TIN #059 - How To Craft Personalized Networking Messages Like a Pro
Networking Messages That Actually Work!
Welcome to this week's issue of The Introverted Networker!
In the last issue, I asked:
“What Topic Do You Want To See In The Next Newsletter?
65% said, “How To Send Messages That Work.”
Many of you have asked about this topic in your emails to me, especially those who find it challenging to start conversations or reach out to new contacts.
So in this issue, we're exploring the art of crafting effective networking messages.
Let's unravel the secrets of sending networking messages that truly work.
This issue takes about 4 minutes to read.
But Before We Get Started…
Each week, I post a new podcast with tips you’ll find in the weekly newsletter and bonus stories, wisdom, and motivation. Listen to The Introverted Networker podcast. It's like the weekly newsletter but with additional narration and thoughts from me. You get a separate email from me with the link to the audio podcast.
The video version of the podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
Be sure to sign up for my Networking Training Test Group. I talked about it in the last issue. If you want to spend an hour asking me anything about networking, this group is for you. Sign up to learn more.
Finally, vote on next week’s newsletter topic:
Ok, back to the show…
The Three Rules for Networking Messages
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of composing networking messages, let's lay down some fundamental principles to guide you in your networking journey:
Avoid Automation: The first rule is clear – don't try to automate your networking messages. While automation tools exist, they often result in generic, impersonal messages with minimal response rates. Instead, use templates as a starting point, but customize each message to make it genuine and relevant to the recipient.
Empathy and the Golden Rule: Think about the messages you'd want to receive. Put yourself in the recipient's shoes. If a message feels insincere or spammy, it's likely to be ignored. Craft messages that you would appreciate receiving yourself.
Patience Pays Off: Understand that not everyone checks their messages daily or responds immediately. Be patient when waiting for a reply. Sometimes, your message might sit in someone's inbox until they have the time to respond. It's perfectly normal, so don't be discouraged.
Know Your Audience
Now that we have our guidelines, an important step in sending a networking message is deciding who you are sending it to?
Do you need to send a message to a dormant tie so you can reconnect?
If so, then I talked all about it in Issue #002 of this newsletter and gave examples of what to say.
This message is simpler to craft and send.
But, I don’t think that’s what you had in mind when you asked me to cover this topic.
I suspect you want to know how to create a message for someone you don’t already know.
Crafting Your Message
When reaching out to someone you don't know, follow these steps:
Personalize: Address the recipient by name and explain how you found them.
Express Interest: Mention what intrigued you about their profile or background.
Make the Ask: Pose a simple and non-demanding question or request. It could be about their career journey, a piece of advice, or a shared interest.
Establish Connection: Share what you have in common with the other person. Find ways to build connections you can talk about.
Offer Information: Provide a way for the recipient to learn more about you, such as your LinkedIn profile or a professional website.
Remember, the goal is to establish a connection and initiate a meaningful conversation.
A Stellar Example
Now, let's dissect a stellar networking message that I received from a connection.
This came from a college student who reached out to me cold.
It’s one of the best cold messages I’ve ever received.
It turned into a real-life conversation, and we’re still connected today.
This message exemplifies the principles we've just discussed:
Let’s break it down:
Hello Mr. Roche,
My name is xxxxxxxxxx. I found your profile on LinkedIn via a couple of mutual connections that we have. I wanted to reach out and see if there was any way I could connect with you and learn more about your career journey.”
This message shines for several reasons:
Personalized greeting with my name.
Introduction of the sender and how they found me.
Clear and low-pressure request to connect and learn more.
I am a senior at the University of Denver and have spent the past year as a Human Resources Intern with Centura Health. My internship has primarily been based with Centura's compensation team, and I have become very intrigued by that discipline of HR. I would love to learn more from you about working in Total Rewards, and your path to where you are today with DaVita.
I also have a bit of a unique path into HR. At the University of Denver, I am pursing a BA in Music with a minor in Business Administration. I noticed that you were a Liberal Arts major in college, and I would be interested to hear about your initial transition into HR from a Liberal Arts background.
Establishes something in common: we are both in compensation. He know this because he researched me. That’s how he knew to send me a message.
Reiterates he is looking to learn more.
Continues to build connection with me through our shared educational backgrounds in Liberal Arts and interests in HR.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to be able to connect with you soon.
Thank you, xxxxx
https://www.linkedin.com/in/xxxxxxxxxx/
Thanks me for my time and asks to connect
Gives me a way to research him by giving me his LinkedIn profile.
This message immediately caught my attention because it was tailored, genuine, and non-intrusive. It's a prime example of how to initiate a connection with someone you don't know.
Where You Can Learn More:
I often come across advice from other people that’s helpful to my readers. When I do, I love sharing it here:
Austin Belcak shares a lot of info on LinkedIn about crafting messages to hiring managers or new connections. Be sure to follow him.
Jessica Hernandez had a whole newsletter issue dedicated to this topic awhile back. Check it out.
Peter Yang shared a series of message templates in his newsletter Creator Economy. Be sure to subscribe to check him out.
I had a conversation with Ed Han a few months back about how to connect with recruiters in TIN #043 - From Invisible to Irresistible: How to Grab A Recruiter's Attention
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Conclusion
Thank you for joining us in this week's edition of The Introverted Networker.
Crafting networking messages that work is an essential skill for introverts and extroverts alike.
By following the principles of personalization, empathy, and patience, you can increase your chances of building valuable connections.
If you have more questions or need further guidance, please don't hesitate to reach out.
I’m here to support your networking journey.
Stay tuned for more networking insights, and until next time, happy connecting!