Networking for Marketing Experts

You know you should network. But you probably don’t know what to say or how to get on people’s radar. Here’s an easy 7-step LinkedIn networking strategy (that anyone can use): 1. The 3 Principles Of Good Networking If you want to network effectively, you need to: - Have a way to reach people - Have a way to add value to them - Have a way to keep the engagement going This strategy does all three! 2. Make A List Of Job-Related Keywords Think of keywords, skills, phrases, and jargon that align with your target role. Ex: If you’re in sales, that might be “sales,” “leads,” “pipeline,” “sales cycle,” etc. Make a quick list of these. 3. Run A “Post” Search On LinkedIn Start with one keyword (or the job title itself). Run a search for it on LinkedIn. From the “Filters” option, select “Posts.” Then change “Date Posted” to “Past Week.” 4. Filter By “Author Company” Click on “All Filters” to find the “Author Company” filter. Add all of your target companies to this filter. This will give you a list of all the posts related to your target role, written by people at your target companies, posted in the past week! 5. Analyze Posts & Authors Scroll through the posts. When you find one that resonates? Click the person’s profile and check to see if they post consistently (at least once / week). If they do? Bookmark their profile in your browser. 6. Leave A Value Driven Comment For each author you find that posts regularly in your target space? Leave a comment on their post recent post that is: - Supportive - Postive in tone - Offers your own take / value - Is more than one sentence Repeat for each author. 7. Rinse & Repeat Daily Every day, click through the author profiles you have bookmarked. See a new post? Leave a new comment. Repeat this process every weekday if you can. But aim to leave at least one comment / week at minimum. 8. Why This Works Content creators love engagement. By cosistently offering that in a positive way, you’re going to get on their radar. And when you’ve done this for a week or two, the likelihood of getting a “yes” to a coffee chat, or even a referral, goes WAY up. Give it a shot today! 📣 Want help turning this 7-step networking routine into a system that turns cold contacts into referrals and interviews? 👉 Book a free 30-min Clarity Call with our team and we’ll walk you through exactly how: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

B2B brands…please, please be careful who you work with on influencer marketing. B2B influencer marketing is NOT the same as B2C influencer marketing and VERY few firms have experience in this realm. As someone who sits on both sides of the table, I have a unique perspective on this. At Zen Media, we’ve been running B2B influencer marketing campaigns for over a decade. Long before it was a thing. And, as an author and keynote speaker, I’ve been tapped as an influencer for multiple brands. I see the good, the bad, the ugly. Here’s how B2B influencer marketing is DISTINCTLY different from B2C influencer marketing. 👉 The pool is smaller and they know each other. Do you know why there isn’t a massive directory of b2b influencers? Because, if you really look at it, there are only a handful of right choices for any given b2b company. And, they all talk. 👉 The best advocates for your brand do not consider themselves “influencers.” They are leaders, authors, speakers, and thought leaders. They have a following but they aren’t amassing followers. Please read that last line again. 👉 They make great influencers because they are trusted sources. I only accept 5% of the companies that ever approach me to partner because my first responsibility is to my community. Most B2B influencers are equally as picky. 👉 Anyone who works in B2B knows it’s a relationship game. You cannot approach B2B influencers in a transactional fashion. When I get a giant pitch deck from a brand laying out their campaign requirements, I immediately know they have never worked with B2B influencers. 👉 Establish a cadence. If you really want to succeed at B2B influencer marketing, look to create a cadence with influencers. The brands we’ve seen the most success with don’t do one-offs. They invite them to keynote, co-create a podcast, fireside chat with their leadership…it is a much more strategic play. 👉 You cannot micro-manage them. You want to leverage their credibility, their reach, their voice. Not have them parrot your corporate script. 👉 It’s still incredibly underrated. It’s one of the few spaces left where you can have outsized leverage. Research shows that B2B clients consider sponsored 3rd-party or co-branded content more trustworthy than content from a vendor. To make this distinction sharper, I propose calling B2B influencers what they are - advocates. Perhaps this distinction will help guide how we approach this very unique type of marketing. #b2bmarketing #b2bpr #influencermarketing #b2binsights #b2binfluencermarketing

Your SDR sends 200 emails this week. Gets 3 replies. "Email sucks. Time to focus on calling." Makes 100 calls next week. Gets 2 conversations. "Phone is dead. lol back to LinkedIn." As Jeff Bajorek broke down last week during an awesome Sales Assembly course, this is the inherent problem with focusing on a single channel. His point was that it's a huge mistake to treat outbound channels like competing restaurants, when you SHOULD treat them like coordinated ingredients. Unfortunately, most reps think in silos: - "I'm an email person." - "I'm a phone person." - "I'm a social selling person." That sucks mainly because prospects think in EXPERIENCES: - "That rep reached out three times this week." - "They seem persistent but not pushy." - "They actually have something valuable to say." Just consider the data: when you use phone and email together, reply rates to BOTH channels double. Not just email replies. Not just call pickups. Both. Here are some of the big reasons why single-channel strategies fail: 1. Frequency without variety feels spammy. - Five emails = harassment. - Two emails + two calls + one LinkedIn message = persistence. 2. Channel switching looks like giving up. - Week 1: Email blitz. - Week 2: Cold calling. - Week 3: LinkedIn spam. Your prospect's takeaway: "This person doesn't have a plan." 3. You're fighting channel-specific resistance. - Email: Easy to delete. - Phone: Easy to decline. - LinkedIn: Easy to ignore. But coordinated outreach across channels creates pattern recognition and familiarity. Looking across the few hundred teams we work with here at Sales Assembly, below are a few frameworks that tend to work: Day 1: Email + Voicemail. - Email: Brief, valuable, specific. - Voicemail: "I sent you an email about X. Worth a quick chat?" Day 4: Call + Follow-up Email. - Call: Reference the first email. - Email: "Tried calling about X. Here's the link I mentioned." Day 8: LinkedIn + Email. - LinkedIn: Thoughtful connection with note (or brief video / voice note). - Email: "Connected on LinkedIn. Thought you'd find this relevant." A couple other tidbits to keep in mind: - Reference previous touches: "Following up on my voicemail about Y..." "As I mentioned in my email..." "Building on our LinkedIn connection..." - Create content bridges: Email sends article -> Voicemail references article -> LinkedIn shares similar insight. - Use channel strengths strategically: Email for detailed info, phone for urgency and personality, LinkedIn for credibility and social proof. Prospects don't live in single channels. Neither should your outreach.

When I started building Vavo Digital | Influencer Marketing three years back, I had the knowledge and passion for marketing, but the connections I made with influencers, brands, and fellow entrepreneurs really scaled my business. How? Instead of just throwing business pitches at influencers or brands, I took the time to connect with them on a personal level. I engaged with their content, gave genuine compliments, and showed I genuinely cared about their success. The result? They not only became partners but also became advocates, spreading the word about my agency and opening doors to new opportunities. Here's how you can start building meaningful relationships to scale your business: 1/ Forget small talk at networking events! Look for genuine connections with people who share your passion and values. 2/ Always pay it forward. We're all in this together! Success isn't just about personal achievements; it's also about lifting others up. Whether it's offering advice or sharing resources, be generous and help others succeed. 3/ Connect with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. It'll broaden your horizons and bring fresh opportunities your way. 4/ Invest in long-term relationships because relationships aren't one-time deals; they're ongoing investments. Take the time to nurture connections with your clients, and team members and always keep in touch not just for business. 5/ Every interaction is a chance to learn something new. Stay humble, stay curious, and soak up knowledge from everyone you meet. There's always something to gain, whether it's from seasoned pros or fellow entrepreneurs just starting out. In short, relationship building isn't optional—it's essential. That's why I have a separate team dedicated to building relationships with influencers and brands. What's your take on relationship building in this space? #influencermarketing #marketing #agency

"I'm networking but nothing ever comes of it." Harsh truth: You're asking the wrong questions. "Pick your brain" questions just don't cut it. (You can get my full networking guide here: https://lnkd.in/eTaNznW5) Claire told me she'd had 30+ coffee chats and Zoom meetings. They went "nowhere." So I asked her, "What questions did you ask?" "You know, the general stuff like:" ❌ "Do you know about any openings?" ❌ "Would you take a look at my resume?" ❌ "What advice do you have for me..." Generic and unfocused, she set herself up for failure. It wasn't her fault. We're not taught how to network properly, and it's not intuitive. The secret? Treat networking like research:  ↳ Go in knowing what you want learn from each person  ↳ Tailor your questions to the individual This shows people you take their time seriously. I put networking questions into 4 categories: ✅ Questions about the role ✅ Questions about the employer ✅ Questions about the industry ✅ Questions to wrap strong Here are some good ones to get you started: Questions About the Role 1. What do you like best about your job? 2. What personal traits are needed in this role? 3. What top 3 skills are needed for this job? 4. What are the biggest challenges you're facing? 5. What are the biggest opportunities for growth? 6. How is your performance measured? 7. What is the next role you could be promoted to? 8. What background/training is needed for this job? 9. What is the interview process for this role? 10. What is the salary range for this job? Questions About the Employer 11. What do you like best about working here? 12. How would you describe the culture and leadership? 13. What would you change if you could? 14. How are decisions made in the organization? 15. What's the training and professional development like? 16. How much room for growth do you see here? 17. How does the salary/benefits compare to competitors? Questions About the Industry 18. Who are your biggest competitors? 19. What are the biggest challenges in the industry? 20. Would you say the industry is growing? Or not? 21. What opportunities do you see in the next 3 years? 22. Where are they doing exciting work? 23. Are there professional associations I should join? Questions to Wrap Strong 24. Who else do you suggest I speak to? 25. Can I be in touch if I see an opening here? 26. Is there anything else you want to share or think I should know? Notice what is not said: ❌ Keep your eyes open for me... ❌Let me know if you hear about anything... That's asking them to do work for you. The outcomes will happen, naturally, if you make a good impression and STAY IN TOUCH. My full networking guide with sample subject lines and email text for various situations is available here: https://lnkd.in/e6Q_JQu6 ♻️ Share to help job hunters make meaningful connections 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for career strategies

How Do I Get Noticed by Recruiters Before I Even Graduate? 🚨 Recruiters don’t wait for placement season and neither should you. Your LinkedIn profile is often your first impression, long before you apply for a role or send a resume. The good news? You don’t need a long list of internships or a perfect GPA to stand out. If you want to stand out, all you need is clear, consistent and intentional PERSONAL BRANDING. Because while qualifications get you shortlisted, - It’s your personal brand that makes you discoverable. - It’s your clarity and curiosity that make people remember you. Now the question is: how do you do it right? 🔹1. Optimize Your Headline. Instead of a generic: “Student at XYZ University” Try something like: “Aspiring Marketing Strategist | Final-Year BBA Student | Passionate About Branding & Digital Campaigns” This kind of headline communicates: - Who you are - What you’re studying - Where your interests lie Keep it clear and aligned with your career goals. 🔹2. Make Your ‘About’ Section Work for You. This is your opportunity to go beyond your resume and tell your story. A well-written About section should answer: - What are you currently doing? - What fields or roles are you interested in? - What value or curiosity do you bring? Example: “ I’m a final-year BBA student passionate about the intersection of creativity, consumer behavior and strategy. With a strong interest in brand building and digital marketing, I’ve worked on academic projects focused on market research and social media strategy. I’m actively exploring roles where I can combine data-driven thinking with creative execution to solve real-world marketing challenges. 🔹3. Post Consistently. Posting regularly helps you show up and stay top of mind. Here's what you can share: - Project summaries - Key takeaways from events or webinars - Tools you’re learning - Internship experiences 🔹4. Engage Consistently and Intentionally Before you send a connection, request or ask for guidance, engage with the person’s content. - Leave thoughtful comments - Repost with insights - Ask meaningful questions Remember: People notice people who notice them. Personal branding isn’t about followers, it’s about being findable. Be clear. Be consistent. Build your personal brand today, so opportunities can find you tomorrow. #PersonalBranding #CareerTips #StudentSuccess #LinkedInTips #CareerGrowth #JobSearchTips

If I had to run a B2B influencer program from scratch, here’s how I’d approach it... 1. Start with “why” I’m a firm believer that every campaign needs to ladder up to your team and org OKRs. And no, “our competitors are doing it” isn’t a good enough reason. Think about: → Are you trying to drive pipeline, awareness, or retention? → Who are you targeting and which B2B creators already hold influence in that space? → How will you measure success in a way that actually matters? 2. Build your influencer ecosystem I’ve always said and I’ll say it again, especially for enterprise organizations, pairing an external influencer program with employee advocacy is the best approach. Work with external creators to drive awareness and reach while empowering your internal brand ambassadors to build credibility and trust from within. The best programs do both. 3. Co-create, don’t just sponsor The strongest partnerships are built on collaboration, not transactions. When developing briefs, either co-create with select creators or give them room to put their own spin on the story. You’ll get more authentic, engaging content and a partner who’s genuinely invested in the outcome. 4. Launch a pilot campaign Start small and experiment. Our first campaign was just that, a test. With a modest budget, we wanted to validate if partnering with creators could actually move the needle on performance (spoiler: it did). 5. Measure relationships, not just reach Don’t just stop at conversions. Instead, look at: → Earned mentions: How many people are organically talking about your campaign? → Sentiment lift: Are brand perceptions shifting in your favor? → Engagement: who’s in your comment section? → Search visibility: are you ranking better for relevant topics or LLMs? Building a B2B influencer program isn’t about borrowing someone else’s audience, it’s about building a trusted network around your brand. Start small, learn fast, and focus on relationships that compound over time.

#Networking is underrated but it single handedly helped me get my a) My First job, 2) My first client (and many more clients) and also our 3) Mentor, Ravi - amongst many other aspects of my personal and professional life #PowerOfNetworking cannot be underestimated. And its never about exchange business cards or linkedin handles - it's about building relationships, about learning and having a meaningful conversation in the few minutes that you get. First, select the right kind of #events to network a) Start with smaller #LocalMeetups and events b) Then select #IndustryConferences relevant to you. For eg, in Marketing there is Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), exchange4media, Social Samosa, Ad Clubs c) #ManagementAssociations have a mixed crowd but one can meet like-minded individuals there. Eg. Bombay Management Association, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Young Indians, The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) So how do you start the first conversation 1. #Reading - This may seem like it has nothing to do with Networking but it has everything to do with it. Often, being well read is a good segway to an opening conversation. Be it business news, industry trends or even reading non fiction books. I regularly read The Ken in combination with select publications that I track via Google Alerts 2. Craft a #PersonalIntroduction - First impressions matter. Having a concise, interesting, and relevant introduction can help others remember you. It should encapsulate who you are, what you do, and what value you bring 3. #JustDoIt - Quoting Nike's slogan here. Don't think about what will the other person think if you start talking to them. The worst that can happen is that they will keep the conversation short. So if you seen an opening where someone is alone, just say hello and introduce yourself. That's all it takes 4. Researching the #Speakers is another easy win. It allows you to have specific questions and conversations that you may want to have with them. Ofcourse, most attendees want to meet the speakers, so be patient 5. #Quality Over Quantity - While it's tempting to meet as many people as possible, quality always trumps quantity. I focus on having fewer, more meaningful conversations rather than trying to meet everyone in the room. That's how I met the Head of HR at Taj Hotels & eventually landed my first job 6. #OfferValue Before Expecting It - This could be in the form of an introduction, or sharing a relevant piece of content. When you help others, you build trust and goodwill, which often comes back in many forms. And this can happen over the years. 7. #FollowUp is equally important - The real magic of networking often happens after the event. Sending them a Linkedin connection request or an email or Whatsapp just helps keeps the conversation going. Commenting on their Linkedin posts can keep you on their radar too Over the years, I've had met some amazing individuals through networking. Wishing you the best with it!

Build connections when you don’t need them, so they’re there when you do. Networking is a long‑term investment. You never know what can happen tomorrow, whether it’s a new opportunity, an unexpected challenge, or a career pivot. By cultivating relationships early, you turn strangers into allies and potential into possibility. My pro‑tip? Develop your personal value proposition. 
- List your top 3–5 strengths and concrete examples of how you’ve helped others 
- Turn each into an “I help…” statement (for example, “I help marketing teams drive engagement through data‑driven storytelling”) 
- Use these statements to guide every outreach, ensuring you’re always offering value, not just asking for favors Then start from what you know. 1. Choose 5–10 people from your alumni network, former classmates, or close colleagues 2. Send a genuine note, share an article they might find helpful, congratulate them on a recent win, or simply ask how you can support them 3. No agenda. Just curiosity and a willingness to help Next, venture into the unknown. 1. Identify people at companies you admire or in roles you aspire to 2. Do your homework: reference a recent project, article, or speaking engagement 3. Reach out with a clear, value‑first message: “I enjoyed your piece on X; as someone looking to Y, I’d love to learn how you approached Z.” And keep the momentum going. 
- Schedule quarterly reminders to check in, share insights, celebrate milestones, or ask a thoughtful question 
- Track key dates (promotions, product launches, anniversaries) so your messages feel timely Your network matters. When you need advice, an introduction, or anything really, you’ll already have authentic connections. And at the end of the day, already built connections where you can leverage the relationships > dry unknowns ‘Hey, I need help’ messages. #StephSynergy

How to network like a diplomat (without feeling fake) Most networking advice is wrong. Diplomats know something everyone else misses. One of the biggest misconceptions about diplomacy is that we're all charming extroverts effortlessly working the room. Many diplomats are introverts. Far happier wonking out on sanctions policy or some obscure political dispute than making small talk over warm white wine. The secret isn't being fascinating. It's being fascinated. One of the most useful things I learned came not from diplomacy, but from an improv workshop. The goal of improv isn't (controversially) to be the funniest person in the room. It's to give the other person something to work with. Great networking works exactly the same way. The aim isn't to impress people. It's to help them tell you something they weren't expecting to say. Instead of trying to dazzle people, try these diplomatic tricks: 1/ Stop asking administrative questions. Most people have answered "What do you do?" 2 squillion times already. Try: → What's keeping you busy at the moment? → What's the most interesting thing you're working on? → What are you spending most of your time thinking about these days? ⤷ You get a person, not a job title. 2/ Look for the deeper conversation. Most networking conversations stay on the surface. We're trained to go one layer deeper. Someone says: "I'm working on a merger." Most people nod and move on. Instead ask: → What's been the hardest part? → How does a merger actually work? → What makes one succeed or fail? Don't be intimidated by expertise. Asking an obvious question often puts people at ease. Most people enjoy explaining something they know well. ⤷ Curiosity is far more attractive than pretending you already understand. 3/ Give people something to work with. In improv, every response should create new possibilities. Networking is no different. Instead of: → Yes, I work in marketing. Try: → I work in marketing. At the moment we're trying to figure out how AI changes customer trust. ⤷ Curiosity needs somewhere to go. 4/ Listen for energy. Pay attention to what makes someone's eyes light up. What excites them. What frustrates them. What they can't stop talking about. ⤷ That's usually where the real conversation lives. 5/ Focus on connection, not collection. I've seen people treat networking like a competitive sport. Collect enough business cards, connections and contacts and somehow success will follow. Diplomats know differently. One meaningful conversation is worth more than twenty forgettable ones. ⤷ Depth beats volume. Most people think networking is about being interesting. Actually it's about helping other people feel interesting. The conversations we remember aren't usually the cleverest ones. They're the ones where we discovered something new. About the other person. Or ourselves. What's the best networking question you've ever been asked?