Wonderful Web Women

Expert Interviews: How To Convince Experts To Venture With You

July 9th, 2008 . by Janet Beckers

One of the most common questions I get asked is how do you convince Industry experts to agree to be interviewed by you, and then how to convince them to promote you to their lists. Even more importantly, how do you do this if you are an unknown and have no list of your own at all?

There is a real strategy to doing this effectively but you can definitely replicate it in your own niche. When I started Wonderful Web Women I had no list (well, about 50 friends and relatives) because I had sold my previous business, along with the list. I was an unknown and had never met most of the women I interviewed. There are a lot of techniques I have developed which I cover in detail in my workshops but here is an outline to get you started:

5 steps to convince experts to partner with you

#1: Write a wish list of experts you would LOVE to interview if you could wave a magic wand and have the most successful and inspiring people.

I searched on Google, checked out www.gurudaq.com, went to internet marketing events and joined different speaker’s lists

#2: Go for the biggest names FIRST.

I know this seems crazy. After all, they don’t know you and logic would say to start with someone talented but not well known, and work your way up. You MUST start big. Read on to find out why.

#3: Communicate clearly what is in it for them and you

Money is not usually what motivates industry experts. After all, what they will make from joint venturing with you is probably peanuts for them. There are usually less tangible benefits for them. This is what I found really motivated the women who supported the launch of Wonderful Web Women:

  1. They want to promote their business and latest projects

  2. They are genuinely passionate about what they do and love to share

and, the biggest motivator of all……….

  1. They were all genuinely passionate about inspiring and supporting women entrepreneurs.

Address these major motivators in your communication. Be clear, honest and brief (they are busy).

#4: When you have one agreement, let the rest know

This is important. People want to know they will be seen in good company and will often wait to see who else agrees first. That’s why I say go for the biggest name first. Once you have someone influential, the others will agree you are credible and be happy to join. You can even say “this is who else I have asked”, even if they haven’t agreed yet, and this will be enough to convince some that you are serious.

So go for the big fish first. If they say ”no” what have you lost? Nothing.

#5: Insist each speaker promotes the entire line up of speakers to their list, 2 weeks (and again one week) before you launch

This is the basis of your list building. Each speaker is helping each other to have new listeners on each call. They are supporting each other as much as they are supporting you. You must stress that they are supporting the other experts. This is the hardest part as they are busy and may not intend to forget your promotion but it gets lost in how much else they have going on. Be persistent and do as much as you can to help them (write the emails, make promotional videos or audios if you can)

Well that’s just the start, you have to do the interviews yet, but this is the hardest, and most important part done.

Good luck. I’d love to hear how you go. I hope to see you at our Quick Start Events.

Cheers

Janet

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