Want to Meet Powerful People? Five Places to Look

Posted on September 29th, 2009 by Keith Ferrazzi

The image is one thing and the human being is another. - Elvis Presley

handshake-295x300Fame breeds fame. The fact is, all my prowess for reaching out to other people would be far less effective if a few of those people in my Rolodex weren’t well-known names. Problem is, while we’re excited by the idea of meeting “celebrities,” they are often not all that anxious to meet us. So how can we get close to them?

Yes, it helps to be at the right places and invited to the right events. But the fancy weekends and invite-only conferences aren’t the only ways to meet important people. In America, there is an association for everything. If you want to meet the movers and shakers directly, you have to become a joiner. It’s amazing how accessible people are when we meet them at events that speak to their interests.

Here are a few more places that I’ve found particularly rewarding when looking to find people on the rise or who have already risen:

Young Presidents’Organization (YPO)
This organization is for executive managers under the age of forty-four and has regional chapters across the United States. If you’re running a business, or want to, there are plenty of entrepreneurial organizations that will put you in front of the corporate chieftains of tomorrow. Similar professional organizations exist for the entire range of vocational pursuits. When you join such a group, and become a central figure in that group’s activities, you’ll become someone whom other powerful people will seek to deal with.

Political Fundraisers
Politics is the nexus of money, passion, and power. In politics, the unknown person you help today is the political heavy that can help you tomorrow. Join a local campaign. Host a fundraiser, or attend one. Become an outspoken advocate on a particular issue; if it lights your fire, it’s sure to light the fire of others: Find them and work together!

Conferences
When you have something unique to say and become a speaker, you momentarily become a celebrity in your own right. Networking is never easier than when people are coming to you. There are thousands of conferences that indulge any number of interests. If you develop a side expertise or passion, you can find out which well-known people share your interest and attend the conferences that these people will likely attend.

Nonprofit Boards
Start out by finding four or five issues that are important to you and then support them locally. Successful nonprofits seek out a few famous people to sit on their boards to help them get publicity. Eventually, the goal is to become a board member yourself and sit side by side with these people. But be sure you care and indeed want to help the cause.

Sports (Especially Golf)
Sports and exercise are terrific areas where you can meet new, important people. On the field or court, in the gym or on the track, it’s a level playing field. Reputation means little. What does matter is the skill you have and the camaraderie you can create.

There’s nothing wrong with looking for ways to spend time with people who have accomplished more and have more wisdom than you. Once you put yourself in position to connect with the famous and powerful, the key is not to feel as if you’re undeserving or an impostor. You’re a star in your own right, with your own accomplishments, and you have a whole lot to give to the world.

If you pursue celebrities in a sincere manner, with good intentions, you’re not being manipulative. And if you are emboldened by a mission and you’ve put in the time and hard work to establish a web of people that count on you, then the time will come when your growing influence will put you in a place where you’ll be face-to-face with someone who can help you make a difference.

Question: Have you ever truly connected with a celebrity or person of influence? What worked?

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24 Responses so far | Have Your Say!

  1. I wanted to meet the president of a business and also to ask him to speak at a dinner meeting of a professional organization. I did my research on him and his Company; then I called his office. After convincing his administrative assistant that I was not going to waste his time, she put my call through to him. We spoke and he agreed to travel 60+ miles to come and speak for our group....without a fee. I believe he enjoy the dinner meeting and the discussions as much as we enjoyed his presentation. It was all because of research and a phone call.

  2. While all of the aforementioned make sense, I thought for sure that Alumni (fraternal or collegiate) would have been one of the core 5. This is especially true of several of the examples within Keith's book, Never Eat Alone. Great success to all those who endeavor.

  3. Hi Keith,
    In addition to YPO, there is Vistage International. Vistage is the world's leading chief executive organization with 15,000 members in 16 countries. For CEOs that want to bring their business to the next level and have an experienced peer group that has their back, this is a perfect organization.

    Mark Taylor,
    Vistage Chair, NYC

  4. In China, it is difficult to meet celebrity. Celebrity dont want to meet people who knows nobody. My friends join communist party so to look important, then meet celebrity. America is so great - you can pee with celebrity like jack welsh. In china, no way to pee with celebrity. I want to pee with celebrity too, but I am nobody. PLease Keith Ferazzi, come to china and show us how to do it.

  5. @Gary - great "just ask!" success story!

    @myCMPS you are right, that should certainly be on the list!

    @Mark Taylor I'm a big Vistage fan - there's a section on you guys in WGYB

    @Zhang anytime "Zhang" - if you can throw in dinner with some party bosses. ;)

  6. Hi Keith:

    Thanks very much for the useful posts.

    I have been sponsoring webinars for my clients, senior level management consultants. I started off by approaching about 100 bestselling authors until I finally received my first "yes." We have been picking up steam ever since.

    We now have a long list of top business authors, who find our program very valuable. It has helped them spread the word about their publications and their ventures, and has also helped my business.

    I would love to have you speak at one of our monthly events. If you are interested, check out http://www.globalconsultingforum.net

    All the best,
    Jason Sanders

  7. Peeing with celebrities is a man thing -- it becomes a bit harder for women!

  8. This article give a lot of good ideas. Another idea I've used to meet influential people is to join the local chamber of commerce. I guess it's a subgroup of just any type of organization (which you mentioned) but still. I've met many local influencers and it's a great way to network and market yourself.
    When you become well known in your circle, when a big time guest comes- you will be one of the "in" people. And that can meen behind the scenes time with such persons.

    Peace

  9. Pat, it's even easier for women - striking up conversation next to the sinks while people are primping is easier to pull off than while they're doing the deed! :)

  10. Keith

    Great post! One area that I've connected influential folks is through Twitter...

    By providing valuable information, retweeting and reaching out to include others, it's very easy to connect with some top notch people.

    Keep up the great work!

  11. I think entrepreneurial groups are great for networking, I have met many million dollar plus business owners through very small business associations. I think having a networking mindset, one of generosity and service as well as focus can be used just about anywhere. When I was younger I always used to meet bar and club owners in similar fashion

  12. Keith,

    I recently met Les Brown (the World's Leading Motivational Speaker) at a convention.
    After he spoke on stage I found out where he would be at afterward. I approached him and thanked him for his moving talk. While speaking I expressed my interest in his work by mentioning an event of his that I had been following. He was very pleased to hear and asked for my business card.
    Great article Keith. Thanks for providing specific venues that we can attend.

    Your Friend,

    Hoan

  13. Great ideas Keith. Although I don't know how comfortable I would be if someone I didn't know started an in depth conversation at the urinal. (smile)

    One thing I do enjoy is finding cruises with speakers I'm interested in. The cruise is a more intimate setting and you're sure to have multiple chances to meet that person you always wanted to meet. Plus having impeccable service and great ports of call isn't bad either.

    Keep Believing...
    Bille Baty

  14. Hi Keith;
    Great Tips to build the network. And I also believe in the school of thought, that if you are passionate about anything and begin sharing with self-expression - you will attract people to your cause and build a resourceful network.
    The key is to find your passion and purpose and then unleash yourself out in the world.
    Cheers

  15. Brian Hughes Barron says:
    September 29, 2009 at 8:50 am
    Reply

    All of the aforementioned "shotgun approaches" may work for others, but I prefer the "rifle approach".......google the folks that you find in vocation specific news reports & blogs, then drill down into their citations until you find an e-mail address, phone number, or notable accomplishment that you can make a connection to.
    This saves a lot of convention expenses, poor chemistry, "urinal hang-time", and gets you connected with those where you can create a mutually beneficial relationship. If you are engaged in some endeavor that's worthwhile & exciting---like a renewable energy patent---most polymath people with big Rolodexes will be eager to connect with you. Good rifle hunting.....!!!

  16. An approach that has never failed for me is to share passions in giving back to the world. Practically everyone has a cause that means something to them personally. If it's a passion I genuinely share (or want to know more about so that I can serve them), automatic connection.

    I love learning about people's service to others. It adds such a depth to our overall picture of them, especially when it's a famous person.

  17. I've met over 75,000 people thus far. All one tweet at a time. The best thing to do is to help people. If you can help people they are by the very act, of real help, drawn to you. It's like magic yet it truly works. Help people. It's the coolest thing in the world.

  18. Marcus Svensson says:
    September 29, 2009 at 3:37 pm
    Reply

    I second the comment of Gregory, helping is the coolest thing in the world.

    Having lived in Stockholm during my 20ies (I am now 30) I made some valuable contacts in the party scene. To help others visiting Sweden I created a document with my suggestions for a perfect time while there - it covers restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels.

    In short, what to do to have the very best of times, be it with business associates, friends or the love of your life. This document has so far, and will in the future, help me help others.

    Believe me, it is all about helping people whom then will be there for you.

  19. Dear Keith,

    Your tenacity and creativity for connecting with powerful people is infectious. I've been more confident with asking people I want to get to know to speak at my executive networking organization. Even if they are too busy to speak at the time my approaching them has opened the door to a relationship with endless possibilities. I even get invited to their groups now. Your book Never Eat Alone really motivated me! Thank you Keith!

  20. Keith:
    This is a great topic.
    A couple of years ago, a client of mine wanted to write a book and also wanted to upgrade his network. I advised him to interview all the people he wanted to meet for his book - perfect way to connect with them, build a relationship with them, and give something of value to them while fulfilling his dream of writing a book. Leverage, leverage, leverage.

    He started the process, meeting great people. Then, as often happens, he got stopped and let the project drop.

    I took my own coaching - I'm writing a book and am interviewing and meeting unbelievable people: someone who worked with Bill Clinton while he was president, the personal assistant to an Oscar-winning actress, a best-selling author and ex-daughter in law of Warren Buffet, an author of a best-selling business book, a world-renowned artist, and many others. The interviews are vignettes I will include in the book exemplifying the key theme. I've used several pathways to meeting these people: HARO (Help a reporter out) Facebook, Linked In, my on the ground network, and Twitter.

    By the way, my client that got stopped? He picked his project up again when he heard about me writing the book and meeting all these great people.

    Keith, I have been a huge fan and follower ever since I heard you speak several years ago at The Learning Annex and have made NEA required reading for most of my clients.

    Now, with this book, who knows, maybe you'll agree to be interviewed for my book. There wouldn't be a better example of the premise, I promise.

  21. Keith,
    Great info, as always. I would add joining an organization that helps the poor. Many powerful people want to give something back, so they organize or volunteer to help the poor. When you work beside them to help realize a goal they are passionate about, your generousity will show through. The upside is that they are givers, too and are more likely to help you.

  22. I sort of met Beyonce and her husband last Saturday in Neman Marcus in Atlanta. I was looking for a purse in front of Channel, and suddenly my friend poked me and said, "look over there" I saw a tall man in black and huge sunglasses. "He is?" "Yes! Yes!" Before I realized, a cute lady with jeans, jacket and a sweater hat walked by me and passed me. She was Beyonce! With little makeup on, her hair was perfectly curled which matched exteremly well with her outfit. She had huge eyes with smile. She looked like at ease and walked by with red high heels. Without bodyguards, she was so reachable. I said, "Hi!" She didn't hear me and walked over with her husband and agent. My friend said JZ tapped his shoulder to ask for the places to buy a hat, but he didn't realize what to answer. I have been thinking since the moment, how can you turn an unexpected moment to opportunity like that? What if I offered to help them search the hat? What if I told her how much I love her music?

    So, stay ready.

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