That day I realized my networking was all about me, not them

For years I went to local entrepreneur meetups in Austin and just handed out my business card first thing (like that was the whole point). It took a guy named Rick at a coffee shop event to tell me straight up that nobody cares about my elevator pitch until I ask three questions about their business first. Now I'm wondering how many connections I burned before I figured that out, has anyone else had that wake up call?

2 comments

2 Comments

kelly9687d ago

@lane.angela nailed it with that supply chain example. It's the same thing when I'm grabbing coffee or even just chatting with my neighbor. People can tell if you're actually listening or just waiting to jump in with your own story. I started doing this thing where I repeat back what someone says in my own words before I add anything of my own, and it changes the whole vibe of the conversation. It's like the difference between talking at someone versus talking with them.

lane.angela7d ago

Gotta say Rick did you a real solid. Took me way too many awkward silences and ghosted follow ups to figure out the same thing. Now I walk in with zero agenda and just try to hear what they're actually working on before I say a single thing about myself. Last event I went to I spent the first 15 minutes asking this lady about her supply chain issues and by the time I mentioned what I do she was already asking for my card. People can smell the difference between genuine interest and just waiting for your turn to talk a mile away.