What do you do if you want to connect with influential individuals in your field?

Esteja conectado aos eventos que a sua área está realizando, palestras, feiras, cursos… tudo isso pode te ajudar (e muito) a conhecer pessoas influentes. Lembre-se: que não é visto, não é lembrado. Esteja aberto a este aprendizado e use e abuse das redes sociais. Use as redes sociais para se conectar com pessoas que vão agregar, que vão te ensinar e te influenciar positivamente.

Begin by identifying key figures through research and networking platforms like LinkedIn. Engage with their content, contribute valuable insights, and participate in industry events or conferences where they are likely to be present. Personalize your outreach by highlighting shared interests or mutual connections, demonstrating genuine interest in their work. Offer value by sharing relevant resources, insights, or opportunities that align with their interests or goals. Foster authentic relationships by nurturing connections over time through regular communication and collaboration.

Look for events, conferences, seminars, or workshops where influential individuals are likely to participate. Attend these events to listen to their talks, participate in discussions, and network with them during breaks or networking sessions.

Begin by studying and compiling a list of key personalities in your field. Look for influential figures, conference speakers, writers of relevant books or articles, and active social media users.

Connecting with influential individuals is the easiest and yet the most difficult thing for about 80% of people seeking to build their careers. As absurd as it sounds, that's the truth on the grounds. I manage a couple of big brands in my home country Ghana through Candid Conversations Enterprize - a media company. So I know what I'm talking about. The simplest and sure way of connecting with any influential individual is adding value to what they are already doing. This technique has been working for me for the past 10 years till now. When you identify one, just do a background research into what resonates with that individual and provide value in that. Just make it easy for that individual to meet their goal and you are done.

Follow these influencers on LinkedIn, Twitter, and any other platforms where they are active. Respond to their material by like, commenting, and sharing. Add value to the conversation by providing intelligent comments or questions that demonstrate your knowledge and interest in the subject.

Attending conferences, events and panels where influential people in your field are speaking is a great way to meet them face-face, understand their work at a deeper level and share common ground. You could go one step further and enrol in one of their paid or free masterclasses or workshops so get to actually learn from them and build a personal connection.

Conferences, seminars, workshops, and meetings are great ways to meet influencers in person. Prepare in advance by studying the guests and deciding which sessions to attend. Introduce yourself after a talk or during a networking session, and prepare a concise, compelling elevator pitch.

Instead of asking for things instantly, consider what you can provide. It could be sharing useful information, offering comments, or assisting with a project. A sincere desire to give provides a solid basis for every connection.

To enhance the effectiveness of your follow-up, try to provide additional value in each interaction. For example, include a relevant article, a piece of industry news, or an upcoming event that may interest the person you’re communicating with. This not only shows that you’re thoughtful and attentive, but it also helps establish you as a resourceful contact in your network. Furthermore, setting reminders to follow up at regular intervals can help you maintain these connections without feeling overwhelmed. Effective follow-up is about consistency and genuine interest in fostering relationships.

Once you've gained some traction, consider sending a personalized email or message. Mention specific items they've provided that spoke to you and why you're interested in interacting. Keep it concise and respectful of their time.

Show you are genuinely interested by keeping the conversation going and consistently adding value: Connect them with other people who may be of interest; Celebrate their wins; Share interesting updates; Invite them to industry-relevant events. Trust is formed over time so be the person who sustains engagement.

In your quest to connect with influential figures in your field, remember that behind titles and accolades lie human beings with their own stories and passions. Approach interactions with authenticity and empathy, seeking to understand and connect on a personal level. Share your own journey and aspirations openly, and be genuinely interested in theirs. Embrace the beauty of serendipity and the richness of unexpected connections, knowing that sometimes the most meaningful relationships blossom from genuine moments of connection. With patience, kindness, and a genuine heart, you'll not only expand your professional network but also cultivate friendships that enrich both your career and your life.

Meaningful engagement starts with self-awareness. An awareness of your brand, your value proposition and other parts of you that truly make you memorable. At the end of the day, you need to be authentic while also being strategic. The two go hand-in-hand. Research the individuals, look for ways to provide value to them, but don't try to be someone you're not. Genuine connections come from thoughtfully presenting your authentic self and identifying real opportunities to engage in a meaningful way within your field.