Networking for Coaches and Consultants

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

If you're a coach or a consultant, you might feel like other coaches are your competitors. Actually, they might be your secret weapon. I know so many folks who pride themselves on not knowing or hanging out with other coaches: "I only spend time with clients and prospects." But that's a mistake. The truth is, most coaches or consultants don't lose out on business because the client chooses to work with someone else. They're not calling you back because of these 4 things. • You haven't established enough value. They're just not sure it's worth the hassle of bringing someone in for an uncertain result. • You're not memorable enough. You met once, had a good conversation, but then disappeared. When their need becomes urgent, they can't quite remember your name or what made you different. • You lack social proof. They don't see evidence that people like them have worked with you and gotten results. One conversation isn't enough to overcome that uncertainty. We talk about this a lot in the Recognized Expert® community I run. • You're not part of a trusted network. The client doesn't know anyone who knows you. There's no one to vouch for your work or make them feel confident about the decision. Here's where other coaches become your secret weapon: When you build genuine relationships with other coaches and consultants, you solve nearly all of these problems. They refer clients to you when the fit isn't right for them. That's instant credibility and social proof. They mention your name in conversations you're not in. That's how you stay memorable and top of mind. They introduce you to their networks. That's how you become part of trusted circles instead of a cold contact. They share what's working in their practices. That's how you learn to communicate value more effectively. ❌ Treating other coaches as competitors keeps you isolated and limits your opportunities. ✅ Treating them as colleagues expands your reach, sharpens your thinking, and builds the referral network that actually drives business. The coaches and consultants who consistently win work aren't the ones hiding in their offices perfecting their pitch. They're the ones building relationships with their peers. Tell me about your favorite referral you've received from another practitioner - or one you gave! ➡️ Follow Dorie Clark for more insights on building a sustainable coaching/consulting practice ♻️ Repost to help other coaches rethink their approach to competition

What I’d tell my younger self on Day 1 of consulting (after 25 years in the game) If I could go back, this is what I’d tell myself on day one. Not to work harder. But to play the game better. Here’s the playbook I wish I had: 1. Take hard projects early and often. Your first years aren’t about being comfortable. They’re about becoming sharp. Don’t waste your learning curve on client management, PMO, or “fluff” work. Don´t chase your passion. There will be plenty of time for that. Do the due diligences, the pricing wars, and the market entries with zero data. Run toward the fire. Get stressed. Fix chaos. And don’t just do one type of project; chase range. You want to build judgment across industries, functions, and geographies. The goal? Live your first 24 months with war stories, scars, and a reputation: “This one figures it out. Under pressure. Every time.” 2. Get close to staffing. Very close. Staffing isn’t admin; it’s power. They control where you go, who you work with, and what you learn. Most juniors ignore them. Big mistake. Keep them updated. Ask what’s coming. Make their life easy, and they’ll protect you when it matters most. I’ve seen careers fast-tracked because someone at staffing quietly said, “You should put her on this one.” 3. Be the one they call when things get messy. You don’t want to be “the expert in margin trees for Chilean telcos.” You want to be the one who figures it out, no matter what. Let others play the specialist game. You play the game of trust. The goal is simple: When a partner says, “We’ve got a tough case, short timeline, nervous client”… Your name should come up. 4. Build your tribe. The people you meet in consulting will shape your career; and your life. Build real relationships. Find the associate who challenges you.The manager who teaches you. The partner who has your back. Consulting is brutal if you’re alone. It’s unbeatable if you’ve got people in your corner. 5. Take care of your damn body. Too many consultants make €10K/month… and eat like interns. Zero sleep. Uber Eats. No exercise. It’s a joke. 8kg more in their first 18 months. You only get one body. Respect it. Lift. Run. Sleep. Eat like an adult. You’ll be sharper, faster, and calmer, and you’ll outlast everyone else. Bottom line: Consulting will shape how you think for life. But it will also test who you are. Play it right, and you’ll leave with skills no one can take from you. Play it wrong, and it’ll burn you out before you even get good.

Most coaches think posting on LinkedIn is enough. (It's not and no, this isn't about content strategy) Last week, I got on a call with an inbound lead. (which I closed btw, *pats my own back *) They’d been posting consistently but weren't gaining any traction, and they were frustrated, understandably so. Not only did they not have a content strategy... But as we got talking and I dug into what they were doing, I asked, “Do you have an engagement strategy?” Their response: "I'm sorry...an engagement strategy?" And there it was, another big chunk of their problem. See, most coaches buy into the “just post” advice. And while posting is a great start, it’s not the whole game. You need to show up intentionally, not just with your posts, but with how you engage on this platform. Because waiting for the algorithm to randomly bless your content isn’t a strategy—it’s a gamble. Now, I'm not saying you need to comment on 100 posts a day like it's a full-time job. But with whatever comments you're already making, you need to be smart with it. Follow the 40-40-20 rule. If you are commenting on 10 posts a day, split it like this: 👉 4 Top creators and industry leaders: To stay visible in high-traffic spaces. 👉 4 Peers and active creators: To build relationships and stay in the loop. 👉 2 Target audience: These are the people you want to work with. (Btw, you also need strategies for conversion and outreach, but that’s another story.) And, here’s something I bet most coaches don’t know: 👉 You can curate your feed. That means, you can create lists of the exact people you want to engage with. That way, Every comment, every connection is intentional and you're not engaging with the random posts the algo throws on your feed. (If you're a coach and don't know how to curate your own feed, shoot me a DM. I'll walk you through it and you can see the difference for yourself.) It doesn’t have to be complicated, just strategic.

Networking changed my life. It helped me secure my first big consulting deal that let me quit my full-time job. Here's how to build relationships on LinkedIn (the right way): Networking can either make or break your career. Do it wrong: You’ll ruin your reputation. Do it right: You’ll have people speaking well of you when you’re not around. Here’s how to network like a pro: 1) Be genuine People can sense fakeness from a mile away. Instead, speak with them to get to know them. Not just because you want something. Besides… There’s no point in building relationships with people you don’t like. 2) Be a friend We want to feel cared for. Reach out once every 3 months to see how they’re doing. • Offer help • Schedule a coffee chat • Ask about their recent trip Don’t build connections. Build friendships. 3) Change your intent Turn your “I want this” mindset into a “I want to help” mindset. Start conversations without trying to sell something. But because you want to help them. Stop asking. Start giving. 4) Think long term It doesn't matter if they can’t help you now. In the long run… …you’ll be able to reach out when you need it. Be there for them now. They’ll be there for you later. That’s a real relationship. 5) Don’t ask for immediate favors This is where most screw up. They’ve barely met someone and immediately: • Ask for a job • Request a resume review • Or want some other big favor You wouldn’t do this to a stranger on the street. Why do it on LinkedIn? 6) Be mutually beneficial Start by building foundations. When/if it makes sense, think of how you can collaborate. Just like in business… This isn’t a one-way street. I help you. You help me. That’s how the world works. 7) Create on LinkedIn You never know who’s watching. Share your thoughts on the feed daily. And give people a glimpse into what you’re doing. You may not realize it… But others are going through the same as you. One of them might just come back with a life-changing opportunity. P.s. - What's one more tip you'd recommend for people networking on LinkedIn? Thanks for reading. Enjoyed this post? Follow Jordan Nelson And share it with your audience.

Are we realising the potential of our networks to make change happen? Most innovation emerges from collaborative projects where teams openly “borrow” & adapt each other’s (often small but powerful) ideas. Many networks & communities of practice could achieve so much more by experimenting together around collective priorities to generate & share new solutions. This is beyond spreading known “best” or “good” practices. It is about innovating to design new solutions collectively. So I appreciated this piece from Ed Morrison about three different kinds of networks: - Advocacy networks are communities that seek to mobilise people, creating pressure to shift policies, priorities or messages in a particular direction. Their aim is to connect & influence rather than to change how they themselves work. - Learning networks are communities of practice. They share knowledge, compare practice & build shared capability. Learning networks often excel at spread & improvement of existing practice, but only sometimes move into structured innovation work. - Innovating (or transforming) networks are communities that combine their assets - ideas, relationships, data, capabilities - to create new value that none could produce alone. They manage collaboration as a process of experimentation: agreeing a shared outcome, running multiple connected tests of change, learning by doing & amplifying what works across the network. https://lnkd.in/edbbexiG. Every learning network has the potential to become an innovating/transforming network. Some actions to enable this: 1. Build a foundation of strong, trusting relationships within the network, understanding each member’s starting point & motivation for change 2. Focus on helping each other to succeed; listen to each others’ stories & plans, co-coach, give advice to each other & build shared inquiry 3. Move from “sharing” or “raising awareness” to some concrete outcomes the network want to change together through collective experimentation 4. Agree some simple norms for the network so that members help each other to make progress, make it safe to try things, fail fast & share incomplete work 5. Encourage multiple, parallel tests of change around similar outcome so projects can “steal with pride” from one another & quickly refine promising ideas 6. Put simple routines in place for noticing patterns (what is shifting where & why), capturing these insights & amplifying them across the network 7. Add additional success metrics including innovations tested, adapted & adopted in multiple places Graphic by Ed Morrison. Content with added inspiration from June Holley.

8 Conversation Starters That 2x Your Networking Connections: 1. The Genuine Compliment + Question Specificity wins generic flattery. Try using this template when starting conversations: "I loved your presentation on market trends. What inspired that unique perspective on consumer behavior?" This shows you were paying attention and creates an opening for them to share something personal. 2. The Shared Challenge Approach Shared challenges create shared connections. Here's what you can start with: "I've been struggling with implementing AI tools in our workflow. Have you faced similar challenges?" This positions you as a peer seeking collaboration, not just someone asking for help. 3. The Industry Insight Question Ask for an industry insight to demonstrate you value their expertise: "What's one trend in our industry that you think isn't getting enough attention right now?" This invites them to share unique perspectives that they're passionate about. Plus it allows them to take the conversation in a direction they're excited about. 4. The Value-First Introduction Nothing says “I value your insight” more than applying it upfront. Here's how: "I read your recent article on remote team management and shared it with my department. We implemented your feedback framework with great results." This creates a positive first impression by showing you've already engaged with their work. 5. The Curiosity-Driven Career Question Career journeys are personal yet professional. They are the perfect middle ground for meaningful conversation: "I'm intrigued by your career path from marketing to operations. What was the biggest surprise in that transition?" This shows you've done your homework without being intrusive. 6. The Specific Recommendation Request People love making introductions and recommendations when they know exactly what you need. Try: "I'm looking to deepen my knowledge of data visualization. Is there a resource or person you'd recommend I connect with?" This is specific enough to be actionable but open enough to be easy to answer. 7. The Follow-Up Framework Follow-ups create a natural reason to reconnect. For example: "Thank you for sharing your insights on project management. I'm implementing your suggestion about weekly retrospectives and would love to share results in a few weeks." It shows you value their advice enough to act on it. 8. The Mutual Connection Bridge Referencing a mutual connection instantly builds credibility. Here's how you can do it: "Sarah mentioned you're an expert in healthcare analytics. I'm working on a similar project and would love to hear about your approach to patient data." This creates a sense of extended trust through your shared network. 📬 Yuping went from zero interviews to 2 per week by mastering this kind of messaging. 👉 Want to see how? Grab a free Clarity Call: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

5 Proven Frameworks to Get High-Quality Leads for Coaches You’re posting consistently. You’re engaging with people. You’re showing up daily. And yet, no high-quality leads. Here’s the thing, coaching clients don’t just fall into your lap. You need a system. A repeatable framework that turns visibility into sales. 1️⃣ The Content Ladder Framework Most coaches post “value” but forget to move people toward a buying decision. Here’s how to structure your content: ✅ Awareness posts: Educate & attract new audiences. (e.g., "Why most people fail at X") ✅ Trust-building posts: Case studies, transformations, behind-the-scenes of your coaching. ✅ Call-to-action posts: Ask them to DM you for a free resource, session, or next step. Each piece of content should pull your audience deeper into your ecosystem. 2️⃣ The DM Magnet Framework High-quality leads don’t just engage. They DM you. But only if you make it frictionless. ✅ Use CTAs that make it easy: “DM ‘COACH’ and I’ll send you a breakdown of how I helped X double their revenue in 3 months.” “DM ‘SYSTEM’ to see the exact steps to book 5+ clients per month without cold outreach.” A simple one-word DM CTA works because it removes the hesitation of starting a conversation. 3️⃣ The Warm Engagement Framework Most coaches struggle with cold outreach. Because it feels, well… cold. Instead of pitching out of nowhere, warm up your audience first: ✅ Comment on their posts before DMing them. ✅ Engage with their stories before making an offer. ✅ Send voice notes or personalized videos—they convert 10x better than text. By the time you start a conversation, they already know who you are. 4️⃣ The Mini-Webinar Framework Some clients need more trust before buying. Long-form content builds authority fast. ✅ Host a 15-minute value-packed training on LinkedIn or Instagram. ✅ Pick one pain point your audience struggles with and solve it live. ✅ At the end, offer a free consultation for those who need deeper help. The right people will raise their hands and step forward. 5️⃣ The Lead Magnet Framework Some people need one more push before booking a call. That’s where lead magnets come in. ✅ Create a 1-page PDF (checklist, roadmap, or case study). ✅ Offer it for free in exchange for a DM or email. ✅ Follow up with them personally after they get it. People who actively request your lead magnet are already interested. They just need a nudge to move forward. P.S. Want to build a brand that gets 5X ROI and high-quality leads? DM “BRAND”

"I hate networking." I hear this all the time. And I get it. The idea of walking up to strangers at events, making small talk, and asking for favors feels forced and uncomfortable. But here's the truth: networking doesn't have to feel like networking. Here's how to build genuine connections without being awkward: Start with warm connections. Don't cold message strangers on LinkedIn. Start with: → Former colleagues → Alumni from your school → Mutual contacts who can introduce you → People you've worked with before These conversations are easier because there's already a foundation. Lead with offering value, not asking for favors. Don't start with: "Can you help me find a job?" Start with: "I saw your post about [topic] and thought you might find this article interesting." Or: "Congratulations on your new role! I'd love to hear how it's going." Give first. Ask later. Use LinkedIn to build relationships before asking for anything. Don't send a connection request and immediately ask for something. Instead: → Engage with their posts (thoughtful comments, not just "Great post!") → Share their content when it's relevant → Send a message just to catch up, no agenda Build the relationship over time. When you do reach out, make it easy for them. Don't say: "Can I pick your brain?" Say: "I'd love to hear about your experience at [Company]. Would you be open to a 20-minute coffee chat? I'm happy to work around your schedule." Be specific about what you're asking for and respect their time. Schedule "informational coffee chats" instead of calling it networking. Reframe it in your mind. You're not networking. You're: → Learning from someone's experience → Having a conversation about your industry → Building a relationship with someone interesting Take the pressure off yourself. Follow up and stay in touch; don't just reach out when you need something. After the conversation: → Send a thank you note within 24 hours → Share an article or resource they might find useful → Check in every few months (congratulate them on wins, share updates) Stay on their radar in a genuine way. The best networking doesn't feel transactional. It feels like building real relationships with people you respect. And those relationships? They're the ones that actually lead to opportunities. Save this post so you're ready to network without the awkwardness.

I loved what Ian shared in this CNA commentary. Some really pertinent and accurate observations. However, there was one recommended suggestion that I personally struggle with: 'connect with users directly and ask them out for coffee.' ☕ 👩🏫 As someone who teaches final-year grad students (& post-grad students and working adults) about professional networking — covering situational awareness, conversation skills, and follow-up etiquette — I’ve shifted my approach somewhat in the last 18 years. A decade ago, I encouraged 'coffee meetings' as a way to connect. 💡 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐈 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. 𝐖𝐡𝐲? 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. My email inbox (both LinkedIn and work) fills weekly with kind coffee invites. If volume equaled consumption, I’d need five cups a day!!!! ❤️ 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫: I deeply value helping others — it’s why I teach, mentor mothers, and run a social enterprise. But like many professionals juggling work, family, and commitments, scheduling 1:1 chats is often unrealistic. 📝 𝐀 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆’𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒕. 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈. When reaching out, consider these alternatives: 1️⃣ 𝐀𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: Explicitly say "I know you’re busy" or "Zero pressure to respond." 2️⃣ 𝐁𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜: Vague requests = higher mental load. State exactly what you want (e.g., "15 mins," "2-3 ideas on how to reach out to the sustainability industry"). 3️⃣ 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐭: "If this isn’t a good time, I completely understand!" 4️⃣ 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Offer help, resources, or genuine appreciation 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 5️⃣ 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦: Suggest text/voice/email instead of live chat/ coffee meeting (𝘔𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦!!!) ⏳ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐞𝐭: We’re asking for someone’s time and insight—𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫. How we frame it matters. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖?