"Dare to be Different" Series – 3 Tips to Pump Up Your Intro at Networking Events

So I just came from a networking event at a local Chamber of Commerce and as is customary in many types of events like these is at the onset, we went around the room and gave everyone an opportunity to introduce themselves to the group.

The first person, while remaining seated, with a low-key voice, starts off the introductions with “Hi, I’m John… an accountant”... that’s it! The next person obviously following the poor example of the first person says, “Hi, I’m Beth and I work for XYZ Bank”… again that’s it! The 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th person introduces themselves and all I could hear, that is of course if I could hear them at all from across the room, was “Hi I’m blah, blah, blah, and I work for blah, blah, blah”… nothing interesting… nothing memorable… no one giving anyone any reason to make a bee-line across the room to connect with them.

At this point I’m cringing with disgust at their own lack of enthusiasm and confidence in who they are and what they bring to the table… while at the same time, selfishly elated with the potential of all these prospects that could definitely benefit from purchasing my “Pumped Up Networking” information product.

So finally a star arises at around number 15. This guy took the time to eloquently state who he was, what he did, who he did it for, and a small bit on why everyone in his target market would be crazy to do business with anyone but him.

Then unfortunately the 16^th, 17^th, 25^th, 26^th all went back to the original boring formula. Then boom… finally another rising star! Long story short, not including me, there were a measly 3 out of maybe 50 people who at least did a half-way decent job of creating interest in them for the group. This was not good! Hence my inspiration for what follows in this article… 3 tips to pump up the delivery of your introduction at networking events.

#1 – Be Seen
Stand up and look the part… This is not the time to be lazy! Be dressed for success and get off your tail and make yourself visible to everyone in the room! Additionally, unless it’s absolutely unavoidable, try not to speak with your back to anyone… that’s just plain rude. Speak to everyone, making eye contact with others in the group... not just the event facilitator at the head of the table or front of the room.

#2 – Be Heard
Speak up and speak clearly… This isn’t the time to be shy! If it helps, look at the body language of the people furthest from you. If they look like they’re struggling to hear you, step up the volume. If you’re unsure on how you project, arrange in advance for a networking buddy to stand on the opposite side of the room during introductions to flag you if they can’t hear you properly.

#3 – Be Magnetic
Sound off… This isn’t the time to be humble! Be thorough, yet concise as you choose your words wisely. Do like our rising star (#15) did when he took the time to eloquently state who he was, what he did, who he did it for, and a small bit on why everyone in his target market would be crazy to do business with anyone but him.

Inject your personality. If you’re a funny guy, use humor. If not, don’t. I firmly believe that people are most magnetic when they’re being themselves. This exudes a natural charisma, confidence and poise that are hard to fake.

Now there are literally a ton of other tips we could add here however, those will have to wait for another time… for our purposes here, this is plenty to get you started.

So in closing remember, people do business with people they know, like, and trust… all the more reason to make positive and memorable impressions whenever possible. I mean isn’t this why we attend networking events in the first place, to connect with others in hopes of improving our situation in some way. So why not make the most of it by giving yourself the best chance to succeed with you networking efforts. And yes, first impressions at a networking event mean a lot so never, and I mean never ever, blow a golden opportunity to effectively introduce yourself.

© 2008 Online Marketing Muscle -- All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessing so long as you include the following complete blurb with it (including links).

Liked this article? -- Then check out Long Island-based marketing consultant, coach, and entrepreneur Dean Mercado’s highly acclaimed marketing blog 'The Motivational Marketer’s Journal' at http://www.MotivationalMarketer.com. Additionally, for even more small business marketing and success tips, sample the latest edition of his FREE marketing tips newsletter the 'Marketing Minute', -- a weekly multimedia e-zine designed to give you a jolt of marketing wisdom in less than 5 minutes.

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Social Networking: 10 Keys to Increase Your Networking Success Online (Part II)

In Part I of this two-part article series, I shared five keys to increase your networking success online using Social Networking. To quickly summarize, they were:

1. Personalize Your Invitations to Connect
2. You’ve Got to Give In Order to Get
3. Think Quality, Not Quantity
4. Be Authentic
5. Open the Door and Let Them In

Now there are tons of additional keys that we could talk about, however here are five more great ones that if you apply them diligently, only good things will happen.

6. Know Your “Why”
There’s that dreaded question again... you know… the one you know you need to ask yourself but you often hate to… what’s your “why”… What’s your “why” or your reason for social networking in the first place? And what results are you seeking for your efforts? Knowing your “why” is not only critical for your success in Social Networking, but for any marketing activity you engage in.

7. Wherever You Choose To Play, Play Hard
As much as you may like to, you just can’t market yourself effectively on every Social Networking site out there… there are just too many them. I’m not saying not to have a profile in a bunch of them… I’m all for free marketing. What I am saying is choose a select few to play hard in. These should be the ones that strategically give you the best chance at connecting with your target market. Go deeper than just creating a profile. Use these to connect with others regularly and build strong relationships… the kind of relationships that may eventually bear fruit.

8. The Power Is In the Follow Up
Just like in the offline world, it’s not enough to meet someone once, exchange business cards, and do nothing. If your objective was to do nothing, why waste your time, and theirs, in the first place… time is money. Have a plan for follow-up! Know “who” you’re going to follow-up with… by “when”. And know “how” you’re going to follow-up with them… and “why”. As you mine your contacts deeper by continually following-up, the real gold starts to surface. Remember it’s not only who they are that counts, but who they know as well. And people generally are more likely to introduce you to their network once they know, like, and trust you… so continue nurturing those relationships and watch new doorways open!

9. Be a Connector
Want to improve the quality of both your current and future contacts? Then make it a primary objective to continually find ways to add value to them. The Law of Attraction tends to kick in here as like attracts like. The more value you give, the more value you get as others tend to flock to and mirror those they respect and appreciate. The best way to add value to relationships, help others get what they want. Regardless of what it is they want, just about anything is possible through relationships. So who do you know that may add value to someone else you know? Connect them and they’ll both be grateful that you were thinking of them. And because of the “Law of Reciprocity”… as author Robert Cialdini shares in his great book “Influence”… those now happy contacts quite possibly will feel a sense of obligation to reciprocate and help you back.

10. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For What You Want
It’s this simple… you don’t ask… you don’t get. In my observations, people are generally very willing to help others… they’re just not sure how they can… so tell them how… give them a little nudging. Be willing to ask for help and get others in the habit of helping you. No one should be above asking for help once in a while. Just don’t become a “taker”… you know… someone who’s apparently only concerned with their own well-being.

So in closing, Social Networking can be a tremendously valuable marketing strategy for both you and your business. I highly recommend that if you haven’t already, make the effort to test the waters a bit and see whether or not it makes sense for you. But remember, you’re likely to get out of it what you put into it, so if you’re going to play here, play hard. In order to really benefit from Social Networking or any type of networking activity for that matter, continually work at establishing mutually meaningful and lucrative relationships.

© 2008 Online Marketing Muscle -- All Rights Reserved.

Want to use this article in your newsletter, blog or web site? You have my blessing so long as you include the following complete blurb with it (including links).

Liked this article? -- Then check out Long Island-based marketing consultant, coach, and entrepreneur Dean Mercado’s highly acclaimed marketing blog 'The Motivational Marketer’s Journal' at http://www.MotivationalMarketer.com. Additionally, for even more small business marketing and success tips, sample the latest edition of his FREE marketing tips newsletter the 'Marketing Minute', -- a weekly multimedia e-zine designed to give you a jolt of marketing wisdom in less than 5 minutes.

Technorati Tags: articles, Dean Mercado, Online Marketing Muscle, social networking, networking