5 steps for meeting a stranger on LinkedIn

I’m not very outgoing online, but a lot of other people are.

Within the past few weeks, I’ve had two women on LinkedIn send me messages asking whether they could meet with me and talk about my career. (One I’d met briefly at a networking event; the other was a complete stranger.)

If I ever get the nerve to ask someone out for coffee on LinkedIn, here’s what I learned from their approach.

Write something nice

How should you approach someone you’ve never met, but want to talk to? Flatter them! How could I say no to this message?

I am inspired by your success and wonder if you would be willing to speak with me. When you get a chance, please let me know if you’re available to set up a call. I am very flexible and am happy to work around your schedule. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and help me. I know your time is valuable and I greatly appreciate it. I am also a writer!

Value time