How do you connect with people outside your network?

I use the storytelling technique to connect with people on a deeper level. My story revolves around hope and resilience. Most of the time, it resonates well with people. That being said, connecting is one thing, but sustaining the communication is different. The most important aspect is to add value to people's lives.

I am a Telecommunications Engineer and an Amateur Musician so What I have encounter that really helps me Network with Other Engineers and Tech related Senior Leaders and Top Executives is to be involved and actively participate in Technological ONG′s such as LACNIC, Internet Society Panama Chapter. I am a volunteer in all of those ONG′s and I help them with the many technological Projects that they are developing as a volunteer. I also have found that many TEch Senior Leaders are Amateur Musicians too , so I usually hang with other fellow musicians.

Having Clarity on goals is important. It's also important to consider what value you can add to the person you are networking with. The best way to do this when reaching out to a stranger is to look for common interests or shared experiences. Maybe you went to same college, maybe you studied the same subjects. The more common ground you can find the better it is. Talking about common stuff, makes it easier to connect with people who aren't known to you.

In addition the ideas mentioned in the article, I feel that connecting with people outside your network purely for the purpose of expanding your network is fine. You will benefit from new perspectives and insights. You can either connect with similar people (e.g. location or industry) to deepen your perspective or people with different backgrounds to widen your perspective. And of course, it's fine to let people know that is your reason for connecting. The people you are connecting with will also benefit in the same way.

In today's interconnected world, connecting with people outside your network is easier than ever. There are many platforms, lately I prefer LinkedIn, where you can meet new people, learn from them, and build relationships. It's important to be yourself when you're networking. Also, you need to think network a place where you need to be a giver, not just a taker.

As I study the topic (mine being medical cannabis after a glaucoma and cancer diagnosis), I take a lot of notes, write down the names of the experts or patients, I Google their name, read their bios, research their work, activities, collaborations, and news, and if they are active on social media, I follow them, read their content, show support, and often promote them and their work within my network. I develop authentic online friendships, have real conversations, and constantly look for and facilitate industry collaborations to further my mission to do whatever I can with the few resources that I have to advance endocannabinoid medicine. LinkedIn has a great medical cannabis community! You're invited to join us!

Researching the prospects is the most crucial step in the entire value chain of networking. Looking at an individuals profille and combing through his recent activity, posts etc. can give you ideas in terms of how you need to position your messaging to increase the chances of your connetion request being accepted. Also, it will allow you to start off your conversation with a somewhat relevant topic.

I often find that working on closing the number of degrees of separation can help, for instance, my goal contact may not have a direct connection with me, but i may be able to find someone else at their organization, or a common vendor, customer or club member etc. Then its useful to try to work a soft intro. I find humans can be very tribal and more likely to get you a meeting if it's introduced by a common acquaintance.

It is crucial to research your prospects effectively by identifying the right platforms, utilizing advanced search features, following industry leaders and influencers, actively engaging with their content, attending virtual events, and maintaining organization. These strategies enable you to find and connect with relevant professionals, fostering meaningful connections that align with your goals and interests.

Know who you are reaching out to and what their role is. I'm a Global Solutions Architect now, which means that I support our Sales Engineers in the field, with some other responsibilities. What I don't have is any decision making on the product sets or services offered through my organization which means I'm a terrible connection for sales personnel. Who I am a great connection for is others in the industry who help orchestrate, begin, build, deploy and maintain information security practices and technologies in their environments, as I might have seen the scenario you're dealing with. Instead of knowing your audience, this is more of a 'know your friend of a friend', why is it that you may want to connect?

There are 2 ways one can add value to someone's lives. First is by offering them something that benefits them, such as a recommendation. I have worked with some clients who couldn't pay for my services because of some financial considerations. I worked with them free of charge and they gave me a recommendation. Getting a recommendation makes you feel appreciated and valued. the other way is to be very precise about your reason for connecting with that individual. If the person you are connecting with, sees value in connecting with you, then he will. If you opening message doesn't align with what he finds valuable, he probably won't be interested in connecting with you. Best way is to look at the person's profile and curate your message.

We are all in this world with a specified objective as destined by the creator of the world. Like or not the saying that “A gram cannot break the furnace” is very true. One needs to interact with someone outside existing network not only to seek help but to offer help. The very purpose of life is to LIVE TOGETHER to pass the Good and BAD times which are part and parcel of Life. One must carry the sense of “GRATITUDE” for every help which he gets from any person within or outside the NETWORK. Networking allows one to reduce his or her EGO and be kind to revert when situation warrants the same.

If you are adding someone to your network with the sole intention of providing a sales pitch, my best advice is don't. Many decision makers who don't know who you are, reject unknown and unqualified connection requests immediately, and those who do accept almost immediately regret it. Obvioiusly you can connect with the end goal of proposing a meeting for a sales pitch, but if you start that way... I can guarantee that I, and many more like me, will never consider buying your product because you came across like a used car sales person right before quota is due. Provide me something of value right off go, without the pitch, and establish a rapport, then you've earned some good will you can spend down the line to do the sales thing.

I try to ask a question at the end of my networking message to generate engagement in the form of some type of response, as well as giving a deadline such as "Open to an intro call this week? "That way I have something to follow back up on.

Instead of just sending generic updates, personalize them to their interests. Find articles or resources that directly relate to their goals or challenges, and share them with a personalized note. Extend invitations to events, online communities, or casual coffee chats, but without pressure. Leave the ball in their court to find a mutually convenient time.

Always review your prospect's profile to see any commonality to add to your follow-up. It may be as simple as a skill in common. Think outside of the box. Check what your prospect has added to their certification section as well. "Wow, congrats on that LinkedIn certification! How was the test? I have been studying up recently." Is a great segment for engagement.

The word 'relevant' is very important in the point about asking questions. I find many people try to show curiosity by asking questions. But if your questions are not relevant, and the person you are connecting with is not sure why you are asking, they will just be confused and turned off and will not want to engage further.

Connecting with individuals beyond your network isn't just about the initial outreach; it's about fostering meaningful relationships. Following up with genuine interest is the linchpin of successful networking. Demonstrating curiosity and appreciation through relevant, open-ended questions and active listening not only deepens the connection but also shows a sincere commitment to understanding the other person's perspective. Sharing your own insights and experiences enriches the conversation, transforming it into a dynamic exchange of ideas. Injecting humor, stories, or anecdotes can elevate the interaction, leaving a lasting impression. Sometimes you may find this is difficult. For yourself you have to achieve it

Following up is crucial. Networking is about forming genuine personal or professional relationships. You don't form a relationship with just one interaction. It's finding the balance between respecting people's time and realising that you are not a waste of their time - you have value to add. When you show that you are genuinely interested in the other person and what interests them, your communication will be welcome. And it's a two way street - if they are genuine about connecting with you they will also show interest. And from their, opportunities for collaboration will develop.

Effective communication involves using open-ended questions to encourage meaningful discussions, actively listening with undivided attention, and showing empathy to connect on a deeper level. Offering genuine compliments when warranted can boost rapport and make the conversation more positive. Additionally, recalling details from past conversations demonstrates your attentiveness and appreciation for the other person's thoughts and experiences, further strengthening the connection.

Building trust and rapport is essential in both personal and professional relationships. Show genuine interest in what others have to say. Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and validate their feelings and perspectives. Try to understand others' viewpoints and emotions. Show empathy by acknowledging their feelings and demonstrating that you care. Offer help and support when needed. Being there for others in times of need strengthens bonds. Remember that building trust and rapport is an ongoing process. It's about creating a positive and supportive environment where people feel valued and respected.

Building trust and rapport from a single interaction is challenging but possible. Key strategies include active listening, showing genuine interest, empathy, understanding, authenticity, positive body language, delivering on promises, and building trust. Trust and rapport are vital for successful relationships, fostering collaboration and idea-sharing. Without trust, meaningful connections and lasting relationships are difficult to establish. Rapport encourages open communication and a sense of connectedness, both essential for strong relationships.

Active listening demonstrates genuine interest and respect, making the other person feel valued and understood. Empathy fosters a deeper connection by considering their perspective. Open and honest communication builds trust, while respecting their ideas, even if you disagree, creates a respectful atmosphere. Maintaining a positive attitude during interactions cultivates a conducive environment for the relationship to thrive. These principles collectively enhance your ability to build meaningful connections.

Instead of just exchanging pleasantries or basic information, find a point of genuine connection. Share a common experience, a funny anecdote, or a personal touch that resonates with them. Create a memorable moment together, whether it's solving a problem collaboratively, celebrating a small achievement, or sharing a laugh over a shared interest. If you have connections relevant to their goals, be the facilitator of introductions. This shows initiative and strengthens your value as a networker.

After a follow up. I try to bring up a conversation we discussed. I also end the follow up message with "when can we chat again" or "let's schedule a time to grab coffee" to let them know that I am intentional of building our connection.

Joining a community that is aligned with my personal goals has helped me expand my network. I seek out a membership-based community to join every year. I know that by investing in myself, I am taking this part of my career growth seriously. I also know that the members of the community come into the network with that same goal. Being a part of a membership community has made it easier for me to reach out for coffee dates, ask questions, and most importantly, feel part of a group of individuals who are working towards a similar goal as mine. Being in a community is extremely important and a key piece of growing in your career.

There are multiple ways to expand your network but you must "ENGAGE". Join live webinars, recorded webinars, groups, participate in Social Saturdays, etc. In order for you to be able to expand, people need to know who you are as a professional. If none of this is used, growth via LinkedIn will be minimal at best.

The more you engage on Linked In, the more potential opportunities of specific interest to you will become more relevant on your feed, as well as recruiters or Hiring managers sending In mail to you. By following companies that you are interested in will also tailor the algorithm to your specific desires.

You never know who the person you're sitting next to is on a flight, in a restaurant, in a queue. These are opportunities to talk to different people, from all walks of life. Chance encounters, too, could play a predominant role in your personal and professional life. Some of these random meetings touch only lightly, others leave more lasting effects, others still can lead to life changing paths. Every person you meet has the potential to be an exciting new contact. This is how I met one of my now dear friends, a senior executive in a large financial firm who has opened up new doors professionally as well.

Look for people who have the expertise, experience, or influence that you're interested in, and who are open to networking and sharing their insights. Pay attention to their profile, content, and activity, and look for commonalities, interests, or challenges that you can use as conversation starters.

This for me is a tough cookie, lol..However, connecting with people is a personal choice. Though in some quarters this can be counterproductive. So I would say to go for it with some level of caution. And also connecting with people doesn't have to have an end goal in mind. These are the best ways in my opinion because in the days we live in trust is an issue. How much of these connections can we handle, how much of ourselves can we give up for these connections at a time?

Ich empfehle über Freunde von anderen sich zu vernetzen. Lassen Sie sich vorstellen. Dadurch habe ich tolle Leute kennengelernt.

All that persons you need to talk are people like you. They have needs, dreams and issues. Empathize and talk and avoid to act like if the other person is not like you. If this value were more understood it would be less threatening try something such normal like to talk to somebody