When pitching influencers and building relationships with them, it’s important to do things in a way that isn’t "salesy," pushy, or that makes them feel like you’re stalking them.

 

Here are 5 best practices tips to follow when connecting.

 

Tip #1: Be Non-Aggressive. Reach out to influencers after doing some strategic planning behind your first efforts to reach out to them. Don’t go to their Instagram account and like 30 of their posts from the previous year and then suddenly start messaging and sharing their posts.

 

Instead, engage and become acquainted with them. Build a relationship first slowly. Then, send your first message. Back off for a short period and then send a second message, if they haven’t responded to the first one.

 

Tip #2: Hang Out Where They Participate. The social web is filled with tons of conversations on various platforms. Influencers are participating in many of them. You can find influencers on Reddit, LinkedIn Groups, niche webinars, and many other places where you can join in the conversations

For instance, Twitter has weekly chats that are organized by a common hashtag. One example is #SmallBizChat that takes place on certain days and times each week. The chats are led by one person, but you can join the conversations by participating weekly. Then when you reach out, your target influencer will recognize your Twitter handle and be more receptive to you. There are Twitter chats on almost every industry as seen in this extensive list. (source)

​

Tip #3: Make a Human Connection whenever possible. Even though they may be Social Media stars, connecting with them in person is impactful. Don’t just show up on their doorstep, though. Instead, attend industry events they are speaking at or attending if you are planning to attend the event. 

 

For example, if you’re product is an amazing low carb barbecue sauce and you want to connect with a specific influencer in the low carb industry, then attending a low-carb lifestyle event is a natural place to meet them if they are attending.

 

Then make a natural connection by networking with them. Be prepared with what you want to say but be sure to listen and ask questions about the influencer themselves as a person. Most people love talking about themselves. Keep it light and be sure to pass out your business card.

 

Tip #4: Use Your Own Network to Meet Influencers. Reach out to people you know who can connect you to the people you want to know. Go through your social media influencer’s friends lists. You might have mutual connections you didn’t know about. Reach out to these mutual friends and ask them to make an introduction to the influencer.

 

Tip #5: Keep a List of Your Efforts. Keep track of who and how you are reaching out. This keeps you from being overbearing or forgetting about the social media influencers, you want to connect with.

 

Keep tabs on the dates, times, method you used to reach out, the success or failure of your attempt so you can see if you are making a good effort to engage with influencers but not annoying them.

 

Implement these tips when you begin connecting and working with influencers to help things go smoothly. No one wants to feel like they are being pushed or sold to.