Networking from IB to PE/VC - best practices

Hi all,

This may seem obvious to some of you but anyways, mastery only comes to those who seek it. 

I’m not in the US so didn’t have to network my way into IB. I am now trying to do it to move to the buyside, although in my market recruiting is driven by headhunters. 

What are some of the best practices and overall gameplan to network with strangers up until getting an offer, ie:

• During the initial LinkedIn reach out (what do you say? What is the goal of this email?)
• Do you get on a call with them, or just try and get them to pass along your CV?
• How do you structure this call?
• Any tips to get them to like you?

• Any follow ups after the initial call (if you don’t hear back or during the process)

  
  So far, the only real successes I’ve had with networking were through friend referrals. I’ve just started to reach out to funds that are recruiting to push my CV and clearly the hit rate wasn’t nearly as good as from referrals. This is definitely expected but welcome any advice to improve. 
  
  Additionally, is there anything you can do to really differentiate in people’s inbox and increase your hit rate ? (Ie do you attach a list of potential investments in your first email?)