How Alex Turnbull Built a Thriving Blog and Business Using a Simple 4-Week Plan
In 2013, Alex Turnbull was virtually unknown. Yet, through a deliberate and strategic approach, he managed to connect with influential people, build credibility, and launch his blog to success. His four-week to-do list not only helped him network effectively but also set the foundation for rapid business growth.
Here’s the exact strategy he used, step by step:
The 4-Week Networking Plan
- Identify Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in Your Target Market
- Alex started by researching who the most influential voices were in his niche.
- Focus: Individuals who actively engaged with their audience and had genuine authority in the industry.
- Narrow Your Focus to Relevant Influencers
- Instead of trying to reach everyone, he prioritized those who could genuinely benefit from his content or align with his mission.
- Quality over quantity ensured meaningful connections.
- Follow Influencers on Twitter
- He used Twitter as the first touchpoint for connecting.
- This low-effort action signaled his interest and familiarity with their work.
- Engage With Two Tweets Per Influencer
- Alex didn’t just passively follow; he actively replied to two tweets from each influencer.
- This demonstrated his genuine engagement and started the relationship on a positive note.
- Comment on Two Blog Posts
- To deepen the connection, he left thoughtful comments on their blogs.
- By adding value to their discussions, he made himself visible to both the influencers and their audiences.
- Send an Email With Links to Two Blog Posts
- Alex sent personalized emails with links to relevant blog posts, ensuring the content was tailored to the recipient’s interests.
- This built trust and showed he was knowledgeable in their domain.
- Pitch With a Personal Email
- He followed up with a friendly, personalized pitch, ending with a subtle question:
“… Do you mind if I send you a link?”
- This soft ask made the recipient more likely to respond positively, as it didn’t feel intrusive or overly promotional.
- He followed up with a friendly, personalized pitch, ending with a subtle question:
The Results
- Overwhelmingly Positive Responses:
- Alex received positive replies from over 85% of the influencers he emailed.
- This high response rate was a testament to his genuine approach and personalized communication.
- High Engagement on His First Blog Post:
- His first blog post garnered comments from 20 influential individuals, including well-known figures in the industry.
- This not only boosted his credibility but also expanded his reach to their audiences.
- Business Growth in Just Five Weeks:
- Within five weeks, Alex had achieved:
- 5,000 paying customers.
- 535 trial users.
- $3,425 in sales.
- Within five weeks, Alex had achieved:
Why This Strategy Worked
- Focused Networking: Instead of casting a wide net, Alex built authentic connections with a targeted group of influencers.
- Value-Driven Approach: By commenting on blogs and engaging on social media, he added value before asking for anything in return.
- Personalization: His tailored emails and thoughtful communication showed he genuinely cared about building relationships.
- Consistency: Alex followed a structured plan and executed it consistently, ensuring sustained progress over time.
Key Takeaways for Your Business
- Start With Research: Identify the influencers who are most relevant to your industry or audience.
- Engage Genuinely: Build trust by engaging with their content and providing thoughtful contributions.
- Focus on Relationships: Establish connections first before making any asks or pitching your product.
- Leverage Personalized Outreach: Avoid generic pitches; tailor your communication to each individual’s interests and needs.
- Be Consistent: Follow through with a structured plan, and don’t get discouraged by initial slow progress.
Conclusion
Alex Turnbull’s story is proof that with a strategic and authentic approach, you can turn networking into a powerful growth engine for your blog or business. By following his 4-week plan, you can build meaningful connections, attract an engaged audience, and drive tangible results.
Are you ready to transform your networking strategy? Start by identifying your key influencers today!
Source: Groove HQ Blog