How do you connect with people that are too busy to see you? Did it happen to you that you want to meet somebody but whatever you did you could not get hold of her?
But if you’re like most professionals, you’ve struggled with trying to figure out how to go about making that contact. How can you get the person’s attention? What should you say and how do you say it? Where do you even start? Should you follow-up if they ignore you? And new means of communication in the form of social media, Skype, text messaging, What’s App and blog commenting has made this issue even more confusing and challenging.
In the last couple of years, we have discovered and realized that most professionals don’t know how to get meetings with people too busy to see you. So I came up with my method to sort out how to develop relations with busy people, who I will meet and who not.
Here are some tips on the best approaches to get a meeting with a busy person:
- Be consistent. Don’t give up. In trying to meet a busy person tenacity is vital. You need to create yourself the chance to meet them by being persistent and consistent. If the other person can see how much the meeting means to you, they are more likely to give you their time.
- Keep a positive mindset. One of your natural barriers is your mindset. You need to believe that these people are approachable and you only need to find the time to meet with you. It’s natural that they are going to be harder to connect with if in your mind is impossible. So keep a positive mind.
- Use a proper introduction. Usually, via a proper introduction by the right person who knows the busy person you want to meet, the chance is greater. Just choose the right introduction person.
- Use social media channels. In many cases, social media channels can get you connected and get closer to them. You may use social listening skills to learn about their needs, wishes, activities, etc. If they share the best way to connect with them, follow this requested path. Make it simple for the busy person to agree to your meeting.
- Indicate the precise time and need. The more you share with the busy person exactly how much of their time you want, the better the chance to connect with them. Be flexible on where and when to meet and accommodate their wishes.
- Be interesting & authentic. This means you need to show you have made an effort for them, you did your homework, and you want to give them your full attention. Thus, they can more easily reciprocate.
- Offer something back. No, this doesn’t mean offering a coffee or lunch to pick up their brain.. as some people advise. This is a real no-no. If you did your homework and check more about the busy person, you can find what can create value for them in the short term and go deliver it to them. Even if the help they need is in their personal life.
As you see, there is the right way to connect with a busy person but also the wrong way to make requests that will get you ignored forever.
Remember, if you do everything right and still fail to get a response, you shouldn’t take it personally. Most likely the person was simply too wrapped up in their lives and responsibilities that they couldn’t get to your request. It’s likely nothing personal, and most people will appreciate it if you simply try again, rather than giving up and disappearing.
Actually, if you just disappear, it sends the message that you weren’t really looking to make a meaningful connection with the person in the first place.
What helps you to schedule a meeting with a busy person?
If you’re ready to learn how to follow up properly with busy people and get their help and support to grow your professional practice, check out this Practice How To within our SWITCH membership.
