Networking for Digital Marketers

LinkedIn data says “loose ties” lead to the most job offers. 7 steps to re-connect with your “loose ties” (without feeling awkward or transactional): 1. What Are “Loose Ties” “Loose ties” are acquaintances who you have a past relationship with and maybe a few mutual connections. You know, the person you worked with two companies ago. Or the one you exchanged emails with at that networking event last year. 2. Brainstorm A “Loose Tie” List Fire up a spreadsheet, then carve out some time to think through the loose ties in your career. It can help to download your 1st connections on LinkedIn to jog your memory. Go to LinkedIn > Settings > Data & Privacy > Get A Copy Of Your Data > Download 1st Connections. 3. Confront The “Awkwardness” This is where it rears its head. We tell ourselves “I haven’t spoken to this person in years!” “I don’t want to bother them or seem needy.” You know the drill. Truth is, if you’re polite, honest, and up front, many of them will be happy to help. 4. Start By Mentioning Something You Remember Open your note by recalling something you remember from your last interaction. This personalizes things and shows you cared to remember what was important to them: “Hey [Name], it’s been a minute! How is everything on your end? The last time we spoke you were a few weeks away from a trip to Japan. How was it?” 5. Politely Mention Your Goals No need to beat around the bush, just be polite, honest, and specific about your goals: “I know this email is coming out of the blue, but I wanted to send you a quick update because I’m in the market for a transition. I’m specifically targeting Sales Executive roles at eCommerce companies like Warby Parker, Harry’s Razors, etc. If you know of anyone who might be good to connect with, I’d be grateful for any intros or opportunities.” 6. Relieve The Pressure With An “Exit Clause” Giving them an out removes the pressure from everyone involved. It can be short and sweet, like this: “I know this is a big ask, so no pressure and no worries if it’s too much right now. Either way, hope you’re having an amazing week!” 7. Repeat For All Your “Loose Ties” As is true with most channels, you probably won’t hear back from many folks. But I bet you hear back from more than you expect. AND I bet more of them are willing to help than you expect. Good luck out there!

Old Way: LinkedIn as a digital resume New Way: LinkedIn as a thought leadership platform Your LinkedIn should work for you, not just document your past. 1. Your profile is your digital presence, not just a job history. Treat it like your personal landing page… position yourself as the go-to expert in your field. 2. Ditch the job descriptions. Instead, articulate the industry challenges you solve and the impact you create. Thought leaders talk about solutions, not tasks. 3. Your About section is your positioning statement. Answer these clearly: Who are you? What’s your unique expertise? Who do you serve? Why does it matter? 4. Your banner image should work for you. Whether it’s your framework, keynote speaking, or a compelling brand statement—use this space strategically. 5. Your featured section is your authority vault. Pin your best insights, media mentions, podcast features, or high-value resources that reinforce your expertise. 6. Experience section. Instead of listing roles, show how you’ve shifted industries, companies, or careers forward. What’s the ‘before and after’ you drive? 7. Your headline is your positioning hook. Skip the generic job title. Lead with what you bring to the table.

You don’t need to attend awkward networking events to build connections. Here are 10 ways to network online (from your couch) to land your dream job, mentorship or just to stay in touch: 1. Start with warm calls, not cold DMs Reaching out to strangers is intimidating. So, begin with people you already admire or respect: past colleagues, old classmates, mentors, or anyone you’ve gotten value from. Reach out, share your goals, ask for advice, or simply reconnect. — 2. Build (or join) a 3-6 person mastermind Invite people you admire to check in monthly or quarterly. Ask 3 simple questions in each meeting: • What’s your biggest win? • What’s your biggest challenge? • How can we help each other? This becomes your personal board of advisors, and their networks become yours, too. — 3. Make intros within your own network Instead of always trying to add new people, try connecting two people you already know. It builds goodwill, and often sparks reciprocity. Some of my best opportunities came from introductions I made first. — 4. Be the tortoise, not the hare Strong networks aren’t built in a week. They come from consistency, trust, and staying top of mind. Check in. Celebrate small wins. Be helpful, even without asking for anything.  — 5. Send snail mail Want to stand out in a sea of LinkedIn messages? Send a handwritten card or even a fun comic with a note. The person will always remember your “extra” effort. — 6. Elevate the interaction • Only chatted with someone online? Try a call. • Had a few calls? Try a Zoom meeting. • Know them over Zoom? Meet up in person. Each upgrade strengthens the connection. — 7. Pick one platform to dominate Instead of being everywhere, go deep somewhere. For example, if it’s LinkedIn: • Endorse people • Write thoughtful comments • Share niche insights your network actually values   This depth pays off more than shallow visibility. — 8. Curate, don’t just connect Curate the best insights, tools, or articles in your niche, and share them regularly. You’ll become a trusted source people keep coming back or referring to. — 9. Do something fun together Shared activities build bonds. This could be as simple as playing a game, joining a sweepstakes, or co-hosting a webinar.  People remember who made them feel something. — 10. Swipe right (yes, really) Apps like Shapr or Invitly are designed for warm outreach — you match with people who want to meet others. It’s cold networking without the awkwardness. Networking isn’t about pitching. It’s about planting seeds. Start with one person. Reach out. Reconnect.  Then keep showing up, helping others, and making connections that count.

In a world where every executive has a firm handshake and a stack of business cards, how do you become the person everyone remembers after a conference? After attending dozens in the past decade, I've developed a strategy that transforms conferences from transactional meetups into relationship goldmines. ♟️Pre-Conference LinkedIn Strategy The real networking begins weeks before the event. Review the speaker and attendee lists, then connect with key individuals on LinkedIn with a personalized message: "I noticed we’re both attending the Stand & Deliver event. I'd love to connect. See you soon." This pre-conference connection creates a warm introduction and significantly increases your chances of meaningful engagement. 👗👔The Memorable Wardrobe Element In my early career, I blended in at conferences. Now? I'm known for wearing a little more color (often D&S Executive Career Management teal) or patterns that are professional yet distinctive. When someone says, "Oh, you're the one with the great dress," you've already won half the networking battle. 🤝Contribute Before You Collect** Instead of collecting business cards, focus on providing immediate value in conversations. Can you connect someone to a resource? Share relevant research? Offer a solution to a challenge they mentioned? The executives who stand out aren't those who take the most cards—they're the ones who solve problems on the spot. What networking approach has worked for you at recent conferences? Share in the comments below! #ExecutiveLeadership #NetworkingStrategy #ConferenceSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

One week into January, and the results are rolling in. Since January 1st, I’ve had: 20 inbound inquiries – people who DM-ed me OR booked a call immediately. 17 warm conversations – with people who engaged with my content, viewed my profile, or connected with me. 10 cold(er) conversations - tried something new; I DM-ed people I’ve never spoken to before! And so far... 12 calls booked! (with 4 more on the calendar for next week). The best part? These leads are QUALIFIED. They already know me, they trust me, and they’ve been absorbing the value I provide through my content. By the time they reach out, we’ve skipped the part where I have to prove myself. Instead, we focus on THEIR problems and how I can help solve them. Here’s how you can do the same: 1. Optimise your profile to attract the right people (duh!) ↳ Your profile should reflect who you help, how you help, and what makes you unique. When your profile speaks directly to your target audience, it becomes a magnet for the leads who are ready to speak to you. 2. Create valuable content consistently (duh x2!) ↳ Content is king. But more importantly, content that is tailored to solve your audience’s problems positions you as an expert. This helps build trust and credibility over time. 3. Engage and nurture your network. (do I even need to say this?) ↳ Engage with your audience, be active in your feed. This builds familiarity, keeps you top of mind, and strengthens the relationship before they reach out to you. 4. Utilise polls, free resources, and CTAs. ↳ Polls are super underrated, they’re a great way to spark conversations and get people involved with your content + gives you a sneak peek into what your audience is thinking. ↳ Offering free resources gives people a taste of the value you provide, so when they’re ready, they come to you. ↳ ALWAYS Make sure your CTAs guide them to the next logical step (whether that’s a call, a freebie, or even just an ongoing conversation). 5. Personalise your outreach. ↳ Don’t just send a generic pitch. Refer to their interests or recent activity to create a conversation that feels human and relevant. 6. Lead with value. ↳ When you focus on providing value rather than selling, people start coming to you. The more you give, the more you receive in return. You don’t have to chase people. When done right, your LinkedIn profile works as an organic lead generation machine, attracting qualified leads who are ready to speak with you. P.S. Sharing valuable content is key to building an inbound pipeline. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 on this post, and I’ll share my 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 to stay consistent and never run out of ideas! 👩🏼💻 𝘋𝘔 𝘮𝘦 “𝗪𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧” 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 1:1 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭. ♻️ 𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥, 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦, Mariam Gogidze, 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.

This barber cuts his own hair to show support for his client battling cancer. A true reminder that people should always come before profit. When building your brand, ask yourself: Are you prioritizing people over metrics? It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, likes, impressions, leads. Of course, they matter! But let’s not forget: real connections, empathy, and support are what build lasting relationships and trust. At the end of the day, it’s about the people behind the numbers. When people hired me to help growing their LinkedIn accounts, I always remind them that the true power of LinkedIn lies in building quality connections, not just chasing numbers. Here are a few ways to build genuine connections for business: 1. Engage authentically – Instead of just liking posts, take the time to comment thoughtfully. Ask questions or offer insights. This shows you’re interested in the person, not just their numbers. 2. Personalize outreach – When sending connection requests, add a personal note. Reference something you found interesting about their profile, and make it clear you’d like to have a meaningful connection, not just a transaction. 3. Share valuable content – Provide content that genuinely helps others or sparks conversation. This helps establish you as a resource, not just a salesperson. 4. Follow up thoughtfully – After making a connection, don’t immediately pitch your services. Start a conversation, and see where it naturally leads. This builds trust over time. 5. Be patient – Building real relationships takes time. Don’t focus solely on quick wins. Invest in people, and the results will follow. When you prioritize people over metrics, you’re not just growing your business—you’re building meaningful relationships that will last for years. Need help growing your LinkedIn page ans generating leads? I want to help 5 people generate leads. Send me a DM with the word, 'Leads'.

Over the next 3 months, I’m hosting 4 major events in France, UK, USA and KSA. Beforehand, I want to share my top tips on how to get the best out of networking. 1. Set Clear Targets Action: Make a hit list of the top 10 companies or people you need to meet. Research what they care about—know their wins, pain points, & what they’re hunting for before you walk through the door. Outcome: These conversations won’t just happen by chance. By doing your homework, you’ll turn a five-minute chat into a deal-building moment. Schedule meetings in advance, & after the event, send a tailored follow-up email that shows you were listening. 2. Take the Stage (Literally) Action: Get on the agenda. Whether it’s a keynote, panel, or fireside chat, nothing says “I’m the one to watch” like holding the mic. Use this time to address the industry’s biggest challenges & position yourself—& your company—as the answer. Outcome: Speaking builds instant credibility. It’s not just exposure; it’s authority. Post-event, share the highlights on LinkedIn & invite attendees to continue the conversation, turning an audience into a lead pipeline. 3. Own the Floor Action: Don’t just lurk—work the room. Engage with key exhibitors, ask questions, & position yourself as a resource, not just another pitch. Be direct but curious: “What’s your biggest challenge this year?” and “How can I help?” are powerful openers. Outcome: You’ll stand out as someone who listens. Take notes during conversations, & follow up within 48 hours with a personalised message. Not a generic “great meeting you”—send actionable insights or specific ideas that move the ball forward. 4. Host the Inner Circle Action: People bond better in a more relaxed setting than over Wi-Fi. Organise an exclusive dinner, roundtable, or cocktail event for a curated group of heavy hitters. Keep it intimate—this is about building relationships, not just showing off. Go easy on the heavy sell. Outcome: People remember who brought them value & connections, not who handed out free pens. Post-event, share any key takeaways & book one-on-one follow-ups to solidify what you started over drinks. 5. Hack the Tech Action: Use every tool at your disposal—event apps, LinkedIn, QR codes. Pre-event, reach out to attendees & book meetings. At the event, swap contacts digitally to keep things seamless, & use a CRM to track every interaction. Outcome: You’ll leave the event with an organised roadmap of leads, not just a stack of business cards destined for a desk drawer. Follow up strategically with segmented, value-driven emails & keep the momentum alive. The Bottom Line: Trade fairs & exhibitions aren’t just networking. Preparation, presence, & follow-up separate those who close deals from those who just collect swag bags. Be human. Don’t think of this as just a branding exercise but an opportunity for long term partnerships. Be genuine - your new contacts will become close contacts, if not friends. Make it count! #revenuegrowth

A totally underrated use of LinkedIn for solopreneurs: Actually leveraging your network beyond "lead generation". Most solopreneurs only come here to land leads & clients. They'll post daily. Send endless messages. Connect with hundreds of people. But they're not seeing LinkedIn's biggest strength. The power to collaborate towards common goals. Stop reaching out only for transactional purposes. This ain't Upwork or Fiverr. And it'll never be. Instead... Propose service exchanges. Swap a consultation for a testimonial. Request feedback for your copy/offers. Ask close connections for biz referrals. Connect with thought leaders through them. The sky really is the limit. If you're only reaching out to "warm leads", you're doing LinkedIn wrong. LinkedIn is a networking platform. Leverage it. Or keep using it like a fancier Upwork. Your choice. P.S. What's your best story of LinkedIn networking and what benefits did it bring you?

If your message needs to convince someone to talk to you, it’s already too late. Outreach only works when recognition comes before reach. Most people jump straight in DMs with copy-paste intros like  "Hey, we help businesses grow 10X," or  “Let’s connect, I’ve got something that’ll help your business.” But every time you message someone, they don't just read your pitch. They read you. Your headline. Your content. Your comments. If none of that builds credibility, your DM doesn’t stand a chance. At our agency, we’ve sent over 10,000 DMs in the last few months across industries, and here’s the 5-step strategy that actually works: 1. Brand warm-up  Before sending a single message, we make sure the profile has already built trust. That means a clear headline, proof-driven bio, and at least 3–4 posts that make prospects curious before contact. 2. Audience Mapping We segment precisely like “B2B founders doing $1–5M” or “coaches scaling beyond 30K/month.” Relevance beats volume every single time. 3. Strategic engagement  Before reaching out, we spend a few days engaging on their posts with comments, insights, and small interactions. When they finally get a DM, they already recognize the name. 4. Strategic Engagement  We don’t pitch. We start conversations. Every message connects to something they’ve said, done, or shared. That’s what makes it human. 5. Follow up and nurture  If they don’t reply, we don’t chase. We stay visible, show up in comments, and keep adding value. Have you ever replied to a DM just because the person already felt familiar? #LinkedInStrategy #B2BMarketing #PersonalBranding #SalesEngagement #RelationshipMarketing

Most people waste time on LinkedIn. Here’s how to network like a pro. Networking isn’t just clicking “connect” and moving on. It’s a skill. And if you master it, LinkedIn becomes a goldmine. Every person you connect with could bring new opportunities. But adding random people? Useless. You need meaningful connections. Here’s how to do it right: ✅ Be Selective Don’t connect with everyone. Find people in your field or who inspire you. Quality over quantity. ✅ Send a Personal Note A generic request gets ignored. Mention a shared interest or why you admire them. ✅ Engage with Their Content Like. Comment. Ask questions. Show genuine interest. They’ll notice. ✅ Follow Up Check in. Share value. Congratulate them. A single message can spark a long-term connection. ✅ Give Before You Take Networking isn’t begging for favors. Offer support, share insights, and be helpful. People remember those who bring value. LinkedIn isn’t about collecting contacts. It’s about building relationships. Master this, and doors will open. P.S. Do you think coffee chats help in business networking? --- Hey, I’m Musadhiq your LinkedIn growth strategist