Building relationships over chasing email list growth

Build relationships and not a network. "Networking" is cringeworthy for many, especially those who feel it is selfish, wrong, or uncomfortable. The good news is that nobody wants to be at the receiving end of your networking efforts too. If you are trying the same old networking tips that promise to boost your connections but leave you feeling more disconnected than ever, that is because networking is killing relationship building. Stop networking and build genuine relationships. You can do that by thinking about a few things. ➡️ Be genuinely curious - Be interested in learning more about the other person in the conversation. ➡️ Find commonalities - Find common topics like books, kids, dogs, and food but remember that while discussing such common topics can be a good icebreaker, relying solely on these surface-level interests can hinder deeper connections. Dig a little deeper into shared passions or experiences to foster a more meaningful bond. ➡️ Relationships over transactions - Don't treat networking as a transaction. Look for ways to help others genuinely without expecting an immediate return or any return. Building a network based on mutual support and generosity fosters authentic connections that go beyond mere self-interest. ➡️ Notes of gratitude vs. genuine appreciation - Sending notes of gratitude can be powerful, but they lose their impact if they become a routine gesture. Instead, express genuine appreciation when someone has truly made a difference. Personalized and heartfelt acknowledgments go a long way in building lasting connections. ➡️ Public networks vs. personal connections - Investing in public networks can widen your reach, but don't neglect the importance of personal connections. Balancing both public and private networks ensures a well-rounded and authentic approach to relationship building. Remember fostering genuine relationships is important. By avoiding the common pitfalls of networking and focusing on authentic connections, you will be building a network that truly matters.

95% of people do networking wrong. ❌ ▪️ They chase numbers instead of relationships. ▪️They add connections on LinkedIn but never follow up. ▪️They attend events and leave without a single meaningful conversation. ▪️They talk about building communities, but when someone needs help, they scroll past. Networking isn’t about adding names to a list. It’s about building relationships that actually last. The most successful people I know didn’t get ahead by collecting contacts. They got ahead by showing up consistently, helping others, and earning trust over time. 🤝 At Konsälidön, we take networking seriously - especially at our events. They’re not just gatherings. Every session is designed to create real connections:     •    Ice-breaking activities to make starting conversations easy     •    Small-group discussions so everyone is heard     •    Structured moments to connect over shared experiences     •    Thoughtful follow-ups to turn introductions into relationships The goal isn’t just attendance. It’s meaningful relationships that last. People leave not with a list of names, but with connections they can rely on. Strong networks are the backbone of opportunity. They allow collaboration to thrive, ideas to spread, and support to arrive when it’s needed most. If you want relationships that truly matter, focus on depth over breadth. Strengthen a few key connections rather than adding dozens. Because meaningful connections don’t just grow networks - they grow purpose, trust, and lasting impact. 🌿 #community #relationships #networking #opportunities #giveback

I went from hiding in the shadow to building a loyal community - here's my secret! Chasing numbers on LinkedIn can leave you with a bunch of unengaged connections and a brand that's as flat as a failed soufflé. Having 5K followers but only 2 engagements, 0 DMs, and 0 clients is a recipe for disaster- you're chasing clout, not clients! That's what happens when you focus on random followers rather than focus on building a loyal community with trust. Imagine throwing a party and inviting everyone in town, but only two people show up, and they're just there for the free food. That's what happens when you prioritize self-promotion over building a community that actually cares. But, what if you built a village where like-minded professionals gathered, every connection is valued, and every conversation sparks new opportunities? It makes your audience bond closely with you. Collaborate with other professionals and explore new topics. Work on mind-blowing projects, build a strong brand! And remember the 3Cs of Community Building: 👉Consistency: Show up regularly with valuable content and engagement. 👉Curation: Share relevant, high-quality content that resonates with your audience. 👉Connection: Foster meaningful relationships through comments, messages, and collaborations. By building your community with the 3Cs, you'll create a loyal tribe that will stand by you, advocate for your business, and help you achieve your long-term goals. So, don't be a wind-chaser. Be a village-builder. Focus on building a community that will stand the test of time and help you achieve your business goals! P.S. What's your take on community building?

Every day, the average person gets 120 emails—many from sales and marketing teams fighting for attention. Let’s step into their shoes. Imagine opening your inbox to 120 emails. You already know what most of them say: another product pitch, another faceless message. They get buried, ignored, tossed aside with a quick swipe. And if you’re the one sending them, this is the reality you’re up against every single time you hit send. Let’s be real: it’s Q4. Targets are looming, and pressure is high. The temptation to send more emails just to hit numbers is real. But here’s the truth: if your emails don’t serve the person receiving them, you’re missing an opportunity. Because here’s what top performers understand about email: in a sea of noise, the only messages that survive are the ones that are genuinely valuable. Think about it: when was the last time you asked, “How will this email make their day better?” 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆. The rare emails that get opened, read, and remembered focus on insight, help, or value—not a sales pitch. This simple mindset shift turns your emails from noise into something that earns attention and trust. Before you send another email, ask yourself: "Does it solve a challenge they’re facing? Does it deliver value right now? Is it crafted as a gift, not a grab? " When an email feels like an unexpected asset instead of another demand on their time, it stands out. It breaks through the noise because it’s built around understanding, not just selling. The top salespeople know this because they don’t just send emails; They use every email to position themselves as a trusted guide—not just selling, but solving. That’s why their emails get saved, replied to, and build relationships that last beyond Q4. So here’s the challenge: Before you hit send, ask yourself: Is this email going to make them glad they opened it? Will they see it as valuable right now, today? Every time you send an email that answers “yes” to those questions, you’re not just working toward this quarter’s goals. You’re building long-term trust, credibility, and a reputation as someone they can count on to bring insight, not just another ask. Don’t settle for being noise in their inbox. Be the rare message they’re actually glad to receive. If you’re willing to take the time to make your email stand out, the results will follow. And over time being essential will take you farther than being everywhere.

Every email you send either strengthens your relationship with your audience… or slowly erodes it. Most marketers obsess over short-term metrics while engagement quietly bleeds out. List fatigue and churn aren’t accidents. They’re the direct result of a poor email strategy. The real culprits? → Blasting irrelevant content (“Why am I getting this?”) → Sending at the wrong times → Getting frequency totally wrong... too much or too little → Treating every email like a sales pitch instead of building a relationship I once worked with a SaaS company that couldn’t figure out why their open rates and overall engagement rates were tanking. Their solution? Send more emails to “stay top of mind.” Spoiler: It only made things worse. The fundamental mistake? They were thinking about their needs, not their subscribers’ needs. How to fix it: ✅ Segment based on behavior and preferences ✅ Test send times for optimal engagement ✅ Find your Goldilocks frequency ✅ Deliver value first, sell second Your email list isn’t just a “marketing asset.” It’s a relationship with real people who gave you permission to enter their inbox. Respect that privilege. Because once trust is gone, no clever subject line or CTA will bring it back. 👉 Are you building a sustainable email strategy, or slowly killing your list?

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀... ...𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 There's a really bad pattern happening in B2B marketing: Everyone's searching for the "cheat code" to skip relationship building. First it was cold email..."10,000 emails a week will make us rich!" Then LinkedIn automation... Then the next "blue ocean" tactic... But here's the truth about sustainable business growth: 🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: 1️⃣ 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 - Every prospect says relationships are crucial, yet we keep trying to shortcut them 2️⃣ 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 - You wouldn't ask someone to meet your parents on the first date. B2B relationships work the same way 3️⃣ 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 - Tools make us lazy, tempting us to "cheat" a process that can't be cheated The businesses that chase marketing gold rushes end up with constant peaks and valleys. Want to build something sustainable for the next decade? 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻: ✅ Founder-led marketing ✅ Authentic relationship building ✅ Earning trust systematically ✅ Playing the long game Stop chasing shortcuts. Start investing in real connections. Your future self will thank you.

To build meaningful relationships, let go of networking. In my experience, real connection doesn’t come from chasing it. Here’s how I’ve applied this approach over the years: 1. In Events and Meetings • Stop trying to impress. • Focus on listening and understanding the other person. 2. When Following Up • Do it regularly. • Use quick gratitude-based replies. ‘Thanks for the help last time’ or ‘Thinking of you’ 3. During Speaking Engagements • Let go of being the expert. • Share your struggles and lessons openly. 4. In Business Growth • Stop trying to expand your network. • Deepen the relationships you already have. The paradox? The less you push to connect, the deeper your relationships grow. So how do you apply this approach in your own life? → Prioritize giving over getting → Listen more, speak less → Focus on depth, not breadth Sometimes, letting go of the need to network leads to the strongest connections. What are you holding onto that’s holding you back?

𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 “𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 18,000 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘐𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘺.” This is what a senior IT professional shared during a conversation with me. Despite being experienced and highly skilled, he felt stuck—because those 18K connections were just numbers, not relationships. 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 3 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 The Career Excellence League [CEL] ☑️ He added 250 strategic connections—mentors, peers, and decision-makers in his industry. ☑️ These connections weren’t just "likes" on a post—they turned into conversations, collaborations, and one incredible job offer that changed the trajectory of his career. The lesson? Networking isn’t about numbers—it’s about nurturing quality relationships. 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 ❌ Vanity Metrics: Chasing numbers looks good but doesn’t deliver results. ❌ No Value Exchange: Connections without mutual benefit are just surface-level links. ❌ Lack of Strategy: Randomly adding people without a purpose won’t create opportunities. The Shift That Works: Build a Network That Stands by You 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐢𝐦—𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨𝐨: 1️⃣ Identify the Right People: Focus on decision-makers, thought leaders, and industry peers who align with your career goals. 2️⃣ Engage Meaningfully: Don’t just send requests—start conversations. Engage with their posts, share insights, and show genuine interest. 3️⃣ Add Value First: Ask yourself, “What can I offer this person?” Relationships thrive on reciprocity. 4️⃣ Be Consistent: Networking isn’t a one-time event. Show up regularly, stay visible, and nurture relationships over time. 5️⃣ Leverage Platforms Effectively: Use LinkedIn not just to connect, but to position yourself as a thought leader by sharing valuable content. The Result? A robust network that doesn’t just “like” your posts but stands by you, supports your growth, and opens doors when you need them most. 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥. Stop chasing numbers. Start building relationships. The right network can change everything. _____________________ 👉 Join my free masterclass to learn how to craft a meaningful network that accelerates your professional journey. Sign Up Link in my Bio. 👉 Follow me Shrijith Krishnan💎 to stay ahead in your Professional Journey. #careerexcellenceleague #midcareer #networking

Like many in B2B, I’ve seen my clients struggle with building an engaged community. That's why we decided to try something out of the ordinary: focusing on relationship-building over broadcasting. Here’s how we did it: Step 1: Engage with your audience on a personal level. Step 2: Create value-driven content that sparks conversation. Step 3: Build a space where your audience feels heard (forums, groups, etc.). Step 4: Consistently nurture those relationships with follow-ups. These steps address the challenge by fostering genuine connection instead of just pushing content. The results were nothing short of remarkable: Increased engagement by 60% in just three months. This experience has taught me that community-building is key to sustainable growth.  It's clear that the power lies in creating two-way conversations, not one-way broadcasts. Have you ever considered or tried something similar in your field? #b2b #communitybuilding