Found the right expert? Great! But real success comes when you don’t just consult one-time, but build long-term relationships with the expert. Building a network of contacts through a knowledge system is an approach in which each new contact and expert is integrated into your personal knowledge base so that you can find the right people and turn to their expertise exactly when it is really necessary. This approach allows you to organically connect experts to new ideas or projects, gradually developing a network of useful contacts.
Here are a few steps to get the most out of such contacts and create productive collaboration:
1. Add experts to your network
If you are sure that a particular expert is the right person to help you solve your current issues, add them to your contacts. Maintain regular communication, periodically congratulate them on their successes or comment on their publications. If they are scientists or practitioners with intense workloads, they will appreciate the attention and professional recognition.
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2. Keep notes on their experience and knowledge
Just adding a contact to your address book will miss out on half the value that this expert can provide. Write down key ideas and topics that they covered, as well as points that you found particularly helpful or inspiring. In each note, include a brief summary, including how the note helped you or what task it addressed.
Example: After talking to a marketing expert, write down the key ideas about promotion strategies, their recommendations on tools, approaches to target audiences, etc. These notes will be useful references when you need to refresh your memory of the advice you received.
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3. Tag notes and discussion topics
Create a tag system to easily find information on specific topics. This will save you from having to remember exactly what the expert told you. For example, if the expert shared thoughts on the topic of “business development,” add tags like “strategy,” “business plan,” “marketing.” This will make it easy to find the note when you need it.
Example: If an expert has provided valuable advice on SEO, tag the notes with tags such as “SEO,” “promotion,” “search engine optimization.” Next time you work on your site, you can quickly return to these notes and refresh your tips.
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4. Recognize and remember the strengths of experts
If you have access to several experts in different fields, it is useful to remember what each of them is particularly strong in. Make short notes describing their core competencies so that it will be easier to select the right person for consultation. This is especially useful if the experts specialize in related topics, but their approaches and experience differ.
Example: Write down that Maria is an expert in data analytics, and Ivan is an expert in strategic planning. This will help you better navigate and contact the right specialist for specific questions.
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5. Share feedback and successes
Experts like to see that their advice has helped in a real case. If you use knowledge in practice and it brings success, do not forget to tell about it. This not only shows the expert that their contribution was useful, but also builds trust and a willingness to help again.
Example: Send a message: “Your advice on creating a sales funnel worked perfectly, our conversions increased by 30%! Thanks for the idea!”
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Summary: How knowledge leads to stronger connections
Proper work with experts turns them from just a useful contact into a constant source of support. A system with notes and tags, recording key competencies and attention to feedback allows you to build cooperation based on trust and mutual respect.
