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10 Ways To
Develop Confidence In New Situations
by
Maria Marsala
Summary: Very few people are at ease striking up a
conversation in a room full of strangers. Here are some simple ways to
make network meetings more productive and more fun.
Do you enjoy one-on-one networking,
however, the thought of walking into room full of people you don't know
horrifies you?
You're not alone. Yes, even a social
butterfly, President of the Social Committee in High School and avid
networker knows how you feel. Here are some of my tricks. And they have
all worked!
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A great way to network at a
conference is to volunteer at the registration desk. Why? You get to say
hello to everyone who registers in your line and everyone who registers
gets to see you behind the registration table. At the event, you'll feel
more comfortable talking with people because you've "met" them already.
And if those aren't enough benefits, people will "recognize you" from
the registration desk, and be more likely to come talk with you.
-
Once you join a new group, ask the
Chairperson what volunteer opportunities are available. Take on a small
or large task, based on what you like to do and/or do something that may
quietly help you market your business.
-
If you teach a class or speak, go
into the room early. Get a feel for it, change it around if need be, and
greet everyone who walks in with a big "hello my name is ...". Bring
name tags or recycle the tops of old manila folders, have each person
put their name on it, and put it on the table in front of them.
-
When you are planning to attend a
meeting for the first time, call up whomever you can from the
organization. Ask them if you can meet them at the meeting. Then you'll
"know" someone that you can look for when you arrive.
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Carry a nametag in your glove
compartment. Make one for personal use, another for business use. Then
people will feel more comfortable walking up to you in meetings.
-
Put your notes on the back of
duplicates of pictures (photography) you've taken. Then they won't stick
out so much from the podium (like white paper or index cards do.)
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Practice some opening lines and your
handshake before you attend the event. Practice using a mirror and ask
your family to let you practice on them, too.
-
Develop two a 30-second commercials
(also called elevator speeches, USP - unique selling propositions). One
is for personal use, and the other would be for business use. On a
recent telelclass I attended, provided by Jay Levinson of Guerrilla
Marketing fame, suggested creating a 7 word commercial, too.
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Remember that everyone in that room
is a human being, too. Everyone has their own fears to deal with... and
they might even be the same as yours.
-
Find other ways to build your confidence, too. Email me
the ones that work for you.
maria@coachmaria.com
© 2000-2002 Maria Marsala,
Business and Life Coach-Consultant
www.coachmaria.com
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