While your biggest fans are still your greatest word-of-mouth asset, reaching out to key influencers can help expose your stuff to a whole new audience. Though there’s no shortcut for building strong relationships with key influencers, you can start identifying and reaching out to them in just a few simple steps.
What to do:
- Make a list. Create a target list of key influencers in your industry by using free tools like Technorati or Twitter Search to find talkers with large followings.
- Use multiple channels to contact them. Well-timed and relevant blog comments, e-mails, Twitter replies — and best of all, snail mail — can be great ways to get on the radar of big talkers.
- Ask. Most bloggers are always looking for a relevant, interesting new story lead. Sometimes a polite request or a heads-up on something new you’re doing is enough.
Twitter
Facebook
Linkedin
RSS
Love your 3rd bullet, Andy. It's a great reminder that sometimes all we have to do is ask. Thanks for the tips.
[...] Andy’s Answers: How to engage influential talkers [...]
I’ve long been accused of waxing philosophic where good business judgment is called for instead. (Can’t help it. I’m a product of the sixties.) Here I go again.
Does it make more sense to reach out to top industry influencers, people who probably get pitched all the time, or to reach out to those in what might be referred to as the “magic middle?” (Credit David Sifrey with that term.) That is, those further down the long tail, but who still have a relatively high degree of influence; who are not as likely to be overwhelmed with pitches and who might be more open to helping your message spread.
I think we put undue emphasis in equating “numbers” with “influence” where social media is concerned. Certainly, there’s value to be had in that respect, but the equation is not that simple.
All I’m saying is, don’t overlook the “magic middle” when seeking out influencers. You might be surprised at the high per-capita ratio you glean as a result.
See. I told you. Waxing philosophic!
[...] How To Engage Influential Talkers From SmartBlog On Social Media: Andy Sernovitz’s three simple steps to engaging influential people: 1) Make a list 2) Use multiple channels to contact them and 3) Ask. Also see Andy’s book: Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking, Revised Edition [...]