Smashing your networking introduction
Stefan Thomas
Professional Speaker for Business Events and Conferences | Keynote Speaker | Conference Speaker | Leadership & Communication Skills Trainer | Bestselling Author
Last week I explained why you need to ditch the elevator pitch, and promised to tell you how to present your networking introduction, when it isn't an elevator pitch.
Remember that your networking introduction is an invitation to continue the conversation. This isn’t about telling people everything that you do, it is about giving the right people a compelling reason to follow up with you, to write your name down, to take the conversation further.
Here's one of the exact templates I use to create my clients' 60 seconds, and it's yours, on me.
Let people tune into your voice by giving a clear introduction of your name, and the name of your company or business.
2. What do you do?
Why should someone carry on listening for the next 55 seconds? In a room full of people, what should inspire them to take notice of you?
3. How do you do it?
Now you’ve got their attention, time for a little more detail. Explain what it looks like, along with descriptive words that give them an insight into what working with you feels like.
4. What has someone said about you?
Let’s get some third party reinforcement in here. What has someone said that will really get someone to prick their ears up. Plus this is your chance to focus your introduction on whoever you want to speak to in the room. When I want to attract accountants, I use a testimonial from an accountant etc.
5. What do people need to do next?
A good, old fashioned call to action. What’s the next step? How do they contact you or start the process.
If this is a referral marketing group, such as BNI or 1N, explain very specifically what type of referral you’re looking for, and precisely how they should pass it on to you.
6. Who are you?
They might not have been listening first time, or might be interested to speak to you now when they weren’t before. Clearly give your name, and the name of your business.
I've got even more information, including this template and some thoughts from me, on this YouTube -
Do let me know that this stuff is useful to you, and if you want to work with me and learn how to speak, and how to be paid to speak, The Speaking Retreat is back in August and September - https://speakingretreat.biz/
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1 年That's going to be so useful next Friday! Thanks Stefan.
Using sensory workshops to teach new and transferable stress-management techniques. Or an opportunity to enjoy nature.
1 年This proved very useful, and timing was perfect, as I was just planning my own introduction today. On reading this, I pretty much had all the bases covered. Nice to know I've not drifted to far off point. Thanks.
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1 年I tweaked number two last week at an FSB face to face event, Stefan. Seems to good effect, and have had a number of messages and phone conversations resulting in a diary littered with appointments. Always great to refresh your message.