Instead of typing, send partners and clients 2-3 minute voice memos via text. This practice fosters a deeper, more personal connection by conveying human tone and emotion, creating strong business relationships even without frequent live conversations.

View personal content on LinkedIn not as unprofessional, but as the digital equivalent of real-world conversations with colleagues or clients, which naturally mix personal and professional topics. This approach builds rapport and humanizes your brand, but must be balanced with credibility-building professional content.

Saying "congratulations" when someone shares good news is passive and has little effect. Instead, use "active constructive" communication. Ask specific questions that show you understand their achievement and prompt them to relive their victory. This technique builds stronger bonds by making the other person feel truly seen.

A single point of personalization is no longer enough. To be effective, layer multiple signals in one message: reference a conversation with a colleague, mention their current tech stack (e.g., a competitor), and quote their own LinkedIn profile bio. This depth proves you've done your homework and stands out from AI-generated messages.

The founder advocates for being a "fountain, not a drain." He uses "soft touchpoints"—like texting a screenshot of a partner's ad seen in public—to stay top-of-mind without asking for anything. This builds genuine, non-transactional connections that pay dividends when a real "ask" is eventually needed.

The most profound and lasting professional relationships are not built at networking events. They are forged either during high-stakes professional crises, like a difficult negotiation, or through collaborative efforts to give back and nurture others in the ecosystem.

New digital forms of affection have emerged beyond traditional love languages. 'Pebbling' (sending small, thoughtful content like a Zillow link) and 'Phonecting' (sharing phone content side-by-side) are intentional acts of attunement that build connection, challenging the idea that all screen time is isolating.

Sharing personal life experiences succeeds on LinkedIn only when linked directly to professional life, business learnings, or workplace statistics. Audiences over-index on purely personal updates that lack relevance to work, whereas framing personal life within professional lessons deepens genuine connection.

Approach online networking with the mindset of a host, as designer Charles Eames suggested. Instead of asking what you can get from others, focus on what you can offer. Create artifacts, share knowledge, or host events to naturally attract community and opportunities.