How can you connect with experts to gain knowledge and feedback?
Connecting with experts in your field or industry can help you gain valuable insights, feedback, and advice for your career or business. However, reaching out to them can be intimidating, challenging, or even frustrating. How can you connect with experts in a respectful, effective, and mutually beneficial way? Here are some tips to help you.
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Paul Eder, PhDTop, Top Voice on LinkedIn (89 categories) | Strategy Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, & Data Innovation | Author…
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Yemmie Olaleye (CMSA®) ✪I help individuals make informed & strategic decisions in the financial market; charts into profitable…
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Ghaidaa Sarieddine, SHRM-CPI help Job Seekers & Companies Standout | Expert in LinkedIn Optimization & Resume - CV Writing | Skills Trainer | HR…
Before you contact any expert, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn from them and why. Do you want to improve your skills, explore new opportunities, solve a specific problem, or get feedback on your work? Having a specific and realistic goal will help you narrow down your list of potential experts, craft a personalized and relevant message, and show your genuine interest and respect.
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Ghaidaa Sarieddine, SHRM-CP
I help Job Seekers & Companies Standout | Expert in LinkedIn Optimization & Resume - CV Writing | Skills Trainer | HR Solutions | Empowering Profiles for Success
It is highly essential for personal and professional growth. Here are some effective strategies: - Follow industry leaders and engage with their content by commenting thoughtfully and sharing your perspectives. “MEANINGFUL COMMENTS” - Personalized Outreach - Join Professional Groups - Attend Webinars & Events Keep in mind it requires genuine interest, respect, and a proactive approach.
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Andrew Moncur
Driving Sales Growth 🚀
Everyone on the platform has their own unique journey. If you are interested in getting to know a particular person learn a bit about their journey. Comment, ask questions, ask for feedback. You can engage before you connect. When you do reach out to connect it makes perfect sense and the other person will accept.
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Gautham Sharrma
Enterprise Account Manager at Kaspersky Labs, South Asia Territory Office.
Identification of self purely from self introspecting stand point and relating it to the areas where I would need knowledge base for e.g complex business understanding in various geographies in a specific industry - reaching out to someone who is gold on managing the task. As I have keen intrest to understand local Channel business in other countries.
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Robert Betz
Senior Director @ Trinium AI | Driving Commercial Growth Strategies
I couldn't agree more with the importance of readiness and preparedness when reaching out to experts. In my experience, I've found that having a clear vision of what I hope to gain from their expertise not only saves time but also fosters a more meaningful connection. Understanding my specific goals helps me connect with experts in a more personalized way and shows my sincere interest in their insights.
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Samuel Oludayo Oyeniran
Technical Support Specialist || ISMS || ITIL4 || ISO 27001:2022 - Lead Implementer || Experience Top-Tier Technical Support || I Give Ultimate Support for Swift, Stress-Free Tech Solutions || SEND A DM
For me to connect with expert and get feedback, I will attend industry events like conference, seminars, workshops provide opportunities to meet experts in person I will join online community, participate in forums, social media platforms that relate to my field to learn Reach out directly via email, dms, introducing myself requesting guidance and feedback I will offer value by sharing my knowledge, research, demonstrating my value and interest in learning I will attend and participate in webinars I will engage with experts on social media like LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram
Once you have your goal in mind, you need to find and research the experts who can help you achieve it. You can use various sources, such as online platforms, publications, podcasts, events, or referrals, to identify the experts who have the knowledge, experience, and reputation you are looking for. Then, you need to research their background, work, and interests, to understand their perspective, values, and goals. This will help you tailor your approach, avoid irrelevant or inappropriate questions, and find common ground.
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Yemmie Olaleye (CMSA®) ✪
I help individuals make informed & strategic decisions in the financial market; charts into profitable opportunities. Market Analyst| Coach| Mentor| Thought leader| Futurist CFI: FMVA®| CMSA®| CBCA™| BIDA®| FTIP™| FPWM
If you need more guidance and deeper insights in a knowledge space, you will need to focus on getting the right expert to mentor you through online networking platforms. Assess their passion, goals, certifications, publications, recommendations, collaborations and values proposition, if those aligns with what you are looking for, reach out to them.
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Kelly Mulrooney
Senior Manager | People Transformation | Storytelling | Advocate for Women in Tech & Cyber | Capability Lead | Learning & Development | Leadership | Culture 👩🏼💻
In my experience, building a relationship with an expert or seeking their advice can be a valuable step in personal and professional growth. 1. First, identify the expert whose advice or guidance you seek. 2. Before reaching out, thoroughly research the expert's background, achievements, and work. 3. Engage with their content by liking, sharing, and commenting thoughtfully on their posts. 4. If the expert speaks at conferences, webinars, or workshops, attend these events. 5. Email: Mention specific aspects of their work that you admire and explain why you believe their advice or guidance would be valuable to you. 6. When you do connect with the expert, express your gratitude for their time and insights.
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Sabrina Runbeck, MPH, MHS, PA-C
Help healthcare entrepreneurs gain visibility & credibility in the right circles to accelerate their mission profitability | HealthTech Broker | Human Capital Amplifier | Podcaster | Board Advisor | Author
Finding experts from a conference or podcast can be one of the best way to truly get to know their perspectives. Reach out via LinkedIn and email by commenting on what you learned and whether you agree with their perspectives or have something to add. Note* make your connection request personable by adding a message that you heard their talk or met them at ABC event. Write a reflective post and add a photo of the event that they attended including what you learned about their talk and tag them in the post. Typically speakers will post about events and podcasts they spoke on, comment on those posts.
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Adhithya Jayakumar
︽ 100M Organic Impressions Generated though Mentorships |💰3 Years of Scaling Brands on LinkedIn |🎯 Personal Branding & MarCom Consultant | B2B Growth Hacking | Join our Global Circle of Success Stories🏅
Start by locating professionals in your sector using resources such as LinkedIn, industry forums, or professional associations in order to establish connections with experts and obtain insights and opinions. Verify if their histories, areas of expertise, and contributions line up with your objectives and areas of interest. After you've located possible specialists, send them a customised message letting them know how much you appreciate what they've done and asking to speak with them or have a feedback session. Show them that you value their time and are really interested in gaining knowledge from their observations.
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Mário Lúcio
Redator | Planilheiro | Social Media // Marketing de Conteúdo | Google Sheets | LinkedIn | Inteligência Artificial
Aqui no LinkedIn você pode refinar sua busca por meio de palavras-chave. Se você quer, por exemplo, ter mais conexões com perfis sênior, você pode utilizar termos como "c-levels", "founder", "CFO", "CEO" etc. Filtre por conexões de 2° grau, pois ficará mais fácil de se conectar.
When you are ready to contact your chosen experts, you need to make sure you offer value in exchange for their time and attention. You can do this by expressing your appreciation, admiration, or gratitude for their work, sharing something useful or interesting for them, or offering to help them with something they need or want. You also need to be concise, clear, and polite in your message, and explain what your goal is, why you are contacting them, and what you are asking for. Avoid making demands, assumptions, or presumptions, and respect their boundaries and preferences.
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Paul Eder, PhD
Top, Top Voice on LinkedIn (89 categories) | Strategy Consulting, Artificial Intelligence, & Data Innovation | Author of FIRESTARTERS
People usually want to help...even experts. But you have to show that you are a giver too, not just a taker. Will the expert get any benefit from a relationship with you?
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Wesley Hattingh 🚀
Top 1% SSI || Empowering Global Growth by Streamlining International Compliance & Payroll 🚀 || Sales Ninja 🥷 || Start-up Builder 👷♂️ || UAE Country Manager @ RemotePass
It is about being honest during your reach out, Explain why you are connecting with them, Why you see them as a Mentor and how much time this would take from them. Explain to them your future goals and how having them as a mentor would assist you in reaching those goals. True mentors want to know you as a person and want to see the role they can play vs just having expectations set on them. You might find a mentor but you will make a few new friends along the journey.
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Michael Liu
I build companies and communities | CEO and Founder | Director Non-Profit - Aceocial | Chair - Toronto Tech Fest | Techstars LA '21
Here's a technique that will allow you to access any expert, add value for them, AND create goodwill at the same time: Selflessness is powerful. Don't start a connection with an expert to immediately ask for help (which can often be misunderstood as pushy, selfish, or transactional). Instead, create a circumstance that will allow you to connect with the expert to help SOMEONE ELSE. Some examples could include: - Inviting an expert to be a speaker on your webinar/event/conference - Creating an AMA opportunity for the expert on your social media/podcast - Hosting a competition and asking the expert to be a judge The expert will feel needed, have an opportunity to build their own brand, and add huge value to others, all thanks to you!
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Aaron Solomon
Experienced engineering & manufacturing professional
Sometimes, giving an expert an opportunity to apply their expertise to a challenge is value enough, even better if you can find someone with a vested interest. We had a student working for us, supporting on a challenging problem. We reached out to a professor from his school, from his program, who was excited to help. Not only for the benefit of the student, but he was also happy to apply his knowledge to help solve a problem, simply because he enjoys the topic!
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Raafat Abdelgader
NFO Director @ SUDATEL
When contacting an expert, focus on providing value. Explain why you are reaching out and how your interaction can benefit them. In many cases, your success or development is the added value of the experts. Be brief, respectful, and honest in your communications. Highlight common interests or common goals. Help yourself with research and develop self-learning skills. Have patience, passion, and perseverance.
After you send your initial message, you need to be patient and respectful of the expert's response time and availability. Don't spam them with multiple messages or reminders, but don't give up too easily either. You can follow up with a gentle and friendly nudge after a reasonable period of time, depending on the urgency and nature of your request. If you get a positive response, make sure you follow through with your commitment, whether it is scheduling a meeting, sending your work, or providing feedback. If you get a negative or no response, thank them for their consideration and move on.
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John Day
Founder @ AV HERO® | Audio Visual Services
It's important to make yourself uncomfortable on a consistent basis. You want a response? Want to be noticed? Push past the point of comfort and be slightly ridiculous. Most people stay in their comfort zones and get mediocre results. If I send a common message to an expert, I will most likely get a common response. If I do something uncommon and outside of the box, I have a much better chance of getting an uncommon response. Don't try to be liked by everyone. Ask for what you want and be kind and respectful along the way.
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François D.
United Nations’ Accredited Expert - Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite
Il est trop fréquent que les « entrées en relation » n’aboutissent à rien de concret. Dans la majeure partie des cas, la raison principale en est que l’expertise ou l’appel ont été bâclés, et que l’interlocuteur ne s’est pas montré disponible. Une autre hypothèse : celle-ci exploite la notion de « outsider », met en scène une menace présumée mais intangible, théorise la possible substitution par éviction de l’expert principal. À demi-mot, l’inconscient professionnel vit avec cette présomption et lutte pour que la situation critique ne se réalise jamais… une piste pour expliquer le mutisme des experts que l’on peut solliciter sans jamais avoir de retour.
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Larry Gaynor
Founder & CEO @ TNG Worldwide | Gallup-trained, 100% Customer Success, Best-Selling Author, Amazon Top200 Beauty Reseller
The key takeaway here is to make sure you chose the right expert to begin with. I only choose experts that either I do business with or support by buying their products. If I don’t get a response within 24 hours or sooner, I move on. As a Founder and CEO, I am always up to date on my email box. I learned long ago the biggest CEO’s do the same. In most instances I will get a response back within an hour.
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Pablo Hadrava
Key Account Regional Manager | Business Developer
Following up with experts requires a delicate balance of patience, respect, and persistence. After the initial message, allow an appropriate timeframe for the expert to respond, considering the urgency of your request. A friendly and gentle follow-up can be sent if needed, expressing your continued interest. In the case of a positive response, ensure you fulfill any commitments promptly, whether it involves scheduling a meeting, sharing your work, or providing feedback. On the other hand, if you receive a negative or no response, graciously acknowledge their consideration and proceed with understanding and gratitude. This approach maintains professionalism and opens the door for future interactions.
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Pablo Hadrava
Key Account Regional Manager | Business Developer
Following up in a considerate manner is crucial in building and maintaining professional connections. Patience is key; avoid spamming with multiple messages, but also don't hesitate to send a friendly follow-up after a reasonable time, aligning with the urgency of your request. If the response is positive, ensure you fulfill your commitment, whether it involves scheduling a meeting, sharing your work, or offering feedback. In case of a negative or no response, express gratitude for their consideration and gracefully move on to other opportunities.
Connecting with experts is not a one-time transaction, but an opportunity to build a long-term relationship. You can do this by keeping in touch, providing value, and showing interest in their work and goals. You can also ask for referrals, recommendations, or introductions to other experts in their network, if appropriate and relevant. However, you need to be genuine, respectful, and reciprocal in your interactions, and not expect anything in return. Remember that connecting with experts is a privilege, not a right, and that you need to earn their trust and respect.
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Tanmoy Debnath (He/ Him/ His)
Pentland Brands | Global Sourcing | Merchandising | Supply Chain Management | Business Analyst | Communication | Newtimes | PDS | Next Sourcing
I experienced that building a relationship with experts goes beyond a single exchange. It's about fostering a genuine connection by staying engaged and providing value over time. Show a sincere interest in their work and aspirations, and when appropriate, seek their guidance for introductions to other experts in their network. Remember, this relationship is based on trust and respect, not mere transactions. Approach it as a privilege and be prepared to give without expecting immediate returns, for true connections often pay dividends in the long run.
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Brian Fink
I enjoy bringing people together to solve complex problems, build great products, and get things done at McAfee!
Leverage your network like a boss. Think of it as a long game, not just a grab-and-go for info. Keep the dialogue flowing, toss in your own insights, and make it clear you're not just there to take but also to give. And hey, don't be shy to ask for a hookup with their contacts when it makes sense. But keep it real, no quid pro quo vibes. Respect and trust aren't just handed out like free samples at Costco; you've got to earn them. Remember, access to their brain trust is a privilege. Play it smart.
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Erkeda DeRouen, MD ✨ Digital Health Risk Management Consultant ⚕️TEDxer
I help digital health-enabled organizations intelligently navigate risk and expenses linked to non-compliance and under-optimized workflows.
Relationship building is important. If you are adding to your network, benefits shouldn’t be unilateral. Offer value. Be genuine. Create a reason to maintain a relationship.
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Raj Narayan
Founder & CEO, Emajin Golf | Keynote Speaker | Podcast Host | Board Member | Golfer | Networking Reimagined for Modern Business
Building connections with experts is like nurturing a friendship. Keep the conversation alive, share value, and express genuine interest in their journey. By being generous with your insights and requests, you can create a warm exchange. If you ever seek referrals, approach it with a friendly tone. Remember, it's a privilege earned through mutual trust and respect.
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Anna Marie C.
Executive Recruiter @ LHH Recruitment Solutions | Diverse Hiring Successes | Client Partnerships | New Business Development | Candidate Engagement |
Agree! I am trying to listen, learn and get uncomfortable. I choose HARD. Can’t wait for our session! Caring people make a difference. Thank you to my new friend and mentor. Here for long-term relationships , building and re-building my tribe and myself.
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Maria Hernandez Elias
Chief Legal/ Finance & Tech Lawyer
I think it involves a multifaceted approach. Firstly, immersing oneself in the professional sphere is vital. This includes attending industry-focused events, workshops, and conferences where networking opportunities with experts abound. Engaging with and being an active member of professional associations related to your field is equally important because these associations often organize events, webinars, and meetings, providing a platform to connect with and learn from experts. In the digital age it is important as well leveraging social media platforms like LinkedIn and X. Following and interacting with experts, engaging in meaningful discussions, and expressing insights on their posts I believe can foster relationships as well
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François D.
United Nations’ Accredited Expert - Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite
Un peu collant Kant, je dirais que « dans un bois aussi courbe dont est fait l’être humain, on ne peut rien tailler de tout à fait droit… »; parfois l’insuccès de la mise en relation dépend d’un contexte qui peut échapper à l’entendement. Si je plagiais Einstein, la relation manquée peut être liée à une mauvaise courbure de l’espace, et dans ce cas, en tant que phénomène physique, il convient de faire preuve de patience.
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Ognjen Todorović
head of department of urban mobility at City of Belgrade - Secretariat of Transport
in my opinion, the best contacts are made by participating in joint projects. within joint teams, experts with similar energy should be found, and then the transfer of knowledge is inevitable.
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William L.
Business Operations & Strategy | Process Improvement | Special Projects | Change Management | Social Impact | Community Engagement
Try a less direct approach. Start by obtaining feedback from an expert you already know. It is not uncommon for experts in one field to know one another and share what they're working on. Use that to your advantage versus a cold outreach.
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Brian Fink
I enjoy bringing people together to solve complex problems, build great products, and get things done at McAfee!
To connect with experts, leverage the power of digital platforms. LinkedIn is your battlefield; engage with content, join relevant groups. Twitter, where thought leaders roam, follow and interact. Don't just consume; create. Share your insights, ask intelligent questions. It's about offering value before asking for it. Networking events, both virtual and in-person, are gold mines. Remember, it's not who you know, but who knows you. Be persistent, but not pesky. Knowledge and feedback are a two-way street.
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