Networking via LinkedIn for Contract Work
1. People You Know
2. People You Do Not Know
People You Know
Step 1: Create a List of 10-15 people you know who you want to tell about your new
contracting/consulting endeavor. These should be people who might be able to help you with referrals
and recommendations.
Step 2: Draft a short message explaining what your plans are, what you are looking for and how they
might be able to help. See example below.
Step 3: Don’t forget to follow up!
For example:
Dear Name:
I trust this email finds you well and the difficulty of the recent pandemic has not impacted you or your
business in a serious capacity.
I’m writing to reconnect since it’s been some time since we last spoke and, as someone I trust, I wanted
to share a bit with you about what I’ve been up to since I left XYZ Company.
I recently incorporated my own consulting businesses, BUSINESS NAME, and was able to secure two
clients via referrals from my network who I have been serving on a part time, remote contract basis in
XYZ capacity. This journey has taught me a great deal about what I value (and do not value) from a
career perspective.
Come September, I will likely have some bandwidth to take on a new project, so I ask that you keep me
in mind should someone in your network be looking for a X consultants with X skillset or who can solve Y
problem.. While my experience over the last 10 years has been focussed on X, Y and Z, I am keen to
explore XYZ industries (or XYZ contact opportunities) where I can fulfil my desire for XYZ, but also utilize
the many years of successful X experience I’ve amassed so far.
I know how busy things can get for you, so thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing back from
you to hear how things are progressing for you in a personal and professional capacity and perhaps if
there’s anything I can do to support you.
Warmest regards,
Name
Phone number + email
People You Do Not Know
When it comes to networking for a job, we do not actually network for a job. We network for Advice,
Information, Referrals and/or Recommendations (ie AIRR)
Work on creating an AIRR Table (see below) based on the information you need and are looking for from
your extended network of connections.
Here’s some helpful information on how to craft your outreach message:
Check out the “LinkedIn for Advanced Networking & Business Development” webinar for more
information. Sign up through the Thrive Marketplace.