The most effective way to build relationship is to offer value upfront. Simply put, research what matters to your VIP and gift them something unique. The best offer is valuable and relevant to what they want.
Table of Contents
Cold Email 101
How to get in touch with anyone
- Find their email with email permutations / LinkedIn email export / contact automation / newsletters reply.
- Remember that people are busy. Provide value upfront.
- Warm-up your intro with a 5-min favor.
SOP
- Attention: Make sure the subject line is crisp and concise.
- Interest: Hook them with interesting facts, quotes, use cases.
- Desire: Show them how their life will be better with your ask.
- Action: Give them a specific, tangible next step (especially in the PS section).
Follow up
- Have something to say: Small check-ins. Ask quick advice.
- Play the long game: Stay in touch. Show progress.
- Make them smile: Share your positive vibe and give value upfront.
You can watch the recording here and review the deck here.
Ways to be helpful
The three most prominent things to develop loyalty with another individual is to help them in these three areas: health, wealth, and children.
Michael Milken
- Career: Can you put in some good words to their boss? Can you send an investor 3 companies they should be looking at? Can you send a CEO 3 things they can change about their product (or redesign their product)?
- Wealth: Can you intro a new CPA (who can help them save taxes) or a financial planner to help them get more out of life?
- Health: Can you share a well-known doctor that you know that could help the person with their health challenge?
- Wisdom: Can you gift them a book that will greatly improve their life? Can you offer research that might be beneficial for the business that the person runs?
- Spirituality: Can you help them be more grounded (or take them higher)?
- Philanthropy: Can you share some great cause that’s aligned with their interest?
- Social arbitrage: Can you introduce the awesome people you know to them? Can you intro a new client to them?
- Praise: Can you publicly share what you have learned/gained from the person’s work?
Once you create value for them upfront, they will often feel an impulse to respond.
Connecting beyond the small talk
I have a post-it note that reminds me to “come prepared to be interested” with every person.
Here are two questions that helped a lot:
- How can I care about this person?
- What’s the most important for this person personally and professionally?
During the conversation, I will focus on breadcrumbs from the small talk:
- Look for topics around FORD (Family, Occupation, Recreation, or Dreams).
- Search for their motivations and find their core values by asking: Why did you do that? How did it make you feel? What was going through your head?
- When you get a chance to share your opinion, tell them what you truly think. Research has shown that when you tell the truth, people will either like you or trust you more (because you didn’t try to always be your best).
- Add an element of mystery to get them to ask follow-up questions. For example, you can say that you are starting a business, instead of saying the exact project you are building.
Networking Challenge
When you do something audacious, it becomes easier. Because you get the best people to join you. The problem you’re solving is worth solving! — Vishen Lakhiani
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Career
- Pick somebody you respect and admire.
- Research their work/life journey online.
- Send them an email with a relevant intro.
- Ask for a (virtual) coffee/lunch.
- Come prepared with thoughtful questions.
- Turn their advice into homework for yourself.
- Follow up with gratitude by sending an email.
- Bonus: Share your progress updates after one month.
2. Sales
- Ask a current/potential client what they are interested in learning more about.
- Offer your research.
- Share the next step they can take to improve their life.
3. Social life
- Reach out to somebody who is interesting to you.
- Research their hobbies/interests/passions.
- Invite them to an event.
Now go schedule some time for your weekly networking challenge. I can’t wait to hear how it goes.