What are your tactics for making new connections online?
Abadesi
26 replies
So many of us are hustling trying to get projects and ideas off the ground. We spend a lot of time contacting folks we don't know -- they may be potential advisors, customers, investors.
I'm curious to hear what your best tactics are for making new connections online.
One thing I like to do before approaching someone I don't know is spend time observing their behaviour on social media and understanding their interests, passions and projects. I'll try to create a compelling offer that I can couple with my ask.
What are your tactics?
Replies
Varun Dave@varundave
Add value to what they are doing or talking about.
Share
@varundave 100%
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Genuinely enjoy most people, meaning I generally find things about most people that I enjoy.
In recent years, social dynamics have been more complicated. I've found myself connecting with many people based on shared values they present online. Those who are open make it easy. In the same spirit what I publish has been far more open re values.
@jasonhargrove Hi Jason! I think I know what you mean by shared values in this case, but could you please elaborate a bit? Maybe by giving an example. Thanks!
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@ollitiainen I suppose I could say political values to be clearer. I just started fundraising and it's interesting when you look at how potential investors are (or are not) engaging the issues of our time.
Specific to tech, an example might be... people's published views on automation, and the future of work, or bias in AI training. People who convey the importance of diverse inputs for building products that satisfy different variants of jobs to be done. Or considering the impact of screen time on our youth. The impact of growth tactics on mental health.
For some these are political topics. For me they are design opportunities. Finding people who look at the big problems that way is easier today than it was a few years ago thanks to people being more open about what they value.
@jasonhargrove fascinating... I too am drawn to folks who I feel represent values I place highly. It can be hard to gauge that though unless that person is very actively tweeting / blogging etc. don't you think?
@jasonhargrove Thanks for putting the effort to respond. Can I ask you something else still? I'm working on the problem of finding people that share similar values, goals, or purpose - or to put other way: that want to solve similar problems.
What's the hardest thing in finding these people?
How have you tried to solve it?
What have you not liked about the solutions?
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@abadesi sure, this is relatively superficial. And even people I know very well in real life may signal different virtues online than they live by. It's not necessarily a filter, just something that I've started to naturally look for. (And I also notice when there's a complete absence of content that relates to the biggest news of our time.) In the end, it's just fractional data but where available I appreciate it.
Here's a fun real life story. A few years ago I had beef with a publicist at a fashion week. Petty minor difference that rubbed me the wrong way, no big deal. But recently she appeared in my feed after liking something I agreed with. It caught me off guard, because I had no idea she so strongly agreed with some of my core values. I followed her back right then and there.
One of the things that I intend trying out it to network before and after a webinar/AMA organized by a folks like SEM Rush or even Product Hunt
It's a quick way of getting to know people with similar interests. And then deciding if you want to continue the discussion with them post the online event.
@kaushik_mhadeshwar1 That's a great tactics, thanks for sharing
Quite easy. Just find out what they've done and start with that.
So @abadesi, what are your tips on juggling so many roles and also acing them so well: Mentor, Co-founder and Head of Maker Outreach?
Also, a good resource that I found super helpful is @tim1 book and blog https://tim.blog/2008/05/19/5-ti...
@tim1 @lewis_kang_ethe Thanks Lewis this is really helpful. Do you often include an offer with your ask / in your intro?
Commenting and adding to the conversation in various communities (like this one!). Also I've been more keen on writing blog posts that a given community I'm a part of would find interesting. For instance, there's a digital nomad LinkedIn group that I'm in and instead of posting in group directly, I write long-form blog posts with my ideas and thoughts about being a digital nomad.
Ask a question you're genuinely looking for perspective on, or offer a valuable one to them. Most importantly: be yourself.
@eric_neal yes agreed! Being authentic is key
If I'm sending them a LinkedIn invite, I mention clearly in the invite itself what I'm working on and why I would want to connect with the individual. Similarly, if I'm creating a Facebook Group or a Meet Up Group I mention what's the purpose of the group, so that people who share common interests can connect with one another.
To new increase your connection you should be active on the social media network. You should comment on their posts so that they get know about you. I am replying to your discussion so that you can connect with you. I will be glad If you accept my request.
NonCoders
LinkedIn is my best shot :D
A combination of actively commenting on a person's posts (either on Linkedin or ProductHunt), adding people on Linkedin whose projects I respect, and just having a networking state of mind! Though to be honest I've always been more of an in person type of guy
@jonathan_sun1 love the idea of a networking stage of mind, and being proactive. Yeah in person is ideal but not always possible right? Sometimes I want to connect with folks based in other regions for example.