How can you build relationships with people who work at other companies in Brand Strategy?

Relationships are always built on leverage. The stronger your brand and or product positioning, the more robust and viceroy your negotiating relationship positioning becomes. Every brand wants to draft their brand and products to bigger brands and market platforms. Never draft backwards, always draft to bigger to accelerate competitive value. A true build is a quid quo pro where both brands gain from each other. Once you prove your brand prowess, your market dominance becomes easy to build thru formidable relationships with highly valued brands in your sphere, in your market desire. Brand promise, is brand negotiation, brand competitive advantage!

First thing to always remember is - relationships is a win-win game. The true success lies in having a common goal and something beneficial for both the parties. While you are assessing a partnership/collaboration possibility, please assess not only what you can get out of it but also what you can offer to your counterpart. Having a clear idea about what’s in it for both and an understanding of the synergic effect the relationship can bring, will help you sharpen your approach.

Networking is not always about pragmatic goals at a particular moment. You can learn something new from absolutely every person you meet. However, most opportunities arise from the most unexpected people and the most unexpected times. So, sometimes we have to take it easy and reach out to others without pursuing the goal to 'sell' ourselves immediately

First, define your connection goals, be it collaboration, industry insights, or potential partnerships. Thoroughly research your contacts, understanding their roles and company backgrounds. Initiate contact with a warm, personalized introduction, expressing genuine interest in their work. Post-connection, consistently follow up, sharing relevant content and expressing ongoing interest. Nurturing relationships is crucial; provide value, offer assistance, and proactively share industry insights. Building authentic connections contributes to a robust professional network, fostering collaboration and mutual growth in the dynamic field of Brand Strategy.

In the realm of collaboration, clarity is key. Before embarking on any professional relationship, it’s crucial to paint a clear picture of your expectations. Define what you aim to achieve and understand how both parties can mutually benefit from the collaboration. Consider the avenues through which learning can take place. Whether it’s through constructive feedback, joint project endeavors, or shared insights, having a well-defined plan enhances the collaborative experience. Establishing a framework for learning ensures that each participant gains value from the partnership. In essence, successful collaborations thrive on clarity, mutual benefit, a structured learning approach, authenticity, and a profound respect for each other’s time.

While everyone uses 'brand strategist' as a general term. Its important to look at their profile , articles, interests to get an understanding of the specific type of skills they may have. Aim to connect with those whose experience and insights can contribute to our specific goals.

Find the right contacts by using platforms like LinkedIn or industry forums. Investigate their backgrounds and work to personalize your approach, showing appreciation for their expertise and ensuring relevance to your goals.

El pilar clave de toda estrategia es encontrar tu público objetivo. En este sentido, tus contactos. Tienes que saber a quién contactar y con tus objetivos siempre presentes. Muchas veces no somos capaces de buscar ese contacto que seguramente el nos esté buscando también. Por ello es muy importante analizar a cada contacto para poder acertar.

The approach should not be the same for all cases. But generally, authenticity helps build a strong foundation to any relationship. In addition to a warm orientation, be specific about what really interests you and what value you can bring to them. For example, fluffing a business interest with a charity conversation may backfire later when you bring up the topic later. When you are meeting a person, it is important to build a connection with them but stay true.

Authenticity goes a long way. When introducing yourself, be sure not to start with a generic sales pitch. When I get messages like this, it turns me off. Find something that interested you about them or what they do. Express why it interested you. Engage in further dialogue on the topic by asking more about their opinion, showing your genuine interest on their thoughts.

In your initial message, introduce yourself succinctly and explain your reason for reaching out. Highlight specific aspects of their work that impressed you. Avoid generic messages; rather, aim to establish rapport and genuine interest. Include an open-ended question to encourage a response.

Siempre intenta conectar con la persona. Cómo dice Dale Carniege, la mejor forma de conectar es usando una sonrisa y un alago sincero. Por ejemplo, puedes empezar una conversación después descubrir los artículos y publicaciones que esa persona comparte, para poder analizar que es lo que le gusta y como poder lograr conectar con esa persona.

Besides online networking, industry events is a great place to meet with people with similar interests while also learning and being inspired by speakers. Consider events like Ted Talks, SXSW, Mumbrella, etc.

Post-response, send a thank you note appreciating their input. Continue the conversation by sharing pertinent resources or updates. Suggest webinars or events on brand strategy. If trust is established, ask for feedback or referrals, always respecting their time and without expecting reciprocity.

Be mindful of their time by thanking them for sharing some of it with you. When you come across a great example of brand strategy, send it their way detailing what you loved about it and why you thought of them when you saw it. Ask them for their thoughts. Share other resources that add value to their strategic process beginning to build trust.

Continue to build the bond by staying in touch in a meaningful way whether that is through email, asking to set up a virtual call or meeting them at an industry event, if able. Support them on social media platforms like LinkedIn when you see an accomplishment to be celebrated or engage on a post they may have written. Send them an example of a brand’s story that resonates with you. If given the opportunity, in an organic way, learn more about them personally…what was their career path, where does their passion for branding come from, their favorite thing about the industry, etc. Reciprocate by sharing your why. Be authentic.

Building relationships requires ongoing effort. Keep the lines of communication open by periodically reaching out to share updates, seek advice, or offer assistance. Consistent, genuine communication helps solidify connections and demonstrates your commitment to the relationship.

Sustain long-term relationships by regularly engaging with your contacts. Check in periodically, acknowledge their successes, offer support, and add value. Seek opportunities for in-person meetings or connect via video calls, podcasts, or social media to strengthen your bond and mutual benefits.

Si has trabajado una relación a corto plazo, no la dejes en vano. Trabájala. Nunca sabes cuando vas a poder volver a necesitar a ese contacto, asique es importante mantener el contacto y trabajar la relación. Nunca descuides una relación, porque nunca sabes cuando vas a necesitar a esa persona.

Think of your personal relationships and what they need - continued responses to bids - and apply that to your professional relationships. This means finding ways to engage with them and connecting, push yourself to not just like what they post, but build on and initiate conversations.

Don't forget to expand your network not only with strategists but also with people from other areas. Interact with artists, designers, researchers, and salespeople to enhance your ability to think outside the box and see the world from their perspective

AU-delà des moyens cités ci-dessus, ne pas oublier la recommandation. de la part de vos collègues, de vos proches, de votre réseau... C'est largement sous-estimé mais cela est particulièrement efficace pour instaurer une relation avec un stratège de Marque ou autre que l'on ne conna?t pas.