Networking with thought leaders is a powerful way to boost your personal brand and gain visibility, credibility, and opportunities in your industry. But how do you connect with these influential experts and build meaningful relationships with them? Here are some tips to help you network with thought leaders effectively and authentically.
Before you reach out to any thought leader, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the interaction. Do you want to learn from their insights, collaborate on a project, or get a referral? Having a specific goal will help you craft a personalized and relevant message that shows your value and interest.
Get drunk with them and be extremely funny, audacious, and entertaining. So your personal brand of hilarious drunkard will be set in stone.
Building a target list of thought leaders without first understanding what you want achieve from the interaction is wasting time. Set your goals first, then build your list to get you to your goals. Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land & #KeepRockingLinkedIn! Kevin On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding?
Unlocking the power of thought leader networks demands laser-focused intention. Crystallize your aspirations - is it knowledge acquisition, collaborative synergy, or strategic advancement? Let this clarity sculpt your outreach, transforming it into a masterful overture that resonates with profound purpose and mutual value creation
Focus on building genuine connections and providing value, not just self-promotion. Goals should include: - Target: Identify a few relevant influencers and research their areas of expertise and preferred platforms. - Engage: Regularly interact with their content by offering insightful comments or questions. - Offer value: Share their work, write guest posts, or connect them with valuable contacts. - Nurture: Follow up periodically with relevant resources and keep the conversation going.
Once you have your goals in mind, you need to identify the thought leaders who align with them. You can use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Medium to find and follow experts in your field who share valuable content and have a large and engaged audience. You can also look for podcasts, blogs, or events where they appear as guests or speakers. Research their background, interests, and challenges, and look for common ground or gaps that you can fill.
Linkedin is a phenomenal platform to network your ambition! It is the #1 platform to build your brand and well as your community! One of the foundations is refining a message that educates, entertains, and inspires the audience to take action! ?? When your message is clear it will attract ?? others who believe what you believe! #LeadLoudly #bold #courageous #leadership
Elevate networking into an art form by meticulously researching your targets' narratives. Unearth their aspirations, challenges, and spheres of influence to forge profound connections transcending mere transactions. Thoughtful reconnaissance unveils symbiotic opportunities, allowing you to orchestrate an overture that harmonizes seamlessly with their paradigms.
One of the best ways to get on the radar of thought leaders is to engage with their content regularly and meaningfully. You can comment on their posts, share their articles, or mention them in your own content. But don't just praise them or agree with them; add your own perspective, ask thoughtful questions, or challenge their assumptions. This will show that you are genuinely interested and knowledgeable, and that you have something to offer.
Engaging with someone’s content is the best way to start a relationship with someone, but don’t be creepy. I’ve had someone comment on three posts, follow me, then follow me on other platforms and like a bunch of posts. It’s a bit too much too soon. The best way is to start with one conversation, be curious, and wait for their response before your next step.
Get started by taking the next step. If you have never liked a post, like one. ?? If you have never loved a post love one. If you have never found a post?? then find a post that is insightful. And??it. Now that you have done all of these begin commenting on posts. Seek to affirm or add value but if you know your subject don't be afraid to take a different way of how you see it. A good comment is "good post" anything is better than nothing. An even better comment is "Good post, I like how you..." Now that you've Liked and commented, try reposting the person's post. And with that, you can add you own comment. One of my most viewed posts of all-time was a reposting of another post. And the person was grateful that I reposted it.
One of the best ways to cultivate is a relationship is through conversation. Isn't that what coffee with a friend or a dinner date is? And now we have digital channels like LinkedIn or social platforms to engage in those conversations. Which makes it a whole lot easier. So take the opportunity to engage with their content when appropriate. It's important to be thoughtful with your responses, just like you would be in the offline world. In fact, if you think of each post as you would an offline conversation, the mix of questions, opinions, and perspectives becomes a lot easier to share.
Transcend passive consumption - immerse yourself in their ideas, challenge orthodoxies, and inject your unique perspective. Let your authentic voice catalyze a magnetic exchange, where insights collide and synergies spark. Thoughtful engagement is the genesis of relationships that redefine boundaries and propel you into rarefied orbits of influence.
When you are ready to reach out to a thought leader directly, you need to offer value and not just ask for favors. You can offer to help them with a problem, introduce them to someone in your network, or invite them to an event or opportunity that they might benefit from. You can also share your feedback, insights, or resources that are relevant to their work or goals. Make sure your offer is genuine, specific, and tailored to their needs and interests.
Offering value is great, but always ask permission first. What I mean is don’t just send a document or make a suggestion or introduction, first say something like, “I thought of you when reading an article. Are you open to me sending it to you?” Or, I have an idea for you. Can I share it?”
Aristotle, indisputably one of the greatest philosophers of all time, a social engineer, a disruptor, and an entrepreneur, a mere 9600+ business quarters ago, defined that all Friendships have value, certainly beats having enemies, are the basis of any functioning society. He cautions relationships based solely on profit or self-gratification should not be fully trusted as authentic. Only relationships based on character, in which each person benefits the other for the sake of the other is genuine and one of life's most significant rewards. LinkedIn is the platform to build that level of rapport and trust. Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land & #KeepRockingLinkedIn! Kevin On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding?
Approach the elite not as a supplicant, but as a force-multiplier, bearing curated insights and opportunities as sublime offerings. Craft an utterly bespoke value proposition that transcends transactions and ignites collaborative symbiosis. In this sanctum of mutual elevation, connections transmute into catalysts propelling you both toward grandeur.
Networking with thought leaders is not a one-time event; it's a long-term process that requires follow-up and nurturing. You need to stay in touch with them and keep the conversation going, without being pushy or needy. You can send them updates on your progress, ask for their advice, or congratulate them on their achievements. You can also look for ways to deepen the relationship, such as meeting in person, collaborating on a project, or joining their community.
By networking with thought leaders, you can boost your personal brand by learning from their expertise, gaining their trust and endorsement, and accessing their network and opportunities. But remember, networking is not about using people; it's about building genuine and mutually beneficial relationships that add value to both parties.
Building your personal brand is always about building relationships. Networking is not this “hit it and quit it” style that we often see at events. It’s definitely not shoving your business card in someone’s face as a way of greeting them. Networking is an intentional act of building relationships. It’s a lovely exchange that can yield an incredible return on investment of connection, engagement, and the sheer desire to be a part of helping someone else win.
The key word to focus on is: relationship. How do you build a relationship with someone, whether they are a thought leader or not? You have shared connections over time. Instead of thinking transactionally, think relationally. The cultivation of a relationship happens with multiple touchpoints over time, so commit to creating those touchpoints. Just a few ways: -Put a reminder in your CRM to reach out by email once a month. -Engage with their social posts regularly. -Send a physical note to them once a quarter. -Go to an event you know they'll be at. There are so many ways that we can engage these days, the trick is to make sure you are engaging with them over time before you ever have an ask.
Greatness arises from unwavering devotion - a virtuous cycle of contribution and elevation. Let each interaction compound into an unbreakable bond, reinforced by thoughtful follow-ups that rekindle the spark. Nurture the fertile soil of mutual respect, allowing your relationship to blossom into a legacy that inspires generations to come.
"Networking Always Beats Not Working" ~ Kevin D. Turner, Managing Partner of TNT Brand Strategist. Go Grand, Never Bland, Brand to Land & #KeepRockingLinkedIn! Kevin On a Mission to Eliminate Organizational & Personal Blanding?
Boosting personal brand through networking with thought leaders involves authenticity and uniqueness. By engaging with platforms like EGN, one can connect with influential figures, learning from their experiences. In my experience, authenticity should shine through interactions, distinguishing oneself from the crowd. Sharing personal experiences adds depth and credibility, resonating with others. Actively participating in discussions, offering insights, and seeking mentorship opportunities demonstrate genuine interest and commitment. Through genuine connections and meaningful contributions, networking with thought leaders not only elevates personal brand but also fosters valuable relationships for long-term growth.