The Lonely Starting Point – Zero Network, Zero Clue
When I first started thinking about working globally, I had absolutely no network. Not just a small network—literally zero. No friends abroad, no LinkedIn connections outside my country, no mentors who had international experience. I was staring at a blank map of the world, emotionally and professionally. The isolation was both geographic and psychological.
My Early Myths About Global Networking
In those early days, I believed global networking was only for people with elite backgrounds—Harvard grads, MBA holders, or people who had studied abroad. I thought you had to speak perfect English, dress like a TED speaker, and already have international clients.
I would spend hours scrolling LinkedIn, reading about people working at Google, Amazon, or big consulting firms in Europe and the US, wondering: “How do they even get there?” I felt small, like an outsider looking through a glass wall.
First Painful Attempts: Cold Emails and LinkedIn Messages
My first strategy was simple but ineffective: I sent cold LinkedIn connection requests to random people with international job titles. Almost nobody responded. Worse, the few replies I got were generic or dismissive. I didn’t know how to write a compelling outreach message, and frankly, I didn’t know what I wanted from these people besides “help.”
I joined online forums for international job seekers, but most conversations were full of noise: “What visa do I need?” “How do I pass an English interview?” Few people talked about building real relationships.
The Emotional Dip: Self-Doubt and Paralysis
After months of failure, I hit a mental low point. I wondered if I was just wasting my time. I started questioning my own value. “Why would anyone abroad want to connect with me? What do I even bring to the table?” My self-confidence shrank.
This was the most dangerous phase: the emotional dip. Many people give up here. I almost did too.
The Turning Point – Shifting from Desperation to Value Creation
What saved me was a mindset shift. I stopped focusing on “getting something from others” and started focusing on “creating value for others.”
Small Acts of Contribution
Instead of cold messaging people asking for favors, I began engaging publicly:
- Commenting thoughtfully on posts from global professionals.
- Writing LinkedIn posts about what I was learning (even small things).
- Sharing book summaries or translating useful resources from Japanese to English.
Suddenly, people noticed. A few started replying to my comments. Some liked my posts. This was microscopic progress—but it was progress.
Targeted Community Involvement
Next, I identified niche communities aligned with my interests:
- Remote work Slack groups.
- Digital Nomad Facebook groups.
- Industry-specific online meetups (for tech, design, or project management).
I joined discussions, attended virtual events, and offered help where I could. Even if I didn’t know much, I’d answer questions, share links, or just cheer others on.
Building Social Proof
After three months of this, I noticed something new: people started reaching out to me. Small requests for advice, invitations to webinars, or even freelance offers from abroad.
I also improved my LinkedIn profile to clearly state my international goals and highlight projects with global relevance, even if small.
First Wins and Scaling Up – From One Connection to Global Projects
The first real breakthrough came when I got invited to collaborate on a remote project with a startup based in Singapore. They had noticed my consistent LinkedIn posts and my involvement in digital nomad communities.
That first project was small—just a one-month freelance contract—but it was transformational. I finally had my first international client.
From One to Many
After that, my network grew organically:
- Referrals from that first project led to others.
- Former clients introduced me to their network.
- I started getting invited as a speaker for online events on topics like “How to Break into Remote Work.”
I also began hosting my own small online meetups for people who wanted to build a global career from non-English speaking countries. This gave me even more visibility.
Managing Impostor Syndrome
Even with these wins, the feeling of “Do I really belong here?” stayed with me for a long time. But each project, each new connection, became a small proof point that I was indeed becoming part of the global professional community.
I realized: Nobody starts with confidence. Confidence is a result of repeated action + small external validations.
Your Playbook for Building Overseas Connections
Now that you’ve read my story, here’s the playbook I wish I had from day one. This is for anyone starting with zero global network but dreaming of international collaboration.
Phase 1: Mindset Reset
- Stop thinking “What can I get?” and start thinking “What can I give?”
- Your first goal is not a job. Your first goal is visibility and trust.
- Accept that rejection and silence are part of the process.
Phase 2: Micro Visibility
- Comment on 3-5 LinkedIn posts per day from global professionals.
- Publish short posts weekly sharing your learning journey.
- Offer value: summaries, translations, or insights from your unique perspective.
Phase 3: Community Involvement
- Join 2-3 online communities relevant to your industry or goals.
- Attend at least one virtual event per month.
- Volunteer for small roles (moderator, note-taker, etc.).
Phase 4: Targeted Outreach
- Don’t mass-connect. Personalize every outreach.
- Focus on relationship-building, not favor-asking.
- Example outreach template:
“Hi [Name], I really enjoyed your recent post on [Topic]. I’m starting my journey toward working internationally and found your insights valuable. If you’re open, I’d love to follow your work and learn more.”
Phase 5: Document and Share Your Journey
- Share your small wins publicly.
- Turn lessons into posts, threads, or videos.
- Let people see your progress—it makes you more approachable.
Phase 6: Expand Through Collaboration
- Once you land one small project or client, overdeliver.
- Ask for testimonials.
- Stay in touch with former collaborators—they are your future network.
Final Words
You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need elite credentials. You don’t need flawless English. You need consistency, generosity, and the willingness to be visible even when it feels uncomfortable.
Start small. Stay consistent. And your network will grow faster than you think.
If I did it starting from zero, so can you.
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