Below is a sample email I developed that you can use to connect to powerful social influencers to help take your business or career to the next level. While some of the details in my letter are specific to this case, it can be easily adapted to fit your situation.
Dear [INSERT NAME],
I absolutely love your blog!
Your latest post [INSERT TITLE] was so insightful. It felt like you were talking to me.
In fact, I was so inspired by your approach that I [INSERT REQUESTED CALL TO ACTION] just like you suggested.
The results were [INSERT EXUBERANT ADJECTIVE].
I also joined your email list and subscribed to the Special Monthly Bulletins you send out about [INSERT TOPIC].
I’m sure it’s well worth the $15 dollars and the investment will return far more in the great advice I can put to use in my own business.
By the way, your Linkedin profile is soooooooo creative.
I love the way you don’t just list where you’ve worked, but turn those experiences into active accomplishments.
And your sales numbers are incredible. Triple digit returns on every campaign you’ve worked on! Wow. It’s always very exciting to read about someone delivering skyrocketing metrics.
Why do you change jobs so often?
You'd think those companies would hold on tight after you delivered such impressive results. Guess they didn’t realize how valuable you were until you left. (Isn’t that always the case!)
Well, at least now that you’re self-employed you can speak directly to your followers and don't have to hold back because of corporate constraints.
I noticed you have 500+ connections. Impressive. (I bet it’s closer to 10,000!)
How do you remember their names? (I can barely find my way to the mailbox each day.)
It must be difficult when someone contacts you for a referral and you can’t remember who they are or where you crossed paths.
Do you connect to everyone? Me too!
In fact, funny story, I connected to some guy in Aurora, IL who seemed like a real go-getter. Turns out he was in prison. Who knew? I was kind of afraid to “unlink” though as I was worried he might take it personally. (Oh well, at least by staying connected, I show that I’m open to working with ex-cons.)
Isn’t it great how many storytellers are popping up in business these days?
I thought I was the only kid who harbored dreams that someday I would tell stories for large institutions and Fortune 500 companies. (I guess visualizing your goals works!)
Your post on brainstorming was brilliant. I’ve used the dartboard technique a lot and just recently tried the “scraps of paper in the hat” method.
You were right (again!) – you can randomly pick out just six single words and find connections to create a compelling piece of content.
Mind if I share?
I created this for a client using that very technique. (I had to take out the client name because of the NDA, but I can tell you they are a major, major player in the software industry).
I pulled the following words from the hat:
Football
Glue
Pencil
Plaster
Goat
Cereal
Here’s what I came up with…
“It all started with a football. Sure, there was glue and a pencil, but that was about it for this little startup. They would have to figure out how to program and develop software by leveraging plaster and a goat. Fortunately, they had cereal.”
I know, it’s kind of weird but it worked well in terms of SEO.
Plus they repurposed the content and used it for a video voice over, Facebook ad, infographic, and as a sidebar in their corporate capabilities piece. (Guess they got their money’s worth on that one!)
Well, I’ve kept you long enough. I appreciate your time. Let’s get connected!
