Time Out Abuja
6 Steps to Connecting
With Influential People by Steven Babitsky, co-author of
This Week’s
Business Profile
The Street Smart MBA: 10 Proven Strategies for Driving Business Success
1. Offer something.
"Give three things and ask for one," Babitsky says. In other words: Give
more than you take. When he's interested in making contact with an
influencer, Babitsky first determines what he can offer that will be of
value to the contact. He may be writing a white paper or book or be
organizing a conference where he can offer the individual a speaking gig.
Of course, not everyone is writing books or organizing conferences
every day. However, you can offer to interview the person for your blog
or for a special report on your web site. Alternatively, you might be
involved with a professional or trade organization where you can
introduce the individual to your own network of influencers.
2. Do your homework.
It's usually possible to research influencers' past writing and speeches,
interests, and pet causes with a simple online search. Don't waste their
time asking basic questions or for information that is easily available
online. Instead, find common points and use those to find areas where
you might connect.
3. Get in touch.
Babitsky likes to reach out via phone or email instead of social media
because it's more personal, he says. However, take your lead from the
influencer's cues. If he or she is active on Twitter or carries on online
conversations on his or her blog, that might be a good way to get in
touch, too.
4. Limit the ask.
When reaching out for the first time, make it short and sweet. Don't ask
for anything that will take more than 10 or 15 minutes -- a brief interview
or a straightforward question or two. People generally like to help, but
they may not have time to answer lengthy questionnaires or get involved
in a seemingly endless back-and-forth.
The very first time I heard of Gospel on the beatz was at Abuja
Avant Garde Rave, then I was publicist for Bose Johnson.
After then it took me a long while to put his face in perspective
until one day, a friend of mine called Radar took me to do an
interior design job at Wuse 2 and bam! I was looking face to face
with the enigma. Gospel Obi- a.k.a Gospel on the beatz is Abuja’s
most prolific producer and man is he in demand! A rare musical
genius- Gospel and his unique team at flux factory have worked
with everyone in the music industry.
5. Keep in touch.
Maintain a database of contacts that also includes searchable keywords
related to interests. That way, if you come across an article or
information related to some of your contacts’ interests, you can easily
send it along, keeping you relevant and memorable.
6. Ask to reciprocate.
If someone has helped you, Babitsky recommends asking the individual if
there is anything you might do to help him or her. The individual may be
dealing with a challenge you can help alleviate, he says. If not, the ask is
Quote of the week.
without reading- we can
never discover the great
leader WITHIN.
...from a reader thinking of YOU!
18