April 26, 2010

Personality is Key: A Diva’s Guide to Effective Networkingpresented by Kelly A. Galanis, The Red-Headed Diva

Picture it:

You’ve been invited to attend a networking event. There will be some key individuals there - people who could be strong connections for you in your

line of business. The room is full and crowded. How do you make it through the entire room, connect with these key people, and make a great

impression?

“Psst, networking is a fancy word for making friends.” -Val Nelson (www.valnelson.com)

This session will cover:

★ The RULES of Networking

★ How to CONNECT with others

★ Keep it personal: put your FACE on

★ Make connections, develop FRIENDS

Wait a sec, there are RULES to networking?

★ RESEARCH who will be attending through social media channels

★ UNDERSTAND who they are, what they like, what commonalities you share

★ LISTEN to what they have to say; look for key points in a conversation

★ ENGAGE in lively conversation; base questions on what you can relate to

★ SHARE your experience and work in a chance to SELL yourself

RESEARCH

How you prepare for a networking event is just as important as what happens when you walk through the door. If you have access to a guest list, identify those key individuals you want to connect with. Then, sit down at the computer and research their online presence.

Do they have a LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook page? How about a blog or website? Try Google-ing their name. Identify some commonalities you share and make some notes for yourself. This will help you get conversations started when you make that face-to-face encounter.

UNDERSTAND

Once your research is done, it’s important to understand who this person is. Have

you found a common link you can converse about? Is there a hobby or interest you

both share?

LISTEN

Once the introduction has been made and the small talk is out of the way, be sure to ask the individual a question you know will produce a solid answer. Then, close your mouth and open your ears. Pay attention to the words they are saying and make note of something you might be able to respond with.

ENGAGE

Now that you’ve listened to a great response from your contact, it’s time to start a real conversation. Enter into a discussion on the topic that you just asked about, pulling from the answer that they’ve just shared with you. This is also an excellent opportunity to slip in some comments about what work you do and make mention of a topic relating to your Personal Brand.

SHARE

Sharing is an extended form of engaging. It brings the discussion to the next level, allowing both individuals to interact at a level they both enjoy. Sharing is that turning point that turns strangers into acquaintances and eventually friends.

Can anyone share an experience that followed the RULES of networking? How did it turn out?

Personality is Key

Don’t be fooled by the many tools Social Networking provides today. While we are able to reach and connect to many individuals faster, it still is not as easy as it seems. The best networking connections are made by a PERSONAL connection, so be sure to keep it real!

Exercise:

★ Share an example of a time you might have tried connecting but did not succeed. What do you feel went wrong?

★ Share an example of a time you were successful in connecting. What went well? Why do you feel it was a success?

What is the secret to a great networking experience? You need to CONNECT:★ Communicate

★ Often

★ Network

★ Naturally

★ Explore

★ Casual

★ Talks

Remember, put on a happy FACE:

★ Friends

★ Are

★ Created

★ Easily

Once you are connected, always remain FRIENDS:

★ For

★ Real

★ Interesting

★ Exchanges

★ Networking

★ Doesn’t

★ Stop

Let’s Discuss:

What are some examples of connections you have made that have been well-maintained over time? How have you kept in contact? What does it take for you or that individual to reach out to one another? What is your method of communication?

Networking and Your Personal Brand

Incorporating your Personal Brand into networking doesn’t take much more effort than what we’ve just reviewed. When networking your Brand, you must make sure that you have fully developed your Brand, and that you know the key selling points.

Can you answer the following about your Personal Brand?

★ How do you describe your Personal Brand in 3 words?

★ Do you have a tagline or selling point of your Personal Brand?

★ What is the mission or purpose of your Personal Brand?

★ What is the focus of your Personal Brand?

★ What IS your Personal Brand?

Your Personal Brand: A Closer Look

If you find yourself stuck on some of these questions, you need to take a closer look at your Personal Brand. It is important to focus and hone in on the key strengths you possess - what is it you want people to remember or know you for?

Consider following the rules of Twitter - limit your Personal Brand to 140 characters. Can you say it all in that short line? If not, keep working at it until you can.

Remember, it’s really that easy!

★ Follow the RULES

★ CONNECT with others

★ Keep it personal, put your FACE on

★ Make connections, develop FRIENDS

Questions and Answers?

Thank you!