Networking can be SCAAAARRRYYY!
Let’s be honest, NETWORKING can be a very scary aspect of your business.
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to to take the FEAR out of networking and have a few laughs while we do it. And if networking isn’t scary for you- these tips will STILL help you be more BOLD and effective with your time.
Stop calling it the “Elevator Pitch”
What is the one scary thing you think of when networking? Yep giving your Elevator pitch. It gives me the Heebie Jeebies just saying that word!
No one wants to hear any type of “pitch”. ICK!
I prefer to think of it as my B.A.M.- or my Bold.Action.Moment.
You have a one moment to make a powerful bold impression, NOT a moment to pitch. A pitch just sounds like a sales blurb which is definitely scary. You are an impactful business leader- you can definitely show up and make a BOLD impression! If you don’t want this to be SCARY- it just takes a little more intention than most consider.
Stop winging it
You know what you do so it seems easy to just explain it. But winging it and not thinking it through, leads to “ums, ands” and a long run-on sentence separated by multiple commas. It leads to a lot of rambling, but it does not lead to a powerful impression.
Be intentional with what you are going to say.
What is the best way to stand out and say what you do and WHO you do it for? What is the best way to show up as an expert in your field? This takes thought and not winging it.
Practice your powerful message
But not in order to win the Networking Emmys.
We have all heard those rehearsed dramatic messages. (spare me!)
Practice so you say it as YOU. Practice so you have confident body language, and speak conversationally, comfortably and with “real people words”.
BE YOU!
People want to do business with YOU. Relax, take a deep breath, and walk into that meeting with confidence in who you are and what you do. Whether you are introverted or extroverted you are STILL great at what you do. You can do it.
But again – planning and practicing so you have a powerful B.A.M. allows you to show up with more confidence knowing that you are going to be impactful with your message every time.
Have a plan
If don’t have a plan for all those business cards you collected like Halloween candy, besides being a paperweight on your desk, then steps 1-4 are not necessary.
If you are not going to do anything with the connections that you meet, then spending the time networking is not time well spent.
A little bit of planning goes a long way in taking some of the FEAR out of networking. Since you always want to be confident and impactful the planning is the most important piece.
Have a plan and a system to FOLLOW UP with all those that you meet. And consider this….follow up is more than just a one time meeting. We have all had that 1:1 with someone we meet networking (which is generally more than most do), but then what? You want your plan to have multiple follow ups, not one and done.
No one has time to waste. So back up – follow these steps so your networking time is well spent and effective! Then it will no longer be SCAARRRYYY!!!
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