Hey! Hope you’re having a great week.
I have a question for you:
Ever find yourself in a cycle of sending networking messages without hearing a single peep back?
It's Greg, your fellow Introverted Networker, here to dissect this all-too-common issue and arm you with strategies to break the silence.
It really comes down to answering three questions:
Who?
How Many?
How Long?
We’ll look at each of these questions in detail.
This issue takes about 4 minutes to read.
But Before We Get Started…
My online course, “5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network,” is FREE for all my newsletter subscribers. Learn the process I use everyday to grow my professional network.
Each week, I post a new podcast with tips you’ll find in the weekly newsletter and bonus stories, wisdom, and motivation. The Introverted Networker podcast is like the weekly newsletter but with additional narration and thoughts from me. Be sure to listen to this week’s podcast and check out the previous episodes of the podcast as well.
The video version of the podcast is available on my YouTube channel.
…Back To Answering The Questions:
1. Who Are You Messaging?
First up, let's tackle the "Who."
Are your email or LinkedIn messages aimed at familiar faces or are they reaching into the void of strangers?
If you're casting your net in unfamiliar waters, don't be surprised by the lack of bites.
Cold outreach often yields chilly responses, reflecting our own hesitance to engage with unknown senders.
Flip the script by reconnecting with those within your circle.
Former colleagues, alumni, or members of clubs you're part of are your goldmine.
You'd be amazed at how a simple "How have you been?" can reopen doors and lead to unexpected opportunities.
2. Volume Matters: How Many Messages Have You Sent?
Onto our second head-scratcher: "How Many?"
If your outreach efforts can be counted on one hand, it's time to up the ante.
The world's a busy place, and your message might just be on someone's "to-do" list, but they haven’t gotten to it yet.
Before you throw in the towel, aim for double digits in your outreach efforts, but keep your messages meaningful and tailored.
Bombarding folks with requests to review your resume might not be the best approach.
Instead, seek advice, insights, or a simple catch-up.
3. Patience Is a Virtue: How Long Have You Waited?
Lastly, "How Long?"
Did you hit send yesterday?
Hold your horses.
Even I, juggling the Introverted Networker newsletter and a host of other responsibilities, take my time to craft thoughtful replies.
Give your contacts a grace period.
Networking is a marathon, not a sprint.
In Conclusion
Feeling unheard can be disheartening, but it's often a matter of adjusting your approach.
Focus on nurturing relationships with those you know, diversify and increase your outreach, and practice patience.
Remember, networking is about building connections over time.
As you embark on another week of networking, keep these questions in mind.
They're not just queries; they're stepping stones to more meaningful connections.
Let's keep the conversation going. Have you faced similar challenges? Found a particular strategy effective? Share your experiences in the comments, or reach out directly. Your insights enrich our community.
Until next time, keep connecting,
Greg
Before You Go…
Check out a couple of interesting links I’ve come across this week:
Tim Denzer shared a LinkedIn post with an awesome step-by-step process to create your Target Company List
Ed Han has some great advice about networking on one of his #EdTalks. Ed was my guest expert in TIN #043 - From Invisible to Irresistible: How to Grab A Recruiter's Attention