birds-of-a-feather-outreach

Birds of a Feather Author Outreach

Build a strategic outreach network of complementary authors and thought leaders for any content project.

Workflow Overview

1. Analyze the content project → Extract core themes, frameworks, and audience
2. Identify "birds of a feather" → Find authors with thematic overlap
3. Research each author → Current work, platforms, contact info
4. Tier and prioritize → Organize by strategic value
5. Create outreach strategy → Messaging angles and timing

Phase 1: Content Analysis

Extract from the provided content:

Core Themes (3-5 main topics the work addresses)

• What problems does it solve?
• What transformation does it promise?
• What unique framework or methodology does it introduce?

Target Audience

• Who is the primary reader/viewer?
• What's their professional context?
• What stage of their journey are they in?

Unique Positioning

• What makes this different from existing work in the space?
• What's the author's credibility/background?
• What specific tools, frameworks, or concepts are introduced?

Phase 2: Author Identification

Search for authors using this pattern:

• Books published 2020-present on overlapping themes
• Active platforms (podcasts, speaking circuits, courses)
• Engaged audiences (social following, community building)

Search queries to use:

"[theme] books 2024" OR "[theme] authors women"
"[topic] thought leader" OR "[topic] speaker"
"[framework concept] + book"
site:amazon.com "[theme]" books 2023 OR 2024 OR 2025

Prioritize authors who:

• Published recently (actively promoting = more likely to engage)
• Have platforms beyond just a book (podcasts, courses, communities)
• Share audience demographics with your content
• Have complementary rather than competing positioning

Phase 3: Tiered Research

Organize authors into 4 tiers based on thematic alignment:

Tier Structure

Tier 1: Direct Theme Match (highest priority)

• Core topic overlap with your work
• Same audience, same problems
• Potential for mutual endorsement or collaboration

Tier 2: Methodology Alignment

• Different topic but same approach/framework style
• Readers would naturally cross-pollinate

Tier 3: Adjacent Expertise

• Related field that complements your work
• Could provide credibility from adjacent domain

Tier 4: Broader Category

• Same general space, less direct overlap
• Useful for expanding network reach

Research Each Author

For each author, gather:

1. Why they matter

   • Current role/platform
   • Credibility markers (awards, media, institutional affiliations)
   • Community size and engagement

2. Thematic overlap

   • 3-5 keywords connecting their work to yours
   • Specific concepts that align

3. Platform presence

   • Keynote speaking? Podcast? Courses?
   • Media appearances (Forbes, WSJ, podcasts)
   • Social media engagement level

4. Contact information

   • LinkedIn profile URL: "author name" site:linkedin.com/in
   • Website: "author name" "book title" official website
   • For dual-site authors, note both (personal + business)

5. Book details

   • Title, publisher, publication date
   • Key thesis/framework in one sentence

Phase 4: Outreach Strategy

LinkedIn Connection Messages

Character limit: 300 characters (LinkedIn connection request limit)

Tone: Admirer-to-expert

• Express genuine appreciation for their specific work
• Name a concrete concept or framework they created
• Position as peer exploring connection (not asking for anything yet)

Message formula:

Hi [Name] – [Specific thing you admire about their work]. I'm writing [your book/project] on [overlapping theme] and [brief connection point]. Would love to connect.

Examples:

Hi Jennifer – Your research on the seven hurdles women face advancing to leadership in "In Her Own Voice" really resonated. I'm writing on workplace confidence and self-advocacy. Would love to connect as peers in this space.

DO NOT:

• Ask for anything specific in first message
• Mention endorsements, quotes, or collaborations yet
• Use generic praise ("love your work")
• Exceed 300 characters

Timing Opportunities

Flag authors with recent momentum:

• Book released in past 6 months (actively promoting)
• Award nomination or win
• Speaking tour announced
• Platform launch (podcast, course, community)
• Media appearance spike

These authors are building community NOW and more likely to engage.

Phase 5: Deliverable Format

Produce a comprehensive document with:

Section 1: Executive Summary

• Number of authors identified
• Tier breakdown
• Key timing opportunities

Section 2: Full Author Profiles (by tier)

Each profile includes:

### [Number]. [Author Name] – *[Book Title]* ([Year])

**Why they matter:** [2-3 sentences on platform and credibility]

**Thematic overlap:** [3-5 keyword themes]

**Platform:** [Speaking, podcast, courses, media]

**Contact:**
LinkedIn: [URL]
Website: [URL(s)]

**Book details:** [Title, publisher, date, one-sentence thesis]

**LinkedIn message:** [Ready-to-send message under 300 characters]

Section 3: Research Summary

• Authors with dual-site strategies
• Authors using book/brand titles as domains
• Authors with academic/corporate presence only
• Authors missing LinkedIn (alternative contact strategies)

Section 4: Outreach Timing & Strategy

• Who to contact first and why
• What to ask for (after connection established):
  • Quote/endorsement
  • Guest appearance on their platform
  • Cross-promotion
  • Speaking panel together
  • Interview exchange

Quality Standards

Verify all links before including in final deliverable

• LinkedIn URLs should go to actual profiles
• Websites should show current copyright dates
• Note any broken or outdated links

Distinguish between:

• Confirmed contact (verified URL)
• Search placeholder (needs manual verification)
• No public presence found (suggest alternatives)

For authors without LinkedIn:

• Note alternative platforms (Instagram, Twitter)
• Suggest contact through co-authors
• Recommend publisher/agent contact forms
• Flag university/organization directories

Example Deliverable Structure

# Complete Author Outreach Strategy for "[Project Name]"
## Full Research + LinkedIn + Websites

[Opening paragraph on the network being built]

## TIER 1: [Primary Theme Category]
[3-5 author profiles with full research]

## TIER 2: [Secondary Theme Category]
[3-5 author profiles with full research]

## TIER 3: [Tertiary Theme Category]
[3-5 author profiles with full research]

## TIER 4: [Broader Category]
[3-5 author profiles with full research]

## Website Research Summary
[Platform patterns, dual-site strategies, missing contacts]

## Outreach Strategy & Timing
[Who to contact first, timing advantages, what to ask for]

## Contact Gaps & Alternatives
[Authors without LinkedIn and how to reach them]