Consulting An Expert, Part Two: Get Some Face Time

Once you?ve found an expert who has the eco-know-how to answer your specific green building question, the next hurdle is getting the green guru to return your calls. Once you?ve got your target in your sights, think about what you can offer them in exchange for their expertise.

Green building gurus love getting their knowledge out there to help save the planet, but a lot of them are also really busy.It?s both kind to your expert and savvy for you to figure out what you can do to help make it extra-worthwhile for him or her to answer your questions. Even if you can?t personally afford a

consulting fee, you might be able to offer a specific incentive for sharing their valuable time with you.

If you?re committed enough to fight for the zoning rights to bring a new green technology into your area, grab your expert?s interest by letting them know that you?re ready, willing, and able to blaze some trails for their cause at city hall.Not every homeowner is ready to be the first to try out something new, so if you are, use that as leverage to get the top green building people involved in your project.Carpenter Bill Bradley ended up using his own home, the amazing ?Glass and Timber House? in London, as the laboratory for his green ideas.Letting an expert know that your project can be his or her eco-playground for new ideas can be tantamount to dangling catnip in front of a kitten.

Most experts will find the idea of sharing their message with an interested audience more appealing than just telling you what you personally need to know. If you have press contacts, maybe you can bring visibility or publicity to your green expert by drawing some media attention to their work, or to your green

project. If you?re involved in a community organization that invites speakers or lecturers, maybe you can bring them in through that kind of program to educate you and your compatriots. If you?re in a position to spread the word on

green building services or materials to other homeowners, tell your star that you?d love to talk them up to your network, and hopefully kick some work in their direction.

Even if you can?t swing something elaborate, just letting your eco-star know that you?re aware of how valuable his or her time is can make you stand out from the pack of people clamoring for attention. Show that you?ll make good use of the time they do give you.When you leave a message or write a letter, make it clear that you?re serious about breaking ground, and that whatever they tell you is going to lead to real green action, not just a bunch of talk.Set up the fact that being efficient with their time is a priority when you make first contact, then let it guide you throughout your later dealings and conversations.

Have you landed a one-on-one with an awesome green know-it-all? Drop your tips in the comments for fellow expert-chasers!

This post was inspired by World?s Greenest Homes.