How to Connect with Movers and Shakers by Going Old School

Got a minute for a cool tip to will get you noticed by folks who matter?

I saw this on an interview with entrepreneur Jesse Itzler.

(In case that name doesn’t ring a bell he’s the husband of billionaire Spanx founder Sara Blakely).  And a successful guy in his own right.

Jesse has what he calls a Hot 50 List …

He identifies 50 folks he’d love to connect with at a deeper level, or get on their radar screen. Folks he really appreciates and admires.

And once every quarter he sends them a note.

Not an email. Or a text. Or a DM. A real live note. Handwritten. Old school.

And he keeps doing it, every quarter, so it works.

While everything is going virtual, doesn’t it make sense that sending something distinctive via snail mail will help you stand out?

(I once had a colleague who ran a gift company who actually coached entrepreneurs how to do this effectively).

Interested in blowing this up in a big way? Here are some extra tips, for a bigger impact:

Amidst the cascade of junk mail, slick corporate-looking stuff and endless texts, when you get something hand addressed in the mail, what do you do?

You look at it immediately. And you open it immediately. Boom!

(At least that’s what I do).

It’s hard to resist something that looks like someone you know  sent something personal.

Who could it be?
What could they want?
The curiousity is unbearable.

And that’s the point.

Just sure the address (in addition to the note itself) is handwritten because it’s the first thing they will see.

Want to combine the handwritten touch with something that makes an immediate visual impression? Why not try cool post cards!

You can find lots of them on Zazzle, or Etsy.

Or you can do a Google regular search or image search on “Cool Post Cards”.

So in addition to being handwritten, it’s funky, creative or bold.

Not into post cards? Want to add to the intrigue by making them open a letter to find out what’s inside?

How about cool envelopes to catch their attention?

You can find a bunch on Etsy or by Googling “cool envelopes”.

Be sure the note you send is heartfelt and authentic.

Be sure to use conversational language, words that real humans use (not words that marketers use).  Would say it if you bumped into them in Starbucks? Then it passes the test.

Express appreciation for who they are. Something they’ve done that’s had an impact on you.

Don’t write a novel. Just make it unique, personal and memorable.

Does all that handwriting sound tedious?

Why not turn your handwriting into a font so you can type it in?

You can do that right here!

This also allows you to hand off the task to an assistant while you’re working on a launch or converting leads.

But be careful! The one part you DON’T want to automate or outsource is what’s in the note itself.

Don’t creep out your contact by something that initially appears personal, but ends up being just another mass communication.

Obviously, this isn’t feasable for a massive list. (Although Jesse Itzler has sent as many as 3,000 hand written letters in a year).

But use it to get noticed by people who matter by standing out.

The good news is most people think standing out means doing what everyone else is doing. Or totally blowing the believability envelope to bits.

I’m suggesting something a lot more effective.

When you Zig while everyone else is Zagging, and do it in a way that truly connects with and engages people, you have a much greater chance to get on the radar screen of people who matter.

Upping the level of your network, and the quality of the connection you have with that network, boosts the level of your success.

It doesn’t have to be an impossible dream. But it doesn’t happen by accident. You have to be intentional in seeking out top-tier clients for your top-tier work.

If you’re wondering exactly how to do that, I can help. With 21 specific suggestions that can make your high end client search a whole lot easier.  Take a look!