How can you network effectively in digital strategy outside your area of expertise?

I spent time in my early 30s reflecting on my purpose. Why? I went through a divorce much younger than my peers. It made me realize that if you have one life to live, why wouldn't you dedicate it to something that you truly believe in. When you find others that feel the same way, you want to network and spend time with them. You click. I always love speaking with strategists, futurists, and trendsetters. There is a spark in predicting the future. It's easy to relate to someone if they think in a way that you respect. Also, great to get into banter with someone new and feel like you've known them for a lifetime.

Let’s face it most of you will try to automate this task. Against LinkedIn’s best wishes I might add. We all get these “outreaches” (who even talks like this in real life?). We’re all annoyed by them. My advice is obvs not to do this it pisses people off. But if you must. Try to make your voice heard. Try not to sell you or your thing straight away. Be honest and open. And be short and sweet. Once you have the connection, talk to them like a human being. Stop floating stuff to the top of their inbox (there’s a reason they haven’t responded to your 50th follow up). And then give them a reason to interact with you. Be interesting.

In this busy world that ironically has less attention span, it is required that you be on point and grab the attention of the other party through valid and relevant questions or doubts! This is only possible when you have clarity what you are seeking for!

i have found that if you just show interest in knowing a person's story, people are easier to connect to. Sometimes, this is all it takes. What can you learn from another person's story ?

With 27 years of experience, I specialize in guiding business owners from traditional to digital marketing. The key message: we're not traditional salespeople; we're guides. The Website Centric Strategy, my unique approach, centers on: 1. **Educational Approach:** We act as teachers, facilitators, or mentors to build connections beyond traditional sales. 2. **Patience in Purchasing:** Understanding the customer journey is key; decisions may take 6-8 visits, mirroring experiences on platforms like Amazon. 3. **Trust Building:** Trust is paramount. Through education and patience, we establish the trust needed for meaningful transactions. It's not just about selling; it's about guiding conversations that lead to customers choosing us.

In the digital space, you need to get out of your comfort zone of your industry or particular area of expertise and reach out more broadly. This can be direct - reach out to others where you may have a connection and get in touch. Or it can be indirect through forums here on LinkedIn or elsewhere, or through one of the many digital conferences held each year. However you do it, don't be shy - it's a rapidly evolving world - it takes a village just to keep up!

In pharma, we are very risk averse and at times laggards in digital. I find that if I want to do something new or if I’m not having a lot of traction with a digital project, it helps to speak with my digital colleagues in other fields like banking, retail and tech. I have learned that we share a lot of similar pain points and that brainstorming with them gives me room to think more creatively within the legal/regulatory framework for which I operate.

Always know your audience: background, interests and potential common touchpoints You need a way to stand out in all the digital noise, and the best way to do it is by giving your connections something interesting from the first contact; remember that is a two way street were both of you need to have a benefit from the interaction

If you can, finding out and doing a little bit of research on the person you're reaching out to. Figure out their way of communication and their likes and dislikes. It really helps to make an impression. If you're selling a service/product, customise your pitch to suit their requirements.

Research should also include the ideal way to actually reach out to them. The network of your network is a masterful tool, rarely put into use of its full potential.

It is important to consider that there is a lot of solicitation happening across multiple platforms. Most of them are bad, increasingly pushy and often tactless. Be authentic in your initial outreach. Write to the recipient, not at them. Be intentional; explain what you are looking to achieve and why. If they accept the invitation don't sour it by then trying to sell the moment they have accepted.

In my view, approaching professionals outside my expertise involves recognizing the intrinsic value of their time and expertise. Crafting an introduction that is concise, respectful, and appreciative lays the groundwork for a meaningful conversation. It's about creating a connection that is mutually beneficial, understanding that receptiveness varies. Being attuned to cues, whether a positive response that warrants timely follow-up or a declined request that calls for graceful acceptance, reflects the essence of respectful networking in the digital sphere.

Send a note. Follow-up a week later if they haven't replied. Move on to new opportunities if you don't hear back after a couple of simple messages. Please. Thank you. Make it personal. Don't waste anyone's time.

Was unterscheidet LinkedIn von Facebook? Klar, LinkedIn ist eine Business-Plattform, und Facebook ist das Netzwerk für alles andere. Doch der gr??te Unterschied ist der Ton. Bei Facebook muss man mittlerweile sogar bei v?llig harmlosen Posts wie ?Frohe Weihnachten“ (aus gegebenem Anlass) mit einem Sturm der Entrüstung wildfremder Menschen rechnen. Das ist bei LinkedIn glücklicherweise noch (?) die Ausnahme. Zwar nimmt es auch hier zu, dass einige in ihren Kommentaren rump?beln, aber es ist nicht an der Tagesordnung. Die Dinge, die hier (sehr schlecht ins Deutsche übersetzt) genannt werden, sind wichtig. Doch am allerwichtigsten ist, dass man die Menschen immer mit dem Respekt behandelt, wie man selbst gerne behandelt werden m?chte.

Often when you write to someone don't be surprised if you don't have immediate answer even if the message has been read... There's so much solicitation and sometimes we just forgot to answer as we are not with a appropriate environment to answer a message. Being polite and respectful is very important, don't hesitate to send a second message few days after. Warning! Professional network environment such LinkedIn is dedicated for professional matters, please stay focus on your business or expertise...

The beauty of networking beyond your expertise lies in the endless possibilities for intellectual enrichment. It's an opportunity to cultivate curiosity and an open mind, creating a space where meaningful exchanges flourish. By posing thoughtful questions, actively listening, and valuing the diverse stories and experiences of your contacts, you pave the way for a reciprocal learning journey. Embracing vulnerability—acknowledging gaps or mistakes—and being receptive to constructive feedback are not signs of weakness but rather catalysts for personal and professional development. Upholding an attitude of humility and respect, even in the face of differing opinions, transforms each interaction into a valuable source of insight and growth.

Feedback often hurts to hear but ultimately helps . Rejection is just redirection. Use feedback to help you redirect your efforts.

Curiosity and open mindedness will also help in preparing for the conversation with someone. If the purpose is clear and there is willingness to both unlearn and learn - then a conversation will add a lot of value. Asking the right questions and valuing difference of opinion also adds to the learning.

Establecer contactos de manera efectiva en la estrategia digital fuera de tu área de especialización puede ser un desafío, pero la curiosidad y la mente abierta son excelentes activos. La autenticidad y la voluntad de aprender son clave al establecer contactos fuera de tu área de especialización. Aprovecha cada oportunidad para aprender y contribuir, y no tengas miedo de compartir tu perspectiva única.

In my experience, networking plays a vital role, approach it with a genuine curiosity and willingness to learn . People appreciate authenticity, so be open about your background, where are you coming from and your desire to expand your expertise and ready to take challenge for the extra mile. Example - we can attend local or virtual networking events and meet-ups related to digital strategy. These gatherings provide opportunities to connect with professionals in person Secondly, Contribute to open source projects or perhaps collaborate on initiatives that align with your interests. This will definitely expose to a broader network of professionals and come up with hands on experience.

I cannot stress enough the “reciprocity” aspect of a relationship where you are clearly not the primary beneficiary. Most of the times, we box ourselves into a “what may I offer to the person who has everything” (referring to knowledge & access) mentality which is… well… simply wrong. Because it’s never about the quality/quantity of what you can reciprocate with, experts rarely aspire to something like that. Instead, it’s the principle - the appreciation of the time, availability and advice you are given. From a personal “Thank you” note to a unique drawing, it’s always the principle. Pro tip: I once thanked with a letter addressed to their children, sharing how much their dad has helped me and how I intend to “pay it forward” to others.??

You never know when someone could be a valuable connection. Keep your network warm, add value, make connections and when the time comes it will be a lot easier to cash in favors and ask for introductions when you’ve already paid it forward.

In the long term, a professional relationship should ideally be a win-win situation for both parties involved. To cultivate such a relationship, it's essential to foster a healthy exchange of ideas, thoughts, and opinions based on mutual interests. Such interactions not only empower each party with valuable information but also solidify our expertise through constructive feedback and suggestions from one another.

If you are open and honest to your network, they will encounter it to you. Don't expect that you are treated honest, if you do not treat other with honesty. It's that easy.

Si alguien de tu equipo o de un equipo externo aporta una importante idea, no desaproveches en compartirla con el equipo. Puede ser que esa idea tu no la entiendas, pero tu equipo para eso está, para asesorarte, los contrataste para que te asesoren, pídeles feedback, y si la aportación ofrecida te da valor, entonces agradece y reconoce. nunca te pongas una camiseta ajena. Reconoce y valora a tu equipo y a quienes te aportan valor

And don’t forget the sense of humor, an area we mostly navigate away from and not towards it. Granted, not an easy one and careful, considerate steps are required - yet a well-timed text (eg with a New Yorker cartoon / always trust the pros) will certainly strengthen those ties and perhaps even shed light on new ones!

Dê manuten??o em seus relacionamentos, inclusive nos de negócio. Onde você coloca sua aten??o, estar?o seus resultados. Crie um relacionamento mesmo, efetivamente, mantendo uma cadeia contínua de gera??o de valor, buscando formas de você capturar valor também, fa?a isso de maneira transparente e previamente combinada, é sucesso garantido.

When networking most important is your mindset. Don't expect to get more out of your network than you invest into your network. If your partners know they can trust you and your expertise, they will pay it back with their trust and expertise. But it's not paid pack in the short term.

In my view, effective networking is a mutual exchange—a give and take. Providing value, whether through knowledge, support, or recognition, cements lasting connections. It's about understanding the needs of others and actively contributing in a way that strengthens the relationship, fostering a sense of reciprocity and shared success.

Read the room, or inbox. Keep in touch with purpose. No one wants to be fire-hosed with outreach, and purpose may be lost if you’re reaching out too much and/or the value of your outreach is unclear or too self serving. Be genuine, be straightforward, be respectful. It goes a long way.

Be humble. Be useful. Be transparent. Share honest ‘war stories’ from daily practice, not theory from books that everyone has read. Enable others to learn from things that went well, but especially the things that didn’t go so well. Failure is a great way to learn.

Textest Du noch selbst oder promptest Du schon? Man hat im Moment das Gefühl, dass mittlerweile viele hier ihre Beitr?ge oder auch ihre Kommentare mit Hilfe von KI schreiben. Das mag zwar praktisch sein, aber wirklich sinnvoll ist das nicht. Ich m?chte ja wissen, wie jemand ist, und nicht, wie gut diese Person prompten kann. Dazu kommt, dass es teilweise wirklich noch nicht ausgereift ist. Authentizit?t ist wichtig, kommt hier noch oft genug vor und macht LinkedIn zu einem interessanten ?place to be“. Hoffen wir, dass das so bleibt.

The easiest way to ask a closed question in a sale, which is where everyone always chokes, is simply to ask, "Would it be totally crazy for us to move forward today?". "Would you be totally opposed to us moving forward at the end of this call?" "Would you be totally opposed to moving forward?" This approach takes the pressure off the prospect and allows them to feel safe in their decision.

1) Don't be afraid to be authentically you! Resist the urge to hide behind a facade of knowledge and experience. Be honest about what you dont know, but are eager and willing to learn. 2) Be a giver and not just a taker. Keeping it authentic, don't be afraid to ask if there's anything I can do to help you.

Always be mindful that even if a connection is not currently fruitful, it might not be in future. Nurture the relationships on “no need basis” and you will have shining success someday. Be optimistic , relationships are much more than transactions.