What are the best ways to connect with thought leaders in your industry?

Connecting with thought leaders in your industry can help you gain valuable insights, learn from their experiences, and expand your network. But how do you approach them without being intrusive, spammy, or irrelevant? Here are some best practices to follow when you want to build relationships with influential experts in your field.

1 Identify your goals

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 ask them a specific question, invite them to collaborate on a project, or share your feedback on their work? Having a specific and relevant goal will help you craft a personalized and respectful message that shows your genuine interest and value proposition.

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Ellen Matloff

Genetic Counselor | Founder & CEO, My Gene Counsel, LLC | Patient Advocate | Lecturer | Media Consultant | Precision Medicine | Digital Health
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The best ways to connect with thought leaders in your industry may be easier than you think -- esp. if you are reaching out without wanting something from them (a sale, a position, an intro, etc). Connect with them on LI. Send them a personal note with your genuine thoughts on an article, a podcast, or other work of theirs you've seen and enjoyed. Comment on their posts, achievements, on-line lectures. Say that you enjoy their work and ask if it would be possible to meet up briefly at a conference you're both attending, or invite them them to coffee if they are local.

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2 Research their work

The next step is to do some homework on the thought leader you want to connect with. Read their blog posts, listen to their podcasts, watch their videos, or follow their social media accounts. This will help you understand their perspective, expertise, and style, as well as identify common interests or challenges. You can also use this information to compliment them on their achievements, mention something you learned from them, or refer to a recent piece of content they produced.

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3 Engage with their content

One of the easiest and most effective ways to get on the radar of a thought leader is to engage with their content. You can comment on their posts, share their articles, tag them in relevant discussions, or mention them in your own content. The key is to be authentic, respectful, and value-adding. Don't just say "great post" or "I agree". Instead, ask a thoughtful question, share your own insight, or offer constructive feedback. This will show that you are genuinely interested in their work and have something to contribute.

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Arun Prakash G

🌎Building e^n l Did that l Did this l Ex There l Ex else l GA171022
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Social media is a prize for this generation to reach out to the stuffs in the heads of leaders.. Earlier, it used to be a desert to find the leader and their talents l, now it's a cake walk to get to know the insight 😁

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4 Reach out via email or social media

Once you have established some rapport with the thought leader, you can reach out to them via email or social media. The best way to do this is to use a warm introduction, such as a mutual contact, a shared event, or a previous interaction. Then, state your goal clearly and concisely, and explain why you think they are the best person to help you. Be polite, professional, and respectful of their time and expertise. Don't make any unreasonable requests or demands, and don't expect an immediate response. Follow up with a gentle reminder if you don't hear back within a reasonable time frame.

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5 Nurture the relationship

Once you have connected with the thought leader, don't let the conversation end there. Keep in touch with them by sending occasional updates, thanking them for their help, sharing relevant resources, or inviting them to join your network. You can also look for opportunities to meet them in person, such as at events, conferences, or workshops. The goal is to build trust, rapport, and mutual value over time. Remember, connecting with thought leaders is not a one-time transaction, but a long-term relationship.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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S.Huei F.

🎯 Multilingual Chartered Marketer in Tech | 🚀 Scaling Regional Growth with Agile Innovation | 🤖 Next-Gen AI & Low Code/No Code SaaS Integration | ✍🏻️ Cutting-Edge Marketing Insights & Tech Trends |
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By participating in conferences, webinars, and workshops, I met experts and gained insights into the latest trends. Additionally, I interacted with them during panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and networking events, which allowed me to learn from their experiences, seek advice, and eventually build lasting relationships. The collaboration joint project gave me the chance to contribute my skills to the project and learn from their expertise. As a result, it created a strong professional bond and expanded my network. Joint projects not only benefit both parties but also help generate valuable content for the industry and elevate your standing among the expert community.

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What are the best ways to connect with thought leaders in your industry?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Identify your goals

2 Research their work

3 Engage with their content

4 Reach out via email or social media

5 Nurture the relationship

6 Here’s what else to consider

Marketing

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What are the best ways to connect with thought leaders in your industry?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals

2 Research their work

3 Engage with their content

4 Reach out via email or social media

5 Nurture the relationship

6 Here’s what else to consider

Marketing

Rate this article

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