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Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

blog.ledwards.com

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Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#21

Post by w3pm »

One thing I've wondered -- rather than spending so much effort building an extensive network, why not build a very small network of solid connections... with people who have lots of connections?

In any industry there are those individuals who seem to "know everyone," have been next to many industry-shifting moments one way or another, have worked at a half-dozen of the most important companies, etc etc. It's clear that a large part of their time is spent networking (after all, it's a hard job), and a large part of their value is as a connector. As an added bonus, because they're a connector and value having lots of connections, they should be open to the idea of getting to know you and forming another connection.

Why not just make connections with 6,7,8 of those people and then be done? You'd be one hop away to almost everyone in your industry with far less effort than actually getting to know everyone in your industry. Anyway, just theorizing at a more efficient way of networking. Agreed on the article's premises that a real network is with people you know as human beings.

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#22

Post by justinsteele »

osetinsky wrote: post #4
_sentient wrote: post #3

I've personally found most networking events to be terrible when it comes to making meaningful connections. I've found it's much more effective to just email someone you're interested in connecting with, introduce yourself, and invite them meet up sometime for a coffee (or beer, depending on the time of day). If they say yes, it's because they are also interested in what you're doing, and this acts as a quality filte…

The one-on-one aspect is huge. Our startup is trying to facilitate these kinds of informational coffee meetings: Treatings: www.treatin.gs We think there's something special about dating sites as compared to, say, Facebook or LinkedIn: everyone who has signed up has implicitly opted in to the possibility of being contacted by strangers to possibly meet up offline (though they aren't guaranteeing anything). Knowing th…

"Treatings account created! We are currently beta testing in New York City and will notify you when we open elsewhere."

I'm based in Portland, ME but am often in NYC. I presume there is no simple way to use the site yet for me?

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#24

Post by mvkel »

_sentient wrote: post #3

I've personally found most networking events to be terrible when it comes to making meaningful connections. I've found it's much more effective to just email someone you're interested in connecting with, introduce yourself, and invite them meet up sometime for a coffee (or beer, depending on the time of day). If they say yes, it's because they are also interested in what you're doing, and this acts as a quality filte…

I agree entirely.

I got burned out with the 'tech event' echo chamber a couple years ago and haven't looked back.

I've done exactly what the parent suggests: I find people I'd love to connect with and email them with an idea. My emails, while not a formula go something like this:

- Tell them how I heard about them - Mention something I know about them that I appreciate - Ask them for help on [subject I'd love their feedback on] - Ask if they'd be up for a coffee

The "trick" behind these emails? Be 100% genuine. I have something I want to talk to them about and I'm convinced we'll have a fruitful conversation.

You don't always need to give something back, at least right away, but you'll often discover where you can contribute through natural conversation. Eventually, you'll be the receiver of the same type of email I mentioned above.

Thinking about the missives I've sent, I'd say 8/10 result in a coffee meeting, and a worthwhile connection made.

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#25

Post by tocomment »

mvkel wrote: post #24
_sentient wrote: post #3

I've personally found most networking events to be terrible when it comes to making meaningful connections. I've found it's much more effective to just email someone you're interested in connecting with, introduce yourself, and invite them meet up sometime for a coffee (or beer, depending on the time of day). If they say yes, it's because they are also interested in what you're doing, and this acts as a quality filte…

I agree entirely. I got burned out with the 'tech event' echo chamber a couple years ago and haven't looked back. I've done exactly what the parent suggests: I find people I'd love to connect with and email them with an idea. My emails, while not a formula go something like this: - Tell them how I heard about them - Mention something I know about them that I appreciate - Ask them for help on [subject I'd love their f…

That sounds great. How do you find people you want to connect with though? Browsing on github by location somehow?

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#26

Post by nl »

tocomment wrote: post #25
mvkel wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree entirely. I got burned out with the 'tech event' echo chamber a couple years ago and haven't looked back. I've done exactly what the parent suggests: I find people I'd love to connect with and email them with an idea. My emails, while not a formula go something like this: - Tell them how I heard about them - Mention something I know about them that I appreciate - Ask them for help on [subject I'd love their f…

That sounds great. How do you find people you want to connect with though? Browsing on github by location somehow?

HN has worked pretty well for me - I've made 2 or 3 interested connections. Helps if you put your email address in your profile though.

Twitter is useful too.

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#27

Post by alimj »

mvkel wrote: post #24
_sentient wrote: post #3

I've personally found most networking events to be terrible when it comes to making meaningful connections. I've found it's much more effective to just email someone you're interested in connecting with, introduce yourself, and invite them meet up sometime for a coffee (or beer, depending on the time of day). If they say yes, it's because they are also interested in what you're doing, and this acts as a quality filte…

I agree entirely. I got burned out with the 'tech event' echo chamber a couple years ago and haven't looked back. I've done exactly what the parent suggests: I find people I'd love to connect with and email them with an idea. My emails, while not a formula go something like this: - Tell them how I heard about them - Mention something I know about them that I appreciate - Ask them for help on [subject I'd love their f…

I think the key to emailing cold is that you have to make it plausible that the other person can get something achieved for you in your connection. If you approach genuinely but don't know what you want out of the connection, then you're making it a risky endeavor for them in giving you their time. (and ain't nobody got time for that)

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#28

Post by osetinsky »

justinsteele wrote: post #22
osetinsky wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The one-on-one aspect is huge. Our startup is trying to facilitate these kinds of informational coffee meetings: Treatings: www.treatin.gs We think there's something special about dating sites as compared to, say, Facebook or LinkedIn: everyone who has signed up has implicitly opted in to the possibility of being contacted by strangers to possibly meet up offline (though they aren't guaranteeing anything). Knowing th…

"Treatings account created! We are currently beta testing in New York City and will notify you when we open elsewhere." I'm based in Portland, ME but am often in NYC. I presume there is no simple way to use the site yet for me?

not yet - we'll be in touch with you in the next month or so about it opening everywhere. thanks!

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#29

Post by billyjobob »

dominotw wrote: post #18
osetinsky wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The one-on-one aspect is huge. Our startup is trying to facilitate these kinds of informational coffee meetings: Treatings: www.treatin.gs We think there's something special about dating sites as compared to, say, Facebook or LinkedIn: everyone who has signed up has implicitly opted in to the possibility of being contacted by strangers to possibly meet up offline (though they aren't guaranteeing anything). Knowing th…

why was this downvoted?

Because it seems if one guy says "I like to wipe my ass" within 5 seconds on this site there will be a start-up to facilitate ass wiping.

Re: Meetup Golf - a game I play to keep myself from networking wrong

#30

Post by hawkharris »

I agree with the author's criticism of LinkedIn. My biggest problem with the service is its default placeholder text for connection requests ("David Smith would like to connect with you...").

To me this takes all of the fun and excitement out of networking, not to mention the clarity. When I network with people face-to-face, I always get a sense of how they may want to work with me in the future. E.g. Maybe they're a designer; I'm a programmer; we could collaborate on X kind of project.

LinkedIn's placeholder text makes connections seem generic and less useful. Today I received five networking requests, but, unlike with real-life networking, I have no clear idea of why the people are reaching out to me.

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