The Rich Love These Types of People

Today's video commentary (certainly don't want to miss that!) is HERE

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I’m at one of those Charity things when I see Lonnie St Johns animatedly in conversation with a younger guy.

The only reason this catches my eye is that Lonnie represents 4 family offices, and is responsible for placing well over $50 million with various funds and advisors.

So he’s someone that every financial type is trying to get in front of, and he’s notoriously difficult to connect with. He’s been known to say that he’s a plumber, or an actuary at these type of events just to avoid the sales pitches.

But Lonnie really seems to be enjoying his conversation with this guy, which makes me curious, cause Lonnie isn’t the animated conversation type of guy.

The two of them exchange cards and I wander over to Lonnie to find out who that guy was.

Lonnie will talk with me mostly because I did a favor for his sister back in the day…but that’s another story for another day. (But it does underscore the power of doing favors for people.)

Anyway…

I ask Lonnie who the guy was, and it turns out he’s a financial advisor (shocked just shocked!!) but he’s also an avid fly fisherman. This is a hobby Lonnie also enjoys, which anyone could easily know about with a bit of research.

Lonnie says, “I really love to talk with people who are super passionate about a topic. And if it’s something I’m interested in, it can make for a really enjoyable conversation.”

But here’s the really interesting part.

Lonnie says, “You know there’s a lot of information out there about me and the hobbies I’m into. It ain’t hard to find. And I’m sure this guy knew I was going to be here and did some research.”

“But what surprises me is how few people do that. They just come up to me with some sort of chit-chat conversation, or try to pitch me immediately on whatever lame-ass financial product they’ve got.”

“This kid did some research-found an area of common interest and used that as a means to start the conversation.”

“For the life of me, I can’t understand why more people don’t do that.”

When you go to a networking or social event do you have a plan for what you want to accomplish?

Have you identified the small number of people who you really want to meet?

Have you research them online to identify their interests so you have something to talk about?

Or do you just show up and hope for the best?

The wealthy are a lot more approachable than you may think.

But…

You need to do some homework if you’re going to connect with them.

Food for thought

Mark

PS: Want more great ideas for how to connect with the wealthy? I’ve got a lot of them for you in my latest book The Affluent Marketing Blueprint. Get your copy right now by going HERE.