How can you build long-term relationships with brand strategy leaders?

1 Identify your goals and values

Before you reach out to any brand strategy leader, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what you stand for. What are your specific goals as a brand strategist? What are your core values and principles? How do they align with the ones of the leaders you admire? Having a clear sense of your own identity and purpose will help you find the right mentors, collaborators, and peers in the brand strategy community.

2 Research and follow their work

The next step is to learn as much as you can about the brand strategy leaders you want to connect with. What are their backgrounds, achievements, and current projects? What are their areas of expertise, interests, and opinions? What are their challenges, pain points, and goals? You can find this information by following their social media accounts, subscribing to their newsletters, podcasts, or blogs, reading their books or articles, watching their videos or webinars, or attending their events or workshops. This will help you understand their perspective, approach, and style, as well as identify common ground and potential value propositions.

3 Engage with them authentically

Once you have a solid understanding of their work, you can start engaging with them in a meaningful and respectful way. You can comment on their posts, share their content, ask relevant questions, offer constructive feedback, or express appreciation. You can also join their online or offline communities, forums, or groups, and participate in discussions, debates, or challenges. The key is to be genuine, respectful, and curious, and to avoid spamming, pitching, or asking for favors. You want to show that you are interested in their work, not just in what they can do for you.

4 Provide value and support

As you build rapport and trust with the brand strategy leaders, you can also look for ways to provide value and support to them. You can share your own insights, experience, or resources that might be useful or interesting to them. You can introduce them to other people or opportunities that might benefit them. You can help them promote their work, solve their problems, or achieve their goals. You can also give them honest and constructive feedback, praise, or recognition. The idea is to be helpful, generous, and proactive, and to show that you care about their success and well-being.

5 Maintain and nurture the relationship

Finally, you need to maintain and nurture the relationship over time, by staying in touch, following up, and showing interest and appreciation. You can send them occasional messages, emails, or cards, to check in, update, or thank them. You can invite them to your events, projects, or initiatives, or join theirs. You can celebrate their achievements, milestones, or occasions, or support them in difficult times. You can also ask for their advice, feedback, or guidance, or offer yours. The goal is to keep the conversation going, deepen the connection, and grow together.