Networking for Professionals Seeking New Clients

He wasn’t convinced that being active on LinkedIn would be helpful. 30 days later? Strategic LinkedIn networking brought in 2 new clients (estimated to be worth more than $100k in legal fees). The backstory: ⇒ Litigation partner in a mid-sized law firm. ⇒ Skeptical that LinkedIn could be used to network for business. ⇒ No time for writing or doing traditional “thought leadership”. Despite his doubts, he was willing to give LinkedIn a try. We put a simple strategic LI networking plan together that felt doable for him. Here it is: 1️⃣Identify (& then connect with/follow) 6-10 relevant people. These folks must: ✓ Be active on LinkedIn. ✓ Post about issues relevant to your ideal clients. And no, they don’t need to be competitors or attorneys (but they CAN be - don’t be afraid to follow and engage with those folks!). 2️⃣Set aside 15 minutes per day to review their posts and strategically comment (on any that are relevant to your audience). When commenting, don’t say “great post” or “thanks for sharing”. Instead, add value by: >>> Validating their point with specifics. >>> Adding a new perspective or insight. >>> Asking a question to deepen the discussion. 3️⃣Connect with people you engage with. LinkedIn is a networking tool. Use it that way! Any time someone you aren’t already connected to likes one of your comments or (even better) engages with it, reach out to them to connect. And then, DM them to say “hello” and take the discussion (already started in the comments) further. Yes, that's it. Here’s why this simple formula is so effective: ⏩ It's an easy way to showcase your point of view (and way of lawyering/thinking), which attracts better-fit people into your LI universe. ⏩ It shows your credibility and expertise (in a service-based, non-salesy way). By doing something that takes little time. ⏩ It builds authentic relationships. With people you probably wouldn’t meet in person. Stop thinking of LinkedIn purely as social media. Use it as the networking tool (it actually is). Now, the elephant in the room…Posting your own content. Yes, this will help. But it’s not necessary. If you don’t have the time right now (or are a bit shy about putting your own posts/articles out there), this is a great strategy to lead with. Ready to get started (now)? Do this: 1. Find 1 thought leader in your niche. 2. Make a thoughtful, strategic comment to one of their recent posts. 3. Connect with anyone who likes or engages with your comment. XO, Heather ~~~ P.S. Season 5 of Life & Law podcast is BACK. And this is exactly what we’re covering today. Dive deeper into how to use LinkedIn for networking by listening to Episode 204 (see my Featured Section at Heather Moulder to go directly to the podcast).

If you are a consultant, here's a super easy way to get new clients: Send connection requests and messages to any participants from your most recent call who are not already connected with. I'm constantly amazed by how many consultants attend calls with 8-10 people and never follow up with anyone. That regulatory meeting you just joined? Connect with the clinical operations manager. The protocol review call? Reach out to the medical director.  The investigator meeting? Message the data management lead. These people already know your work quality because they just saw you in action. They understand your expertise because you contributed to solving their problems. The context is fresh, and the connection feels natural. A simple message like: "Great meeting today. Really enjoyed your insights on the endpoint discussion. Would love to stay connected as our paths cross in this industry." Most will accept. Many will respond. Some will remember you when they need statistical support on their next project. This isn’t aggressive networking. It's professional relationship building with people who already have a positive impression of your work. The best part? You're already on these calls anyway. You're just turning existing interactions into future opportunities. Every call is a room full of potential clients. Happy Networking, Happy Thursday.

I got tired of waiting for conversations to come to me and sitting in other's networking group. Here are my power moves and what changed networking for me. 1. Be on the leadership team (in fact, be brave enough to run a group). If you’re not leading, you’re just blending in and hoping the right conversation walks through the door. I sat in other networking groups for a year, waiting for the right conversation to come my way - it never happened. Nothing changed until I started running my group and bringing in the people I wanted to talk to. Running a group puts you at the center of the action. You become the go-to person, the one in all the right conversations. 2. Invite, invite, invite. Who’s getting the most business out of networking? The ones who invite – you can ask anyone who actively invites to a networking group. They’ve cracked the code—that’s why they do it. It's easy–just ask. I have a networking group; want to come to check it out? And if you are sitting in a group and are too embarrassed to bring business relationships into the room (like I once did) - you're sitting in the wrong room, and it's time to level up. 3. Follow up. This isn’t a one-and-done deal (unless you’re playing in the B2C space). B2B? It’s all about real relationships—and real relationships take follow-up. You know how often I’ve heard, “I’m not interested in the group, but let’s talk website”? If you’re not following up, you’re throwing away your time, invite, and opportunity. 4. Stop asking for your client. Power players don’t beg for business – especially on your first networking call with a person. Cringe. Instead, ask, “Who do you need to meet?” If they ask you for your end-user client, turn the conversation on them and ask who their top referral partner is. Make the right introductions, and business will come back to you. 5. The ultimate power move? Build a crew of good people who want to grow together. Networking isn’t about hoarding business cards. It’s about putting the right people in the right rooms—and running the race together. You can’t build your business alone. Get in the game.

Most people completely waste their networking efforts the moment they leave an event. I watch professionals collect business cards like trophies, then let those connections die in their LinkedIn requests folder. That's not networking - that's contact hoarding. The real networking magic happens in the 24-48 hours after the event ends. Here's how to actually convert those conversations into valuable relationships: 1. Personalized outreach within 24 hours - Reference specific conversation details, not generic "nice meeting you" messages. Stand out among the dozen other people they met. 2. Strategic LinkedIn connections - Include context about where you met and what you discussed. Transform anonymous invitations into meaningful relationship foundations. 3. Value-added follow-through - Share relevant articles, resources, or introductions that address what they mentioned. Show you were actually listening and can provide value. 4. Propose concrete next steps - Coffee meetings, collaboration opportunities, strategic introductions. Strike while the event momentum is hot. 5. Document everything - Record their professional goals, current challenges, and collaboration opportunities. This enables strategic relationship development over time. Here's what most people get wrong: they treat networking like contact collection instead of relationship building. The goal isn't a bigger contact list - it's developing professionals who proactively support each other's success. Stop collecting business cards and start building actual relationships. Your future self will thank you. What post-networking strategies have you found most effective for converting event meetings into valuable professional relationships? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3yrck #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #networking #relationshipbuilding #professionalnetworking #careerstrategist

Recently, I've had 40+ conversations with founders, investors, and partners - here's what I learned about building a powerful network. I remember attending a national training at KPMG with thousands of professionals from across the U.S. They asked each team: "What's the most valuable thing you'll get out of this event?" We submitted "Networking will be the most valuable thing we get out of this event." I was shocked when they called out our answer as the winner across all teams. It took me years to really understand this. When I launched Mighty Digits, my first 2 customers came from within my network, giving me freedom to build while securing income. Some of my largest customers came from relationships with VC firms who trusted us with their portfolio companies. As the saying goes: "It's not what you know, it's who you know." To me, it's both - but if I had to choose one, it would be the people in my network. A good network naturally raises your IQ and yields 10x dividends. ➡️ IDENTIFY WHO YOU WANT TO NETWORK WITH Everyone wants to connect with their ideal customer, but don't stop there. Connect with other service providers who serve your target audience but aren't competitive - alternate services or same service in different regions. My favorite people to connect with are investors, since there's strong correlation between investing in a company and wanting confident financial records. Start by making a list of the most ideal people to network with and work backwards. Avoid focusing only on customers to sell to. ➡️ HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE "Ask for money and get advice, ask for advice, get money twice." Your goal with networking is NOT to sell anything. Your goal is to provide value and establish relationships. Sales come naturally as relationships are nurtured. Four ways to connect: — Reach out for warm intros through mutual connections — Send targeted cold emails that are relevant and personalized — Host events that allow them to expand their network too — Attend events and approach people in groups or standing alone ➡️ THE FOLLOW-UP FRAMEWORK This is the most important part. After connecting: — Send follow-up email with thanks and conversation recap — Find ways to offer value first - referrals, advice, resources — Keep in touch quarterly to see how you can be of service — Treat your A-list players with appreciation - gifts, meals, personal thanks === Networking is a long-term play. Relationships take time to build, and many may not go anywhere. But for those that do, you can build an entire business on them. What's been your experience with networking? Do you have any tips for building powerful relationships? Share your thoughts below 👇

I deeply believe one of the most sustainable ways to grow your book of business is to build your referral network strategically. Here are four actionable steps to help you get started: 1. 𝑫𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒆 (𝑰𝑪𝑷). Think about who your perfect client is. Are they in-house counsel in a specific industry? Small business owners with revenues over $500K? Individuals facing legal challenges after an accident? Whatever your ICP is, understanding them is key to connecting with the right people. 2. 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑳𝒂𝒘𝒚𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔. Build relationships with other lawyers who either share your practice area or intersect with your ICP. For example, if you specialize in employment law, connect with labor law attorneys or commercial real estate lawyers—professionals who have overlapping clients or interests. 3. 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑰𝑪𝑷. Expand your network beyond lawyers. Real estate agents, accountants, financial advisors, and other professionals regularly engage with your ICP and can become key referral partners. The more you build these relationships, the more referral opportunities you'll uncover. 𝟒. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Some people are connected to everyone. These “centers of influence” can open doors to a world of opportunities. Make it a point to connect with these individuals and become a part of their network. Remember, most people don’t know lawyers—you want to be the go-to referral source for them. Building a robust referral network is a strategic process, and it all starts with clarity. If you don’t have a clear understanding of who your ideal client is, you risk feeling frustrated and stuck. If you're ready to take your network to the next level, sign up for a free consultation. Let’s get started! Go build that network. You got this. - M

Your next client is probably two connections away... so why aren’t you tapping into your network? Here’s the truth: Referrals aren’t luck—they’re strategy. And they’re one of the fastest ways to land clients. But here’s the thing: Your network can’t send opportunities your way if they don’t know what you do or who you help. It’s not their job to guess—it’s your job to tell them. According to LinkedIn, 84% of B2B buyers start their decision-making process with a referral. That’s why building relationships and asking for referrals isn’t just important—it’s essential. Actionable Advice 👉 Send a message to 3 people in your network TODAY. Make it simple: “Hey [Name], I’m looking to help [specific type of client] solve [specific problem]. Who do you know that might need support in this area?” No hard sell. No pressure. Just a genuine ask. Ready to make your network your biggest growth tool? Download the 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 and learn how to turn connections into clients. 👉 https://lnkd.in/encdUMTd The opportunities are there—you just have to ask.