How do you actually build a network beyond one-off interactions? Let's talk

Welcome to Let's Talk Offline — LinkedIn's podcast (and newsletter) about what it takes to thrive in the early years of your career, co-hosted by me, Gianna Prudente , and Jamé Jackson Gadsden . Follow the show wherever you get your podcasts and subscribe to the newsletter to join our community of work besties.

This week on Let's Talk Offline

Why is networking so cringe?

From making small talk to exchanging contact info, there's no denying that networking can be awkward. The idea of reaching out to a complete stranger is a sure way to spark anyone's anxiety. Am I bothering them?

I don't think I need to use up many words convincing you of the value of networking, which often results in more job and business opportunities, mentorship, overall career support ... you get it.

Professional growth sometimes comes down to who you know, not what you know. Yes, knowledge and experience are important, but the connections you make throughout your career will open doors for you down the line.

I once heard someone refer to their network as their "personal board of directors," which is the rebrand networking needs. This is a group of people who act as career advisors, offering you guidance along your journey. What I love about this concept is that it makes networking feel less transactional.

I'm sure we all remember a time when we reached out to a stranger (or a stranger reached out to us) and led with a big ask. This outreach approach feels icky and often results in no response or a one-time interaction.

So, how do you avoid tit-for-tat networking? How do you actually build genuine connections? And how the heck do you maintain those over time? We answer these questions on this week's episode of Let's Talk Offline, with the help of LinkedIn Top Voice Morgan Young .

Let's get into it.

From transactional to trusted

That transactional feeling is likely what stops most of us from going further in our networking efforts (which, by the way, is why people say the best time to network is when you have a job, not when you need a job).

It's easy to connect with someone on LinkedIn while at a networking event. Maybe you schedule a coffee chat afterwards. Those meetings are usually the extent of people's professional relationships. Why? You might think you don't have anything to offer the other person because you're just starting out. Wrong!

"You have intrinsic value in just being yourself," Morgan told us on the show. "My favorite sentence to say in a networking interaction is, 'If there's ever a way that I can help you or support you in what you are doing and what you're building, please feel free to let me know.' Not only is that a great way to establish a relationship with someone, but that could also help you figure out what your value is."

Perfecting the follow-up

Ok, you have that initial coffee chat and can envision the person playing a role in our professional growth. Don't stress about being annoying if you follow up. I'll let you in on a little secret: most people want to help other people. You just have to go about the follow-up the right way.

"As long as you're polite and friendly and warm in the way that you approach the follow-up, it's never going to be received negatively," Morgan says.

So, you follow-up. You thank the person for their time, summarize your conversation and mention that you'd like to keep in touch. The next step is figuring out when and how to reach back out.

Morgan broke down her approach:

• Post on LinkedIn to keep your network up to date. "It's almost like sending a Christmas card of like, 'Hey, I'm here. This is what I'm doing,'" she says.
• Reach out to people in your close network at least once a quarter (i.e. every three months).

I'll add:

• Send quick notes to people in your network when they post a job update, like a promotion. These small interactions can have a lasting impact.
• When you're reaching out to your close network or "personal board of directors" on a quarterly basis, update them on what you've been up to.

There's so much more to unpack around networking, and we dig into it all in the latest episode of Let’s Talk Offline. Listen here to get the full scoop, including how many people you need in your network and who you should be networking with.

?? We wrap up this episode with our Show the Receipts segment, where Jamé and I dive into workplace workouts. Think discounted gym memberships or on-site office gyms. Do these perks actually work? We've got thoughts! Tune in and let us know your take in the comments.

?? After you tune in, tag us on LinkedIn with your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you!

Bonus! Networking do's and don'ts

We talk about how to warm up a cold email on the episode, but I wanted to spend some extra time on this topic because I know crafting an initial outreach note isn't the easiest. Listen: I've sent some cringe messages and I've received some, too. So here are my best practices based on what I've learned over the years:

1. Don't lead with an ask; do introduce yourself and provide context on why you're reaching out to that person specifically.
2. Don't send a generic message; do personalize your outreach to show genuine interest in the person's work or expertise.
3. Don't be afraid to show your personality; do make your message personable so they get a sense of who you are beyond just the professional side.
4. Don't assume they're free anytime; do suggest options that accommodate their schedule when setting up a meeting.
5. Don't focus solely on yourself; do ask questions in the meeting to learn about the other person's experiences and insights.

Before you go…

That's all this week! A reminder to listen to, follow and rate the show on your favorite podcast app. See all the ways you can find Let's Talk Offline here . Plus, send us your questions for our Dear Work Bestie segment at [email protected] .?

See you back here next Tuesday! We'll cover how to ask for a promotion with Emily Durham , aka Emily the Recruiter . She's joining us to share tips on how to position yourself for a title bump and pay raise come performance review time.

As always, remember Jamé and I have your back. So if you need to chat, let's talk offline.