Maybe “Stop Word Vomit Now” should be my new motto for my business. I’m kidding. I do a lot of networking and here’s the thing: I observe (and experience) people doing wackadoodle (that’s the technical term) things all the time that are absolutely going to lose connections and business, instead of doing them.
This is my question for you: “Have you been to an event and performed and then before you have a chance to say another word, they start to throw up?” This is how the word vomit sounds … “Hi Kim, I’m Hilda and I sell vitamins, in fact, my vitamins are the best in the world, all are organic and are backed by research that only my company has done in the Amazon Rain Forest we get these vitamins from the natives to whom we pay a fair wage and love all the people in the world, would you like to buy some? “
It feels like an assault, rather than a conversation. My first thought is “breathe”. Okay, that’s probably not my first thought, and I don’t think I can write my first thought without being censored.
I assume you would NEVER do this yourself and if you do my advice is to STOP. Stop now.
What should you do instead?
Here’s the golden rule of networking: GIVE more than you get. Be a connector.
Attend networking events with the idea and attitude that you are there to help other people make connections and grow their business. Seldom, if ever, is it appropriate to sell at a networking event.
Your goal for the event should be one: five substantive conversations in which the person remembers you later. Then, for God’s sake, follow through on whatever presentation or commitment you’ve made.
Also, use the 80/20 rule, where you talk 20% of the time and they talk 80%. Your 20% should be made up mostly of really good questions. Also, when they ask you a question, answer with a short answer and then return it to them. It might sound like, “Hi Kim, what are you doing?” “Jerry, thanks for asking. I work with midsize companies that are challenged by managers rising because of their technical skills, and they don’t know how to manage people. I train them and the company generally sees a minimum increase of 15%. in productivity. What is your experience with manager training? “
I promise you that you will make meaningful connections and grow your business network in this way.