sort of value. When reaching out to someone, think about how you can bring value to them. Instead of asking, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like: - “I really enjoyed your recent post about [topic]—it gave me new insights.” - “I noticed you’ve worked on [project/field]. Here’s a resource I found helpful—thought you might too!” Starting with value makes the interaction about collaboration, not extraction. Networking doesn’t end with the first meeting. After connecting, follow up with a personalized message: “It was great chatting about [topic]. I came across this article that aligns with what we discussed—thought you’d find it interesting!” Consistency and genuine interest are what transform connections into relationships. Networking is a skill, not a transaction. It’s about showing up authentically, giving more than you take, and staying connected.

🔍 The secret to meaningful LinkedIn connections? I stumbled upon it by chance. It's simple yet powerful: personalization. Picture this: I reached out to a tech leader I admired. Instead of a generic "Let's connect," I mentioned their recent article. That spark ignited a meaningful conversation. Want to replicate this success? Here's how: 1️⃣ Craft personalized connection requests • Reference a shared interest • Mention a recent post or achievement 2️⃣ Leverage automation judiciously • Use it to assist, not replace human touch • Maintain authenticity in your outreach 3️⃣ Cultivate regular engagement • Comment thoughtfully on posts • Share valuable content from your network • Like and react to foster relationships These strategies transformed my LinkedIn presence. I now have a network that truly matters - one built on genuine interactions. What's your go-to method for personalizing LinkedIn connections? Share below! 👇 #LinkedInStrategy #AuthenticNetworking #ProfessionalGrowth

🙊 Sometimes the most impactful outreach isn't about a job at all. I have found that the most meaningful professional connections I’ve made started with a simple, sincere interest in learning — not landing a role. In an age where it's easy to hit "Apply" and move on, there's something to be said for slowing down and approaching people not just as hiring contacts, but as partners in the industry — as humans. Whether you're breaking into a new industry, eyeing a specific company, or just genuinely curious — a soft approach can go a long way: “I admire the work your team is doing — would you be open to sharing more about your journey?” “I’m exploring opportunities in [industry/space], and would love to learn more about your experience at [company].” “No ask — just hoping to connect and stay in touch as I learn more about the space.” This has been especially valuable in my own career — particularly when navigating relationship-first cultures, like Japanese companies, where trust, respect, and genuine interest often outweigh direct asks. Building rapport early can often lead to opportunities later. And even if it doesn’t? You’ve still gained insight, grown your network, and shown the kind of curiosity that companies remember. So if you're out there exploring what’s next — don’t be afraid to reach out with intention, not expectation. This is how I ended up fulfilling my own childhood dream in working for #Nintendo. Connections > transactions. Always. #Networking #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalRelationships #JobSearchTips #GamingIndustry #SoftSkills #Nintendocareers