One of the cool things about social media is that it’s opened doors for us to be able to communicate with people we look up to – those in our field, authors, speakers, business mentors. It’s an incredible opportunity.

But is there a way to get their attention? Because after all, if there’s something that we really dig about them, wouldn’t they feel the same way about us?

There’s only one thing that has worked for me to be able to score face-to-face time with people I’ve looked up to for years – from Christian authors to business gurus.

And it’s not “wowing” them with what I do or with my work. It’s not asking them to promote me or my business. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite.

These three tips are so simple, but many people overlook them. And it has had a 100% success rate for me. Here you go!

Get involved in their work.

Depending on the audience size of your virtual mentor, you may or may not be able to get a response from them on social media. But you dramatically increase your chances once you start doing business with them. If they have an online course or membership community, join. If they do a live class or webcast, be on and ask questions.

The more regularly you show up to their business, the more likely they will be able to recognize you and begin to get to know you. Eventually, curiosity will most likely get the best of them, and they’ll look you up to see what you’re about.

Promote them.

If what they offer is beneficial to you, chances are it would be beneficial to others you know. Regularly, promote their business and share how it has benefited you. Business owners are consistently looking for success stories and testimonies for their websites, future clients, and marketing campaigns. The more tools you give them that they want to use, the more likely they will be to reach out to you for your permission to use your content for their personal use.

And again, when you share how it’s benefited you, they’ll learn your story.

Attend their events.

I’ll never forget standing in line to meet Chalene Johnson for the first time. She knew me by name before I introduced myself, gave me a hug, and we talked for a few minutes. As I was walking away, she said, “Hey, you know your two blogs?”

Confused how she knew I had two blogs for entirely separate purposes (which I know now is because of the first two tips I gave you), I nodded. She continued, “Put them together. It’s who you are.”

And those seven words literally gave feet to the whispers God had been pouring over my heart.

You think your virtual mentor can have influence over you by their mass teaching… just wait until they’re able to look you in the eyes. The minutes I’ve gotten with my virtual mentors have all resulted in major “a-ha” moments and deeper relationships with them personally.

Here’s the underlying key to it all: Be selflessly motivated in your interactions with them, and you’re much more likely to have the results you desire.

Hope you get to take a selfie with your mentor soon!