Great post Tim. I agree that if you want someone's attention you need to give them a reason for it. The quality and skill of your work has to be as good as their work. I would go as far to say that it needs to be even better. I've used this approach to reach out to companies I admire, and it seriously works. I take lifestyle/product photos, so I research companies I think need help in that category. I don't just tell them what I can do, I show what I can do. I'll buy a company's product, take pictures of it, and then send them the photos for free. For the most part, these companies respond to me. Whether we work together or not, I know I made a bold impression on them.