Network with Intent

Want to connect with someone new and ask them for help? Want to take your blind LinkedIn connection or email requests to the next level? Try writing this type of message – I call it a Network with Intent note. It's a formula I've used many times with great success. It's enabled me to connect and build relationships with some truly remarkable people. People who have significantly helped me on my career journey. So, here it is.

1) Establish some familiarity. Move from a cold ?? to warm ?? connection. Share how you may already know of each other or how you've come across them and their work. If you have a mutual connection or you've previously met, it's always helpful to share this to establish some rapport and stand out from the crowd. If you have a close common connection and someone who would be willing to reach out on your behalf to make an introduction, that's a bonus. If you're just plain old inspired by their work and have no mutual connections, well, share that! It's worked for me too.

2) Share why they & their work inspire you. If you get this right, you're genuine and your recipient is legit, they'll typically keep reading. They should see you as a champion to help advance the purpose of their work. They should either be willing to connect with you or usher you along to others who may be able to help you out. Or maybe your note gets lost in their inbox and you get to try again. Who knows?! ????

3) Share what you're working on. Tell them a little bit about how the inspiration in point #2 above is influencing what you're working on, your career path and how you're showing up. Now you're displaying to them that you're going to progress in your efforts with or without them. Hopefully it will be with them ??

4) Share how they may be able to help you. Share your assumptions on how you believe they can help you out, the help you're looking for and any specific questions you already have for them. This shows that you'e been thoughtful in reaching out to them and not "pitch slapping" them as my friend Ron Tite shares.

5) Ask for 15 minutes of their time. "You like coffee? Tea? Water?" Ask them for a 15 minute phone or Zoom meeting or to buy them for a coffee. I specifically ask for 15 minutes because it's a far more palatable ask than 30 or 45 minutes. If after 15 minutes the conversation is going well, they'll typically give you another 15 ??

I spoke more about this process to connect with others on Jeff Gothelf's Forever Employable Stories. Take a watch at ~7 minutes in here.

I hope this Network with Intent method helps you on your pursuits. Happy connecting!

P.S. If you make a connection request with someone on LinkedIn, add a Personalized Note. Please ?? Thank you.

#networkwithintent #networking #connection #relationships #relationshipbuilding #trust #inspire #impact