Alice – if you don’t know people or have the contacts; the obvious answer is that you need to get them; so how do you do that? Meet people – engage with them on LI and other social platforms (yes) – the question will be what is the value exchange ie what do they get out of it?
– another strategy is to find people who know the people and develop that feed, that works too

It is super easy for me because I personally have invested 20 years in relationships in this country, so I know a lot of people; and if I don’t them, then I am confident enough that I can get to them; and then if they turn me down, I figure cool, and just move to the next person.

You are never famous or in demand in the ‘front’ – it is always after the fact.

So, find a value equation for them/your target and just do it!