Get Some Face Time.

Now that you’ve identified people with whom you can gain insight and direction and have the thoughts/questions on paper, you gotta make yourself known. Ask the individual for some of their time.  

The easiest way is to identify yourself as someone transitioning into their career, and they’ve been identified by their peers as the person most suitable to talk to about what you want to do, and as an opinion leader you would like their insight and opinions.

Be courteous enough that if they are going to give you time, reward them.  Buy them coffee or breakfast.  You may consider only asking for 20 minutes (a safe, useful estimate); if it goes well, you may get more.  But if it goes less, be grateful, and don’t be shy about asking to continue the conversation at another time, be it on the phone, or for coffee. Make it convenient for them, but stress the importance of it.

Just the Facts.

Interviewing the opinion leader is all about the research—you’re just after actionable information that will help you in your plan. You should worry about your impression—never close a door that you may need open years later (see my article on networking)—but not like a job interview. You want to be professional, but also leave the pressure off.

Facts and insights.  That’s what you are looking for. Successes, failures, do’s and don’ts. You don’t need to Dale Carnegie the person to death to become their new best friend. But you do want to come across as sincere and appreciative, and above all: professional.

The Closing.

Nobody has all the answers. Therefore, make sure you ask the person for names of others in the industry that you might talk with. This helps you gain different perspectives. Once the interview has been completed remember to send a letter or card thanking them for their help.

What?   Snail mail? 

Yeah. Ditch the text message, e-mail, Twitter for an hour. Do something that no one else does.  Drop a card in the mail.

In the vein of Simon Cowell…it’s more memorable.