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AS YOU advance in your career, you’ll gain more experience and connections. But chances are you’ll also become a lot busier. So how do you get the attention of people who are just as busy as you? Here are three ways to do that.

These steps involve applying the practice of "inbound marketing" — creating valuable content, such as articles or podcasts, to draw in customers — to you. Instead of seeking other people out, make connections by making yourself more appealing.

1. Identify what sets you apart. The way to genuinely capture someone’s interest is to share something about you that seems exotic. But it can be hard for us to identify what’s most interesting about ourselves, so ask your friends to identify the most fascinating elements of your biography, your interests or your experiences — and do the same for them.

2. Become a connoisseur. Almost nothing elicits more interest than genuine expertise. If someone is drawn to a topic that you’re knowledgeable about, you’ll move to the top of their list.

You can also use nontraditional expertise to build multidimensional connections. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett could certainly have a decent conversation about business. But it’s their expert-level seriousness about the card game bridge that cemented their bond, eventually leading to Mr Buffett’s decision to entrust billions to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

3. Become the centre of the network. It’s not easy to build a high-powered network if you’re not already powerful. But New York City resident Jon Levy took the position that the best way to get invited to the party is to host the party. Nearly six years ago, he started hosting twice-monthly "influencers" dinner gatherings, featuring luminaries in different fields.

Begin by inviting the most interesting professionals you know and asking them to recommend the most interesting people they know, and over time you can build a substantial network.

(Adapted from "How Successful People Network with Each Other" at HBR.org.)

© 2015 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp