It’s not about you… It’s about others. When I go to networking events, I try to take pictures of others and post them to Facebook. Then I tag my friends or people I know to help promote them and their businesses. Posting pictures of others and tagging them, brings their friends into the conversation and…
Part of networking is either learning from a mentor… or teaching someone who needs a mentor. The best mentors want to learn something also. Don’t just look to take, but aim to give something in return. The best thing that all of us can do is be perpetual students! Learn from each other and be…
Pictures are one of the most powerful networking tools in Social Media. You can take advantage of them in a few ways. Take them and post them to your social media. Tag the people in the photo to benefit them and get added exposure (get permission first). Second, have people take pictures of you and…
Sometimes you just have to present. Just as in one-on-one communications, It’s Not About You… It’s About Your Audience. I have seen many a speaker spend 1/2 hour or more saying I, I, I, Me, ME, ME! You goal should be to them them some sort of take away. Try to replace the I’s with…
Is your message something that others want to utilize and repeat, or are you just repeating what others have said? Simply posting famous quotes has been in vogue for years. Although it makes you look book or search smart, it’s Parroting. Find your voice, find your calling, and give someone else a reason to…
One of the things that most of us do is look too much at the future and neglect our past. When it comes to customers… that can be a HUGE mistake. Even if they never need to work with you again, they can be an awesome resource for referrals and recommendations! And you never know……
Sometimes they are close. Sometimes they are distant. Whether you know them like a brother or sister, or if they are a first time acquaintance (either face-to-face or on-line), they are important! What matters is not so much how they connect with you… but how you respond to them! Emphasis is on “RESPOND”. Make…
Art is associated with creative people. Networking is associated with business people. That does not mean you can’t combine the two? You can be creative when it comes to your business cards, introductions, presentations and more. Paint with words. Sing with speeches. Sculpt with handouts. Dance with questions. Be Creative… networking is the stage for…
Be careful with online communications. What’s missing is gestures, facial expression, vocal inflections and other queues that say “Kidding”, “Laughing”, “Sarcastic”, Nudge-Nudge”. Even emoticons and be misinterpreted as “Angry”, “Hurtful”, “Bummed”, “Spiteful”, “Condescending”, and Hurtful”! Not all text translates the way your type it. If you have to write disclaimers… probably not worth posting!
If you can’t laugh at yourself, then no one else will ever have permission to. Give them a reason to smile. Do something unique, entertaining, and different (within reason and with taste) to introduce yourself. Break up the monotony of the standard elevator speech. Just have fun and let others laugh with you (and maybe…