LinkedIn Icebreakers: Building Meaningful Connections After Virtual Conferences
Connecting on LinkedIn after a virtual conference? You're not alone.
Networking on this platform can be daunting, with countless messages filling inboxes. Make your approach stand out by starting with an engaging icebreaker question.
Picture this: I've just returned from an electrifying journey at the Nonprofit Marketing Summit #RadicalImpact! Three days packed with networking and learning, surrounded by a dynamic crowd of kindred spirits.
Now, let me give you a sneak peek into my post-conference buzz. I'm the kind of person who's always experimenting, so I tested a bunch of icebreakers to connect with fresh faces. And guess what? The results were beyond inspiring.
I'm talking about striking up conversations with over 50 incredible individuals and forming 150 new LinkedIn connections. But here's the cherry on top: I'm about to share one of my top-performing icebreakers with you.
Welcome to this week's installment of our blog series, where we explore icebreakers for sparking meaningful conversations in various scenarios. This time, we're focusing on LinkedIn, particularly for those who've attended a virtual conference.
LinkedIn is an incredible platform for networking, and these icebreakers will help you connect with potential collaborators, mentors, or partners in a meaningful way.
Remember, the key is building rapport, discovering shared interests, and eventually achieving your networking goals. Let's dive into some icebreakers tailored for post-conference LinkedIn connections.
Foster a Meaningful Connection
Crafting these LinkedIn icebreakers is about fostering meaningful dialogue. They're designed to lead to a greater understanding of each other's work, opening the door for mutually beneficial connections. Remember, it's not just about getting a response; it's about building a foundation for a fruitful relationship.
Here are some hot tips to improve your response rate:
Start Light: Begin with a hashtag question for an engaging icebreaker that sparks conference-related conversation.
Prepare Experiences: Plan your responses to potential questions using interesting information from the conference to make them more engaging.
Plan Implementation: Ask about post-conference plans to show interest in their projects and strategies.
Seek Mutually Beneficial: Inquire about promotions that benefit both parties' networks, fostering a win-win connection.
Create Content: Create an engaging LinkedIn post using the hashtags you received to showcase your new connections. Remember to thank the conference organizers and sponsors by tagging them in your post!
First, introduce yourself on LinkedIn.
Before diving into icebreakers, it's essential to kick off your conversation with an introduction message. Mention where you came across their Profile attending the same conference. This initial step sets the stage for a more engaging interaction.
How do you send a personalized invitation on LinkedIn? Follow these steps to send a personalized connection request with a message:
Navigate to the Profile: When you're on the LinkedIn profile of the person you want to connect with, click the blue "Connect" button.
Select "Add a Note: After clicking "Connect," a new window will pop up. In this window, select the option that says "Add a note."
Say "Hello [instert name]: By taking the time to personalize your connection request, you demonstrate your genuine interest in connecting and engaging in meaningful conversations.
Icebreaker intro (max 300 charachters):
"I want to connect with you. I saw your LinkedIn in the [Conference name] conference room [Room] chat. What would be the perfect hashtag to encapsulate your experience? #ConferenceHashtag Looking forward to networking. Cheers, [First Name]
Why I Ask This Question:
This playful icebreaker invites your connection to reflect on their conference experience. By asking for a hashtag, you gain insight into their thoughts and initiate a conversation about the conference's key takeaways.
Vote by Comment: Which is your favourite follow-up icebreaker:
Vote by responding inline and telling us which icebreaker question is your favourite.
Have any surprising 'aha' moments influenced your approach after the conference?
Do you have a practical idea in mind that you're excited to implement?
Are you working on any exciting strategies to promote your latest project digitally?
Are you promoting anything that would benefit my network?
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Check out last week’s Icebreaker for Aliens
Icebreaker 1: 'aha' Moments
Have you had any enlightening 'aha' moments that have impacted your approach since the conference? I'm curious to hear about any surprises that may have shifted your perspective.
Why I Ask This Question:
Even the best conference is full of noise, product plugs, and fluff. This question helps you break through the noise and find the theme or idea that strikes the deepest cord. This open-ended question gives your new connection the freedom to guide the conversation towards what truly matters to them.
Follow-up questions:
How is the 'aha' moment relevant to your overall strategy?
How do you plan on making use of this new information?
Icebreaker 2: Practical Implementations
Do you have an electrifying idea just waiting to be brought to life? I'm all ears! I'd love to hear about a practical concept that motivates you to make a real-world impact.
Why I Ask This Question:
This question cuts to the heart of actionable insights gained from the conference. It encourages your new connection to share tangible plans, providing a glimpse into their proactive approach. By discussing practical implementations, you foster a conversation that's not just about abstract concepts but about turning ideas into reality.
Follow-up questions:
What steps are you taking to bring this idea to life?
Have you encountered any challenges in planning the implementation?
Icebreaker 3: Digital Project Strategies
Have you come up with any cool plans to boost your newest project in the digital world? I'm intrigued to learn about your innovative approaches to online promotion.
Why I Ask This Question:
Effective online promotion can make or break a project's success in the digital age. This question taps into the realm of modern marketing, allowing your conversation partner to share insights about adapting to the digital landscape. Exploring their strategies gives you valuable perspectives on staying relevant and engaging in a tech-driven world.
Follow-up questions:
What platforms or channels are you focusing on for your digital promotion?
How do you measure the success of your digital strategies?
Icebreaker 4: Mutual Benefits
Do you have anything exciting going on that you think my network could benefit from? I'm all about finding opportunities that can help us both out. Let's collaborate and make some magic happen!
Why I Ask This Question:
Networking is about more than just one-sided interactions. This question establishes a foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship by acknowledging the potential for collaboration. It shows your genuine interest in their endeavours while opening the door for possibilities to support each other's goals.
Follow-up questions:
Are there any upcoming events or campaigns you are excited about?
Are there specific ways we could collaborate for mutual growth?
Check out this poll I ran after attending my last conference. I compiled the most popular hashtag responses and even tagged all the profiles I interacted with the most. It was a great way to drive engagement to your profile by keeping the conversations going.
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In Conclusion
LinkedIn networking is about nurturing connections that benefit both parties. Start with a hashtag and delve into topics pertinent to your goals. These icebreakers help you stand out in the sea of messages, laying the groundwork for a truly meaningful and valuable connection.