How to Network Using Personalized Outreach

Let’s be real—I get a lot of DMs. And I genuinely love connecting with people! But if I’m being honest, most messages I receive feel… well, random. A generic “Hey” or “I’d love to connect” doesn’t tell me why you’re reaching out or how I can help. If you really want to make an impact, your outreach needs to be intentional and clear—especially if you’re networking for a job, collaboration, or mentorship. So, how do you stand out in a sea of messages? ✅ Be clear on your “why.” Are you looking for advice? A partnership? An introduction? Say it upfront! Something like: “Hey [Name], I admire your work in retail leadership and marketing. I’m looking to transition into a similar space and would love to hear your thoughts on XYZ.” ✅ Show you’ve done your research. Did we work in the same industry? Did a recent post resonate with you? Mention it! A little context goes a long way in making the message feel authentic. ✅ Make it easy to say yes. Instead of “Can I pick your brain?” (which can feel vague and time-consuming), try: “Would you be open to a 15-minute chat? I promise to keep it brief!” or “Could I email you a few quick questions?” ✅ Include links to your work. If you’re reaching out about a job, project, or collaboration, don’t make the recipient search for your experience—send them the links upfront! Whether it’s your website, portfolio, resume, or LinkedIn profile, make it easy to get a snapshot of who you are and what you bring to the table. 👀 Want an example of how I present myself? Here’s my portfolio: https://lnkd.in/eZHdfQqZ 💼 Looking for my experience? Here’s my LinkedIn: Check out my LinkedIn work experience section. 📢 Curious about my work in retail, marketing, and partnerships? Check out https://lnkd.in/g2wpvk9B Networking isn’t about transactional asks—it’s about building relationships. The more thoughtful and specific your outreach, the more likely you are to get a response (and make a lasting impression).

Here’s a secret to help you supercharge your networking. Stop trying to hit home runs with every touch point. Instead, focus on small wins that move the conversation forward. I see so many people making big / vague asks up front: “Can you hop on a 30 minute call?” “Tell me how you accomplished [Big Thing].” These people are super busy and they’re receiving this email from you - a total stranger. The last thing they want is another item on their to do list. Instead, start with a small, simple ask that they can reply to in <30 seconds. Here’s a formula that's been really effective for me: “Hey [Name], your experience in [Industry] is really impressive. I know you're busy, but I just had to ask: If you had to start over and work your way back to [Insert Achievement], would you do A or B? A: [Insert Actionable Thing] B: [Insert Other Actionable Thing]” This formula makes is incredibly easy for them to say "I'd do A" or "I'd do B." Now the door is open! Go do thing A or thing B, get results, and report back. Let this person know you took their advice and then ask for more. This positions you as someone who values their advice and has an action bias -- someone worth investing in. That's going to lead to deeper conversations and stronger relationships!

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

Here is how I got an 80% Success Rate in Cold Reach-Outs (even as a student) 1. Quality over Quantity Don’t mass message. Focus on high-potential connections and personalize each message. 💡 Example: “Hi [Name], I saw your talk on [topic] and it really aligns with my work on [project].” 2. Get to the Point Fast Introduce yourself and state why you’re reaching out in the first two sentences. 💡 Example: “I’m [Your Name], working on [specific project]. I’d love to chat about [shared interest].” 3. Choose the Right Platform Some respond best to LinkedIn, others to email, X, or their website’s contact form. Find the right way to reach them. 4. Be Specific About Your Ask Clearly state what you’re asking for- advice, a call, collaboration, etc. 💡 Example: “I’d love a quick 15-minute call to discuss [topic].” 5. Showcase Credibility Include a link to your GitHub, blog, or research to build trust. 💡 Example: “Here’s my recent work on [topic]: [link].” 6. Follow Up (Respectfully) If they don’t respond, send polite follow-ups 2-3 times with a week between messages. Persistence works, but don’t spam. 7. Respect Their Time Keep your message short and to the point. Show you respect their busy schedule. 💡 Example: “I know you’re busy—just a quick 15-minute call would be great!” Try these tips to level up your cold outreach! 🚀 #NetworkingTips #AICommunity #GrowthHacks

“How Do I Reach Out on LinkedIn So They Actually Respond?” It’s one of the most common questions I hear from job seekers and it’s a good one. Reaching out to someone in your target industry or company can be a powerful step, but the key is in the approach. Here are a few steps I recommend: 1️. Personalize your request Reference something specific—a post, shared interest, or mutual connection. 💬 Generic requests = generic results. Sample message: “Hi Jamie, I noticed your comment about leadership challenges during remote work transitions and that really resonated with me. I’m exploring opportunities in this space and would love a brief 15-minute conversation to learn more about your company’s approach. I value your insights and promise to keep it short.” 2️. No response? Don’t take it personally. 🔍 First, check their activity—many professionals aren’t on LinkedIn daily. ⏳ If they’re active, wait 5–7 days, then send one thoughtful follow-up with something of value (an article, insight, or relevant question). 🧭 If they’re inactive, consider reaching out to someone else in a similar role. 3️. Build the relationship first Comment on their posts. Share a resource. Engage before asking for a favor. ✨ LinkedIn is about quality conversations, not collecting contacts. What’s worked for you when reaching out to industry professionals? Any creative approaches you’ve tried? I’d love to hear them. Struggling with your outreach strategy? As a career coach, I’m always happy to help. Drop your biggest challenge in the comments and I’ll share personalized tips right here in the thread. You can also schedule a Free discovery call to discuss further, https://lnkd.in/dS3PggYB 

Why personalization matters when creating authentic conversations. Create daily habits of taking time to transform your professional interaction. I received a connection request from Bailey, a coach based in Vegas, which is the same city I happen to be in. 🤷🏻♀️ Instead of sending a typical "thank you" message, I took an extra minute to personalize my response. I recorded a short video (in my case using #skoop), addressed her by name, and acknowledged something specific about her profile. Bailey was thrilled! She told me how much she appreciated the personal touch, saying, "Reaching out on LinkedIn can get a little boring," and that my video was a refreshing change. That small effort turned a routine connection into a meaningful conversation. When connecting on LinkedIn; ✔ Personalize your outreach Before sending that connection request or message, take a moment to learn about the person. Mention a shared interest, location, or something specific from their profile. It shows you care enough to notice the details, and it sets you apart. ✔ Leverage video messages A quick, personalized video can work wonders. It adds a human touch that text alone can't convey. And, it’s incredibly easy to do—especially with tools like SKOOP, which lets you create candid videos directly on LinkedIn. Give it a try next time you connect with someone new. ✔ Focus on building relationships, NOT just selling When you personalize your communication, you’re opening a dialogue and laying the groundwork for a relationship. Remember, people buy from those they know, like, and trust. So, make it about them first—let the sales follow naturally. Next time you connect with someone on LinkedIn, think about how you can make your outreach a little more personal. It’s those small efforts that lead to big opportunities. Hope this was helpful to make a slight shift in your #mindset. Have a fantastic and productive week! #personalization