Growing Your Social Capital

Domain Expert:

1. Michelle Rothstein is a "content associate" at Zomato.
2. I consider her a domain expert because she contributes content and works for Zomato, an app that helps you find restaurants to eat at all over the world, and what would be one of my competitors.
3. I found her through Zomato's LinkedIn as an employee and messaged her through there. 
4. I messaged her saying that I have an app idea similar to Zomato's concept, only using Instagram as the database for restaurants and pictures and I asked for her thoughts on it. She said it's an interesting idea, but she's not so sure how I would sort through Instagram's archives and if I could get Instagram's permission. Basically, she wasn't so sure about the logistics of how it could work, but she thinks it's a good idea in theory.
5. Including Michelle in my network would be helpful because she already has experience working for an app that suggests restaurants, and I would definitely take her advice into consideration because she knows what she's talking about.

Market Expert:

1. Gillian Presto runs arguably the most famous food Instagram in the country, @new_fork_city. 
2. I consider her a market expert because she targets the same market segment that I would want to with my app. She collaborates with many restaurants by helping to create new products,  advertising, and more. 
3. I emailed the address that is linked to their Instagram account.
4. In the email, I gave a brief description of my app idea. I told her that I always look to Instagram when looking for new restaurants and that I want to create an app to make that easier and I asked for her opinion on it. In her response, she said that she doesn't even look to other apps for restaurants, only Instagram, and she would definitely use my app. Also, she said she would be very willing to collaborate and help me advertise and to contact her again when I have it up and running. 
5. Including Gillian in my network would greatly increase my chances for success with this app because her followers have great respect for her and her opinion. If she advertised for me it would be a huge help.

Industry Supplier:

1. Hannah is the marketing director of Phenomenom Nitrogen Ice Cream and Bake Shop in Boca Raton, Florida. 
2. I consider her an industry supplier because she takes care of social media and advertising at the restaurant she works at. My suppliers would be restaurants.
3. I direct messaged her on Instagram because I have been in contact with them before due to my food blog.
4. In the message, I explained that I wanted to create an app that searches for restaurants based on Instagram's database of pictures, and if she had any advice or comments, as well as if they would want to team up if I got this up and running. In her response, she was very helpful and nice. She said she loves the idea and there's no question she would want to team up. She also had some questions about the logistics and what would be involved in collaborating. 
5. Having Hannah in my network would be beneficial because she can offer advice from the other side of the picture. As a restaurant, her willingness to be put on my app and excitement about it is an indicator that restaurants would love to have this to help advertise their business.

This exercise really opened my eyes to what networking can do. It differed from my networking experiences in the past because I've never really reached out to someone randomly in order to ask for advice. The people I reached out to would be much more helpful than asking someone I come across in person for advice because I know they are very knowledgable about their field. On the other hand, it can be difficult finding the right person to contact, and actually having them answer you.