What do you do if you want to connect with influential figures in digital strategy?

Before reaching out to influential figures in digital strategy, clarify your objectives for connecting with them. Are you seeking mentorship, partnership opportunities, or insights into specific digital strategy challenges? Understanding your goals will help tailor your approach, making your outreach more focused and relevant. This clarity ensures that when you do make contact, you can articulate what you admire about their work and what you hope to gain from the connection, increasing the likelihood of a positive response.

- Reflect on how the individual's expertise aligns with your current challenges or projects, identifying specific areas where their input could be invaluable. - Consider long-term objectives, like building a mentorship relationship or gaining insights into emerging digital marketing trends they're known for. - Tailor your outreach by mentioning a piece of their work or a recent accomplishment that resonated with you, linking it to your goals for the connection. - If seeking feedback, be ready with specific questions or areas of your work you'd like them to review, showing preparation and respect for their time. - Outline a brief idea for potential collaborations that leverage your strengths, indicating a mutually beneficial partnership.

To connect with influential figures in digital strategy, I start by engaging with their content online, sharing thoughtful comments and insights on their posts. I also leverage platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to participate in relevant conversations, showcasing my own expertise and genuine interest. Attending industry conferences, webinars, and networking events provides opportunities for face-to-face interactions. I make it a point to follow up with personalized messages, expressing my admiration for their work and the desire to learn from their experiences. Building these relationships is about showing genuine interest and respect for their contributions to the field.

- Utilize advanced search features on platforms like LinkedIn to filter individuals by industry, role, and keywords related to your area of interest. - Analyze the content they share or create to understand their perspective on topics relevant to digital strategy, noting any recurring themes or opinions. - Check their participation in online forums, webinars, or panel discussions to gauge their areas of expertise and public engagement style. - Observe who they interact with and how they engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter, identifying potential networking opportunities or mutual connections. - Monitor the hashtags or groups they are active in to find broader communities of interest and additional networking targets.

Engaging with influential figures' content has been a fantastic way for me not only to get noticed but also to build valuable relationships. By interacting with their content, I've had the opportunity to directly connect with industry leaders, particularly in the digital strategy space. Reading their articles, adding comments, and contributing to discussions have not only increased my visibility in the industry but also laid the foundation for meaningful relationships. These interactions have not only expanded my knowledge but also allowed me to develop closer connections with key individuals in the industry. As a result, I've built a network that keeps me informed and has been pivotal in advancing my career.

No matter how busy my schedule, I always appreciate the time, effort (and courage!) it takes for someone to message. My top 4 tips for success: 1) Be polite. Ensure names and titles are correct, and use them. 2) Explain why you're contacting this person, and why them specifically. If possible, mention a piece of their work or a mutual connection ("I enjoyed your recent article on...", "You worked with my colleague, X, in..."). Make this relevant to your ask where possible. 3) State your ask. Be specific. "Do you have any recommendations for X in Y area?" is better than a vague "How do I improve my digital strategy?" 4) Respect expertise. Pay in thanks for a small ask but expect to pay currency for a larger ask (e.g. consultancy). Good luck!

- After your initial interaction, find ways to regularly engage with their content by commenting, sharing, or expressing your thoughts in a meaningful way. - Offer insights or resources that align with their interests or recent discussions, demonstrating your value and genuine interest in the relationship. - If a meeting or collaboration occurs, follow up with a thank you note expressing your appreciation for their time and insights, possibly suggesting next steps or future collaboration ideas. - Celebrate their achievements or milestones by congratulating them on social media or through a personal message, strengthening the connection.