Sell or Be Sold
Posted By Amanda Collins on September 2, 2011
Earlier this week, I attended the Networking Phoenix Signature Event. Roughly 2,000 business professionals and job seekers filled a ballroom at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale for this quarterly networking mixer. It was 113 degrees outside (thankfully not that warm inside!) and the heat must have clouded the attitude of many attendees because the energy was a bit different than at previous events.
The danger at an event like this is that too many people walk in with dollar signs in their eyes. Thank goodness for Dave Sherman, who has been on the local speaking circuit for years training networkers on the proper etiquette needed to maneuver a mixer. He launched the Signature Event with his trademark Networking 101, imploring attendees to strike up conversations and begin to build relationships rather than walk up to people card extended, hoping to receive a payment on the spot. Still, there will always be a few who miss the message altogether.
The best example of what not to do came courtesy of a pet-sitting professional. In the midst of a three-way conversation, this woman busted in and started her spiel. I’ll admit I don’t listen much once someone starts trying to sell me something, but she was talking about how she cares for pets in their own homes and managed to hand a card to the other two folks in the group (I kept my mouth shut, although I do have a cat and dog). As she walked away, one of my colleagues said, “I forgot how rude people can be.”
I’m thinking that the next time this happens to me, I need to completely turn the tables. “Sure, I have pets, but do you know a better way to get your message out? I can write your brochures, website content, and even articles to position you as the industry expert.” I have heard friends who’ve successfully done this on the phone when being cold-called, so maybe it will work in person as well. Get out those checkbooks, you bad networkers! I’m coming for you!