Reframe your networking requests. Asking for a "referral" implies a strong endorsement and makes people uncomfortable. Asking for an "introduction" is a lower-stakes request that is much easier for your contacts to fulfill, dramatically increasing your chances of success.

To build relationships with potential mentors or sponsors, replace the extractive ask of "Will you mentor me?" with the value-added offer of "How can I help you?". This non-transactional approach demonstrates your worth, builds genuine rapport, and makes influential people want to invest in your career.

The founder advocates for being a "fountain, not a drain." He uses "soft touchpoints"—like texting a screenshot of a partner's ad seen in public—to stay top-of-mind without asking for anything. This builds genuine, non-transactional connections that pay dividends when a real "ask" is eventually needed.

The effectiveness of large-scale influencer marketing is waning as audiences recognize inauthentic paid promotions. A better strategy is to identify smaller creators, or 'trust brokers,' with high engagement and genuine community trust. Focus on building real, long-term, mutually beneficial relationships rather than transactional one-off posts.

When trying to influence external partners, start with those most eager to collaborate. This 'coalition of the willing' builds momentum, helps set standards, and creates social pressure for larger, slower-moving players to join the initiative.

When a champion offers an introduction, immediately send them a pre-written draft they can forward in one click. This removes friction, increases the likelihood of the intro happening, and psychologically reinforces their commitment by having them adopt your language.

Forcing brand messaging on an influencer leads to inauthentic content that fails to resonate. A better approach is to educate them on your product and collaborate on an angle that aligns with their established voice and topics. Authenticity drives distribution and engagement, making the partnership more effective than a boilerplate promotion.

To secure a critical partnership with Beyond Meat after another deal collapsed, Emma Hernan didn't use traditional channels. She systematically reached out to every account Beyond Meat followed on social media, correctly assuming this network contained employees or close connections, and successfully landed the deal.

To achieve genuine endorsements, brands must trust creators. Instead of providing rigid scripts, give them key message points and the freedom to tell the story in their own voice. This creative liberty results in more authentic advertising that resonates with the creator's audience.