The 1 Undefeated Networking Tactic That Will Get A Meeting With Anyone
It's not traditional, it's retro.
I don’t know about you, but networking feels like eating broccoli.
It’s good for you— really good for you— but I’d rather eat a pepperoni pizza.
Today, I talk about why networking is important and a few effortless tips that will make you a rockstar in your industry.
Read on soldier. And click the link here. A past article was published in Mind Cafe —A super prestigious publication on Medium. Hit the like button a bunch of times!
The 1 Undefeated Networking Tactic That Will Get A Meeting With Anyone
“It’s who you know, not what you know.”
The worst catchphrase in business history. But it’s never been more true. That’s the scary part.
According to HubSpot, 85% of positions are filled through networking. In fact, CBNC reported that 70% of all jobs are never published publicly. What’s more, 95% of people agree that face-to-face meetings build better business relationships. Even in a world full of social media influencers and followers, the future belongs to those who network and foster genuine relationships.
Here’s why networking is vital to your career:
-Fund your business or passion project.
-Find talent for your business.
-Land a dream job.
-Help you move to a new city.
-Serves as a reality check for whatever ideas you’re hatching.
-A gateway to new opportunities you might not have considered.
The list goes on.
What’s the best way to network in 2021?
You could send hundreds of emails and direct messages to decision-makers, but let’s be honest, everyone does that now. How about something simple? Something that was traditional but can now be considered… creative? Like just calling.
Didn’t see that coming.
Why the phone call is back
I had no business getting into commercial real estate after college.
I didn’t have a real estate license, I had zero experience, and I knew jack shit about the market. But I was determined and dedicated my last semester to meeting as many industry leaders as possible.
What did I do? I cold-called every major firm and asked for help. CBRE, the largest commercial real estate firm in the world, was my first call. They were so shocked that I had the guts to call that their market leader invited me to the office and talked to me for 45 minutes. After that, he brought in a few more senior brokers to talk about the industry.
I’m never going to tell you to stop sending emails and direct messaging people you want to meet — anything is better than nothing. But if you can, always call to introduce yourself.
Why?
People can hide behind emails, but they have to talk to you if they pick up the phone. It’s unexpected, and most influential people respect the hell out of it.
Here are a few tips to consider before you make the call.
Introduce yourself with a mutual friend.“You know Sarah? Me too!”
It’s the easiest way to establish credibility.
I don’t get many unsolicited calls, but when I do, they sound like this: “Hi! My name is Josh, and I’m with XYZ company. I would love the opportunity to talk about our new product.”
I always hang up. Who has the attention span to talk to strangers?
Instead, introduce yourself as a person who shares a common relationship: “Hi! My name is Cal. I played golf with Sarah the other day. She said it would be alright if I called.”
It works because you’re showing respect for their time, and you’re building credibility without digging into your resume.
Don’t have a mutual friend? Don’t worry, find common ground somewhere else. Did you attend the same conference? Did you see that person speak at an event? Hell, did you enjoy their recent post on LinkedIn? All of those openers work just fine.
Pro tip: If there’s a receptionist, use this introduction strategy all the same.
“Hi! My name is Cal. Sarah said it would be alright if I called and talked to (insert CEO here). Is he available?”
Make every conversation MB
Entrepreneur and writer Miki Agrawal has a rule before introducing herself to someone.
Every conversation should be “MB” or mutually beneficial for everyone involved.
I get this DM a lot on LinkedIn: “I’m excited for the opportunity to discuss our software.”
“I’m excited” is all about the “me,” so this must be about them. I don’t think I’ve ever responded to any of these. Have you? It’s impersonal and lacks empathy.
Here’s Miki’s strategy:
She runs a pizza shop in Manhattan, so she offers free pizza to people in exchange for a meeting. Free food? You can’t get more MB than that!
The rest of us might have to get a little creative.
Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and figure out what would make you say yes to meeting you. Frame the conversation in such a way that they clearly see your value.
Most importantly, ask for what you want then shut up
Call with a goal in mind. Nobody wants to talk to someone they hardly know—especially over the phone. Take the pressure off and ask to talk later over lunch or coffee or Zoom.
Make the conversation quick: Establish credibility, talk about why a meeting is mutually beneficial, then ask to talk later.
This strategy works for two reasons. One, it shows respect for their time. Two, you alleviate the pressure to engage in a deep conversation right off the bat.
I’ve found that making a specific meeting request works best. Avoid “Are you free at all next week?” That’s too broad.
Instead, say: “Can you meet next Wednesday at noon? There’s a pizza shop around the corner from your office. Lunch on me.”
Again, you’re alleviating pressure, and you’re making it easier for them to say yes. There’s nothing worse than when someone places logistical responsibilities (like picking a coffee shop) on your shoulders.
After you ask, shut up and wait for a response. You’ve said your peace.
Networking shouldn’t be complicated. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and just have fun with it. Most importantly, make the call!
If there are any techniques that work for you, please don’t hesitate to share your stories in the comments.