---
name: linkedin-networking
description: |
  LinkedIn networking, engagement strategy, speaking opportunities, collaborations, and
  strategic commenting. Covers relationship building, the 5x5x5 pre-posting method,
  first-hour engagement tactics, collaboration formats, and speaking pipeline management.

  This skill should be used when the user wants to build their network, find speaking opportunities, collaborate
  with other thought leaders, improve their commenting strategy, or optimize their
  engagement routine.

  Triggers on: "speaking opportunities", "conference speaking", "collaboration", "co-author",
  "build my network", "networking strategy", "commenting strategy", "5x5x5", "engagement routine",
  "connection request", "find collaboration partners", "content partnership", "call for speakers",
  "CFP", "talk proposal", "first hour", "pre-posting engagement", "LinkedIn DM", "outreach message",
  "message someone on LinkedIn", "reach out to", "weekly content prep".
---

## Networking Domain

This skill covers everything related to building relationships on LinkedIn -- strategic engagement, collaborations, speaking opportunities, and network growth.

---

## Commands

| Command | Purpose | When to Use |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| `/linkedin:speaking` | Speaking opportunity pipeline | Finding and landing talks |
| `/linkedin:collab` | Collaboration orchestration | Co-creating with other leaders |

## Agents

| Agent | Model | Responsibility |
|-------|-------|----------------|
| `network-builder` | Sonnet | Strategic networking + outreach |
| `engagement-coach` | Haiku | 5x5x5 + first-hour tactics |
| `comment-strategist` | Sonnet | CEA commenting + target selection |

---

## Strategic Engagement Framework

Engagement isn't what you do after posting -- it's what enables successful posting.

### The 5x5x5 Pre-Posting Method

**15-20 minutes BEFORE you post:**
1. Identify 5 people whose audiences overlap with yours
2. Find their recent posts (last 24 hours)
3. Write 5 thoughtful comments (15+ words each)

**Why this works:**
- Primes these people to see your post in feed
- Warm start vs cold start posting
- Algorithmic favor from recent activity

### The First-Hour Battle Plan

**Pre-Post (15 minutes before):**
- Complete 5x5x5 method
- Post when target audience is active

**0-15 minutes after posting:**
- Respond within 5 minutes to first comments
- Add value in responses (not just "thanks")

**15-60 minutes after posting:**
- Continue responding to all comments
- Ask follow-up questions to deepen conversation

**What 15+ engagements in first hour looks like:**
- 8-10 thoughtful comments
- 3-5 shares
- 2-3 profile visits with connection requests
- This triggers algorithmic acceleration

For comprehensive engagement tactics, see `references/linkedin-growth-playbook-2025-2026.md`.

---

## Commenting Strategy (CEA Method)

### The CEA Framework

**C**onnect -- **E**xpand -- **A**sk

1. **Connect** to the original post's point (show you read it)
2. **Expand** with your own experience or insight (add value)
3. **Ask** a follow-up question (invite dialogue)

### Comment Quality Tiers

| Tier | Length | Value | Example |
|------|--------|-------|---------|
| Low | <10 words | None | "Great post!" |
| Medium | 10-30 words | Some | "Good point about X. I've seen this too." |
| High | 30-80 words | High | CEA framework with original insight |
| Premium | 80+ words | Very high | Mini-essay that adds significant value |

**Target:** 80% High/Premium tier comments.

### Who to Comment On

1. **Peers** -- Same follower range, same niche (mutual benefit)
2. **Aspirational** -- 2-5x your followers (visibility play)
3. **Rising stars** -- Growing fast in your niche (early relationships)
4. **Content you genuinely care about** -- Authenticity above all

---

## Strategic Collaborations

Collaboration accelerates growth most in the 5,000-25,000 follower range.

**Minimum thresholds:**
- 1,000+ followers
- 3+ months consistent posting
- Clear expertise area

### Collaboration Formats

| Format | Effort | Impact | Best For |
|--------|--------|--------|----------|
| Cross-commenting | Low | Medium | Starting relationships |
| Co-authored post | Medium | High | Shared audience growth |
| Live event/panel | High | Very high | Authority positioning |
| Interview series | Medium | High | Content + networking |
| Content swap | Low | Medium | Testing partnerships |

For collaboration strategies, see `references/collaborations-guide.md`.

---

## Speaking Opportunity Pipeline

### Speaker Readiness Assessment

Before pursuing speaking, ensure:
- Established expertise (3+ months posting)
- At least 2-3 signature topics
- Strong speaker bio and headshot
- Talk abstracts ready

### Pipeline Stages

1. **Discovery** -- Find conferences and CFPs in your niche
2. **Positioning** -- Create speaker-specific LinkedIn content
3. **Outreach** -- Submit proposals and build organizer relationships
4. **Preparation** -- Content development and rehearsal
5. **Amplification** -- Pre-event and post-event LinkedIn content
6. **Follow-up** -- Convert speaking into ongoing opportunities

---

## Network Building Strategy

### Connection Request Framework

**Cold outreach template:**
1. Reference their specific content (shows genuine interest)
2. State what you have in common
3. Be specific about why you want to connect
4. Keep under 300 characters

### Weekly Networking Routine

| Day | Activity | Time |
|-----|----------|------|
| Daily | 5x5x5 pre-post engagement | 15-20 min |
| Mon/Wed/Fri | Comment on 5 new connections' posts | 10 min |
| Tuesday | Send 3-5 targeted connection requests | 10 min |
| Thursday | DM 2-3 existing connections with value | 10 min |
| Weekly | Review and plan next week's targets | 15 min |

---

## Common Patterns

**User: "How do I get invited to speak?"**
1. Assess speaker readiness
2. Search for relevant conferences/CFPs
3. Create speaker positioning content
4. Generate talk abstracts and bio
5. Build outreach templates

**User: "I want to collaborate with other thought leaders"**
1. Identify potential partners with scoring
2. Suggest appropriate format for relationship stage
3. Generate outreach messages
4. Plan joint content

---

## Reference Files

| File | When to Read |
|------|--------------|
| `references/collaborations-guide.md` | Partnership strategy |
| `references/linkedin-growth-playbook-2025-2026.md` | Engagement deep-dive |
| `references/engagement-frameworks.md` | Engagement mechanics |
| `references/first-comment-strategy.md` | First comment optimization |
| `references/opportunity-generation.md` | Opportunity pipeline |