How do I make contact with a complete stranger?

November 2, 2015 9:26 AM

I'd like to talk to someone in Newport, Oregon, about business and employment. We've never met, I'd be reaching out to him straight out of the blue. How can I do this without looking like a weirdo?

Last year, I vacationed on the Oregon Coast, and pretty much fell in love with the area, specifically Newport. In my mind's eye, I'd move there with my family. But my work experience (software dev, project management) doesn't fit very well with the local industry, which is tourism- and maritime-focused.

I've been researching stuff, and I came across this guy who runs a few small touristy businesses in Newport. To a degree, I've been cyberstalking him, in a good-natured way. He's local to the area, involved with the local community and city council and so forth. A pillar of the community.

I want to talk to him, pick his brain, get a sense of how open the community and local businesses would be to an outsider. Maybe be a Facebook friend. Enough where, when I visit again as a tourist, I might be able to meet him and talk more.

He's not rich. But I'm fascinated by how he appears to run his businesses and make his money. They are very unique and interesting tourist businesses; he's carved out an interesting niche.

So, how do I go about this without coming off like a total weirdo jackass? "Hi, you don't know me, but..."

posted by Cool Papa Bell to Human Relations (6 answers total)

stick the above in a letter or email? (first sentence: Last year, I...)

i've been contacted by random people from the internet. a polite email or letter is just fine (yay! i'm famous!). creepy is people calling you up by phone and talking to you on first name terms without explaining who they are. almost by definition, if you're asking this, you're not going to be creepy.
posted by andrewcooke at 9:38 AM on November 2, 2015

I do this kind of thing regularly. Totally ok to do.

Hi Bob,

I am reaching out to learn more about the Newport community. On a recent trip there, I absolutely fell in love with it. In an ideal world, I would move there in a heartbeat with my family. More realistically, I have some concerns about how I would leverage my professional background (software development and project management) in the area... which doesn't seem to feature that as a core industry.

In my research of the area, your name popped up again and again as a well-connected, local entrepreneur and I thought you might be in a position to provide me with a little wisdom on the matter. If you have a moment to hop on the phone, I will happily buy the coffee or beer the next time I am lucky enough to visit.

Thanks so much,
CPB


Then you make sure you:
-Are prepared for the call, with specific asks (do not waste this person's time)
-Ask who else in town that he suggests speaking with, and ask for intros
-If you do freelance work, or are well acquainted with someone or some skill that might be useful to him, offer help or an intro of your own.
-Thank him profusely
-Follow up with him as you learn more or if you have any specific new information/questions to relay

Easy peasy. This note will almost certainly get you a response, if indeed he is as community-involved as you say.
posted by milqman at 9:49 AM on November 2, 2015

It's not creepy. It's networking and as long as you have good questions and are gracious with his time, you are in the clear. Keep in mind that how it looks like someone makes their money is often far from the reality. So many times I've been trying to figure out how someone lives on whatever it is that they do and find out they have an alternate income stream: spouse, inheritance or family trust, robust savings from a previous lucrative career, free and clear home, etc.. You should think about what you might need to live on as ask if this person feels that's within the realm of the local economy. But take his answer with a grain of salt and keep doing research and follow up on any leads he sends your way.
posted by amanda at 9:58 AM on November 2, 2015

I also get emails from strangers often enough about my work, and it's always fine as long as it's kept light and short and doesn't seem stalker-y. I'm much more likely to respond and develop longer relationships with people whose initial emails are short and don't seem to take up too much of my time upfront. If the email is happy and the person seems genuine - I am hopeful that it'll be a good contact both ways and respond quickly.

I've spent a lot of time in that area - in general, everyone from Lincoln city down to newport is very nice and willing to help and down to earth. I am super optimistic that the person you're contacting will be excited to chat!
posted by umwhat at 10:05 AM on November 2, 2015

1. Get a free of trial of LinkedIn Sales Navigator.
2. That allows you to send 30 free messages your first month
3. Send him a LinkedIn message
4. Cancel the trial before they charge you 80 bucks.
5. Join the Coast Guard (Optional)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 10:20 AM on November 2, 2015

Just fired him an email using nearly milqman's exact wording. Fingers crossed. Thanks!
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 2:49 PM on November 3, 2015