{"id":29070,"date":"2021-01-08T12:00:55","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T17:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/blog\/the-dos-and-donts-of-connecting-with-professionals-on-linkedin\/"},"modified":"2021-01-08T12:00:55","modified_gmt":"2021-01-08T17:00:55","slug":"the-dos-and-donts-of-connecting-with-professionals-on-linkedin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/blog\/the-dos-and-donts-of-connecting-with-professionals-on-linkedin\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dos and Don’ts of Connecting with Professionals on LinkedIn"},"content":{"rendered":"

T<\/span>here are\u00a0<\/span>more than<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>3<\/span>0,000 ICF-<\/span>c<\/span>redentialed coaches<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>around\u00a0<\/span>the world. With the plethora of competing\u00a0<\/span>non-credentialed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>coaching<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>businesses,\u00a0<\/span>it is<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>essential for\u00a0<\/span>credentialed coaches\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>do<\/span>\u00a0all they can\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>differentiate\u00a0<\/span>themselves\u00a0<\/span>from others.\u00a0<\/span>Building and maintaining relationships<\/span><\/a>\u00a0with the media\u00a0<\/span>is a<\/span>\u00a0key\u00a0<\/span>step to\u00a0<\/span>leverage the\u00a0<\/span>credibility that comes with\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ICF credential and\u00a0<\/span>showcase<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0your brand to grow your\u00a0<\/span>coaching business<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking<\/span>\u00a0the first step\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>ward<\/span>\u00a0cultivating a mutually beneficial relationship<\/span>\u00a0with the media<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>comes<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with a few challenges<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Often at the top\u00a0<\/span>of the list is\u00a0<\/span>w<\/span>ho<\/span>\u00a0to contact<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0how<\/span>\u00a0best<\/span>\u00a0to reach them<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>While email\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>typically<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>used<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0for initial media outreach,\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>also<\/span>\u00a0is<\/span>\u00a0a helpful resource\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>connect with\u00a0<\/span>journalists\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>begin<\/span>\u00a0the process that can lead to<\/span>\u00a0a lasting\u00a0<\/span>bond<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Here are three tips for using this social media platform to elevate your\u00a0<\/span>coaching practice<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Make\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Strategic\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Connections<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you begin contacting reporters<\/span>\u00a0on LinkedIn<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>it is\u00a0<\/span>important\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>do<\/span>\u00a0some<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>research<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>ensu<\/span>re\u00a0<\/span>you<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can\u00a0<\/span>make<\/span>\u00a0a positive first\u00a0<\/span>impression<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Consider\u00a0<\/span>w<\/span>hich<\/span>\u00a0publications reach\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>potential clients<\/span>. Don\u2019t try to engage with any<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or every\u00a0<\/span>journalist or media outlet you can find.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Being focused<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can help<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>spark\u00a0<\/span>positive engagement<\/span>s\u00a0<\/span>for you and\u00a0<\/span>your<\/span>\u00a0business.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As you\u00a0<\/span>narrow your research,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>create<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>media list<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>pay<\/span>ing special<\/span>\u00a0attention to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>subject<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>covered by the journalists you want to reach out to.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Before reaching out,\u00a0<\/span>r<\/span>ead<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>their<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>published<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>articles\u00a0<\/span>to learn their writing<\/span>\u00a0style and\u00a0<\/span>interests. This will help you\u00a0<\/span>consider\u00a0<\/span>newsworthy<\/span>\u00a0story<\/span>\u00a0angles to share<\/span>\u00a0when yo<\/span>u<\/span>\u2019re<\/span>\u00a0ready to send a pitch<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Also,\u00a0<\/span>t<\/span>ake<\/span>\u00a0note of\u00a0<\/span>the post<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0they\u00a0<\/span>share<\/span>\u00a0with their\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn\u00a0<\/span>connections<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>other influencers\u00a0<\/span>in their network<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Those posts<\/span>\u00a0may<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>provide<\/span>\u00a0additional insights\u00a0<\/span>into<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>how to successfully\u00a0<\/span>start your outreach<\/span>\u00a0and build your relationship<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>For example, noting in your first outreach that you enjoyed a prior<\/span>\u00a0story can at least give the\u00a0<\/span>journalist\u00a0<\/span>confidence you have done your\u00a0<\/span>homework.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Send\u00a0<\/span><\/b>G<\/span><\/b>eneric\u00a0<\/span><\/b>P<\/span><\/b>rivate\u00a0<\/span><\/b>M<\/span><\/b>essage<\/span><\/b>s<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Once you investigate\u00a0<\/span>the appropriate medi<\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0outlets<\/span>\u00a0and journalists to include in your outreach<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0send\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>personalized\u00a0<\/span>invitation<\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0<\/span>private\u00a0<\/span>message<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0Personalization is key.<\/span>\u00a0If you\u00a0<\/span>do not<\/span>\u00a0have a<\/span>n established connection<\/span>\u00a0with the contact, always include a note in your\u00a0<\/span>message\u00a0<\/span>that<\/span>\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0<\/span>how\u00a0<\/span>your interests align and t<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>unique\u00a0<\/span>value you can\u00a0<\/span>offer\u00a0<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>resource and\u00a0<\/span>member of\u00a0<\/span>their LinkedIn network<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Journalists always are looking for\u00a0<\/span>experts and\u00a0<\/span>individuals they can interview.\u00a0<\/span>Keep<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>your first note<\/span>\u00a0short<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0friendly<\/span>\u2014<\/span>don\u2019t<\/span><\/i>\u00a0use this outreach\u00a0<\/span>to try to pitch a story idea<\/span>\u00a0but do let them know you\u00a0<\/span>have something to offer that aligns with\u00a0<\/span>their interests<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Before you send an\u00a0<\/span>actual story\u00a0<\/span>pitch<\/span>, take the time to build rapport.\u00a0<\/span>Compliment the journalist<\/span>\u00a0on their\u00a0<\/span>articles and\u00a0<\/span>reply<\/span>\u00a0with your insights when\u00a0<\/span>appropriate<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0This will\u00a0<\/span>show the reporter that\u00a0<\/span>you recognize<\/span>\u00a0their\u00a0<\/span>work and\u00a0<\/span>that you\u00a0<\/span>have<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>something meaningful to offer, rather than<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>reaching out\u00a0<\/span>solely\u00a0<\/span>with a request.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Do:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Join\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Targeted\u00a0<\/span><\/b>LinkedIn Groups<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to reaching out to journalists directly, joining\u00a0<\/span>relevant\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span>\u00a0groups<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>will help you cultivate relationships<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Strat<\/span>egic<\/span>ally\u00a0<\/span>e<\/span>ngage<\/span>\u00a0with other grou<\/span>p\u00a0<\/span>member<\/span>s<\/span>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/span>become more familiar with\u00a0<\/span>the reporters\u00a0<\/span>covering<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>coaching profession<\/span>\u00a0and related topics<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Share your thoughts<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on\u00a0<\/span>industry<\/span>\u00a0developments<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>so\u00a0<\/span>journalists can<\/span>\u00a0view you as a valuable subject matter e<\/span>xpert\u00a0<\/span>they can\u00a0<\/span>turn to\u00a0<\/span>when an opportunity for a story arises.\u00a0<\/span>This may involve writing a short article of your own and posting\u00a0<\/span>it to the group\u2019s page.\u00a0<\/span>Surely there are many other members of the\u00a0<\/span>group, so take advantage of this opportunity to stand out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Expand Your Netwo<\/span><\/b>rk and Business Through LinkedIn<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

With COVID-19\u00a0<\/span>dominating the current media landscape, it can be daunting to\u00a0<\/span>secure<\/span>\u00a0media attention<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It is possible,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>h<\/span>owever,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>begin a dialogue and foster a relationship\u00a0<\/span>if\u00a0<\/span>you take strategic actions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>LinkedIn<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>offers\u00a0<\/span>unique<\/span>\u00a0opportunity<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>build<\/span>\u00a0connections with\u00a0<\/span>reporters<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>who<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>can\u00a0<\/span>elevate\u00a0<\/span>your\u00a0<\/span>coaching expertise\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>new audiences<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are\u00a0more than\u00a030,000 ICF-credentialed coaches\u00a0around\u00a0the world. With the plethora of competing\u00a0non-credentialed\u00a0coaching\u00a0businesses,\u00a0it is\u00a0essential…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":12269,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"How to Connect with Professionals on Linkedin","_seopress_titles_desc":"Expand your network by learning how to connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Get practical tips to build valuable relationships in the blog.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"audience-type":[115,118,124,120,122,125,117,113,114],"display-option":[],"post-type":[128],"topic":[64,100],"_person-tax":[1985],"class_list":{"0":"post-29070","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"hentry","7":"audience-type-coach-educators","8":"audience-type-experienced-coaches","9":"audience-type-icf-chapter-leaders","10":"audience-type-internal-coaches","11":"audience-type-managers-leaders-using-coaching","12":"audience-type-mentor-coaches","13":"audience-type-new-coaches","14":"audience-type-professional-coaches","15":"audience-type-team-and-group-coaches","16":"post-type-blog","17":"topic-business-development","18":"topic-marketing","19":"_person-tax-1985","20":"not-partnership-post","33":"_person-tax-27899","34":"has-featured-image"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29070"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29070\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"audience-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/audience-type?post=29070"},{"taxonomy":"display-option","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/display-option?post=29070"},{"taxonomy":"post-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post-type?post=29070"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=29070"},{"taxonomy":"_person-tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coachingfederation.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_person-tax?post=29070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}