Sagacious Think

A big part of running your own business, and indeed just about anything you do professionally, involves networking and interacting with other people.  For some folks this comes easy, others find this experience downright torturous, and for the vast majority we fall somewhere in between.  If it doesn’t come naturally to you, it definitely becomes easier with practice (I promise)  My biggest takeaway from working and networking with people is the importance of keeping it real.

Elevator Pitch

Every self help book, guru, expert tells you that you have to have a 30 second elevator pitch.  I’m not going to argue with that one, people need to succinctly describe what they do, or their listeners will quickly looks interest.  However, the delivery should not be like an infomercial, and for the record, I’ve been as guilty of that as the next person.  Practice is key, but also knowing what works for you, always keep in mind you should be comfortable with giving your pitch.  If you are anxious, it will show.

30 second or less “elevator” pitches are important, but they should not sound canned or have every industry buzzword included.  Keep it natural and short.  Practice, but do not get hung up with getting every last detail out.  Unless the other person is incredibly rude, chances are that you will have an opportunity to elaborate after the introduction.  If they do  not give you that chance, do you really want to work with them?

Network

Don’t approach it like a sales pitch.  If you treat every encounter like you need to close the deal people will avoid you.  When you network, remember it works both ways, the other people in the conversation need to feel they are being heard.  Ask people questions about what they do, what their problems are.  You may discover ideas for refining your business plan or product by listening to them talk about their business and problems.

If you’re new to networking or definitely do not feel its your strong suit, take a moment when you got to the event to to scope out the room, watch people network.  You’ll easily identify the people that are more comfortable with the process and you can emulate them, or better yet join them as that should be an easy way to break the ice.  Find a networking buddy to help you get started, but do not cling to their side the entire event, or you will have defeated the purpose of networking.

Talk about what excites you, and your personality and character will come through.  People are drawn to enthusiasm, and unless you’re a wooden log, that will come through, and probably makes you more memorable when the event is over.  (Chances are that since you’re reading this, you are not a log.)  Again, remember this goes both ways, ask the other conversationists what their interests are, what topics they want to discuss.

Exchange business card and follow up with the people you met. The day after the event, send an email letting the people that you appreciated talking to them, and often suggest meeting for coffee to further our conversation.  Collecting business cards will not advance you or your business one bit, its the relationships you build as a result of that networking that move you to the next level.  A fast process it is not, but it is very rewarding, and worth the effort you invest.

Titles that Don’t Do It

With the advent of social media a lot of networking need not be face to face, so the web presence is just as important and what is put forth at a live event.  Actually it might be more important, considering that what’s on the internet, stays on the internet.   This leads my to the question, “Why is everything better than sex?”  I have seen so many books, blog titles, etc. that tell me that social media, marketing, (insert what you will) is better than sex.  Really?  Is it the demise of the human race, will we be replaced by SEO marketing strategies?  While it may have been a catchy title the first time it was used, that time is past.  It is now overused and just shows a lack of originality – it is a turn off.  I love creativity as well as the next person, and knowing that the author of the business article I am about to read adds creativity and humor to the mix, even better, but the title does not have to be extreme for me to pick it up.  In fact ifI have an understanding of how it connects to the contents, I appreciate the effort in making the title pithy and captivating.

Communication is vital to keeping and getting that business.  People do not expect you to be perfect, they just want to know who they will be working with, which is why keeping it real is important.