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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:
by mvkel 13y ago
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.
- tocomment 13y agoThat sounds great. How do you find people you want to connect with though? Browsing on github by location somehow?
- nl 13y agoHN 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.
- mvkel 13y agoIf you're near any metro area, there's typically a Facebook / LinkedIn / etc. group for the people you're trying to reach. Become a member and start reading.
- alimj 13y agoI 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)
- laurenstill 13y agoI don't remember where I read it, but ask to interview them, either for your blog, or something else. I've done this a few times with people I considered reach connections. Two years later, they are some of my closest allies.
- mvkel 13y agoAbsolutely. In other words, they need to be convinced they'll get something out of the conversation, where "something" is anything from a simple ego boost to advice on something you're really good about that he/she isn't.