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5 Tips for Sending a Great Professional Direct Message (With Templates)

5 Tips for Sending a Great Professional Direct Message (With Templates)

5 Tips for Sending a Great Professional Direct Message (With Templates)

5 Tips for Sending a Great Professional Direct Message (With Templates)

by Luke Strauss 07/10/2021

Over the past couple decades, the way that people communicate with each other has changed drastically. Not only have text messages become more popular than phone calls, but email has lost popularity with the rise of direct messages, or DMs.

Today, direct messages are an essential part of professional networking. Recruiters and other professionals are using platforms like LinkedIn to build relationships, communicate and recruit talent, making it more important than ever to understand how to navigate the direct message networking terrain.

 

 

How Are Professional and Social Media DMs Different?

Since the DM format is commonly used both in social media and in professional networking, you may be wondering how DM etiquette differs in each virtual context.

 

LinkedIn is a particularly unique platform, as it combines professionalism with social media. It’s the only popular networking platform where it’s considered perfectly appropriate to connect with professors and employers as well as friends.That said, it can be a challenge to strike an appropriate balance between professionalism and casual communication.

Direct messages Talentese

Photo by dole777 on Unsplash 

 

 

How to Send a Proper Direct Message

While you may already feel confident in your ability to send a reply-worthy DM, it’s never a bad idea to refresh yourself by going through a checklist ahead of time. Whether you’re preparing to reach out to a recruiter or a fellow professional in your field, here are some tips to keep in mind.

        1. Start by Engaging with Their Content

        One of the best ways to put yourself on someone’s radar is to interact with the content they post. While a “Like” or a similar reaction is a kind gesture, consider commenting on their post explaining why you resonated with it or simply to thank them for posting. This is a great way to make yourself stand out before you even reach out.

        That said, remember not to engage with everything they post. This may come across as invasive and pushy, so it’s best to only engage with what you genuinely appreciate.

         

        2. Learn More About Your Recipient 

        Your recipient has an informative profile – take a look! You can learn a lot about someone by skimming over the experiences they’ve shared on their page. This is also an easy way to see if you have anything in common with them, which may be a great conversation starter.

        Remember that your recipient will likely be thinking the same thing. If they see a message from you, they may want to investigate who you are. Be sure to keep your profile polished and up-to-date so that you come across positively to them.

        3. Personalize Your Message

        Expect your message to be one out of a hundred that your recipient has in their inbox – what will you do to stand out? Rather than starting your message with a generic opening, try to personalize it to your recipient. 

        Consider stroking their ego by bringing up something they’ve written or figuring out something you have in common with them and opening with that. Personalizing is a great way to both capture attention and build a stronger relationship right off the bat.

        4. Get Right to the Point

        Your recipient doesn’t have all day to meander through a whole inbox of lengthy direct messages. Your message should grab attention and get right to the point as quickly as possible. That way, you will be far more likely to receive a response.

        After your recipient responds and invites a longer conversation, it’s okay to make your messages a bit longer. Initially, however, aim for no more than 4-5 sentences.

        5. Proofread Your Tone

        Your recipient doesn’t have all day to meander through a whole inbox of lengthy direct messages. Your message should grab attention and get right to the point as quickly as possible. That way, you will be far more likely to receive a response.

        After your recipient responds and invites a longer conversation, it’s okay to make your messages a bit longer. Initially, however, aim for no more than 4-5 sentences.

        Professional Direct Message Templates

        Sending the perfect DM is not an easy task, so here are some templates to consider following the next time you’re cold messaging someone.

         

        Template #1

        “Hi [NAME],

        I read your piece on [XX] and really valued your take on [XX] because [XX].

        Since you’re highly experienced in [XX], I wanted to gauge your interest in [XX].

        Let me know what you think!”

         

         

        Template #2

        “Hi [NAME],

        I noticed from your profile that you were a PolySci major at [SCHOOL]. I was also a PolySci major at [SCHOOL] – always great to meet people with common backgrounds!

        I value the work you’re doing in [XX] and wanted to see if you would be interested in [XX]. 

        Looking forward to hearing from you!”

         

         

        Template #3

        “Hi [NAME],  

        Thanks for sharing that great resource on [XX]. I found it super informative!  

        I noticed [COMPANY] is hiring new talent, and I’m interested in applying due to my experience in [XX]. 

        Would you be willing to answer some questions I have about the role? 

        Thank you!”

        Template #4

        “Hi [NAME],  

        I noticed that you recently completed a course on [XX] – how was that? I’ve been meaning to learn more about [XX]. 

        As a recent college grad, I’m looking for opportunities to expand my skill set in [AREA] and would love some tips regarding next steps. 

        Let me know if you’d be willing to hop on a quick call to discuss [XX] next week. 

        Thanks so much!”

         

        by Luke Strauss 07/10/2021

        Luke Strauss is a content creator at Siege Media. He primarily covers topics related to wellness and career development. When he’s not writing he enjoys exploring, making music and spending time with his friends and family.

        Luke Strauss

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        Growth of E-commerce Industry and related careers in the World

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        by Shruti Garg 16/04/2020

        Jack Ma, the founder of e-commerce giant Alibaba, waded into China’s anti-poverty campaign and considers the expansion of e-commerce as a strong step to eliminate poverty from the globe. Taobao, Alibaba’s platform, has helped more than 600 villages to become e-commerce hubs to improve the financial condition of the Chinese rural families. So, there must be a reason behind his actions and truly the rise of e-commerce has changed the global business scenario with a remarkable growth rate since the inception of e-commerce shopping platforms. 

         

         

        Types of E-commerce

         

        • Business-to-Business (B2B) – When a business sells its product to another business, it is called B2B transaction.
        • Business-to-Consumer (B2C) – When a business sells its product directly to the customer through their website, it is called B2C transaction.
        • Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) – In the C2C transaction model, the platform itself does not own or sell any products. It simply serves as the bridge between the consumer that is selling their product and the consumer that is buying the product. It builds a buyer-seller relationship.
        • Consumer-to-Business (C2B) – In the C2B model, Consumers act like contractors that will promote certain projects which allows them to bring value back to the business. An example can be made of social media They help businesses grow by promoting their products on their profiles.
        • Consumer-to-Administration (C2A) – This transaction model allows access for consumers to acquire information, make payments, and establish a direct line of communication between the government or authoritative body and the consumers it represents. 

         

        The Reasons Behind This Massive Success of E-commerce

         

        1.  Technology and Data-Driven Approach

         

        In the world of technology, it is pivotal to keep an eye on statistical data. Through a sound understanding of your customer’s needs and requirements, you will be able to take necessary steps in your e-store. Nowadays, with the help of analytics devices, you can track consumer behaviour when shopping through e-commerce stores. And, it is proven that right analytics can actually be beneficial for businesses that will drive sales crazily.

         

        2.  Convenient and Mobilized Version of Shopping

         

        Everything has become simpler with mobile phones. In today’s mobilized era, it has become a vital task to match the user requirements. Whether you are a start-up or an established entrepreneur, having a strong online presence is must to generate sales of your business. People love to shop online nowadays to avoid all that shopping hassles and E-Payments are also becoming a popular payment medium to buy products. Cross-border shopping is also a popular choice. Many online shopping websites in USA provide great deals on cross-border shopping.

         

        3.  Rise of Subscription-Base Selling

         

        Want to increase user interest in your e-store? Want to keep them engaged and updated with your e-store? Promoting a subscription-based selling process can be beneficial as consumers are always looking for some new offers or profits and modern options.  Providing subscription based services to consumers has proven to be a sound management and leadership skill and can definitely arouse excitement in the whole shopping experience.

         

        4.  Videos Related to Shopping and Products

         

        Don’t we all love to watch those shopping videos? Videos of products (product reviews, hauls, gadget reviews) on e-commerce sites are going viral. It is attracting more customers. Customers get a better idea and understanding of a product by seeing a video. Visual illustrations are always a better choice.

         

        5.  Virtual-Reality Shopping

         

        With the advent of technology, tools and skills, E-Commerce businesses are making giant investments in providing a Virtual Reality world for the customers for their shopping requirements. People are going crazy with the 3D world while checking a product on e-stores.

         

        6.  Discounted and Convenient Products

         

        Let’s be honest here. E-commerce websites provide huge and amazing discounts that no offline store can ever imagine providing. Along with discounted rates, they provide hassle free delivery and their return or exchange policies are extremely convenient.

         

         

        Career in E-commerce

        There has been a growing trend of youngsters seeking career advice and aspiring to build careers in the E-commerce industry. Working in the e-Commerce industry exposes you to all aspects of a business. These include: marketing, setting prices, customer support, team culture, supply chain management and customer acquisition among others. It  is a good way to learn managerial skills that you can use later in other fields of business.

        Another silver lining that this industry provides is for the work from home new moms, who opt to start the second innings of their careers by setting up small yet high quality outlets like that for home crafts, cooking products or home decor tips etc. With the advent of global connectivity and sound digital marketing, a small venture can gather rave reviews and become an internet rage within no time. Innovation and quality is what matters in the end.   You move away from the tangles of complications like employer-employee, salary slip, unpaid leaves etc, and in a way become an enterprise of your own. You can scale up or down entirely based upon your own requirements and convenience.

        The trend of online shopping is blossoming like wild flowers in today’s time.  This is simply because the usage of mobile devices is rising at an unstoppable rate and more than 3.4 billion people are internet users. Hence, online shopping is the first word that comes to any shopper’s mind when they hear “shopping”.

        On the whole, e-commerce promises to change the way we show, hire and do business in the long run.

        by Shruti Garg 16/04/2020

         

        Shruti Garg blogger Talentese

         

         

         

        Shruti Shruti Garg is an MBA graduate from TAPMI (Manipal) and is the founder-Director of a successful startup called Translationlight.com, which has business links in 24 countries from Asia and beyond. She regularly writes in areas of her interest, like the growing market trends and advent of digital marketing in today’s world.

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        by Chris Woodard 05/03/2020

        Business and finance are two of the most versatile disciplines that can land you great opportunities in many industries. Business and finance majors acquire valuable skills and knowledge that enable them to make a huge impact on any type of business. While many graduates dream of working in corporate and even in Wall Street, one industry that is often overlooked is construction.

        There’s no denying that the construction industry has a negative reputation for fresh graduates. Stereotypes reinforce the notion that construction jobs are dirty, stressful, and not really ideal for fresh graduates. The image of construction work that typically comes to mind involves groups of people in rugged boots and yellow hardhats discussing project plans or using heavy equipment. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to job opportunities in the construction industry. 

        Should you choose to enter construction, rest assured that there is a high demand for skilled and professional workers. In fact, many construction business owners are struggling to meet the rise in demand for more construction projects. With a huge chunk of the workforce retiring, construction firms need to train new employees and fill these jobs sooner rather than later. 

        If you are interested in pursuing a career in construction, here are some jobs that are well-suited for business and finance graduates. 

         

        B2B Account Executives

         

        If sales is your forte, the role of a B2B account executive is a good fit for you. Business-to-business (B2B) account executives represent the company in reaching out to prospective and current clients and offer solutions through their products and services. This role is perfect for business graduates because of their in-depth knowledge of sales processes as well as the methods for building a network. The responsibilities that you may have as a B2B account executive include:

            • Oversee the sales cycle, from looking for prospective clients to closing deals
            • Present products and services to prospective clients and respond to their questions
            • Provide after-sales support and resolve issues to maintain client loyalty

         

        Junior Project Managers

         

        Junior project managers assist their senior counterparts in ensuring the successful delivery of a construction project. This involves coordinating with owners, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to achieve project goals. Here are some of the duties of a junior project manager:

            • Oversee the flow of information from the owner to the concerned teams and other project participants
            • Assist senior project managers in supervising the tasks needed to complete a project
            • Develop plans for construction projects, including schedules, employee’s duties, and budget allocation

        Construction Marketing Specialists

         

        Construction marketing specialists help develop a construction firm’s marketing strategy, create marketing collaterals, and monitor marketing programs across multiple channels. This involves researching the market for profitable segments to target, estimating the demand for their firm’s products and services, and creating actionable plans to reach the target market. The duties of construction marketing specialists include:

            • Assist senior marketing specialists in looking for trends and identifying new marketing opportunities
            • Create marketing collateral and ensure that brand guidelines are met
            • Develop product and service proposals to aid in trade show projects and other lead generation activities

        Junior Business Analysts

         

        Business analysts aid construction firms in assessing different operational issues and providing solutions to address them. Fresh business graduates can join as junior analysts to aid senior counterparts in fulfilling both permanent and ad hoc tasks. Some of the business analyst roles in the construction sector and their duties are as follows: 

            • Sourcing Analyst – Create the profiles of potential contractors, suppliers, and vendors and analyze them for prequalification
            • Financial Analyst – Identify the financial status of a project by comparing and analyzing actual costs versus plans and forecasts
            • Payables Analyst – Oversee the entire accounts payable process, from the receipt of invoices to closing transactions
            • Disbursement Analyst – Analyze the company’s cash position and forecast long-term and short-term cash flow

        Junior Collections Specialist

         

        The construction industry is notorious for late payments and it is up to the construction business to be proactive in protecting their payment rights. Collections specialists are responsible for the management and collection of accounts receivables from clients as well as managing billing problems and reducing the rate of delinquent payments. They are also often responsible in ensuring that preliminary notices and liens are sent out to protect companies from lost revenue. Finance graduates can take on the junior collections specialist role and assist collections personnel in managing receivables. Some of the responsibilities of collections specialists include

            • Collect customer payments in accordance with the agreed-upon payment due dates. 
            • Make timely reminders to clients for receivables with near payment deadlines
            • Encourage clients to resolve delinquent accounts while keeping the company’s reputation for excellent customer service

        Job opportunities in the construction industry are on the rise. If you are a business and finance graduate currently looking for career opportunities, it is time to consider working in the construction industry. Depending on your skillset and your specialization, many of the jobs available to you can offer competitive salaries and a fulfilling career.

         

        by Chris Woodard 05/03/2020

        Chris Woodard is the Co-Founder of Handle.com, where they build software that helps contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers with late payments. Handle.com also provides funding for construction businesses in the form of invoice factoring, material supply trade credit, and mechanics lien purchasing.

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