Networking for Digital Marketers

If networking makes you anxious, here’s one of my favorite confidence shortcuts: Confidence comes from purpose. When I used to go to big conferences, the breaks were the hardest part. Everyone wandering around, trying to figure out who to talk to… and I’d freeze. So I gave myself a simple purpose: Get in line. Any line. I’d stand in the longest Starbucks line, grab a tiny coffee, then get in another line for a snack, then another line for a treat. Every time I stood in line I talked to the person ahead of me or behind me (whichever one seemed less interested in their phones). And it worked. I ended up meeting dozens of people this way. Lines give you a gentle, built-in way to talk to people without the pressure of walking up cold. I’d say something simple, “Learn anything cool at this conference so far?” This worked super well for quickly getting to do a chemistry check with someone. If it worked, we would sit down together or take a walk. If not, we wished each other well. But the real magic trick is this: After you get your coffee or snack, stand near the spot where people step out of the line. That moment when someone turns back toward the room — drink in hand, scanning for who to talk to — that’s your opening. You can make it super easy and warm: • “Love that coffee. Is it good?” • “What brings you here today?” • “Such a fun event, right?” They’re relieved someone spoke first. You’re relieved you had a purpose. And the conversation flows naturally. It becomes a win-win. Networking doesn’t have to feel scary. It just needs purpose. At your next event: • Find a line • Chat with the people around you • Say hello to the person who steps out next It’s one of the easiest ways to have great conversations without forcing a single moment.

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!

Most conference networking advice is about what to do once you're there. That's the wrong window. The most valuable time is the week before. All it takes is three short emails: Message a speaker an email that's only two sentences long. "I'm coming to your talk Thursday. Really looking forward to it." Speakers rarely hear from attendees before events, so you become the one name they already know in the room. Message one person you want to meet. Propose a specific time for coffee. Book it early so it actually happens. Reach out to someone in the host city who isn't even attending. You're making the trip anyway. 15 minutes of outreach this week can make next week's conference 10 times more valuable. Follow Dorie Clark for more on building a better network.

A lot of the value of attending or speaking at a conference doesn’t come from being there. It comes from what you do afterwards. How many times have you come back from a conference or event and thought, “I should’ve done more to maximize that experience”? Not just attending the sessions or showing up at the networking receptions, but turning it into something meaningful for your visibility, your relationships and your business development efforts. Me too 🙋🏼♀️ It’s easy to get caught up in our busy lives, especially after returning from a conference and then move on to the next thing without following up. What you proactively do after the event is what can turn conversations into relationships and visibility into opportunity. Here are some ways to make the most of attending your next conference: ✔️ Prioritize the people you met and follow up with context on LinkedIn or by email, referencing your conversation and suggesting a clear next step ✔️ Follow up with organizers to share feedback and express interest in speaking or getting involved in future programming ✔️ Turn your conference notes into key takeaways and share them as content (LinkedIn post, blog post or short video) connected to your work, your clients or what you’re seeing in the market ✔️ Host your own webinar to recap key themes and extend the conversation ✔️ Interview speakers or attendees whose perspectives stood out and use that content in a webinar, blog post or on social media ✔️ Host an internal recap to share key insights and connect them to your team’s work ✔️ Turn questions or conversations from the event into content or targeted outreach ✔️ Share insights from the event in an email newsletter ✔️ Add relevant new contacts to your email list so you can stay visible with them ✔️ Create a simple system to stay in touch with the people who matter most ✔️ Review the attendee list and reach out to people you didn’t meet ✔️ Follow up with speakers you admired, even if you didn’t connect in person ✔️ Identify one trend or theme you kept hearing across conversations and proactively share that perspective with clients or colleagues You already put in the time and energy to be there. This is how you carry that momentum forward. Which of these ideas resonated most with you? #LegalMarketing #ClientDevelopment #LinkedInTips #BusinessDevelopment #PersonalBrandingTips

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

I did 0 cold outreach in the last 15 months and signed 35+ B2B deals using just LinkedIn (@ $20k+ ACV) Steal my 6-step playbook and you can do it too: 1. Profile Optimization My profile is my nr. 1 landing page. And like all landing pages, I want to clearly state who I help and how I help them. So, I optimized my... ... Headline ... Banner ... Featured Section ... About Me ... to call out B2B founders and executives & show that I can help them achieve their desired outcomes. With an optimized profile, I built the: 2. Content Archetype The Content Archetype is how I generate new post ideas that consistently attract my ideal audience. It's built using 4 pillars: - Tactical: subject-matter how-tos - Aspirational: stories of ICP success - Insightful: analyzing trends/news & adding my 2 cents - Personal: personal updates & BTS A mix of these pillars keep my content authentic, build credibility in my niche, and provide value to my audience. Now I'm ready to ramp up my: 3. Content Engine My Content Strategist asks me Archetype-inspired questions during our weekly content call. He then repurposes this recording into LinkedIn post drafts I edit, approve, and publish. This is how I post 3x/week on my account. 4. Target Engagement My Content Strategist and I brainstorm 10 - 15 thought leaders who attract a similar ICP as I do. I then write insightful comments under their posts every day. This expands my digital surface area and allows me to be seen by more potential clients. Speaking of visibility… 5. Network Expansion I send up to 100 connection requests (the weekly limit) to our ICP list. In my case, that's B2B founders and executives. It increases the likelihood that these people see my content and land on my profile. It also serves as the foundation to go into outreach when needed. And finally (most people forget this part): 6. Account Routine Every day I spend 15-30 minutes going over my: • Connection requests • Profile viewers • Content interactions. If they match my ICP, I ask how I caught their attention (see my previous post for more details.) Often a simple, non-salesy welcome message is all you need to turn attention into conversations, and ultimately conversions. It works like a charm :) -- That's my 6-step LinkedIn playbook. You might not close exactly 35 deals in the next 15 months… …but I promise it'll help you bring in sales opportunities. Without the cold outreach. Anything you'd add? #personalbranding #contentengine #demandgen  

I grew an email list from 0 to 500K subscribers in just 10 months for a weekly travel email series. Here’s exactly how we did it: First, nail your strategy. → Identify scalable acquisition channels (cold email, giveaways, social media). → Focus on creating top-notch content that people love. Second, here’s a list of do’s and don’ts based on our success: 1. COLD EMAIL: DON’T: Treat cold email like spam. DO: Use data to personalize at scale. We built a tool that searched Instagram for public data: - Hashtags (like #travel or #wanderlust). - Geotags (places they visited). - Followed accounts (@natgeo, etc.). This allowed us to write hyper-personalized emails with subject lines like: - “Your #hashtag photo” - “Came across your Instagram” Results: 45-50% open rates, 10-15% CTRs, and 200K subscribers from this channel alone. Pro Tip: Warm up your email servers before scaling. Platforms like Gmass + SendGrid worked wonders for us. 2. GIVEAWAYS: DON’T: Run generic giveaways that only attract freebie hunters. DO: Offer niche rewards your audience actually wants. We gave away free flights and hotel stays (funded by rewards miles) and incentivized sharing. Every referral earned bonus entries, creating a viral loop. Results: 5K-15K new subscribers per giveaway, with tools like Gleam and ViralLoops doing the heavy lifting. 3. SOCIAL MEDIA: DON’T: Spend months building social accounts from scratch. DO: Buy and rebrand existing accounts in your niche. We acquired travel-themed Instagram accounts with 700K followers for $10K, then grew the network to 2.2M followers. Here’s how we used them: - Drove traffic to our website, giveaways, and landing pages. - Automated email collection through DMs using tools like MassPlanner. - Created Facebook Groups (30K members), collecting emails via sign-up questions. 4. AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: DON’T: Waste money on influencers who don’t convert. DO: Partner with micro-influencers and reward them based on performance. We recruited 100s of travel influencers from our email data and incentivized them with swag and free travel. Results: Tens of thousands of new subscribers at a cost of just a few cents per email. --- To recap: 1. Personalize cold emails with data. 2. Use giveaways and social proof to fuel virality. 3. Build or buy niche audiences and grow from there. These strategies helped us scale fast. Your email list is one of the best assets you can build. Start experimenting and watch it grow.

If your job search strategy is “apply and pray”, it’s time to wake up. You’ve got the polished résumé. Your tracker is even color-coded. But if nobody knows you, nobody hires you. Welcome to Part 2 of this no-fluff series on how to actually land that job/internship quickly, the smart way. Let’s talk networking, not the awkward, copy-paste DM kind. I’m talking warm, strategic, “this-person-stays-in-my-head” networking. Here’s how the ones getting callbacks are doing it: ➤ Go where the energy is. Stop hiding behind applications. → One event a week. That’s it. Virtual or physical just show up. Tech talks. Product meetups. Twitter Spaces. Anything. Because you can't get seen if you’re never in the room. ➤ Ask that question. You don’t need to be the loudest. Just be thoughtful. → “What’s one mistake interns make when starting out?” → “How can someone without traditional experience break in?” That question puts your name in lights. And opens doors for real convos after. ➤ Talk to speakers. Sponsors. Panelists. Not to beg(very important because they can see if you will be a liability or an asset) but to build. “Hey [Name], I loved your take on X. I’m working on Y and your insight helped me rethink Z. Mind glancing at my résumé for 2 mins?” (I should add that some of you are doing this to me already 😂) That 2-minute ask has started careers. And the follow-up? That’s where the relationship begins. ➤ Start showing up online. → Follow 5 people in your dream industry → Engage with their content (thoughtfully) → DM after a few days: “Been learning a lot from your posts. I’m hoping to break into [industry], could I ask a quick question?” That’s a warm DM. And warm gets answered. ➤ Make your name hard to forget. → Post weekly (your journey, insights, challenges) → Comment daily (meaningful, not spammy) → DM with purpose, not desperation → Attend events like it’s your part-time job You don’t need magic. You need memory. And memory comes from consistency. TL;DR: Stop job hunting like everyone else. Start job building — with strategy, visibility, and genuine connection. So before Friday ends and vibes take over, do one thing from this list today. → Drop a comment with your favorite tip. → Share this with someone who needs it. → Or better, go network smart. Because the job isn’t just on LinkedIn. It’s in the minds of the people you’re not talking to, YET.

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

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