Michael Port, author of Book Yourself Solid recently posted a blog post and hosted a podcast on the topic of “Connections and Influence”. By the way I would recommend you pick up a copy of his book.  It is quite good and would provide significant value to you in your particular business endeavors.

To read his post or listen to his podcast you can click on this link:
http://www.michaelport.com/blog/posts/influence-and-connections.html

Michael talked about building relationships and adding value for thought leaders and reaching out to famous authors and business experts. I have been building relationships with authors and top business experts for years and a simple thing I have found that works, and works well, is if you can add value to them first.

Is there a way you can help an author sell more of his or her books? Can you buy a handful of the authors book, and have it personally autographed, and get it in the hands of key influencers in the market?

Can you refer them a speaking opportunity? Can you host a teleseminar with them where you can get them a lot of massive exposure all at one time?

Another thing about top authors and business experts is no matter how successful they are, they always have more ideas, and projects they want to do. Can you find out what is most important to them and volunteer a few hours a week of your personal time to help them achieve their goals?

Can you be a volunteer staff member at their next seminar, which helps them and will help you at the same time, with the valuable knowledge you will pick up from being in attendance at their event.

If you can build and nurture strategic relationships with key industry experts whom can help your core customer, that is a big deal, because there are now more ways you can add value to them.

Next time you are in front of one of your key prospects or clients, and you know one of their big challenges or goals, surprise them by introducing them to a famous author or speaker who can help them, or send them that autographed book and you will be amazed at the response you get back.

Earlier this year I was with the CEO of a multi-billion dollar financial services company. As I was leaving his office, I asked him who his favorite authors were and what was the number one thing he was working on personally for the year.

He told me that he wanted to manage his time better and become more organized. So I reached out to a famous author that I didn’t know, David Allen of Getting Things Done, and asked if he could possibly autograph a book for this CEO. I told him I was willing to pay for it, or he could use it as a marketing expense to get his name and message in front of a tremendous target prospect, as this company has tens of thousands of people that work within their organization.

He ended up sending an autographed copy of the book on his dime. I’m sure that doing this will provide him with the opportunity to have an excellent return on his initial investment.

All of these are simple ideas that you can easily implement in your marketing efforts.

What are some of the things that you have done to add value when you are trying to connect with  thought leaders and business experts. Please comment on my blog and let me know what you are doing strategically within your particular business endeavors.

Until We Connect Again,

Larry Benet
The Connector

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