This is a topic that I’ve mentioned briefly throughout the 30 days of branding, but I’d like to expand on it a little and give you some resources to do this. It’s a good idea to follow people who are farther ahead in their careers so that you can learn from them. I always pick a few industry leaders and pay close attention to what they are doing to brand themselves. But, I understand that it can be a challenge to find these leaders in such a big world. So, today I give you some resources.
Industry Leaders on Twitter
Wefollow.com
This is a great site because you can type in a hashtag like #eventprofs and be directed to a list of the most influential tweeters as well as the people with the most followers. By comparing these two lists, you can likely find industry leaders who are using social media to brand themselves well.
WtHashtag.com
Here, you can also search by hashtag. The great thing about this site is that it shows you the most active tweeters in an industry by day. In addition, groups that are more established like the #eventprofs group, include information about tweet chats, wikis and other events and programs that they are hosting.
Industry Leaders by Professional Associations
Each industry has professional associations that you can join which is a great way to connect with industry leaders. Below are some general listings of associations which you can search to find the right ones for what you do. Many of these associations also have in-person events that you will want to attend.
Weedle’s Association Directory
Yahoo! Professional Groups Directory
Google’s Association Directory
Industry Leaders at Events
Many of the best connections you will make will be at in-person events so it’s a good idea to do a quick search on upcoming events in your industry. Whether you attend a networking event, a panel or a speaker presentation, these are all opportunities for you to connect with great people. In addition, you’re likely to stumble upon industry leaders in your research. If you see the same person speaking at several events, look them up on your social networks and see if you can connect with them.
Industry Leaders Who Write
If a person knows what they are talking about, you’ll be able to tell from their blog. So, it’s a good idea to search for people who blog about your industry. Once you find blogs that you enjoy reading, subscribe to them using your RSS reader and begin commenting where appropriate. Don’t forget to share good articles with your colleagues. Engaging with a writer’s content is one of the best ways to begin a great relationship with the blogger!
Google Blog Search
Blog-Search.com
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Tags: 30 Days of Branding, Personal Branding, Social Media/Technology
