No More Waiting Lines

No More Waiting Lines

Authors, promise never again do a "traditional" book-signing. Here's why.

People usually stand in line, isolated, not talking to each other.

If you take even a moment to answer a question, that time "adds up."

People in the back of the line get impatient/frustrated, give up, and walk away.

That means you don't get to meet them, and they don't get to meet you.

That's a preventable missed opportunity.

The good news is, there's a better way.

Turn your "waiting line" into an "interactive community."

I do this every time I do a book-event, including the one I did last week at the Conscious Capitalism Conference in Dallas.

With a big smile, I invited people standing in a single file line to "GATHER AROUND!"

Then I suggested, "Let's turn this into a mini-community, shall we?"

I asked the person in front, "What's a project you're working on you're excited about? Let's all brainstorm it together."

Please note, I didn't ask people, "What do you do?"

They may not work or may not want to talk about their work.

Asking people to share a project they care about gives people OPTIONS.

They can discuss whatever is important to them - a cause, a creative priority, a business opportunity, a launch they're planning.

Everyone in the group is now getting to know each other and swapping helpful insights - which gives you time to write a personalized message on each book.

Be sure to ask people how to spell their name.

One time I didn't do this because the person's name was Jane. I thought, "I cannot ask JANE how to spell her name" and went ahead and signed her book.

She corrected me with, "Actually, it's spelled JAYNE."

Oops. My bad.

You may be wondering, "What if there are only a couple people in line?"

Ask, "Do you know each other?" Often, they don't.

Suggest they introduce themselves and ask, "What was a highlight from the event that was particularly timely or relevant for you?"

They may mention something the opening keynoter said - or an epiphany that emerged from a breakout group - or a tip they learned from someone at lunch.

Sharing lessons-learned benefits everyone - including the conference planners - - because you're turning STRANGERS into FRIENDS and giving them a hook on which to hang a meaningful conversation.

By the way, this doesn't just apply to book-signings.

When I run events, we train our volunteers to turn "lines" into "communities."

Any time we anticipate there might be a line - whether it's for registration or one-on-one sessions - we assign a volunteer to be there to facilitate introductions.

We even suggest specific questions to kick-start purposeful conversations.

Instead of asking "Where are you from," ask:

"What session are you most looking forward to at the conference?"

"Is there a particular speaker or panelist you want to connect with?"

"What would make this conference a success for you?"

These focused questions draw out attendee's priorities and intentions which transform "chit chat" and "small talk" into mutually-rewarding discussions.

People go from feeling shy or anxious - "I don't know anyone. I feel like an outsider. I want to head back to my hotel room and hide out" to feeling welcomed and part OF the group instead of apart FROM the group.

People go from wondering, "Will this be worth all the time/money I spent to be here?" - to concluding this was a smart investment, within minutes of arriving.

Often, they discover shared interests and commonalities and ask, "Want to sit next to each other at the opening session?" or "Want to have lunch together?"

The point of all this?

We are not just authors, presenters, event planners - we are community builders.

Anytime we can fast-forward friendships, we have a responsibility to do so.

Choosing to be inclusive servant leaders who make the people around us feel seen, heard and respected - is an opportunity to add "rising-tide" value.

As Carl Rogers said, "The degree to which I can create relationships and facilitate the growth of others is a measure of the growth I have achieved in myself."

Here's to turning "waiting lines" into "growing relationships."

Youlanda Chin, ARM

Insurance Service Representative | Commercial Lines Insurance Assistant Account Manager | Risk Analyst | Commercial Analyst | Underwriting Associate

10 个月

This is fantastic! I'll definitely use these tips when meeting new people. The questions are brilliant, they'll really spark conversation.

Lynn Rose

Media Entrepreneur * ABC/FOX/SONY * Tech Founder/CEO, WOWUNOW & WOWTALKS * Strategist/Consultant for Fortune 500 & Leading Brands/Experts & Int'l Entertaining Keynoter/MC

10 个月

Always love and appreciate your work ??

Patricia Fripp Presentation Skills Expert

President @ Fripp Virtual Training | Presentation skills expert

10 个月

Sam Horn Great post as always.

? Bob Phibbs

CEO @ The Retail Doctor | Retail Strategy + Sales Training Expert | Creator, SalesRX? | Fortune 500 Retail Consultant | Top Voice LinkedIn | CSP Speaker | Business Makeover Expert | Author | Podcast Host | ?? Conductor

10 个月

This should be posted by every event planner the day prior to their event and then instructed from the stage. Excellent.

Ricky Lien

Creating Market Movers: How Strategic Conversations Increase Influence and Sales | Turn Talk into Revenue

10 个月

Sam Horn, that’s creative! Breaking away from the cold queuing to forming a community by engaging in artful questions is the “bees’ knees”!

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Sam Horn的更多文章

  • How Do You FIND an IDEA?

    How Do You FIND an IDEA?

    What an intriguing quote from creative wizard Rick Rubin, “Your job is not to find the idea, it’s to recognize the idea…

    16 条评论
  • Does Your Idea Pass the I.D.E.A. TEST?

    Does Your Idea Pass the I.D.E.A. TEST?

    Do you have a big idea but people are telling you it won't work? Remember the wise words of Paul Brandt, “Don't tell me…

    18 条评论
  • Share Your STORIES So They STICK

    Share Your STORIES So They STICK

    What a joy it is being back in the recording studio putting my What's Holding You Back? book on Audible. Joel Block -…

    28 条评论
  • How to PAY ATTENTION So It PAYS OFF

    How to PAY ATTENTION So It PAYS OFF

    Working on a project and dealing with constant distractions and interruptions? Try this. You can concentrate on…

    20 条评论
  • Doing WHAT You Love with WHO You Love Isn't Taking Time OFF Work, It's Taking Time ON Life

    Doing WHAT You Love with WHO You Love Isn't Taking Time OFF Work, It's Taking Time ON Life

    "My happiness is on me, so you're off the hook." - Byron Katie You know, I never used to think of myself as a…

    12 条评论
  • Is WALKING a CLARITY CATALYST?

    Is WALKING a CLARITY CATALYST?

    Years ago, while working on a book, I was stuck. I only had a week left to submit the manuscript to my editor at St.

    28 条评论
  • What Can We Learn From Super Bowl Ads?

    What Can We Learn From Super Bowl Ads?

    "If you don't make them feel, you won't close the deal." - Sam Horn, author of POP! Imagine: paying $7 million for a 30…

    25 条评论
  • How to Make a LONG STORY Short

    How to Make a LONG STORY Short

    “Instant gratification takes too long.” – Carrie Fisher What a joy it was speaking for The Advocacy Conference, hosted…

    33 条评论
  • Have you heard the term PRONOIA?

    Have you heard the term PRONOIA?

    Optimism is getting a bad rap these days. It’s often denounced as naive, idealistic, "toxic positivity.

    30 条评论
  • How Can We Think Upstream?

    How Can We Think Upstream?

    Who taught you to drive? Did s/he teach you it's not enough for YOU to be a good driver, you need to keep your antenna…

    5 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了