Thread
Doing anything worthwhile takes a village, but how do you actually start to build that village?
How to actually connect with badass people (guaranteed):
How to actually connect with badass people (guaranteed):
Serendipity & touchpoints
First, try to create as many opportunities for serendipity as possible. It's all about creating just one touchpoint and blossoming the relationship from there.
That means going to events where like-minded people are hanging out.
First, try to create as many opportunities for serendipity as possible. It's all about creating just one touchpoint and blossoming the relationship from there.
That means going to events where like-minded people are hanging out.
Ex: I struck up a convo with a fellow @YPO member in line at a @TEDTalks conference because he had a @singularityu badge on his backpack.
What's the one thing in common with these 3 groups? They're all filled with lifelong learners.
What's the one thing in common with these 3 groups? They're all filled with lifelong learners.
Can't afford the event? Sometimes it's worth reaching.
High-level events might cost $15-25k+ a year and it's hard to justify dropping that much $ on an event.
In the short term, there might be no results. But in the long term, one relationship might be worth millions.
High-level events might cost $15-25k+ a year and it's hard to justify dropping that much $ on an event.
In the short term, there might be no results. But in the long term, one relationship might be worth millions.
Ex: @awilkinson used to spend on @TEDTalks conferences when his design shop couldn't quite afford it. The result? Tons of clients paying millions of $.
More importantly, the ROI of relationships extends way beyond just $.
More importantly, the ROI of relationships extends way beyond just $.
Introvert? Throw a dinner
I'm an introvert & I don't usually walk up to people at events. That's why I like throwing dinners. I get to pick the time, place, format & more.
When I was broke, we started with a bag of chips at my place. You don't need to be flashy.
I'm an introvert & I don't usually walk up to people at events. That's why I like throwing dinners. I get to pick the time, place, format & more.
When I was broke, we started with a bag of chips at my place. You don't need to be flashy.
Introvert lvl 2: Throw an event
Dinners are the first step. Events are the next step in building a thriving community.
You get to pick the speakers, place, time, format and set the tone for attendees.
Then watch the magic unfold.
Dinners are the first step. Events are the next step in building a thriving community.
You get to pick the speakers, place, time, format and set the tone for attendees.
Then watch the magic unfold.
Start a podcast
In 2013, I started the 'Leveling Up' podcast and I had a crappy USB mic with zero interviewing experience. To my surprise, most impressive people that I reached out to were down to have a 30-45 minute conversation...
In 2013, I started the 'Leveling Up' podcast and I had a crappy USB mic with zero interviewing experience. To my surprise, most impressive people that I reached out to were down to have a 30-45 minute conversation...
Podcasting is still one of the great ways to have wide-ranging conversations with impressive ppl for free. It's also a great way to build an audience.
That podcast led to my second podcast, Marketing School. Combined, the two have over 55M downloads to date.
That podcast led to my second podcast, Marketing School. Combined, the two have over 55M downloads to date.
Twitter
I've underappreciated the true power of Twitter over the years. The fact that it's an open graph makes it easy for people to discover you if you're saying interesting stuff.
My response rates on Twitter DMs > Instagram DMs.
I've underappreciated the true power of Twitter over the years. The fact that it's an open graph makes it easy for people to discover you if you're saying interesting stuff.
My response rates on Twitter DMs > Instagram DMs.
Ex 1: I saw @brianjcho tweet something interesting a few weeks back and engaged with the post.
We followed each other and then I DM'ed him. We then had a 30 min Zoom chat and he connected me to @jasonoliver. Then Jason and I had brunch in LA.
Little touchpoints..
We followed each other and then I DM'ed him. We then had a 30 min Zoom chat and he connected me to @jasonoliver. Then Jason and I had brunch in LA.
Little touchpoints..
Ex 2: I saw @wes_kao tweet something about cohort-based courses awhile back and actually did a paid call with her.
That gave me a chance to get involved with @MavenHQ. Through Maven, I got to connect with @jayyeh. He then connected me to other amazing ppl.
Serendipity.
That gave me a chance to get involved with @MavenHQ. Through Maven, I got to connect with @jayyeh. He then connected me to other amazing ppl.
Serendipity.
There's a great relationship book called Never Eat Alone by @ferrazzi. The title is self-explanatory.
But why? Because it builds a habit of connecting with interesting people every day.
But why? Because it builds a habit of connecting with interesting people every day.
I have a friend who tells me there's a billionaire who takes 'Never Eat Alone' to the next level. He meets with TWO people for lunch and TWO people for dinner.
He's been doing this since 1970.
That's 75,920 interesting people. No wonder he's a billionaire.
He's been doing this since 1970.
That's 75,920 interesting people. No wonder he's a billionaire.
Meet up with people when you're traveling.
I always tell people that I'll be in town instead of asking them to meet. They're actually more receptive to doing so.
I always tell people that I'll be in town instead of asking them to meet. They're actually more receptive to doing so.
Most importantly, Figure out what works for YOU. I don’t party much and like to be in bed earlier. I've adapted my relationship-building habits to fit my style. You'll have your own style.
Mix and match.
Mix and match.
If you enjoyed this, give the original tweet a RT and follow me @ericosiu. I nerd out on marketing, web3, business, and more.
How to meet badass people summary:
- Create serendipity
- Hang out in likeminded communities
- Gamble once in awhile
- Introvert? Do dinners/events
- Do a podcast
- Twitter DMs > IG DMs
- Never eat alone
Did I miss anything?
- Create serendipity
- Hang out in likeminded communities
- Gamble once in awhile
- Introvert? Do dinners/events
- Do a podcast
- Twitter DMs > IG DMs
- Never eat alone
Did I miss anything?
