networking-outreach

Networking Outreach

Build genuine professional relationships at scale.

Networking Philosophy

The Mindset Shift

Transactional	Relational
"What can you do for me?"	"How can I be useful?"
One-time ask	Ongoing relationship
Immediate need	Long-term investment
Extract value	Create value

The Give-First Principle

Before asking for anything:

• Share relevant content
• Make introductions
• Offer help or expertise
• Engage with their work

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Outreach Strategy

Target Identification

Category	Who	Why
Direct targets	Hiring managers, recruiters	Decision makers
Warm connections	Alumni, former colleagues	Shared context
Industry peers	Similar role, different company	Mutual learning
Thought leaders	Content creators, speakers	Visibility + learning
Connectors	Well-networked individuals	Access to network

Research Before Outreach

For each person:

• Current role and company
• Career path
• Shared connections
• Recent content/achievements
• Potential common ground

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Cold Email Framework

The AIDA Structure

Attention: Hook that earns the read
Interest: Why you're reaching out
Desire: What's in it for them / credibility
Action: Clear, easy ask

Cold Email Template

Subject: [Specific, relevant, not clickbait]

Hi [Name],

[One sentence showing you did research—specific to them]

[Why you're reaching out—be direct]

[Brief credibility—why you, why now]

[Specific, low-commitment ask]

[Graceful out—acknowledge they're busy]

Best,
[Your name]
[One-line signature]

Example: Informational Interview Request

Subject: Quick question about [their specialty] at [Company]

Hi Sarah,

I came across your post about migrating to microservices at Stripe—
the part about managing tech debt during the transition resonated 
with challenges I'm facing.

I'm a senior engineer exploring platform roles, and Stripe's 
infrastructure work is particularly interesting to me.

Would you have 20 minutes for a call? I'd love to hear how you 
approached [specific thing]. Happy to work around your schedule.

No worries if you're swamped—I know these requests add up.

Best,
[Name]

Subject Line Patterns

Pattern	Example
Mutual connection	"Alex Chen suggested I reach out"
Specific reference	"Your talk on X at Y"
Direct ask	"Quick question about [topic]"
Shared context	"Fellow [school] alum in [field]"
Value offer	"Resource on [topic you discussed]"

What NOT to Do

❌ Generic templates with no personalization ❌ Long emails (>150 words for cold) ❌ Asking for a job directly ❌ No clear ask ❌ Attachments on first email ❌ Following up aggressively

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LinkedIn Strategy

Profile Optimization

• Headline: Not just title—value proposition
• About: First person, story-driven, keywords
• Experience: Accomplishments, not duties
• Featured: Best work, portfolio links
• Activity: Regular engagement

Connection Requests

Hi [Name],

[One sentence of context—how you found them, what you have in common]

[Why you want to connect—specific, genuine]

[Name]

Example:

Hi Marcus,

I saw your comment on Lenny's post about PLG metrics—your point 
about activation vs. engagement really clarified something I've 
been wrestling with.

Would love to connect and follow your thinking on product growth.

[Name]

Engagement Strategy

Daily (5-10 min):

• Comment thoughtfully on 2-3 posts
• React to content from targets

Weekly (30 min):

• Post original content or insight
• Send 3-5 connection requests
• Message 2-3 existing connections

Quality Comments:

• Add insight, not just agreement
• Ask thoughtful questions
• Share relevant experience
• Tag when genuinely relevant

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Informational Interviews

The Ask

Keep it specific and low-commitment:

• 15-20 minutes (not 30)
• Phone/video (their preference)
• Flexible on timing
• Clear topic

Preparation

• Research their background thoroughly
• Prepare 5-7 questions
• Know what you want to learn
• Have your own story ready

Question Framework

Career Path:

• "How did you get into [field]?"
• "What led you from [A] to [B]?"

Role Insight:

• "What does a typical week look like?"
• "What surprised you about this role?"

Industry/Company:

• "What trends are you watching?"
• "What's the culture really like?"

Advice:

• "What would you do differently?"
• "What should I be learning?"

Closing:

• "Who else should I talk to?"
• "How can I be helpful to you?"

During the Call

• Be on time (early)
• Let them talk (80/20)
• Take notes
• Watch the time
• Ask for referrals naturally
• Offer value if you can

After the Call

• Thank you email within 24 hours
• Connect on LinkedIn if not already
• Follow up on anything discussed
• Stay in touch (content shares, updates)

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Follow-Up Sequences

After No Response (Cold)

Day 0: Initial email
Day 4-5: Bump email
Day 10-14: Final follow-up with new angle

Bump Email:

Subject: Re: [original subject]

Hi [Name],

Just floating this back up in case it got buried. 

[One new sentence of value or context]

[Name]

Final Follow-Up:

Subject: Re: [original subject]

Hi [Name],

I'll assume now isn't a good time. No worries at all.

If things change, I'd still love to connect about [topic].

Best,
[Name]

After Informational Interview

Day 0: Thank you email
Week 2-4: Share relevant article/resource
Month 1-2: Update on your progress
Ongoing: Engage with their content

After Job Application

Day 0: Apply
Day 3-5: Reach out to hiring manager/recruiter
Day 10: Follow up if no response
Post-interview: Same day thank you

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Tracking System

Simple Spreadsheet

Name	Company	How Found	Status	Last Contact	Next Action	Notes
[Name]	[Co]	[Source]	[Stage]	[Date]	[Action]	[Notes]

Status Stages

• Researching
• Outreach sent
• Replied
• Scheduled
• Completed
• Follow-up due
• Warm contact

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References

• references/email-templates.md - Full template library
• references/linkedin-scripts.md - Connection and message templates
• references/tracking-template.md - CRM spreadsheet