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Avoiding the Dreaded “IDK” : Connecting Outside Your LinkedIn Network

April 16th, 2009

(This approach is the opposite of Open Networking – although nothing wrong with that – just a different way of accomplishing the same thing.)

It’s easy to find just the right people you want in your network - a good Google seach and a bit of digging and you can have 5 to 500 names in about 10 minutes.

But none of them are in your network! Now what!

Let’s say I’m a new lawyer recently graduated from UCLA and working in international law and I’m looking for possible referrals for business people looking to trade with China

LinkedIn is perfect.

Here’s what I do.

Google has several “query strings” that are actually the basis for the advanced search - for me it’s just quicker to type these query strings directly into the search box- and I can also refine the search past “advanced search”.

Step 1:

1. I start by telling Google that I want to search a specific site “Linkedin.com”

site:linkedin.com/in

Adding the /in after the .com will limit the search to people and exclude companies, directories etc.

2. Then I add the keywords associated with the job description or job title of the person I’m looking to connect with. Put these words in “quotes” and Google will only return listings that have that exact word combination.

site:linkedin.com/in  “international trade”

3. Then I restrict it to a geographical area.

site:linkedin.com/in  “international trade” “Los Angeles”

4. I add “China”

site:linkedin.com/in  “international trade”  “Los Angeles” China

Results:

This search brought up 208 excellent people who might become clients or possible refer clients to me.

Results 1 - 10 of about 208 from linkedin.com/in for “international trade” “Los Angeles” China

A few too many to sort through so I’ll add “University of California, Los Angeles” my example’s alma mater. School affiliations are great starting points with people you don’t know.

I added the exact language from LinkedIn so I wouldn’t get only UCLA grads.

Results 1 - 10 of 10 from linkedin.com/in for “international trade” “Los Angeles” China “University of California, Los Angeles”.

You figure out how to mix and match to get the best search combination.

Now I have a number I can quickly run though pick a couple of possible connections and go to step 2.

Step 2:

1. I find the people that I have the most in common with that might be potential clients or who might be able to refer someone to me. Remember I also have to be of some value to them. 

2. I go their website and find their email address

3. I email them with this in the subject line “I would like to connect with your on LinkedIn but don’t want the dreaded IDK”.

You can fashion your own subject line with your own style and substance, maybe something you both have in common (UCLA). Just be natural and honest.

4. The body of the email is very brief, just asking to connect and listing my LinkedIn address. I do say why we both might get value from the connection, but I also say that if you’d prefer not to connect it’s no problem.

Between 1/3 and 1/2  of the people will connect with me because I have taken the time to find out a little bit about them and show them the value I might bring.

But if not,  you’ve lost nothing and you didn’t get the dreaded “IDK”!

PS: There are a lot of specific queries that Google uses. Email if you have a very specific person you are trying to connect with and I’ll put together a query string for you. Just let me know how it works!

Have a question? Please feel free to call me at 206-335-6162 (in Los Angeles) or email me at John@marketoneweb.com. Thanks!


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