We could call this ‘Fake it till you make it 2.0.’ but you can also use this if you’re already a top gun.
You might not want to, however, because it can seem cheesy, especially if you overdo it.
I used to share an office in Beverly Hills with an attorney who represented some celebrities. I know that because I used to see them in the waiting room. Sunglasses and all.
I also know that because he had photos of some of his well-known clients on his desk and on the walls of his office, autographed to him by name. Many of these photos were “two-shots” of him with the celebrity.
The message was, “I’m good at what I do; just look at some of my famous clients.”
The thing is, not all the celebrities he posed with were his clients. Many he met at an event and made sure photos captured those moments.
And from what I could tell, his strategy worked.
Let’s face it, people judge you by the company you keep. If you represent successful people, especially the rich and famous, or even appear to know them (by being seen with them), people think you’re also successful.
Those photos are a kind of implied endorsement and mean something to many people.
But you don’t have to get photos or autographs of celebrities to achieve this effect.
When you’re at a networking event, being seen speaking to someone well-known to and well-regarded by the attendees can get you some attention, even if your conversation is just in passing. So can being seen speaking on the same panel or on the same slate of presenters.
So can some well-placed name-dropping. In person or in your content.
Mentioning the CEO of a well-known company, a famous author, or a big shot politician, by name if appropriate, or by category if it’s not, perhaps quoting something they said to you (or even something they said or wrote that resonates with you), imbues you with some of their magic dust.
The trick is to not be too obvious. Or overdo it. Because if you do, you risk appearing to be a wannabe, not a player.
