The Hidden Power of ‘Hello’
How reaching out in the right way can transform your network
Business Is About People
Whatever your product or service is, it aims to add value to others. Otherwise, you’re in the wrong game. Any company ever has become a success due to the diligent delivery of a solution to one of the many people’s desires, needs, or problems. It’s all about the people in your network.
That is why our Revolancer team would like to encourage you to reach people and grow your network. An admired entrepreneur once stated, “your network is your net worth”. Having this in mind, ask yourself – how is your network at the moment? In this article, we will explore the 5 steps and a few benefits of reaching out to others.
Your Reputation Precedes You
In this exquisitely interconnected world of international jobs and online workers, growing one’s network is a great way of getting ahead. Whether on LinkedIn, Indeed, or Facebook your ability to connect with people and develop relationships can truly determine your success.
More often than not our connections become stronger because of the preceding reputation, which reaches the other person before we even get to say ‘hi’. That is why it is so important to keep your feed relevant and your activity purposeful. People highly value integrity and consistency, so do not leave your profile unattended and make sure you make the most of the ‘first impression’. Even the one without actual interaction.
1. Understand Your Motivation
Why do you want to make that connection? Recognising the dynamics behind your intentions is a great head start to your networking attempt. You are about to grab their attention, make them spend their time on you, and ask them to care about you. Well… why are you doing it?
Good self-awareness is golden in these kinds of situations. You will save time and spare yourself some trouble if the connection you’re trying to create is first deeply considered. The most important factor is the outcome you wish for. Understanding what you want your relationship with them to bring will shape the messaging you use. Remember that no one likes to be asked for a favour without a reason, so better have a good one or admit your intentions honestly and early on. The best relationships are shaped based on a win-win, so try to create such an opportunity and they will love you for it.
2. Be Prepared
How would you like someone to approach you on the street and ask for your attention only to discover they have nothing to say? Probably not much. Time is our most precious resource and we all have a limited amount of it. This is why you need to be prepared and care for the time of your conversation partner.
In business like in life, your day is often spent in chunks of minutes dedicated to different tasks. Efficiency breeds savings and savings breed freedom. And who doesn’t enjoy some time off work right…? So, remember to get ready before you send your greeting. Research their background, try to figure out the answers to your doubts beforehand and click ‘send’ only once you’ve done your homework.
3. Get In Touch
In the era of non-personal emails and stacks of application papers, many businesses and entrepreneurs long for genuine human interaction. Although some are unaware of such a need, once you get in touch with them, you are likely to notice it’s true. After all, behind the nameless brands and page-long emails stand people just like you.
Reaching out might seem challenging at first. With a few advice points from us, however, you can be sure to succeed and connect with those you wish to reach. The first part is simple – just make the move. Send that opening message and be open in your approach. Understand that the person’s time is at stake, so make sure your greeting acknowledges their contribution. Use the email title or first line of the conversation to warmly greet them and express your gratitude…
4. Express Yourself
Unlike standing face to face, networking online offers a greater degree of creativity, but also a great deal of responsibility. Your words will literally represent you. Your genuine smile or a warm handshake won’t be of much help. So, pour your personality into these few introduction lines and make them resonate in your addressee’s heart. Like Maya Angelou beautifully stated “people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel ”.
To earn their response you have to make them feel like responding. In other words, you have to entice them. There are plenty of methods, but our Revolancer team would like to promote two of them to you today, as we find them the most effective and fair. Seeking advice about something the person deeply cares about or offering your help to them. These two will get your chat started with a wonderful chord.
5. Stay Connected
They say ‘out of sight, out of mind’ and maybe it is so. Regardless of this idea, you should make the most of your newly established connection. Networking is about building a network, not only drawing sketches of it. Once, or if, they responded, you should dedicate your attention to connecting with them deeply.
Create lasting relationships by becoming interested in adding value to them. By truly caring for their time and good. Dale Carnegie, a highly appreciated leader in human connections said it best “you can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in others than you can in two years by trying to get others interested in you”. If you want your connection to last, put their interest first.
Simply Say ‘Hello’
Ultimately human interaction, whether online or in person is all about interacting. You act, they react, and you react to their reaction. It’s a process. A dance. There may be many approaches to networking but the overarching theme does not change – it’s about connecting with others.
That’s why the best way to start is to simply say ‘hello’. To greet, when the greeting feels right. To step out of your comfort zone and risk being vulnerable. To try. You may find a few ‘no response’ cases or people refusing to answer your call, but you will be surprised by the number of positive responses that will help your network. We do not doubt it. Good luck!
Before You Go
If you liked this article, check out the one about the importance of networking. And if you’d like to find your next freelance assignment, register at Revolancer today!
Freelance marketplace: Revolancer