The purpose of a 15 min virtual coffee with connections on LinkedIn

A 15-minute virtual coffee on LinkedIn serves several purposes, especially in professional networking and relationship building:

1. Strengthen Connections-It’s a casual way to maintain or deepen relationships with people in your network. Unlike formal meetings, it’s informal and focused on personal rapport.

2. Explore Opportunities-These conversations often uncover potential collaborations, partnerships, or job opportunities that wouldn’t surface in a purely transactional interaction.

3. Share Knowledge-You can exchange insights about industry trends, best practices, or career advice. It’s a quick way to learn from others without committing to a long meeting.

4. Build Trust-Regular, informal touchpoints help establish trust and credibility, which is essential for long-term professional relationships.

5. Stay Top of Mind-Networking is about visibility. A short coffee chat keeps you relevant in your connection’s mind for future opportunities.

6. Low Commitment-15 minutes is short enough to fit into busy schedules, making it easier for both parties to agree.

15-MINUTE VIRTUAL COFFEE AGENDA:

Minute 1–3: Warm Welcome-Greet them and thank them for taking the time.

• Share a quick personal or professional update (keep it light).

Minute 4–8: Mutual Background-Briefly introduce yourself (role, focus, current projects).

• Ask about their current role and what they’re working on.

• Look for common ground (industry trends, shared interests).

Minute 9–12: Value Exchange-Share a relevant insight, resource, or connection that could help them.

Ask an open-ended question like:

• “What’s the biggest challenge you’re tackling right now?”

• “What trends are you seeing in your space?”

Minute 13–15: Wrap-Up-Summarize key takeaways.

• Suggest a next steps (e.g., stay in touch, share resources, connect again in a few months).

• Thank them again for their time.

FREE VIRTUAL COFFEE TEMPLATES TO USE TO INVITE CONNECTIONS:

Template 1: Casual Networking

Subject: Virtual Coffee? ☕

Message:

Hi [Name],

I’ve really enjoyed following your updates on LinkedIn and thought it would be great to connect more personally. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute virtual coffee sometime next week? I’d love to learn more about your work and share insights from my side as well.

No agenda—just a casual chat!

Let me know what works best for you.

Template 2: Shared Interest

Subject: Quick Coffee Chat?

Message:

Hi [Name],

I noticed we share an interest in [specific topic/industry], and I’d love to hear your perspective on where things are headed. Would you be open to a short 15-minute virtual coffee?

I think it could be a great way to exchange ideas and stay connected.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Template 3: Post-Event or Common Group

Subject: Let’s Connect Over Coffee

Message:

Hi [Name],

It was great seeing your post about [event/topic]. I’d love to continue the conversation and learn more about your experience. Would you be open to a quick 15-minute virtual coffee?

I’ll keep it informal and flexible—just a chance to connect.

REMINDER – WHY ARE YOU ON LINKEDIN

LinkedIn’s primary purpose is to serve as a professional networking platform. Here’s what it’s designed for:

1. Build and Maintain Professional Connections-It helps individuals connect with colleagues, industry peers, recruiters, and potential business partners.

2. Showcase Your Professional Brand-You can display your experience, skills, certifications, and achievements through your profile. It acts like an online resume and portfolio.

3. Job Searching and Recruiting-LinkedIn is widely used by recruiters to find talent and by professionals to discover job opportunities. Features like LinkedIn Jobs and Easy Apply make the process seamless.

4. Share Knowledge and Insights-Professionals use LinkedIn to post articles, share updates, and engage in discussions about industry trends. It’s a hub for thought leadership and learning.

5. Business Development-Companies use LinkedIn for lead generation, marketing, and brand awareness. LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a tool for finding prospects and building relationships.

6. Learning and Skill Development-LinkedIn Learning offers courses to help users upskill and stay competitive.

In short, LinkedIn is not just a job board—it’s a platform for networking, personal branding, and professional growth.

Written by Derris Boomer CEO of BTGsi.com, 732-800-2058 | derrisboomer@btgsi.com Schedule a Meeting https://calendly.com/derrisboomer😊