Instagram may still be the best platform to slip into DMs.
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November 18, 2020 4 min read
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Lately, LinkedIn has been the dominant platform when it comes to online networking. While it’s a great place for people to socialize, it’s not always suited to reflect the nuanced and organic networking needs of smaller entrepreneurs. Some Facebook Messenger users still have the “secret inbox” where unwanted messages die, and TikTok only allows DMs from people who are already followers. However, Instagram’s latest message filtering system increases the likelihood that your message will be read. Here are some tips on how to maximize Instagram for networking opportunities.
1. Make sure your profile is up to date
Think about it like this. What do you do when someone sends you a friend request? They browse their profile to find out who they are. Your recipient will do exactly the same thing. So first take a close look at your profile and ask yourself if this is how you want to be represented to whoever you want to network with. Make sure your profile includes all of the information necessary for a brief online follow-up such as: B. Your biography, city and occupation. As our attention spans keep getting shorter, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to get a sense of who you are. Hence, everything you want to know should be readily available. A well-written, detailed profile will help you identify yourself before hitting this button.
Related: How To Use Instagram For Your Business
2. Curate your profile with the recipient in mind
Treat your profile like your portfolio. What should your recipient see first? Whatever it is, you have to get that right. For many, this means that posts on their Instagram profile are deleted or completely reorganized. The idea here is to save them from scrolling through your feed to find out who you are and what services you offer. Therefore, your top tier should achieve three things: provide context for the nature of your work, establish authority in your work, and show social evidence.
3. You must first enter the work
Before contacting a direct message, you must first establish a relationship so that your message is not perceived as spam. Spend some time looking for people you admire and with whom you would like to develop a working relationship. Follow them for a couple of days. Comment on posts and add them to the discussion. By providing meaningful and insightful observations, your name and profile will stand out from the sounds of other people who may be trying to network with them. Keep going until they interact with your likes and comments. That way, you are more likely to get a response when contacting a DM.
4. Pitch etiquette
Make your message short and to the point. It’s easy to get lost in politeness and flattery. For brevity, just mention who you are, what you offer, and then conclude with an open invitation to speak. Something like “Hey [recipient]I am also a [occupation] Who does [service]. Let me know if you would be interested [offer.]“Make it sound personal rather than something that you keep copying and pasting. Then maybe the hardest part comes: waiting. If you don’t get a response within a day or two, sending a follow-up message is tempting, but just be patient. Give him at least a week before sending another message. If you never get an answer, don’t pout. Just use Instagram’s Don’t Send feature and try again.
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