Launch - Spring 2009 - (Page 25)

Many entrepreneurs avoid networking events, but the relationships that can be forged are crucial. By Colin Kelly Jr. I have a vivid memory of attending my first businessnetworking event nearly 10 years ago — I hardly knew anyone at the event, was too shy to strike up a conversation and ended up aimlessly stumbling about the room trying to blend in without standing out. The experience eerily paralleled my first junior high school dance in 7th grade — I hardly knew anyone at the school, was too shy to ask a girl to dance and ended up aimlessly mucking about the gym trying to blend in without standing out. Over time, I became much better at working a room, introducing myself and carrying on conversations with total strangers. Now many years later, I truly value all of the contacts, contracts and relationships that came thanks to my hard work at networking events over the years. I still have problems asking a girl to dance however, but that’s for another article entirely. As a young entrepreneur, building relationships is crucial. Networking at various events is a great way to get exposed to new contacts and potential customers. Below are some networking tips and good reasons to network in person. Remember as with anything, you’ll get better with practice and learn from your mistakes. No Substitute for Face Time In this e-mailing, instant messaging, texting, poking and Twitter tweeting, digitally flattened world, why do we even bother to leave the office anymore? Admit it, you’ve already given up spelling out “what’s gwan” in normal communication haven’t you? As pay back, you owe it to the rest of the world to get out there and interact with other professionals in a proper verbal fashion before your speech patterns deevolve as well. You just can’t beat one-on-one, face-to-face interaction when it comes to understanding someone and building relationships. Sorry, but body language and speech inflections just don’t come through as well over Skype. spring 09 launch 25

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Launch - Spring 2009

Launch - Spring 2009 Contents Editor's Note Dashboard Mentor: Mind Your Business Ps & Qs Diary: Great Idea, Now Show Me the Money Sales: Buying Eyeballs Funding: Stay Focused! NETworking Do’s and Don’ts Be the Networking King Entrepreneur Spotlight

Launch - Spring 2009

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