Undoubtedly, you’ve attended networking events at which a sponsor was afforded five minutes to speak publicly about his company.  How often do you remember what the sponsor says?  In most cases it’s not that you don’t remember, it’s that you were not listening in the first place.  Not your fault.

I recently attended a Chamber event honoring high-achieving high school students.  The sponsor stood behind the podium and disseminated his information about his company.  That’s all he did.  He transmitted, but few received.  He did not connect with and communicate to his target audience.  How do I know?  I observed the audience members’ roaming eyes.  What this meant for him was that he squandered a paid opportunity to be memorable.  Lack of public speaking skills = waste of time and money.

He did, however, have a nice idea for giveaways.  They were matchbox cars sporting his logo, and inside one of the boxes was a $20 bill.  At the end of the presentation, you can bet everyone was looking inside their boxes.

Here are two simple things he could have done to have greatly enhanced memorability through public speaking:

1) Step out from behind the podium and into the audience.  This would have recaptured the attention of the audience. They would have LOOKED at him.

2) Announce at the open that one of the the audience members would be randomly selected at the end of his presentation.  All the person would have to do to win a crisp $20 bill would be to answer a SIMPLE question about his company.  Now they would have LISTENED to him; not really for the $20, but more because they wouldn’t want to be publicly embarrassed by not being able to answer a SIMPLE question.

When public speaking at a networking event, little things mean a lot.  Most people simply transmit information to very few tuned-in receivers.  But, by mastering public speaking skills, you can connect with and communicate to an audience that will REMEMBER you and your company.  Isn’t that what it’s all about?

Share your comments and questions here . . .

» Share this entry:

Here is a tip for networkers to maximize their time investment in public speaking.

After presenting to a group about your expertise, each member of your audience should have your business card and you should have theirs.  How do you accomplish this?

1. Provide a hand out that bullets the main points of your presentation.  Use a paperclip or a dab of re-stickable glue to attach your business card.

2. Do a drawing that requires collection of their business card.  The prize should relate to your topic: best to give away your own product; or if you don’t sell your own, buy a book about your topic.  This will ensure that you’re not collecting junk contacts for your database.  Most of the people who enter the drawing will have an interest in your topic.  Tip: have blank business-card size pieces of paper for the people who “forgot” their business cards.

Upon arrival to the office, immediately enter the cards into your database and email each person a thank you for attending PLUS at least one of the following: 1) join me on Linked in; 2) sign up for my blog updates; 3) sign up for our newsletter; 4) you are invited to our next presentation.  The important point is to have a call to action.

Networkers understand that public speaking opportunities are an inexpensive way to reach out to many people in one shot.  What many do not realize is that if you don’t walk away with a stack of contacts that have an interest in your area of expertise, and if you don’t immediately take action, then much of your time investment is squandered.

There you have it, one tip that will more than double your ROI when using public speaking to network.

What other tricks of the trade have you seen successfully employed?  Please share.

» Share this entry: