Here is a quick tip for those who network and engage in public speaking:
In many networking situations you have the opportunity to stand up, introduce yourself and communicate what you do. Let’s take a typical group of 30 networkers in the room and assume that they do not know one another. Here is the likely scenario: About five members of the audience will diligently take notes, another ten will listen pretty intently, and the rest will be thinking about what they are going to say when it’s their turn.
This means that you have an opportunity to be memorable to an audience of fifteen. Since these people will likely leave with your card in hand, it is vital that they can match up the name on the card with your face.
Here is the biggest mistake even excellent public speakers make when networking:
AS they are standing up, they begin one long sentence that sounds something like this: Goodmorning I’mFrankDameliofromTargetIntellect and I help people . . .
The problem: even the notetakers have a hard time picking up your name and company. I see it happen all the time – people whisper “what did he say his name was?”
The solution: stand up, pause a moment, say “good morning” and pause. Sometimes nobody will answer, in which case you say it again with a smile and pause. The pause will cause everyone to look at your face.
Now that they are looking at your face, say your name and company a bit more slowly and more articulately than you normally would. “My name is FRANK DAMELIO and my company is TARGET INTELLECT.
Implementing these subtle changes will instantly move you from forgettable to memorable.
Next time you have the opportunity to watch people public speaking in a networking scenario, take note of how many squander the opportunity to have others hear and internalize their name and company.
Share your examples of either strong or weak openers right here . . .
» Share this entry: 
