How I Would Go About Getting High Profile Clients if I had Little Money or Connections

A couple months ago, I had a member of a popular youtube channel reach out to me with some problems his new company was facing in growing their business – here was his question and my responses:

Question:

“Hey Daniel! Long long time! I hope you guys are doing really well. This might be silly advice I’m asking for, but you seem so insanely entrepreneurial, I’d love to know—what’s been most effective for you in making the business/mentor type connections you have and/or want? We have been working on this new media company (with some of our other friends) for the last year, and while we’ve found plenty of people to offer their services and advice, it definitely feels like we haven’t found anyone on the “next level,” if you know what I mean—someone a little more visionary/capable of pushing some of the typical boundaries. We’ve already gone through 3 CEOs because of it, and it just feels like we need a broader circle, both of potential clients AND reliable business savvy. Cold calling and emailing LinkedIn connections only seems like it can go so far, lol. So! I’d love to know if you have any thoughts about it.

Let me know if you do, no pressure! Thanks!”

My Response:

You see 2 problems:

1. You need someone who can help take you to the next level (vision, business savvy, capabilities)
2. You need more clients you can create marketing content for.

Great thinking. 

I’ve never been in your shoes, and so I won’t pretend I know all the answers, but these are the 3 things  I would do if I was you.

1. Make a list of the top 50 people you would love to work with as clients, or who you’d like to build a relationship with. This is a “no bad ideas” list, meaning anyone could be on it. So put freaking Oprah down if she’d be a dream contact/client.

Take this list and write down the first step to getting in touch with them. 

For example, if Jeff Kearl (CEO of Stance Socks) was on my list, I would find his email. Not hard to guess. It’s probably [email protected]. He can come up with creative socks. E-mail is a different story. 

Next, I would see how I could grab his attention. Obviously, he has assistants who protect him from solicitations from the public. So could you create a short comedy sketch/skit with stance socks in it and personalize it to Jeff? (Make fun of him while making him look good at the same time) 

Again, these are your DREAM clients, so using your resources is worth this contact. 

The sketch could be personalized to him, and the simple ask at the end of the sketch would be just to interview him. 

After he accepts a meeting, prepare thoroughly. Interview people who know him. If you find out he loves the Utah Jazz, come bearing gifts. Just don’t dress like the 3 wisemen. 

Come and ask about how he started his business, what he does, how he got started, what he wished he knew when he got started etc. Come with a list of prepared questions. This is extremely enjoyable. 

At the end, he will probably start to ask about you and what you’re trying to do. Be honest and tell him you’re trying to find ways to work with more clients of his caliber. Ask how you should do this. 

Surprise him at the end with a sample sketch (preferably not live, thought I would like to be there if you did that) of what you would do for Stance. Ask what he likes and dislikes, and thank him for his time. 

Ask him who else you should talk to and if he would be willing to make a connection for you.

Ask if it would be alright to check in every six months to a year for advice and updates. (he’ll say yes)

This process is much more enjoyable than constant messaging on LinkedIn and is a lot more fun and effective. 

I personally do something like this in my own way once a week. This has gotten me in touch with everyone from the Founders of Qualtrics to the Husband of the Relief Society General President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That last one probably isn’t as cool, lol.

The best part about is the network effect. I get referred to people by high-level people, which opens doors for me that I wouldn’t have normally. I can trace 10-12 meetings I’ve had with people I never would have been able to talk to because I was able to get in with just 1 person.

Successful people are friends with other successful people. 

2. Create a UTAH CMO Group. Essentially make a list of all the top CMO’s of any relevant nature and email them the following. CMOs because I’m assuming you want to work with advertising/marketing folk. The people are busy and don’t have time to meet with other CMOs like they would like to. That’s why you should organize it. 

“Hi, I’m reaching out because a group of CMO’s (share list) would like you to join them for a lunch at such and such restaurant on such and such date for a group meeting. This is not a sponsored event, it’s just a lunch to get to know each other better and share ideas. Everyone is paying for their own meal.

Would you be interested in attending?”

You’ll get 1 of 2 responses.

“Yes”, or “I can’t make it, I have a previous commitment.” Very rarely will someone straight up say no. 

If it’s the latter ask if they would be interested in similar future events. They’ll say yes. 

Hold the lunch, go to the meeting, and don’t pitch anything. If they ask who you are and why you organized the event say you’re wanting to learn from them and thought they would want to learn from others doing the same things as they are. 

Do this consistently every month/quarter and you will build relationships with those you want to by also helping them build relationships with each other.  

3. Read this book (Click Here to see on Amazon)

This Kid tracked down Bill Gates, Lady Gaga and many other “successful” people and shares how he did it. 

I hope this helps in some small way. Let me know if there is anything else I can do.