Our article last week provided techniques to get past the gatekeeper using a direct approach. Working directly with the gatekeeper can be the fastest method, but what if it doesn’t work? How do you get around an unresponsive gatekeeper?
In this article we explore ways to bypass the gatekeeper entirely. These tips may help you connect with the decision maker themselves.
Start by Googling their name. You will find lots of great information like links to their social-media pages, blogs they have written and interviews they have given. You will also find out about events they are attending, groups they belong to and much more.
Follow the links to their social-media pages and learn about their interests, passions and hobbies. Do you share any interests? What friends do have in common? Could one of these mutual friends make a warm introduction for you?
Connect with them on LinkedIn and follow their conversations. Engage in their social media posts by liking, commenting and sharing occasionally. They will begin to notice you, or at least recognize your name.
If you have used their company before, write a complimentary online review. The decision maker may see the review and thank you for it. That might be all you need to begin a meaningful dialog.
Pay attention to events they attend, and attend them yourself. If you put yourself in a place where they are going to be, you have a better chance of meeting them.
Find out what nonprofits they support and consider volunteering. When you meet them in a nonprofit setting, they will be much more approachable than virtually anywhere else.
Think outside the box and be creative. Once you connect with the decision maker, you have effectively removed the gatekeeper.
