How Can Public Speaking Impact My Networking Success?
Gerry Rose - Business Consultant and President
of Integrity Networking Solutions

So you think because you are a good 'schmoozer' you will be a networking dynamo.  Think again. “But Gerry,” you say, “I get along well with people.  I have lots of friends, and I’m always the life of the party.”

Or are you a wallflower, the one who stands in a corner by yourself?  Now that you own your own business, will you try to generate business through passive advertising?  Will you spend your hard-earned money on newspapers, websites, radio, and magazines, anxiously hoping that someone reads your ad and purchases your product or service?  Those are great tools for reaching target markets, but there is a simpler, less expensive, and more effective way to advertise your business.

In the broadest sense, your market is people, and you meet people every day.  Evaluate where you meet them.  Do you ride an elevator, or use mass transit?  Are you a member of a social, athletic, or special interest group?  Do you serve on a committee or board?  Do you shop, work out, or walk your dog?  Wherever there is conversation, there is an opportunity for you to market your business.

Practice in front of friends and relatives.  Ask them to be constructively critical, and to give you honest answers to questions such as “Does this make sense?  Would this attract you?  Do I appear confident?  Would you buy from me?”

Do your words create a vision?  Do people see themselves fitting in or wanting what you offer?  For example, if you are a travel agent, telling people that you can get them from point A to point B tells them what you do.  However, if you tell them that you “eliminate the stresses in their life,” you offer something we all want when traveling.

Many of you are transitioning to a new career.  However, if you can network or prospect for new clients in your old industry, do so!  You already “speak their language,” so use that language to attract new clients.  You might respond that it is easier to talk with strangers.  Some have told me that they are embarrassed to return to their old places of employment where friends and co-workers will see that they are starting all over.  If this is you, you are missing a golden opportunity to market where people already know and love you.  It is also correct to go to different locations within your old industry and solicit the purchase of your products and services.  Again, you understand them and they you.

What can you do to attract people, other than speaking, that will initiate conversation?  As an example, if a Realtor is selling to new homebuyers, she or he might target young families that are tenants.  Where does a Realtor find young families?  How about Little League games?  Consider sponsoring a kids’ softball, football, or soccer team.  If you cannot afford to sponsor, why not coach?  Wear your company logo at all games and practices.  Have your 15- to 30-second “elevator speech” polished.  And always carry plenty of business cards.

If you practice your presentation until you can consistently present it in a confident way, you will have clients beating down your door.

Big Blend Radio - Gerry Rose was a featured guest on The Success Express radio show on February 3, 2010. To meet the rest of the guests and listen to the entire show, please click here. To listen to Gerry's interview, please double click on the Play Button below.