How to Score a Meeting with a LinkedIn Connection You’ve Never Met

What’s the best way to approach setting up a meeting with a LinkedIn contact you haven’t met yet?

I have professional connections in my LinkedIn network that, for one reason or another, I just haven’t had a chance to create a rapport with. I’m sure you do too.

But when there is an opportunity to build on one of these relationships, I take it!

This usually means reaching out to an acquaintance I don’t really know. Essentially, a stranger. And I’ve learned in order for these meetings to come to fruition you need to approach them the right way.

Here are a few things I have found effective that will earn you points and score a one-on-one with a LinkedIn contact you’ve never met.

Check your connections

If you have contacts in common reach out and see if they may facilitate a personal introduction on your behalf. Ask them to put in a good word and see if they’ll offer insights into the person you’re looking to approach.

Do some research

Learn more about the individual you want to meet with and use the information to your advantage. Do you share a common interest or participate in a similar hobby or both belong to the same LinkedIn groups? Bonding over something mutual from the beginning is a great opener.

Personalize your request

When you are requesting your meeting use the opportunity to reinforce how you know each other and highlight something in particular. This makes more of an impact and will help you stand out.

Show your value

It’s not just what they can do for you, you must be able to add value to them as well! Once you understand your own worth and what you bring to the table, you will discover ways to build better and stronger relationships, right from the start.

Mind your time

Everyone is super busy these days. Be mindful of your request and ask them to grant you just a small amount of time. For example, “I’d like to set up a quick phone call for 15 minutes to discuss this with you.” It goes a long way and shows you are being respectful of them and their schedule.

There could be a number of reasons why you may not have had the opportunity to forge a relationship yet with someone in your LinkedIn network. But setting up a meeting with them shouldn’t be a challenge. Take all of this into account in your approach — and you will find them saying yes to your invitation!

This post originally appeared on Quora