How to Connect with Influential People

Influential people haven’t always been famous. They were once like you – struggling to get their foot in the door and make a name for themselves.  Do you wish you could meet people who are influential? Even though influential people are often busy, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t reach out and connect with them.

You may not get through the first time but don’t give up trying to contact with them. Don’t assume they don’t want to be contacted. Successful people enjoy receiving positive testimonials and feedback. 

These tricks will get your foot in the door and lead you to make bigger connections with influential people. You never know until you try so take that first step today, and don’t give up!

• Send a brief email or personalized letter to your favorite author or writer. Let him or her know how much they have influenced you, and how much you like their articles and/or books. 

• Write to a favorite politician and express your gratitude. Think about how many negative comments they receive throughout the year – they always appreciate positive feedback from their constituents.

• Be persistent. Don’t turn into a stalker but persistence will get you far when meeting influential people. When meeting famous people, be confident but not overbearing. Also, don’t name drop and come across as a braggart. 

• In your blogs, websites and articles, mention favorite influential leaders in your industry that you would love to meet. Make sure to include why you like them and how their expertise has helped you in your field. 

• Think outside the box. Interview influential people for your website or blog. Use the blog article as a reason to connect with leading experts in your industry. Ask interesting and innovative questions that generate interactive dialogue.

• Remember to keep it real and sincere when you are first introduced to an influential person. Don’t turn the meet-and-great into a sales pitch about your business. You will immediately turn the other person off and quickly lose their attention. Mention how you’ve recommended their books or presentations to your colleagues and contacts. You will probably receive a warm smile and thank you. 

• Know what you’re talking about when you join a conversation with influential people. The last thing you want to do is to look like a fool. Understand the scope of the conversation before you join it.  It will be very apparent that you don’t know what you’re talking about if you try to wing it.  If you want to learn more about the influential person before you meet him/her, search online for more information about them. 

• Become a person of influence yourself - Instead of waiting around to meet influential people, become a person of influence yourself.  As you take on leadership roles and your success grows, people will want to meet you and spend time with you. Write informative articles and give exciting presentations. Put yourself out there in the public eye and brand yourself as an expert.

John Hersey is a successful business owner, published author and motivational leadership speaker. John writes one of the most recognized leadership blogs in the business world: http://www.JohnHersey.com/blog