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Takeaways
- How to connect with top performers to boost your own credibility
- A daily habit that accelerates audience growth and network expansion
- A straightforward approach to building meaningful relationships online
- What to avoid when trying to connect with busy professionals
- Ways to create real value and make people want to work with you
Reading time: 10 minutes
Why this matters for leaders like you
If you’re leading a company or building a brand, time is your most limited resource. You don’t have hours to waste on superficial networking that doesn’t go anywhere. But here’s the thing: the right connections can fast-track your business goals.
When people see you interacting with other top performers in your space, it boosts your own credibility. It positions you as a peer. It also opens the door to opportunities, collaborations, introductions, and visibility to audiences that matter.
The strategies I’m about to share don’t require a massive time commitment, but they do require consistency.
How I make engagement part of my day
Let’s start with the foundation: regular, focused engagement. Every morning, I dedicate a specific block of time to interacting with my audience. For example, I post content at 7:15 a.m. Central Time, and I spend the next 45 minutes responding to comments, asking follow-up questions, and creating dialogue.
Why? Because platforms like LinkedIn reward engagement. The more activity your post generates, the more the platform shows it to new people.
One simple way to boost this is by asking thoughtful questions in the comments. If someone replies to your post, don’t just thank them, ask for more detail. For example: “Can you share an example?” or “What’s your take on this?” Every new comment pushes your post further up the algorithm, giving it even more reach.
If you can’t carve out an hour, start small. Even 15 minutes of focused engagement every day can make a big difference.
Why engaging with top performers matters
Here’s where it gets interesting: instead of only focusing on your own posts, you can grow faster by engaging with the content of top performers in your industry.
Think about it. These are the people who already have the audience and credibility you’re trying to build. By showing up consistently on their posts, you not only gain their attention but also the attention of their audience.
Here’s how I do it:
- Find their posting schedule. Many creators post at the same time every day. Reach out to them and ask: “What time do you usually post? I’d love to make sure I don’t miss it.” This isn’t annoying. It’s helpful to them because comments boost their reach too.
- Bookmark their activity. Once you know when they post, save a link to their recent activity (not their profile) in your browser. This way, you can quickly find their latest posts without wasting time.
- Comment with value. When you comment, don’t just say, “Great post!” or drop a thumbs-up emoji. That does nothing for you. Instead, share a thoughtful insight, ask a smart question, or provide an example from your own experience.
This approach isn’t just about visibility. It’s about building a genuine connection.
Think beyond quick wins
Let me share an example from my own experience. A few years ago, I started consistently engaging with Austin Belsak, a LinkedIn creator focused on career professionals. His audience wasn’t directly aligned with mine, he speaks to younger professionals, while I focus on founders and executives.
But I played the long game. I knew that some of his audience would grow into entrepreneurs and business leaders in a few years. By engaging with his posts and building a relationship with him, I not only gained visibility with his audience but also formed a lasting partnership.
This is what long-term thinking looks like. Not every interaction will lead to immediate results, but if you’re consistent, the returns compound over time.
How to deepen relationships over time
Once you’ve started engaging with someone’s content, take it a step further. Relationships grow when you provide value without expecting anything in return. Here are some ways to do that:
- Write a recommendation. A LinkedIn recommendation is powerful social proof. Take the time to write one for someone you admire, it’s a gesture that stands out.
- Share useful resources. If you come across a guide, book, or tool that you think they’ll find helpful, send it to them. For example, a top performer once sent me a PDF on copywriting that ended up being invaluable to me.
- Feature them in your content. Mention them in a blog post, podcast, or social media post. Highlight their work and link back to them.
- Collaborate. Invite them to speak at your event, appear on a webinar, or join a panel discussion.
- Do something personal. A fun way to connect is through a small trade, like exchanging local coffee, beer, or a unique gift. It’s thoughtful and memorable.
The goal is to show you’re invested in the relationship. When you add value first, people are much more likely to want to collaborate with you.
The wrong way to build relationships
While there are many right ways to connect, there are also a few common mistakes that can hurt your efforts:
- Don’t connect and pitch. Sending a connection request just to sell your product or service is a quick way to burn bridges. It rarely works and leaves a bad impression.
- Don’t assign “homework.” Don’t ask someone to review your posts, give feedback, or complete a project unless you’ve already built a relationship. It comes across as entitled and tone-deaf.
- Don’t ask to “pick their brain.” Busy professionals don’t have time to give free consultations to strangers. Instead, focus on adding value first. Once a relationship is formed, mentorship and advice will naturally follow.
My approach in action
Let me share a quick example of how I built a strong relationship with a top performer.
It started with consistent engagement on their posts. Then I reached out to ask what time they typically post so I wouldn’t miss it. Over time, I wrote them a LinkedIn recommendation, featured them in my content, and even organized a small trade (in this case, local craft beer).
Eventually, this connection turned into a collaboration, they joined me for a live event with my private community, where they shared insights that my audience loved. It wasn’t a transactional relationship; it was built on mutual respect and value.
The bottom line
As a founder or executive, your time is too valuable to waste on networking that doesn’t move the needle. Focus on connecting with the right people and providing real value.
Start small:
- Identify a few top performers in your space.
- Engage consistently with their content.
- Add value without expecting anything in return.
This isn’t about quick wins, it’s about building a network that lifts you up, opens doors, and aligns with your long-term goals. When you take this approach, you’ll find that people want to connect with you, work with you, and help you grow.
So, what’s your next step? Pick one person you admire in your industry and start building that relationship today.
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- We handle LinkedIn for you: You’re busy. We get it. That’s why we take LinkedIn off your plate entirely. From creating content to managing outreach, we drive visibility, build authority, and fill your pipeline with qualified opportunities, so you can focus on growing your business.
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