February 8, 2024

Can I pick your brain?

If you reached out to the big names in your space and asked if you could jump on a Zoom call and “pick their brain” for an hour, what are the odds that they would say yes?

Probably pretty low.

But what if, instead, you asked them to join you as a guest on your podcast to talk about their new book or workshop or charity...

Do you think the odds of a YES would increase?

I sure do.

I’ve had the pleasure of chatting with a long list of incredibly accomplished and interesting individuals on my various podcasts who probably wouldn’t have given me the time of day if I had asked to pick their brains.

Luminaries like Seth Godin, Annie Duke, James Clear, April Dunford, Joe Pine, Jill Konrath, Charles Green, Adam Davidson, and many more.

Here’s the thing...

I have learned a great deal from these conversations, but what’s more important to me is that a relationship is created.

I’m not saying that I’m best buddies with anyone on this list, but at the very least, I do exchange emails with all of my past guests from time to time.

Sometimes, I contact them to ask a follow-up question, to connect them with each other, or to share a finding that I think they might find valuable.

And guess what?

A nice side effect of creating and nurturing these relationships and associations is that it is good for business.

Even if nobody listened to my podcast at all, I’d keep doing the show just to have something to invite rockstars to.

Yours,

—J