Your Progress
Week 6: Networking Online
How to Network Online
Video Time: X Minutes Action Time: Around 30 – 45 Minutes
“Be Extraordinary - Get Out of Your Comfort Zone”
Some say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. It makes sense, doesn’t it? If what you are doing now isn’t getting you the job, then let’s shake things up! Here’s how to start your journey into networking. Think forward NOW by connecting with future connections!
1
Write a message that starts strong, thanking them for connecting with you!
This is the first step in building your relationship with them. You want them to know that you appreciate them taking the time to connect with you. Never underestimate the power of gratitude!
This is the first step in building your relationship with them. You want them to know that you appreciate them taking the time to connect with you. Never underestimate the power of gratitude!
Tell them why you are messaging them.
Why do you want to connect with the person? Maybe it’s because you admire the work they do. Whatever the reason, you want to include it in your message. Personalizing your message helps you humanize the LinkedIn experience. It also makes you come across as a genuine, thoughtful person. Who doesn’t want to meet someone like that?
Follow up your reason for connecting with a brief introduction of who you are and what you do. If they’re clear on your career goals, they will be better able to help you achieve them.
Why do you want to connect with the person? Maybe it’s because you admire the work they do. Whatever
the reason, you want to include it in your message. Personalizing your message helps you humanize the
LinkedIn experience. It also makes you come across as a genuine, thoughtful person. Who doesn’t want to
meet someone like that?
Follow up your reason for connecting with a brief introduction of who you are and what you do. If they’re
clear on your career goals, they will be better able to help you achieve them.
Invite them to meet with you.
Ultimately, you will want to meet with them in one form or another. By doing that, you will create a stronger
relationship with them. It may even lead you to a purpose-filled career. But whatever you do when you try to
meet with them, DO NOT ASK in the form of a yes or no question. Doing that allows them the
opportunity to reject you. So, you need to ask them more questions like “Which time works better for you to
meet with me?” That is how they see your commitment to meeting with them, and it persuades them to agree
to meet with you. You do not want them to be able to reject you. If you want to meet with them, tell them
when you are available, so they know to work with your schedule.
Ultimately, you will want to meet with them in one form or another. By doing that, you will create a stronger relationship with them. It may even lead you to a purpose-filled career. But whatever you do when you try to meet with them, DO NOT ASK in the form of a yes or no question. Doing that allows them the opportunity to reject you. So, you need to ask them more questions like “Which time works better for you to meet with me?” That is how they see your commitment to meeting with them, and it persuades them to agree to meet with you. You do not want them to be able to reject you. If you want to meet with them, tell them when you are available, so they know to work with your schedule.
The goal: send 100 messages.
It’s a lot of people, but with the techniques we’ve shown you, you will get more replies than you’d ever expected!
Do's and Don'ts
1. Tell them precisely what to do. For instance, “Get in touch with me, email me, or reach out to me.
2. Give them a timeline. Remember, you are the shepherd! So something like, Email me this week. or “Get in touch with me right away! This is your call to action.
3. Set a Goal. Set a goal for the number of people you will reach out to each day and connect with them. Do the same for the rest of the week. Do 100 today!
1. Be vague or use wishy washy phrases like if you wish or maybe or possibly. Confidence is key.
2. Ask “Yes or No Questions. This gives them any easy way to reject you.
3. Send your message without double checking the spelling and grammar. Nothing is more off putting than getting a message from someone who misspells your name!
1. Tell them precisely what to do. For instance, “Get in touch with me, email me, or reach out to me.
2. Give them a timeline. Remember, you are the shepherd! So something like, Email me this week. or “Get in touch with me right away! This is your call to action.
3. Set a Goal. Set a goal for the number of people you will reach out to each day and connect with them. Do the same for the rest of the week. Do 100 today!
1. Be vague or use wishy washy phrases like if you wish or maybe or possibly. Confidence is key.
2. Ask “Yes or No Questions. This gives them any easy way to reject you.
3. Send your message without double checking the spelling and grammar. Nothing is more off putting than getting a message from someone who misspells your name!
Journal Your Thoughts
Now that you know what to do, get cracking! Find someone you want to connect with on LinkedIn and write at least three drafts of your message. Don’t try to make them perfect. Look over the three draft messages and choose the one you like the best. Check it for grammar or spelling errors with tools like Grammarly and Hemmingway. Then type it in the LinkedIn message chat and send it!
Hot Tips!
If people don’t respond, don’t take it personally! You may even have a couple of negative responses. Don’t let that deter you! It’s all a part of the journey, and some people don’t know any better. Remember, what other people do is NO REFLECTION on you! Know your worth! You are an amazing human being with a unique and vital purpose on this planet. Click here to watch a great video on how NOT to take things personally.
If people don’t respond, don’t take it personally! You may even have a couple of negative responses. Don’t let that deter you! It’s all a part of the journey, and some people don’t know any better. Remember, what other people do is NO REFLECTION on you! Know your worth! You are an amazing human being with a unique and vital purpose on this planet. Click here to watch a great video on how NOT to take things personally.
If you’re not having much luck at first, that’s okay. Review your messages and see what you could tweak to improve them. Remember to personalize and tailor your message to the individual you are contacting. You must keep trying. Like everything, you’ll improve with practice!
If you’re not having much luck at first, that’s okay. Review your messages and see what you could tweak to improve them. Remember to personalize and tailor your message to the individual you are contacting. You must keep trying. Like everything, you’ll improve with practice!
Remember, you are not doing this alone! Reach out to our Private LinkedIn Membership Community so that we can help you. You can post your message template (without names) and ask for feedback. We are here for you and want to help you succeed!
Remember, you are not doing this alone! Reach out to our Private LinkedIn Membership Community so that we can help you. You can post your message template (without names) and ask for feedback. We are here for you and want to help you succeed!
Cel-e-brate Good Times, Come On!
Celebrate your successes! If you send 100 messages, eat a cupcake! No, don’t do that sugar is bad for you. Instead, ride a bike or take the ATV for a spin. Plant some flowers or play pickleball. Catch up on your knitting or DYI project whatever floats your boat! If you get a meeting, call a friend and brag about your achievement. We’ll give you more tips on how to grow your network in our next week’s Confidence Builder: “Doing It Like You Mean It. See you there!
