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How do you build connections? 9 ways to grow your network

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9 Ways to Grow Your Network

For many, the term networking comes across as a generic and ingenious way of advancing one’s career. That is because too many professionals approach it in the wrong way! Growing your network is not about having the most connections on LinkedIn as much as it is about developing strong relationships with people who share the same interests and goals as you. The ultimate goal is to create meaningful connections with people who won’t hesitate to say your name in a room full of opportunities.

But how do you find those people? And how do you approach them in a meaningful way? We’re glad you asked! In fact, we asked the same question to nine extremely well-connected business leaders. To learn the tips to their effortless approach, read on!

“I’ve Never Met a Stranger”

The best way to grow your network is to be approachable and easy to reach. Take the time to respond to messages, and when possible schedule quick 15-minute virtual coffee meetings. I always remember one of my Dad’s favorite sayings, “I’ve never met a stranger.”

Nicole Spracale, Coaching and Consulting

Attend Online Events

The best way to build connections and grow your network during these changing times is to attend online events. This is a great time to attend virtual events that take place anywhere across the globe and explore new industries that you otherwise may not have invested time in being plugged into. Initiate 1:1 meetings from these larger events and go deeper with a small number of people for mutually beneficial connections.

Stephanie Thoma, Networking Career Coach

Connect Based on Common Interests

Approach networking as you would making new friends. Don’t try to ask for favors or grand gestures the first time you reach out. Connect with them based on common interests or industries and get to know the person before you begin making professional inquiries or requests.

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional

The Network Effect

The best way to build connections and grow my network is to ask people in my existing network. The term, “the network effect,” exists for a reason. I’ve found that if I can get a few introductions from friends and colleagues, those introductions lead to more introductions, and so on. Plus, these relationships hit the ground running because they’re from warm referrals instead of cold outreach.

James Pollard, The Advisor Coach LLC

Company Retreats

Lake Rabun offers company retreats that are an excellent way to build and maintain relationships with people in your same industry. While the pandemic is in full swing, virtual company retreats have become the new normal, but once things subside, retreats are always an easy way to make new connections and see new faces in the industry. 

Gwen North, Lake Rabun Hotel

A Friend of a Friend

A friend of a friend is a powerful tool. Become acquainted with your friends’ coworkers and other friends to build a series of connections that you can reach out to if you ever need it. These connections become second degree, which means you don’t know them through your own experience but you have a common friend and get to know each other through them. These connections can be just as influential.

Ryan Nouis, TruPath

Don’t Be Afraid to Shoot Your Shot

Social networking sites are a fantastic way to meet new people! The key to finding success on them is to never be afraid to shoot your shot. If you come across someone interesting that you would like to connect with, send them a message. The worst-case scenario is that they don’t reply, but the best case is that you hit it off and develop a great connection that can open doors for you down the road. 

Nikitha Lokareddy, Markitors

Offer a Consultation to Introduce Yourself

I have seen people offer a service for free such as a 15-minute consultation to introduce themselves. I think this way of connection is helpful for building trust. Others have asked who our clientele is, so they can refer them to us. I think that offering something without expecting anything in return is the key to good networking.

Sara Yusupov, iHeartRadio

Integrate Networking Into Your Business Plan

Make networking a regular part of your business plan, and spend time on this every week.  Seek out colleagues in similar businesses, professional associations, community associations, and other networks for new connections, and ask your connections for suggestions. LinkedIn and other networks are great for this!

Colleen McManus, Senior Consultant

10 LinkedIn Connect Message Tips To Build Relationships

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When crafting the perfect LinkedIn Connection Request, the last thing you want to do is come across boring and spammy. Chances are the person you are reaching out to has an inbox full of requests, and “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn” is not going to cut it. You have to customize your message to truly stand out and invite the individual to not only accept your request but check out your profile as well!

Now, that is much easier said than done! That is why we reached out to 10 business leaders with the busiest LinkedIn notifications in the game. Below, you can find their advice on how to always get your invitations accepted.

It’s Your Elevator Pitch

Think of your connection message as an elevator pitch, because that’s what it is, essentially. Develop two or three key points to mention that describe who you are and why you wanted to connect. Don’t overwhelm your potential connection with a long pitch requesting they do something for you. Keep it short and sweet!

Court Will, Will & Will

Show Interest in Their Profile

LinkedIn messages need to feel genuine. If you can avoid it, do not use the automatically generated responses they give you –it looks disingenuous and unprofessional. Instead, take a moment to analyze the person’s profile that you are messaging and compliment something about their career or a place they have worked in the message. This shows that you took the time to look at their profile and you have an interest in them as a professional. They will likely be more receptive to your message if you show genuine interest. 

Peter Babichenko, Sahara Case 

Keep it Short

Don’t attempt to send a novel to someone who does not yet have any connection to you. They may even be under the impression that your message is spam or a sales pitch and ignore it. Use their name, where you know them from or how you found them and that you’d like to build a connection.

Jon Schneider, Recruiterie 

Personalize It!

Make your message as personal as possible! If you have met the individual before, remind them of where you met or how much you enjoyed chatting about whatever topic you discussed. If you haven’t met them before, explain why you are interested in connecting with them. This will make them more likely to accept your request and reply to your message!

Nikitha Lokareddy, Markitors

Make Your Point While Being Friendly

Keep your connection message short, to the point and friendly. My network exceeds 10000 connections and was built with a simple request to members in a synergistic profession. “Hi John, we share contacts and interests, let’s connect!” When I wanted to connect to a prospect that is c-level, I changed it a little to “Hi John, I do this and this when companies need this. I’d love to connect and possibly work together in the future, lets connect!”

Tony Baumer, Old Grey Tiger Consulting

Don’t Always Have Expectations

My first tip is, if you aren’t connecting on LinkedIn you are doing it wrong. My second tip is, if you are sending canned messages, you are also doing it wrong. My third tip when crafting a LinkedIn message is, come from a place of honesty and sincerity and don’t always have expectations. For example, I truly care about connecting with you and sincerely want to learn more about you and your business!

Erika Acorn, Tempe Chamber

Give the Person a Reason to Connect

Always remember to focus on the other person, not you. Too many people talk about themselves in the LinkedIn connection request and wonder why it gets ignored or denied. People want to know what’s in it for them and how they stand to benefit, so tell them directly.

James Pollard, The Advisor Coach LLC

Continue the Conversation

I use a formula that goes like this. First, introduce yourself, reason why you are connecting with them, and end with a question to continue the conversation going. This formula has worked not just on Linkedin, but also on Facebook and Instagram direct messages.

Sara Yusupov, iHeartRadio

Have a Valid Reason to Connect

Visit the profile of the user and study their achievements, line of business, if they are writing on LinkedIn, and check their posts. By doing all this, you are actually finding a logical and valid reason to connect. Once you’ve found your talking point, then you are all set to message the person and initiate conversation. The process goes as follows: 

  • Put a catchy subject line. “Happy to Connect with You,” “Thank You for Connecting” or any other line which can hold the person’s attention to go further down.
  • Introduce yourself. Then keeping it short, give a brief intro about yourself. 
  • Mention the things you two have in common. In the second paragraph, give an overview about the interests you both share and ask them to elaborate on their other interests. 
  • Offer your help. In the third or closure line, offer your assistance and support if you can provide any.

With this, you can initiate a good conversation with your new connection and you are all set to build a new professional relationship on good grounds.

Rameez Ghayas Usmani, PureVPN

Deliver Value

That’s also my tip for networking—always deliver value before (instead of) asking for a favor, job lead or sale. Take a minute to tell a job seeker you have many recruiters in your network, or to compliment someone on a recent post. It’s highly effective—so much more so than asking for the sale before you even say “hello.”

Joni Holderman, Thrive! Resumes

Why is making connections important? 10 experts share insights

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Why is making connections important

You’ve heard it before: it’s all about who you know. But what does that mean?

Networking is a learned skill. To build a network is to form the connections you may need in the future to support your career. This process takes time.

But how do you know where to get started? Is it worth it? We asked ten experts to share their insights about why connections are important and why you should create a network of your own.

“Who You Know” versus “Who Knows You” 

It’s not, “who you know,” it’s, “who knows you.” Making connections leads to conversations and conversations lead to opportunities. Beyond making connections, it’s vital to spend time nurturing connections as they can come in handy in unexpected ways down the road. 

Chris Dunkin, Portable Air 

It Allows Recruiters to Vouch for You

You need to develop connections to the point where recruiters may vouch for you. Recruiters do not usually approach you just because they know you, they vouch for you because they know you are worth vouching for. Similarly, connections are a method to advertise your skills, not a replacement for having skills. Personally, I think that connections are not a metric of skill, they are a metric of experience and trust.

Rameez Ghayas Usmani, PureVPN

It Gives You an Opportunity to Help Others

Connections are the most important way to advance in your career. My connections helped to open doors to three critical, life changing career opportunities. Since then, I have looked for opportunities to help others by volunteering with my alumni association and answering questions for people interested in new opportunities.

Bruce Harpham, Technology Marketing Consultant

They Bridge the Gap Between You and Employment

Connections are the bridge between an employee and a career. When all else fails, your connections will be there to support you and to help you bridge the gap between you and employment. Not every position or promotion is going to be posted on a job board somewhere, but just one email reaching out to a connection could make the difference in getting a job interview you didn’t even know about. 

Kenna Hamm, Texas Adoption Center 

Approach Connections With No Agenda

Life is about connections above and beyond your career.  You never know what role someone may play, how you may be able to make a profound difference for them, or how they may be able to help you.  When we approach new connection opportunities with no agenda other than learning about the person behind the business, we open up communication to a deeper level.  My entire corporate and entrepreneurial careers have been based on my solid connections.

Leeanne Gardner, Unbridle It

Exchanging Insights

Work is an important part of people’s lives; therefore, creating relationships at work is necessary to be successful. Find people that you can share insights with about more than just work, which in turn will give employees the sense of belonging and make them feel part of the team. This will give them motivation to take on more responsibility if they feel like what they are doing will impact people they are close to. 

JJ Hepp, Arrow Lift

The B Mohr Effect

One single connection has helped me launch two businesses. I originally introduced myself to Brian Mohr via a cold email. He answered, and after an initial meeting, he connected me with someone who helped me launch my first business. Years later, Brian again helped me launch another business by becoming my first client while introducing me to my second client. Somewhere, there’s a Brian Mohr out there who can make all the difference to you and your career. 

Brett Farmiloe, Markitors

People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel

Whether it’s been in relation to my full-time career or my business, the biggest and most worthwhile opportunities have come from first-hand connections. Connections give us an opportunity to help others. And by helping others, we’re advocating for our brands. 

Maya Angela said “people will never forget how you made them feel”. It may take several years before someone remembers something nice that you did for them, but that could manifest into an opportunity that could transform your career or business. Don’t expect anything in return in the future. I have made many connections that have not manifested into anything. Not yet at least.

Husam Machlovi, With Pulp

Co-Made, Not Self-Made

Connections are the key to success. Joseph Campbell shared the concept of “the hero’s journey.” Along my entrepreneurial journey, there have been so many connections that were important to be where I am today. The idea of self-made is a fallacy; co-made is what they really mean. A friend shared with me that concept and shared anyone who has ever “made it” could only have done so with help along the way. “Co-made” with connections along the way has made my career, and will continue.

Mark Jamnik, Enjoy Life Daily

They Are Vital in Sharing Industry Expertise

Making connections in the professional world is essential for a plethora of reasons–one in particular is expertise. There are always going to be people who know more than you, and you should take that as a good thing. Meeting and discussing your specific industry with other experts is only going to benefit you, whether they are helping you through a rough time, giving you career advice or even financially supporting your professional endeavors. Connections are vital to the progress of a professional career.

Megan Chiamos, 365 Cannabis

9 Ways To Connect With Your Job Interviewer

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9 Ways To Connect With Your Job Interviewer

Interviews can be stressful, even if you feel well prepared. Despite going over every question you can think of and watching yourself in the mirror, you may still find yourself worried that you haven’t done enough. You have a short window to impress the interviewer and prove you have what it takes. 

What can you do?

We’ve asked nine professionals to share their advice on how to handle connecting with an interviewer in a short period of time, so that you can walk into your next interview with confidence.


Review Their LinkedIn Profile

Personal connection is always the best, I believe. Before the interview, the candidate should review the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile. Check to see if you have anything in common. If so, bring that up in the interview as an ice-breaker. Also, make sure that you are molding your answers to reflect the values of the company. This can also be a great way to connect.

Dana Felix, HR Analyst


Start With a Good First Impression

An interviewer will make their decision on whether you are likable or not within the first 5 minutes of the interview. One thing they will consider is your overall presentation. Recruiters like someone who appears neat, composed, charming (without speaking!) and one who appears prepared. To achieve this, go into your with confidence. Wear a moderate smile, one that does not reveal your teeth. Greet the interviewer formally and sit upright, looking directly into their face without being too hard as it might appear rude. Finally, speak fluently and respond as accurately as possible without stuttering or referring back to your documents.

James Jason, Mitrade


Connect In a Blink

Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink makes the argument that people make judgements about others within a blink of an eye. No pressure, but candidates need to connect with an interviewer in that first blink. Sometimes, that first two seconds tells an interviewer more about that candidate than a 30-minute conversation. It’s just human nature. So how can you connect in two seconds? Calm the nerves prior to the first interaction. When it comes time to shine (or turn on Zoom video), be yourself, smile and make eye contact. Just connecting in a non-verbal way in the first two seconds helps pave the way for the rest of the interview. 

Brett Farmiloe, Markitors


Be Personable and Outgoing 

One of the best things you can do to connect in a short amount of time is be personable and outgoing as soon as you enter the interview. You might not necessarily have time to discuss things you have in common, but the interviewer will feel drawn to you because you gave off a positive persona. They will see that you are passionate and can have a conversation with anyone even if you are meeting for the first time. 

Henry Babich, Stomadent Dental Lab 


Body Language 

Body language is so important in interviews. Sit up straight, make eye contact and smile when you can to give off a good impression to your interviewer. In virtual interviews, use hand motions and try to look at the camera when speaking, allowing the interviewer to feel as if you are making eye contact with them. 

Jon Schneider, Recruiterie 


Make it a Two-Way Conversation

Do your best to not let the interview be one-sided. When it feels natural, ask the interviewer a question or two about their work or about the company to break up the rapid-fire of questions. Try to create a back and forth conversation to make the interview more comfortable for both parties involved.

Candi Luciano, Y Scouts


Ask Them About Themselves

Avoid talking about the weather or asking general questions such as “how are you?” Rather ask something contextual and specific such as “How have you been adjusting to being back in the office/working from home during the shelter-in-place?” This shows the interviewer that you see people beyond just their roles and your approach to work will likely be more relational rather than transactional. If it is a company that cares about culture then they will love this about you!

Philip Botha, Culture Advantage


Match the Interviewers Energy

Unless there has been no application vetting process whatsoever, interviewers already know plenty about who you are from your resume, background checks and social media investigations. Here are a few ways for candidates to connect quickly with their future job interviewer: You have about 90 seconds to make a great first impression so focus on non-verbal cues, match the interviewers energy (cadence, physical gestures, etc), ask measured questions to get them talking, find common bonds (often doing research before the interview on LinkedIn profiles, search “About” section on website, etc), captivate them with relevant personal stories and last but not least pretend you already have the job as you want them to visualize you on the job.

Mark Christensen, People & Partnerships


Interviewers Remember Personality

It sounds obvious but I personally always remember people who have shown some of their personality in their answers, rather than being robotically professional. The “worst” case scenario is that the interviewer won’t gel with your personality, but then the likelihood is that you wouldn’t be a good fit for that company, anyway — so it’s no loss.

Rosalind Smith, Mauve Group

8 Important Roles Data Plays In Business

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8 Important Roles Data Plays In Business

We all know that data plays an important role in business. In fact, data plays a role in just about all of our lives. But what role does data play in your business, and how do you know what to prioritize?

We asked eight small business owners, marketing professionals and experts about what piece of data is most important to their business. Learn how they segment their data and use it in their decision making to help further their organizations.


Prioritize By Time

At first, look at all files for which might be of similar importance. There is one question that helps to segment and prioritize them: “How long can you be without these files?” The most time-critical need specific protection, like a failover or cloning solution, where no restore process is necessary. Less time-critical files can be protected with a regular backup to disk, tape or cloud. There is also data that has a tolerance of one or more days to be restored; this is a candidate for long-term archiving to tape or cloud. Archiware P5 helps to protect all categories offering archive, backup and cloning in one solution. 

Dr. Marc M. Batschkus, Archiware


Driving Sales

Ecommerce revenue and Conversion rates are what matters most to my business. Is something working and driving more revenue to my business? Or is my marketing campaign or blog post content falling short of driving sales or new prospect sign-ups? Regularly reviewing and using data in Google Analytics not only helps you become a better marketer but a better business owner as well. 

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional


Customers Segmentation

We’ve developed internal metrics to help define which customers are the most engaged users. This number is based on the number of job postings they have made with us. If they have one job posting, obviously they are a “new” customer. If they have posted several times on numerous occasions, then they are a “sticky” customer because they come back. But, if a customer has posted jobs at a certain level, then they fall into our “super sticky” category. Having data and measurements enables us to segment customers, and align our messaging to achieve our objectives. 

Zack McCarty, Qwick


Commonalities

Standing alone, data is not very useful. But when data is combined into sets, then someone can come along and use data to identify commonalities within their organization. If you want data to play an important role in your business, make sure that data is combined with similar sets and analyzed for key performance indicators. 

Francesca Yardley, Threads


Predict Consumer Behavior

When the pandemic hit, we knew our clients in rentals and events were going to be hit hard. But we also knew that our clients in other industries would benefit. Analyzing industry trends and data enabled us to shift focus on industries where equipment financing deals can take place. For any business looking to shift focus, I’d recommend taking a look at industry trends to help predict consumer behavior. 

Carey Wilbur, Rental Equipment Financing 


Website Traffic

The most important piece of data for my business is website traffic. We are a company that generates revenue by channeling our audience to our affiliate partners. We thus need our website to attract massive interest and increase our audience. Once we get the data, we segment it by channels of traffic. Which channels of traffic (e.g., organic search and social media) are bringing adequate traffic and which channels are failing. We then proceed to implement strategies to boost the failing channels.

Reuben Yonatan, GetVoIP


Discovering New Campaigns

As an eCommerce business, our website data is critically important to our success. The difference between sessions and users is quite significant. Simply put, a user is a unique visitor, where a session is simply a visit. We can use data from sessions to understand what landing page is working the best by measuring the bounce rate and conversion rate. User data helps us understand what the user wants, by learning what pages they are most interested in. This helps us understand if we have an opportunity to create a campaign that lands a customer on a high converting page with a low bounce rate. I believe a session is a more important metric to measure because it shows us the return on our marketing investment.

Brian Lim, INTO THE AM


Missed Opportunities

Being successful is sometimes a result of recognizing where others are falling short. Data brings those shortcomings to light. If you look in the right places, recognize the trends, and do something about it, you’ll be able to capitalize on the missed opportunities from competitors. 

Brett Farmiloe, SEO Agency