The Networking Email That Always Works

The Networking EmailThat Always Works

Kaneisha Graysonfor

RISE Conference 2013May 15, 2013

© 2013 Kaneisha Grayson TheArtofApplying.com

About Your Presenter• Kaneisha Grayson

• Austin native

• Pomona College 2006; Harvard MBA & MPA 2010

• Entrepreneur & Admissions Consultant:The Art of Applying

• Self-Help Author:Be Your Own Boyfriend

• present this talk at colleges, conferences, and organizations around the nation

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What You’ll Learn Today• who else is in this room—and how they can help you

• why most outreach emails are ineffective and go unanswered

• what to ask for when you first make contact with someone

• how to find the people who will be most responsive to your outreach

• exactly what to write in the outreach email to get a response

• questions to ask during a networking call

• how to stay in touch after the call without being annoying

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Introductions

• Name

• Organizational Affiliation (if any)

• Kinds of people you are looking to connect with through networking

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Reasons to Network

• Get the “real deal” on a job opportunity, company, or program

• Establish an inside contact and internal advocate at an organization

• Find someone to partner with on a project

• Learn more about an organization, person, or project before making a bigger request

• Gain candid advice and insight from someone with experience

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Who to network with

• hobby / passion / interest / experience / niche

• industry / profession / company

• neighborhood / city / state / nation

• race / ethnicity / religion

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People readily do favors for those in their “tribe.”You can easily find people in your tribe

who will share information, advice, and contacts with you.


How to Find People Online

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Live Demonstration

Question Break


Why most outreach emails are ineffective

• subject line is confusing or nonexistent

• too long, too cluttered, not enough white space

• no connection or affiliation established

• approached as an inferior rather than as an equal and potential friend

• no context for outreach

• available times not given

• the ask is unclear or over-reaching

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The Networking Email that Always Works

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To: Shannon LoriSubject: [RISE Presenter] quick chat to learn from you

Hi Shannon,

I’m Kaneisha Grayson, a fellow RISE presenter. I’m an author and entrepreneur here in Austin (see my website here), and I’m presenting on Wednesday the talk “The Networking Email That Always Works.”

I saw in the PeopleFund newsletter that you’ll be one of the presenters for their Innovation Week, and I found your information on your website. If you have the time, I’d appreciate a 15-minute chat via phone with you about how that opportunity came about and any advice you have for me for booking more paid and volunteer speaking engagements here in Austin.

If you are available, I am available during the following times:

all times in Central Time

Mon 5/13 10 am - 3 pmTue 5/14 10 am - 1 pm, 4-5 pmWed 5/15 8-10 am, 4-6 pmThur 5/16 1-5 pm

Thank you!Kaneisha512.555.5555


Why does this email always work?

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Hi Shannon,


I saw in the PeopleFund newsletter that you’ll be one of the presenters for their Innovation Week, and I found your information on your website. If you have the time, I’d appreciate a 15-minute chat with you about how that opportunity came about and any advice you have for me for booking more paid and volunteer speaking engagements here in Austin.





points out our tribe


Why does this email work?

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Hi Shannon,







lets the person know what I want



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Hi Shannon,







short, clear introduction



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Hi Shannon,







where I learned about her and how I found her information



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Hi Shannon,







a request that is easy to say yes to.Be sure to clarify whether the meeting request is for in-person or via phone.



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Hi Shannon,







a clear agenda for the call



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Hi Shannon,







times given in the recipient’s time zone



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Hi Shannon,







a well-formatted block of times that only encompass a week



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Hi Shannon,







provides my phone number right below the closing

Question Break


The Intro Request That Always Works

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To: James CaseySubject: [Bootstrap Austin] request for an introduction to Shannon Lori

Hi James,

I hope you are doing well and that things with StartupHound are going well. Things are going well with me. My book is out and selling well. I’m also gearing up for the next admissions season. One goal I have this season is to book more live speaking engagements since I love to present. I saw on LinkedIn that you went to college with Shannon Lori. Would you be willing to introduce me to her? If so, I’ve drafted an introduction that you can pass on to her.

Thank you!Kaneisha

[paste the Networking Email That Always Works here]



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


reminder for how we know each other



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


lets the recipient know that I want an introduction and who I am trying to meet



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


references the recipient’s latest project, which shows that I’m not just a taker. I am interested in his life as well.



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


a short update on how I am doing and what I am working on assuages any fears the recipient has that “we don’t know each other that well.”



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


lets the recipient know how I found out about his connection to the person I am trying to connect with



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


a clear and direct ask



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


lets the recipient know that I’ve made it very easy for him to help me



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Hi James,


Thank you!Kaneisha


Now, the recipient can just copy and paste my networking email, add a short intro just like I did and pass it on.

Question Break


The Networking Call

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• Ask if it’s still a good time to speak.

• Thank the person for his/her time.

• Briefly remind them of who you are and what favor you want.

• Some easy but valuable questions:

• What has been your experience so far at x organization?

• What are the skills you use the most in your role?

• If I am interested in one day holding a similar role, what are the skills, experiences, and coursework I should pursue now?

• Do you know of any similar opportunities for someone at my level at your organization?

• Who else would you recommend I speak with?


Reminders When Networking

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• Avoid the hangout hangover.

• Don’t ask a question you wouldn’t want to answer.

• Don’t multitask. Really listen.

• Don’t interrupt. Let the person ramble a little if they want.

• Thank them at the beginning and end of the call.

• Stick to the agenda of the call. Don’t start pitching them ideas and projects.

• Let them know you may reach out again.


Keeping In Touch

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• Use the search function in your calendar to see who you talked to and when. (Tip: Label all networking calls in your calendar “Networking Call: [Name of person]” so you can easily go back and search).

• Send a short follow-up email 1-3 weeks later letting them know what you did with the information and thanking them for their time.

• Feel free to reach out again to ask for another small favor.

Question Break


Discussion:

• Name

• Your top project you are currently working on

• Who you are looking to connect with

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Thank you for attending!

• Name: Kaneisha Grayson

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 512.677.4747 (voicemail line)

• Author Site: http://kaneisha.com

• Coaching Site: http://theartofapplying.com

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The Networking Email That Always Works

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Transcript of The Networking Email That Always Works