In a recent LinkedIn post, Devisahny shares a candid account of how they built a professional network from the ground up after moving to Singapore with no existing connections. Dispelling the myth of effortless success, Devisahny details the practical, often unglamorous, steps that proved effective over eight years and two companies.
The core of Devisahny’s advice centers on a pragmatic approach, moving away from generic requests towards specific, actionable engagement. They highlight the common pitfall of asking for too much time from strangers.
“Never ask for ‘a coffee’ or to ‘pick your brain.’ Too broad – nobody owes a stranger an hour. Ask for one tiny thing regarding your niche they can answer in two minutes: ‘Hi ___, just moved to Singapore and trying to understand the K12 market. Is [specific thing I believe] roughly right, or am I missing something obvious?'”
The Importance of Specificity and Boldness in Outreach
Devisahny emphasizes that initial outreach should be concise and targeted, requiring minimal commitment from the recipient. This approach, they argue, respects the recipient’s time and increases the likelihood of a response. Instead of broad requests, Devisahny advocates for pinpointing a specific question that can be answered quickly.
Furthermore, Devisahny offers a counter-intuitive strategy: reaching out to competitors. This bold move is framed not as a threat, but as an opportunity for future collaboration and mutual understanding.
“Reach out to your #1 competitor. Tell them: ‘I’m building something like yours. Maybe it’ll be bigger, maybe smaller – who knows. But one day we’ll be competition. Let’s find a way to work together.’ Go in with confidence. Be bold.”
Networking as a Numbers Game and Relationship Builder
A significant portion of Devisahny’s post addresses the reality of networking as a numbers game, particularly for those starting with little leverage. They assert that a low reply rate is not a personal rejection but a statistical outcome.
As Devisahny notes, “Networking is a numbers game. 1 in 5 is the real reply rate. So I sent more. Anyone telling you ‘just send a thoughtful note and they’ll reply’ has never been a nobody DMing from an account with 200 followers. Most won’t write back. That’s not rejection – that’s maths.”
This perspective encourages persistence and resilience, reframing the experience of ignored messages as a predictable part of the process.
From Transaction to Friendship
Crucially, Devisahny stresses that the initial interaction should not be a prelude to a pitch. Instead, the focus should be on building a genuine connection and friendship. This long-term perspective, they argue, is often overlooked.
The Power of the Follow-Up
The follow-up message is identified as a critical element in transforming a fleeting interaction into a lasting relationship. Devisahny explains that demonstrating that you have acted on their advice and reporting back on the outcome is key to building trust and rapport.
“When someone replies, do NOT pitch. Build a friendship instead. This is the bit almost everyone skips. Play the long game.”
Devisahny illustrates this with an example: after thanking someone for their advice and implementing it, the follow-up message should detail the results. This shows you valued their input and are serious about your endeavors.
Seeking Specific Introductions
Instead of asking for a general introduction, Devisahny suggests a more targeted approach: asking for the name of one specific person to connect with. This makes the request more manageable and actionable for the person being asked.
Devisahny concludes by emphasizing that these strategies require no financial investment, fancy resume, or impressive headshot – only resilience and patience. They encourage those currently sending messages into the void to persist, noting that even with a high volume of daily DMs now, they still maintain a practice of sending five cold messages daily, underscoring the enduring importance of proactive networking.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Devisahny on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on June 2, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →