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How do you approach people you want to interview when you can't offer them any money?

by ckbank
12 replies
How would I go about approaching people I want to interview if I can't pay them a dime? For that matter, how do I approach the best pros in their respective fields?
#approach #interview #money #offer #people
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    If you want to attract the TOP people in a field - you need to have some experience/credibility yourself. That's probably not what you want to hear, but often true.
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    • Profile picture of the author ckbank
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      If you want to attract the TOP people in a field - you need to have some experience/credibility yourself. That's probably not what you want to hear, but often true.
      Okay. What if we forgot about top talent. How do I approach anyone I'd like to interview for a product creation?
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      Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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      • Profile picture of the author zannix
        Forget about the big fishes. For now... You have to move up step by step. Start with mid-sized IMers. They are in the expansion process, looking for every way possible to get their names out. Your interview is just what they need at this stage (assuming you have a reasonably sized audience).

        In case you don't, focus on building it first. I don't know if you want to use the interviews as a freebie catch on your "squeeze page" or as material you want to deliver to your already existing list.

        You can build your list using other means first, and then when your list is large (and responsive) enough, you have a much better chance of getting those interviews.

        Edit: How to approach someone you'd like to interview? Well first you need their contact information, of course, and secondly you need a professionally structured offer. But it shouldn't be hard if you play it right (WIN/WIN)
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        • Profile picture of the author ckbank
          Originally Posted by zannix View Post

          Forget about the big fishes. For now... You have to move up step by step. Start with mid-sized IMers. They are in the expansion process, looking for every way possible to get their names out. Your interview is just what they need at this stage (assuming you have a reasonably sized audience).

          In case you don't, focus on building it first. I don't know if you want to use the interviews as a freebie catch on your "squeeze page" or as material you want to deliver to your already existing list.

          You can build your list using other means first, and then when your list is large (and responsive) enough, you have a much better chance of getting those interviews.

          Edit: How to approach someone you'd like to interview? Well first you need their contact information, of course, and secondly you need a professionally structured offer. But it shouldn't be hard if you play it right (WIN/WIN)
          Well, I'm not just talking about IMers. I'm talking about interviewing anyone in any industry.
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          Now that's what I call Guerrilla Marketing.
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          • Profile picture of the author zannix
            Originally Posted by ckbank View Post

            Well, I'm not just talking about IMers. I'm talking about interviewing anyone in any industry.
            Same (or very similar) principle applies to all industries.
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    • Profile picture of the author Malcolm Thomas
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      If you want to attract the TOP people in a field - you need to have some experience/credibility yourself. That's probably not what you want to hear, but often true.
      This. You will have to have some type of value to offer those people in return for their time. It could mean recommending their products to your list, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author twister85
    Why don't you use skype?
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  • Profile picture of the author Stuart Walker
    Here's a great post from Derek Halpern over at Social Triggers on how to persuade people you don't know to help you, it's got lots of great information in it: How to persuade people who don’t know you to help – or link – you
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  • Profile picture of the author Dean Henry
    Is there a wso here on how to interview the big players for newbies?
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  • Profile picture of the author Marty Foley
    Originally Posted by ckbank View Post

    How would I go about approaching people I want to interview if I can't pay them a dime? For that matter, how do I approach the best pros in their respective fields?
    If you really want to reach someone, you can use all sorts of other more costly but effective marketing approaches: By mail, FedEx letters or packages, or shipping them some attention-grabbing item.

    I've heard of marketers sending canoe paddles, garbage cans, candy, and all sorts of items to get past gatekeepers and to get someone's attention. Not necessarily to ask for an interview, but the principle is the same.

    But sending them a plain 'ole email can work surprisingly well. It worked for me in getting Corey Rudl, Marlon Sanders, Jonathan Mizel, and other popular gurus "back in the day" to agree to interviews. I generally sent one email asking if I could interview them, and another with the questions. But other approaches can also work.

    Having a sizeable audience and credibility can help motivate more to agree to an interview, but some "gurus" you approach can be surprisingly accessible and agreeable (they usually know the value of free PR).

    I've found that often they will agree but then not follow through, probably because they are very busy with other things. But polite email reminders usually do the trick.

    ~ Marty Foley
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