How do you approach new contacts without fear?

2 steps: 1. Do a 3x3 research on the contact. You have 3 minutes to find 3 relevant things about that contact (you share someone in common, he/she was just promoted, the company has acquired some other, etc…) 2. Use chatGPT and uncover some hot topics about that industry and the topic you want to approach that person for. Make it a teasing question. No mention to products nor your solution. It’s about them With these 2 elements now you can reach out via cold call or email or Inmail.

I always research the person I'm contacting. I read their linkedin profile, interests and job history. Most of the time, I can find something to open with, to break the ice and make the conversation and progression more natural.

I mostly target 2nd connections on LinkedIn, therefore never really "cold calling". Since a 2nd connection and I share a number of 1st tier connections, I simply note that since we share mutual connections we should connect and share our network of friends and colleagues. Now, we are no longer "new contact".

Start Small: Begin with low-pressure social situations, such as small gatherings or casual meetups. Gradually work your way up to larger and more intimidating events. Body Language: Maintain good posture and open body language to appear approachable and confident.

From my experience as a main Go-To guy for connecting people to their needs - Everyone LOVES to talk about themselves :) If you want to stand out, find an interesting idea that your potential contact cares about deeply and simply acknowledge that by asking them about it. It could be a non-profit they're involved with, something they mentioned in a podcast, or their latest post about a new initiative. Be proactive in interacting regarding the matter online, by doing research. Only later, you can then send them a private message.

It’s a common mistake I’ll hear from C-level executives. I know personally is often a sales representative will be focused on conveying the marketing, talk tracks and what they see as important versus taking the time to get to know their audience and ask questions to better understand the challenges that have been prioritized for that executive and the companies they work for. This tendency is often amplified right after an internal sales kick off or similar gathering within a company where they are releasing new capabilities and functions. There is an excitement and people rush past learning and asking questions because they want to skip ahead to conveying these new capabilities.

When it comes to connecting with new contacts, I believe in the power of genuine interest. In my experience, inviting people to share their expertise, like on my podcast, and doing my homework to personalize the invitation helps break the ice. It's all about focusing on their knowledge and making them feel valued. No fear, just authentic connections!

Be memorable ! You have a unique persona - use it to your advantage. People dont remember names but they remember personality traits "The guy who was talking about Science of Astrology" or "The lady who was super passionate about her watches" etc. Give your audience a reason to remember you - and frame your conversation accordingly. Be genuinely interested in what they say and integrate that with your interest / USP and make yourself memorable.

This is the logical approach, but not the obvious one. One of our innate human tendencies is the desire to talk about ourselves, as we often find ourselves to be the most fascinating subject. However, when networking, it's crucial to prioritize the other person. By focusing on them before sharing about ourselves, we can engage more effectively and kickstart conversations more swiftly.

When someone say be yourself it sounds super easy, but the problem is that your brain will start trying to find weaknesses that you don't want others to know about it, and without realizing you start acting like someone as defensive mechanism. Being vulnerable and acknowledging it makes you stronger sometimes and it shows confidence and perhaps a strong character that can work in your advantage. Understanding that all of us human beings are the same puts your mind at ease and that's a great starting point to be yourself around others.

You need to engage and enquire to better understand from direction the other person is coming from in order their and or their organisations needs. In so doing you might identify gaps where your experience and knowledge can come into play

Being authentic is crucial for fearless networking. Instead of trying to impress with fake credentials or exaggerated achievements, focus on being honest and humble. Share your strengths, passions, and goals, but also be open about your challenges and areas for improvement. This authenticity helps you connect with others on a deeper level, fostering trust and credibility. By being yourself, you build genuine relationships that are far more valuable and enduring in the professional world.

Authenticity is the cornerstone of successful networking. By being genuine, you build trust and lasting relationships. Be Yourself: Embrace your unique personality and experiences. People connect with authenticity. Active Listening: Show genuine interest in others. Focus on their stories and perspectives. Honesty: Be truthful about your goals and aspirations. Avoid exaggeration or false promises. Vulnerability: Share your experiences, both successes and failures. This builds rapport and connection. Follow Through: Keep your promises and commitments. Consistency reinforces your authenticity.

How would you like to attract someone who doesn't like the real you? It is a lose/lose situation. My grandmother always said, "One lie begets another." You will always be two different things to two different people. Don't try to manipulate it.

Following up is one aspect of networking where technology has solved a lot of it. All you have to do is to set reminders in your calendar on follow up schedules. A follow up note with someone with context of earlier conversation and where you left it at - is amazing to jog the memory of the person you want to engage with (else they are always trying to remember the context - and just end up rejecting your request)

Effectively follow up by promptly expressing gratitude for the connection. Reference a specific aspect of your conversation, reinforcing the personal touch. Share any resources or insights discussed, demonstrating your commitment to adding value. Propose a future action, such as scheduling a follow-up call or meeting, to continue the conversation. Consistent and thoughtful follow-ups build rapport and solidify connections, turning brief interactions into lasting professional relationships.

Great point. Follow-ups are important. Expressing gratitude for the conversation, highlighting a point that resonated with you, offering a small token of appreciation - eg resource, another contact. When you see the potential for mutually beneficial business, address it and make a concrete suggestion for a follow-up meeting with 3 detailed options. But don't press it - if you have no idea, don't just have a meeting for the sake of having a meeting. Most contacts won't convert into business. Also here: Be kind, move on. When they don't need your offer, you don't want their offer, or you don't have the budget to pay, just stop it. It helps keep doors open - things change in the future, and you want to be remembered positively.

Maintaining relationships with new contacts is crucial, and following up after meeting them is an effective way to do so. It shows that you are interested in establishing a connection and are willing to put in the effort to do so. When following-up mention where you met the person and something from your conversation to show you were actively listening and focusing.

Follow ups can help get a conversation started, keep a conversation going, and bank you a ton of goodwill! Here's a trick: First, prepare a free "gift" before the event. This could take the form of an industry report, invitation to another event, a social media shoutout, etc. Use this to start your conversations: "I just created a report and would love to hear what you think..." Next, if people are interested in your free "gift", you now have a great way to keep the conversation going: "I'd love to send you the report, what's your email?" Finally, after the other person receives the "gift", you've just created a ton of goodwill and a foundation to continue building the relationship. Create great "gifts", build better follow ups

Start by practicing introductions in front of a mirror or with trusted friends. Gradually expose yourself to different social settings to build confidence. Learn from each interaction, identifying areas for improvement and adjusting your approach accordingly. With persistent practice and a growth mindset, you'll not only reduce fear but also continually enhance your ability to approach and connect with new contacts.

Networking involves stepping outside your comfort zone, inevitably leading to occasional missteps. Embrace these experiences as valuable learning opportunities. Reflect on Interactions: Analyze what went well and what could be improved. Identify patterns in successful and unsuccessful encounters. Seek Feedback: Ask trusted mentors or peers for their perspectives on your networking approach. Their insights can offer new perspectives. Continuous Improvement: View each networking interaction as a chance to refine your skills. Practice active listening, effective communication, and building rapport. Persistence: Don't be discouraged by setbacks. Networking is a numbers game, and consistent effort will yield results.

One thing that I often believe is to go with the mindset that they are as interested in what you bring to the table as much as you are interested in gaining their attention. This instills a sense of confidence in the speaker. Once you are confident, then sealing relationships become easier and more effortless as the person you want to connect with is comfortable in responding to you.

In my view, approaching new contacts without fear is a journey of continuous improvement. It's important not to be discouraged by setbacks but rather to view them as opportunities for growth. Seeking feedback and advice from experienced networkers can provide valuable insights. With consistent practice and a willingness to learn from each interaction, you'll gradually build confidence and discover effective strategies for making meaningful connections in the world of networking.

Enhance your skills through consistent practice and intentional improvement. Regularly engage in activities that challenge and refine your abilities, whether it's public speaking, networking events, or honing technical expertise. Seek feedback from mentors or peers to identify areas for growth. Embrace a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to learn. By actively practicing and seeking improvement, you not only enhance your proficiency but also position yourself as a dynamic and adaptable professional.

Networking can happen online and offline (in person), and there are many opportunities online (LinkedIn, email, forums, webinar chat windows, etc.). Get creative when you are online and use many of the same strategies you would use when you are networking in person. The tricky part of online networking is that you don't have the other person's full attention when you are sending them a note or chatting with them. So, following up is important. Additionally, being extremely valuable to the other person will also make you memorable. This can look like sending them a neat opportunity, introducing them to someone who might help them with their goals, or sharing an article you found that reminded you of their conversation.

Remember that everyone is human and mostly the fear is just in your mind. In my experience, mostly others are also dealing with similar fears so just go ahead and try to find some common ground to talk about.

If you're not neurotypical or deal with social anxiety, this can feel like a lot. I encourage you to work with a trusted advisor or coach to practice your approach to these situations. Also, consider your internal narratives–what stories are you telling yourself? These can often hold you back. Identifying them and addressing them can be very breakthrough.

20 SECONDS OF COURAGE! This is what I've done in almost ALL of the networking events that I've been in recently. It just takes 20 seconds of courage to give you the boost to walk up to the person that you've been meaning to connect with. So next time you are out there, remember AMAN told you, "it's just 20 seconds😳"

Preparing yourself is simple but really important few things to always remember: Try to know about other people you can find common interests, hobbies and other things about them that will help you later. Start with small gatherings or with people you might feel comfortable you can move on to larger gatherings later. Lastly, Just be confident, open and curious to appear approachable and don't forget to smile:).