Entreprenurship

3 Steps to Easy Networking

Have you ever walked into a networking event and wanted to walk right back out because you were nervous?

You are not alone.

Walking into a room full of strangers can be intimidating for most people, but particularly if you are an introvert. However, as an entrepreneur, networking is essential to one’s business success.

So, here are 3 tips to make your next networking event a breeze.

Perfect your pitch

Your pitch, sometimes call an elevator speech, is a brief description of the products or services you provide and the clients you serve. Be sure to write and rehearse your pitch before going to a networking event. Having a powerful message you can deliver with impact will help you make connections with business partners and potential clients in any networking environment.

Have a few ice breakers ready

In my work with clients, I often hear “I never know what to say” or “How do I start a conversation?” Here are a few ice breakers to start a conversation with anyone in the room.
“I don’t think we’ve met yet. I’m (name).”
“What brings you to the event?”
“What do you do? / Tell me about your business”

Prepare your Mindset

Before you head into your next event, take a few minutes to get into the right frame of mind. Begin by take a few deep breathes to calm your nerves. Then, set your intention for what you’d like to get out of the event. Do you want to connect with a certain number of connections? Are you looking to meet someone in a specific industry – perhaps someone who can be a referral partner? Having a goal in mind will give make your networking more targeted, reducing an nerves that creep up.

Your mission is to use the 3-steps above to prepare for your next networking event.

Now it’s your turn, what helps you overcome your nerves before a networking event? Post your tips in the comments below.

What’s Your Why?

In his book and TED talk, Start with Why, Simon Sinek examines why some leaders, like Martin Luther King, Jr. and organizations, like Apple, are more innovative, influential and profitable than others. What he discovered is that these companies or individuals deliver a message that starts with “WHY” – why they are in business and why their company exists.

The reason customers, consumers and people flock to those companies or individuals is because:

SimonSinek
 

It seems like a simple concept, but Sinek found that this was the differentiating factor between innovative companies and their competition.

What’s Your Why?

If you’re not clear on your “why,” here are four questions to help you get started:

1) Why did you start your business?

2) What’s your purpose or cause?

3) What do you love most about what you do?

4) What are you most passionate about in life?

 

Want to learn how your Why can help you in your business? Attend the Rock Your Story Workshop in New York City.

Communicate Your Brand Message with Ease

I recently asked my Facebook community the following question: How do you describe your brand in a few words?

The response was overwhelming with words like

Warm

Audacious

Joyful

Dynamic

Tranquil

Fresh

Fun and more.

Ask any entrepreneur to describe their brand and the answers will be top of mind. Branding goes beyond a few words, logo and colors. A strong brand is infused in every part of your business creating a clear, consistent message.

What message are you sending with your words, style and image?

How you present yourself when speaking on stage, attending a networking event or filming a video speaks volumes to potential clients (even if you haven’t said a word)!

Too often, entrepreneurs send different messages on different platforms and they many not know it.

Creating a consistent brand message demonstrates the experience you create for your clients and customers.

Your message: What is it you want to be known for? What are the key messages you want to communicate about your brand? Write down your brand messages and infuse them in

Your appearance: When attending a networking event, meetingwith a client or speaking on stage, your fashion and style should represent your brand. If you’re a reiki master, and your brand is inspirational or tranquil, your clothing should reflect that. Wearing a suit is out of alignment with your brand and confusing to your audience.

Online profiles: Are your social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram branded? Having the same tagline, logo and and graphics that visually represent your brand creates consistency and builds trust with potential clients.

Photos: When was the last time you took headshots or updated your social media photos? When updating your photos your clothing, background and poses should represent your brand.

Want to learn more about communicating your brand with ease? Attend the Speak Your Brand event on October 30 in New York City.

How to Get Visibility Like a Rock Star

As a lifelong music fan, I believe there are many lessons entrepreneurs can learn from rock stars. It’s easy to look at famous musicians like Justin Timberlake or Beyonce and think they became successful overnight.

The business world is no different. Scroll through social media and you’ll entrepreneurs posting about a successful product launch, high-profile media coverage or a record month in sales.

Meanwhile, you put in the hard work daily, but wonder what you’re doing wrong and why your don’t get the same visibility in your business.

Here’s the good news:  it takes time to “make it” to the big time – in business or in music.

Before he achieved worldwide success, Justin Timberlake lost on Star Search. So did Beyonce.

They didn’t let those small defeats keep them from their rock star dreams. Here are a few actions you can take to get rock star visibility:

1. Play small venues – When starting a business you have to play the tiny clubs before you can sell out Madison Square Garden. Many entrepreneurs have dreams of delivering a TED talk. Speaking at smaller events or at local networking meetings is a great training ground to hone your message and perfect your presentation.

2. Build the buzz – Can you remember a time when a friend said “you’ve got to hear this song” or introduced you to a new band? Word of mouth referrals are one of the best sources to build buzz for you business. Take a cue from rock stars by engaging your “fans” on social media or ask former clients to write testimonials about your work.

3. Push through the fear – Barbra Streisand’s stage fright kept her from performing in public for decades. Adele, Eddie Vedder and Bob Dylan also shy away from the spotlight. However, these artists haven’t let fear prevent them from sharing their work with the world. Just imagine if Bob Dylan never released “Blowin’ in the Wind” or Adele kept “Someone Like You” in her journal?

Those songs are powerful and so is your message. There is a fan (or customer) who needs your services and is anxiously awaiting your next blog post, video, email or event.

So, put yourself out there.

GO FOR IT!

Share your words and message. You never know, you could be the next overnight success.

If you want to get more visibility for your business, schedule a 30-minute complimentary strategy session.

How to Silence the Inner Critic

Here’s what you’ll learn in this video:

  • 3 tips to quiet the inner critic
  • A powerful tool to eliminate the inner critic
  • Insight on the inner critic from Elizabeth Gilbert, author, Eat Pray Love

3 Tips to Quiet the Inner Critic

The inner critic – that negative voice that creeps up and tells you you’re not good enough. It creates fear and doubt in your mind causing you to hold back from pursuing a dream or simply hitting publish on your blog post.

Here are three easy ways to help silence the inner critic when that voice creeps in:

1) Your audience needs you – When the inner critic shows up it’s easy to doubt yourself, your purpose and the value of your work. When that happens remind yourself that your audience need the information you have. That’s why they subscribed to your newsletter, read your blog or register to attend your talks. It’s natural to downplay your talent or compare yourself to others in your field. But remember, your audience is coming to you for help. You have knowledge, experience and information that they need. Don’t hold back. The information you have can help them resolve an issue and they will be grateful to receive it.

2) Create a Rock Star Review – It’s easy to get caught up in checking things off the “To-Do” list so you can tackle the next task on the list. However, it’s a good idea to pause and remind yourself of all that you have accomplished.

Spend just 5 minutes today and write down all the things you have accomplished this week or in the last month. The list can include big items such as launching a product as well as smaller things like washed the dishes. Once you create that list you will be amazed at everything you have done in that time frame. Keep the list near your desk to remind you how much you can accomplish – and to keep the inner critic at bay.

3) Even famous authors deal with the critics – Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love, was asked how she handles the inner critic. She posted her response on Facebook saying that she deals with the inner critic the same way she deals with critics in real life. She simply tells them to ‘Go write your own book!’

Now it’s your turn. How do you handle the inner critic? Post your thoughts in the comments below