Networking for Marketing Experts

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 Does the thought of networking make you feel like you're just selling yourself? It's time to flip the script. Here’s how to network effectively without feeling 'salesy': 📍Seek Depth, Not Numbers Forget about amassing contacts. Harvard Business Review suggests that meaningful, in-depth conversations are far more beneficial than a vast network. 📍Become a Master Listener Effective networking is less about talking and more about listening. Show genuine interest in others' stories and challenges. This approach not only builds stronger connections but also makes your interactions more engaging. 📍Lead with Value Always offer help before asking for anything. According to LinkedIn, 80% of professionals believe that networking is most effective when both parties gain something from the exchange. 📍Customize Your Connections Skip the generic connection requests. Reference specific details about how you met or a topic you discussed. This personal touch transforms your approach from transactional to meaningful. 📍Make Memorable Follow-ups After meeting someone, follow up with something relevant from your discussion. Whether it's an article related to a topic you spoke about or a simple congratulation on a recent achievement, personalized follow-ups make you stand out. 📍Engage Thoughtfully Online Interact with your connections' content by sharing insights or thoughtful comments. This keeps you visible and valuable, enhancing your network's strength without overt selling. 📍Embrace the Long Game Remember, effective networking builds over time. Stay consistent and patient—American Express reports that 40% of executives credit networking for their success. 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩: 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩, 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨. 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨. ---------------------------------- Follow Surya Vajpeyi for more such content💜 #EffectiveNetworking #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalNetworking

B2B brands…please, please be careful who you work with on influencer marketing. B2B influencer marketing is NOT the same as B2C influencer marketing and VERY few firms have experience in this realm. As someone who sits on both sides of the table, I have a unique perspective on this. At Zen Media, we’ve been running B2B influencer marketing campaigns for over a decade. Long before it was a thing. And, as an author and keynote speaker, I’ve been tapped as an influencer for multiple brands. I see the good, the bad, the ugly. Here’s how B2B influencer marketing is DISTINCTLY different from B2C influencer marketing. 👉 The pool is smaller and they know each other. Do you know why there isn’t a massive directory of b2b influencers? Because, if you really look at it, there are only a handful of right choices for any given b2b company. And, they all talk. 👉 The best advocates for your brand do not consider themselves “influencers.” They are leaders, authors, speakers, and thought leaders. They have a following but they aren’t amassing followers. Please read that last line again. 👉 They make great influencers because they are trusted sources. I only accept 5% of the companies that ever approach me to partner because my first responsibility is to my community. Most B2B influencers are equally as picky. 👉 Anyone who works in B2B knows it’s a relationship game. You cannot approach B2B influencers in a transactional fashion. When I get a giant pitch deck from a brand laying out their campaign requirements, I immediately know they have never worked with B2B influencers. 👉 Establish a cadence. If you really want to succeed at B2B influencer marketing, look to create a cadence with influencers. The brands we’ve seen the most success with don’t do one-offs. They invite them to keynote, co-create a podcast, fireside chat with their leadership…it is a much more strategic play. 👉 You cannot micro-manage them. You want to leverage their credibility, their reach, their voice. Not have them parrot your corporate script. 👉 It’s still incredibly underrated. It’s one of the few spaces left where you can have outsized leverage. Research shows that B2B clients consider sponsored 3rd-party or co-branded content more trustworthy than content from a vendor. To make this distinction sharper, I propose calling B2B influencers what they are - advocates. Perhaps this distinction will help guide how we approach this very unique type of marketing. #b2bmarketing #b2bpr #influencermarketing #b2binsights #b2binfluencermarketing

Build connections when you don’t need them, so they’re there when you do. Networking is a long‑term investment. You never know what can happen tomorrow, whether it’s a new opportunity, an unexpected challenge, or a career pivot. By cultivating relationships early, you turn strangers into allies and potential into possibility. My pro‑tip? Develop your personal value proposition. 
- List your top 3–5 strengths and concrete examples of how you’ve helped others 
- Turn each into an “I help…” statement (for example, “I help marketing teams drive engagement through data‑driven storytelling”) 
- Use these statements to guide every outreach, ensuring you’re always offering value, not just asking for favors Then start from what you know. 1. Choose 5–10 people from your alumni network, former classmates, or close colleagues 2. Send a genuine note, share an article they might find helpful, congratulate them on a recent win, or simply ask how you can support them 3. No agenda. Just curiosity and a willingness to help Next, venture into the unknown. 1. Identify people at companies you admire or in roles you aspire to 2. Do your homework: reference a recent project, article, or speaking engagement 3. Reach out with a clear, value‑first message: “I enjoyed your piece on X; as someone looking to Y, I’d love to learn how you approached Z.” And keep the momentum going. 
- Schedule quarterly reminders to check in, share insights, celebrate milestones, or ask a thoughtful question 
- Track key dates (promotions, product launches, anniversaries) so your messages feel timely Your network matters. When you need advice, an introduction, or anything really, you’ll already have authentic connections. And at the end of the day, already built connections where you can leverage the relationships > dry unknowns ‘Hey, I need help’ messages. #StephSynergy

If I had to run a B2B influencer program from scratch, here’s how I’d approach it... 1. Start with “why” I’m a firm believer that every campaign needs to ladder up to your team and org OKRs. And no, “our competitors are doing it” isn’t a good enough reason. Think about: → Are you trying to drive pipeline, awareness, or retention? → Who are you targeting and which B2B creators already hold influence in that space? → How will you measure success in a way that actually matters? 2. Build your influencer ecosystem I’ve always said and I’ll say it again, especially for enterprise organizations, pairing an external influencer program with employee advocacy is the best approach. Work with external creators to drive awareness and reach while empowering your internal brand ambassadors to build credibility and trust from within. The best programs do both. 3. Co-create, don’t just sponsor The strongest partnerships are built on collaboration, not transactions. When developing briefs, either co-create with select creators or give them room to put their own spin on the story. You’ll get more authentic, engaging content and a partner who’s genuinely invested in the outcome. 4. Launch a pilot campaign Start small and experiment. Our first campaign was just that, a test. With a modest budget, we wanted to validate if partnering with creators could actually move the needle on performance (spoiler: it did). 5. Measure relationships, not just reach Don’t just stop at conversions. Instead, look at: → Earned mentions: How many people are organically talking about your campaign? → Sentiment lift: Are brand perceptions shifting in your favor? → Engagement: who’s in your comment section? → Search visibility: are you ranking better for relevant topics or LLMs? Building a B2B influencer program isn’t about borrowing someone else’s audience, it’s about building a trusted network around your brand. Start small, learn fast, and focus on relationships that compound over time.

When I started building Vavo Digital | Influencer Marketing three years back, I had the knowledge and passion for marketing, but the connections I made with influencers, brands, and fellow entrepreneurs really scaled my business. How? Instead of just throwing business pitches at influencers or brands, I took the time to connect with them on a personal level. I engaged with their content, gave genuine compliments, and showed I genuinely cared about their success. The result? They not only became partners but also became advocates, spreading the word about my agency and opening doors to new opportunities. Here's how you can start building meaningful relationships to scale your business: 1/ Forget small talk at networking events! Look for genuine connections with people who share your passion and values. 2/ Always pay it forward. We're all in this together! Success isn't just about personal achievements; it's also about lifting others up. Whether it's offering advice or sharing resources, be generous and help others succeed. 3/ Connect with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. It'll broaden your horizons and bring fresh opportunities your way. 4/ Invest in long-term relationships because relationships aren't one-time deals; they're ongoing investments. Take the time to nurture connections with your clients, and team members and always keep in touch not just for business. 5/ Every interaction is a chance to learn something new. Stay humble, stay curious, and soak up knowledge from everyone you meet. There's always something to gain, whether it's from seasoned pros or fellow entrepreneurs just starting out. In short, relationship building isn't optional—it's essential. That's why I have a separate team dedicated to building relationships with influencers and brands. What's your take on relationship building in this space? #influencermarketing #marketing #agency

Dear Digital Marketers, The market doesn't wait for anyone. Either you evolve or you become irrelevant. After 18+ years in this industry, one pattern is clear. The marketers who keep learning are the ones who keep winning. Here's what works for me: 1. Be active where conversations happen - LinkedIn for professional brand building and industry conversations - Reddit, Inc. (r/SEO, r/bigseo) for unfiltered discussions from real practitioners - The SEO Community Slack group by Noah Learner for daily help, tools, and peer support 2. Blogs worth reading daily - Google Search Central Blog for updates straight from Google - Semrush Blog for step by step SEO and marketing guides - Ahrefs Blog for data backed experiments and case studies - Search Engine Land for breaking industry news - Backlinko for long form, no fluff strategies - Search Engine Journal for daily search news coverage 3. Newsletters worth subscribing to - #SEOFOMO by Aleyda Solís for the best weekly SEO news roundup - Noah Kagan's Newsletter for marketing growth tactics - Moz Top 10 for the 10 most valuable SEO reads every two weeks - Growth Memo by Kevin Indig for connecting SEO to real business results - seonotebook.com by Steve Toth for quick tactics you can use the same day - SEOForLunch by Nick LeRoy for no fluff weekly SEO updates - TLDR Marketing by Saijo George for a 5 minute daily marketing summary - Search Engine Journal Newsletter for algorithm updates and AI search news 4. People worth following - Noah Learner for local SEO, automation, and community building - Aleyda Solís for international SEO and technical audits - Lily Ray for Google algorithm updates and content quality analysis - John Mueller for clearing up SEO myths directly from Google - Barry Schwartz for real time search industry reporting - Rand Fishkin for audience research and search strategy - Chris Long for AI search research and technical deep dives - Marie Haynes for Google penalty recovery guidance - Tim Soulo for practical, data driven SEO thinking - Cyrus S. for short tested tips that actually work 5. Show up in person Attend meetups and conferences like brightonSEO, Ahrefs Evolve, and local meetups like Ahmedabad Digital Marketing Meetup (ADMM) in Ahmedabad. The relationships you build face to face open doors that no algorithm can. Consistency separates marketers who survive from marketers who lead. What's one resource that helped you grow? Drop it in the comments.

"𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘 𝗠𝗬 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗥?" Every week, I get asked, "Will you be my mentor?" Often, this question comes from people I've not met, which makes it somewhat awkward. Here's a fail-proof formula I've used for finding and approaching mentors effectively. Step 1: Have Clarity on Your Goals This clarity helps you identify potential mentors who can truly propel you forward. Your goals don't need to be long-term; they can be something immediate you need help with. Step 2: Start with Your Network Look within your existing network or extend to professionals you admire but haven't met yet. This could be through introductions or shared connections. Mentors don't always come with years of experience over you; peers can be just as insightful. Template Sentence: "I’ve noticed we share a common connection with [Mutual Connection’s Name]. I really admire how you handle [specific skill or achievement], and I’d love to learn from you about this." Step 3: Make a Specific Ask When reaching out, be specific and respect their time. Request a brief conversation, no longer than 30 minutes, focusing on a specific area where their expertise is evident. Template Sentence: "Your skills in [specific area] are truly inspiring. Could I have 30 minutes of your time to understand more about how you developed these abilities and to get your feedback on [specific topic]?" Step 4: Follow Up (The Most Important Step) Post-discussion, always follow up with a thank you message outlining how their advice helped you. This shows appreciation and reinforces the value of their guidance. Template Sentence: "Thank you for your invaluable advice on [topic discussed]. I applied your suggestions at [specific instance], and it made a significant difference. I’m very grateful for your help." Step 5: Continue the Relationship Mentorship isn’t a one-off interaction but a series of meaningful exchanges. Continue to engage your mentor with relevant questions and updates about your progress. Template Sentence: "I’ve recently faced a challenge similar to what we discussed before. Could I get your perspective on this new situation?" Avoid directly asking, "Will you be my mentor?" Instead, build the relationship through respectful, meaningful interactions, and always value their time and input. What's worked for you in seeking mentorship?

I’ve been having lots of conversations about LinkedIn for events from organisers wanting to drive visibility and engagement, to exhibitors heading to upcoming tradeshows, and everyone in between. Whether you’re hosting, exhibiting, or attending LinkedIn can help you get more out of every event: ✨ More visibility 🤝 More connections 📈 More business outcomes Yet LinkedIn is often underused in the event space. A one-and-done post. A quick thank you. A flurry of activity... then silence. But here’s the thing: the event isn’t the beginning and it shouldn’t be the end. To get the most value, LinkedIn should be part of your strategy before, during and after the event. Here’s how to make the most of it: 🌠 1. Be LinkedIn Event Ready Your profile and company page shape your first impression often before anyone meets you. They should tell a clear, credible story that aligns with your event involvement. Organiser Tip: Create a LinkedIn Brand Kit for your speakers, exhibitors, and team – banners, hashtags, talking points, and example posts. Exhibitor Tip: Use an event-themed banner to show your stand details or branding. 🌠 2. Build Relationships Before the Event The most valuable connections rarely start cold on event day. The lead-up to the event is prime time to increase visibility, build familiarity, and position yourself as someone worth connecting with or visiting at the stand. Organiser Tip: Spotlight speakers, exhibitors, and sessions early and use tags to amplify. Exhibitor Tip: Shortlist people you want to meet - clients, prospects, collaborators, media and start connecting early. 🌠 3. Maximise the Event Experience Use LinkedIn to take people behind the scenes, amplify moments as they happen, and make your presence visible to those who couldn’t attend. Organiser Tip: Have someone live post from the floor, tagging participants and sharing session soundbites. Exhibitor Tip: Make it easy for people to connect with you it creates immediate pathways to keep the conversation going. 🌠 4. Keep the Momentum Going This is the stage where most people go quiet, but this is when the real relationship-building begins. Use LinkedIn to keep the conversation going. Share your takeaways. Follow up with new connections. Repurpose content into future posts. Organiser Tip: Share a highlight post and set the stage for what’s next even a “Save the Date” works. Exhibitor Tip: Send a personalised follow-up message referencing your chat. 🌟 Key Takeaways LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools you have to extend your event beyond the room. It allows you to build relationships before the first handshake, stay visible throughout the event and strengthen credibility and connection long after the banners are packed away. And if you'd like support to develop your own LinkedIn event strategy that's more than one and done, I’d love to help. Because showing up is just the beginning. #linkedin #events #eventmarketing

Nik Sharma might be the 🐐 of influencer marketing. Here are 18 of my favorite lessons from Nik on the power of influencer marketing + the right way to approach it as a brand: 1. By partnering with influencers, brands are able to integrate their products into a relevant community with a high conversion rate at a relatively low cost. 2. Fans expect influencers to promote products they care about. 3. Most influencers only want to work with brands that they believe in and promote products on their social channels that they would use. 4. More than 41% of consumers get more interested in a brand when they partner with a celebrity or influencer they love. 5. Traditional brands follow this template: Select the influencers. Give them free products + discount code. Pay them for a sponsored post. This approach is purely transactional and sets up the influencer marketing campaign for failure. 6. The goal of influencer marketing shouldn't be to pay them for sponsored content. Instead, you should develop a meaningful relationship that is beneficial for both parties. 7. Successful influencer partnerships are based on trust—not reach. 8. If brands are so focused on their return on investment, they can overlook the value social media influencers provide. 9. The best influencer marketing campaigns are multi-faceted. 10. Successful influencer marketing campaigns build brand loyalty, decrease customer acquisition costs, and enable marketers to track influencer-driven impact on a performance level. 11. By forging a relationship with the influencers you’re working with, they’re more likely to post about your brand without you even having to ask. This content is more native than the old-fashioned branded content with #ad front-in-center in the copy. 12. You need to find influencers with audiences that is closely aligned with your target market. 13. Find influencers who believe in your product. If they don’t, the content they create won’t resonate. 14. Offer to provide your product to the influencer to test before they have to commit. 15. When you work with an influencer that truly believes in your brand and appreciates your product, the content that they create is gold. 16. Don’t solely focus on the number of followers they have or their content, but rather, pick influencers that have a high engagement rate and have values, goals, and ethics that align with your brand. 17. Brands that treat influencers as partners as opposed to paid marketing channels will see the value in their campaigns. To take this approach, brands need to work collaboratively and focus on long-term gains rather than short-term revenue. 18. By selecting the right influencers, crafting your pitch, and maximizing your success, you’ll get more out of the partnership than a one-time increase in sales. You’ll get an entirely new audience to work with and an ambassador that’s sharing your product in effective, engaging ways. #influencermarketing #niksharma #marketing

Networking sabotage. The art of ruining relationships and how to avoid it. 7 networking blunders you can’t afford to make: 1. Mistake: ↳ Lack of networking strategy Solution: Plan your connections to align with long-term goals. Pro Tip: Build relationships daily with key industry leaders first. 2. Mistake: ↳ No message in connection requests Solution: Always include a personalized message. Pro Tip: Reference mutual interests or events for better rapport. 3. Mistake: ↳ Oversharing irrelevant information Solution: Keep your communication relevant and concise. Pro Tip: Focus on what truly matters to your recipient. 4. Mistake: ↳ Making it all about you Solution: Prioritize their needs and interests, not your own. Pro Tip: Ask thoughtful questions to understand their challenges. 5. Mistake: ↳ Focusing on quantity over quality Solution: Invest in fewer, more valuable relationships. Pro Tip: Engage deeply with connections aligned with your goals. 6. Mistake: ↳ Not nurturing relationships Solution: Maintain consistent, meaningful contact. Pro Tip: Share useful resources to keep relationships fresh. 7. Mistake: ↳ Neglecting to offer value before asking Solution: Give something before you ask for favors. Pro Tip: Share helpful insights or connect them with valuable contacts. +1 My personal favorite: Sales offer 5 minutes after connecting... Whether the offer is relevant or not… Networks take time to build. Great networks even longer. Success comes from thoughtful connections. Effort to nurture them matters most. Daily. Small actions strengthen ties. Are you building connections or just collecting contacts? And what about the 7 mistakes?