Ok, you walk into one of those painful, hard to bring yourself to attend networking events. You know the kind I am talking about, the kind that has 100 people from your same industry with the same goal... get names! Meet as many people as possible!
Now ask yourself, you leave the event, you sit down and ask yourself; "Was I successful? Did I get out of this boring event everything I needed? Did I make the most out of this event?"
Typically the Answer is going to be NO, NO, NO!
So how do you make an impact and know that you have been successful?
***Most importantly DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT***
Every person expects to hear from you what you do for a living... why not try something completely different? Instead of giving a 30 second commercial,
Maybe it makes more sense to cut to the chase and simply ask... What do you sell? Followed by ... tell me more about that?
Or even better yet... What's fun about your job? How did you get into that field?
And best of all... I really hate networking events, what do you like about them? And how do you do that?
Stay away from the well rehearsed 30 second commercial. Instead, have a framework of your 30 second commercial at hand and adjust the information based on the conversation you are having. Target their pain, and their situation.
***WHAT TO DO WHEN APPROACHED WITH WHAT DO YOU DO?***
Reverse it... take the path that you must understand the "WHY" behind why they are asking and before you answer turn it around to ask them a question to get to the why.
Try this out... ... I get the feeling that you are asking for a reason? I'm sure I don't do anything as important as what you do... what is it you do?
***BODY LANGUAGE AND TONALITY***
Always remember, only 7% of persons perception of you is based on the words you say and unfortunately, perception is reality in making a first impression.
Over 55% of your first impression is based on your body language 38% is based on your Tonality.
Try this exercise: find the person closest to you and simply say in the nicest voice and friendly posture you can muster: "that shirt you have on is the ugliest thing I have ever seen". Now watch the response. Amazing, but the person will laugh a little and probably think you are a bit strange but they will not be offended or come back with negativity or rudeness.
It is truly amazing, you can say the most negative things with the right tone and body language and they are taken lightly. Remember that you are going to be remembered for how you are standing, the way you sit at a table (are you moving towards the table or leaning back in your chair in a relaxed manner?) and the general "presence" that you leave behind.
***WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR NETWORKING EVENTS?***
That is right, what is your goal? Do you take the time to set a goal for each networking event, so that you know when your "job" is done or even that you have been successful?
Say you decide that you want to have 1-4 people that ask you to follow-up with them to schedule and appointment.
Or maybe
Your goal is to learn 2 new things from people at the networking event and then it is time to go home.
***And the most important tip of all, is controversial but something that I, 110% believe is the secret to success at Networking Events.
***STOP SELLING AT NETWORKING EVENTS!***
That's right, stop selling. Networking Events are not a time to sell your service, product, or stuff. It is a time to meet people, absorb yourself in their world, and inspire people to want to take the next step with you, and celebrate why you are there in the first place, to enjoy people and learn more about yourself in the process.
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About the Author
Jill McCrosky of Wealth Systems for Life, is an internationally recognized Business Coach working closely to develop future business leaders at Emerald Passport International.
For more about this author visit www..wealthsystemsforlife.net &
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