Years ago, I attended a networking event after work. My co-workers joined me after I had been there for about twenty minutes or so.
While grazing around the appetizer table, one of my co-workers approached me.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
Me: “How do I do what?”
Co-worker: “That thing you do… you know… just going up to people and talking to them.”
It was then that I realized not everyone is comfortable at a networking event. Some are unsure about how to mingle with others.
I admit I have an advantage.
A marketing lesson I learned at a very, very early age…
You see, I was raised by very outgoing parents. My father was a manufacturer sales rep and my mother was Italian. The woman just didn’t know a stranger.
For instance, she would chat up just about everyone and anyone around her. Didn’t matter if we were at the mall… the grocery store… or the bowling alley.
If another woman was standing nearby, she was fair game.
I remember as a small girl being annoyed by her seemingly endless quest to connect with people. I’d tug on her coat sleeve. “Moooom… can we go? Can we go yet?”
After all, I had books to read and dolls to play with. Major world-changing stuff.
Little did I know she was teaching me something important. Something that gave me valuable life skills. And that is…
Everyone needs human connection. Real connection.
Not just surface talk but a friendly, warm soul who notices them and lets them know they’re not alone. And not just sending texts or funny social media updates, but picking up the phone and actually speaking with someone. Even better – arranging a time to meet for coffee.
At my mother’s funeral in 2007, the most common thing I heard was how my mom made people feel loved. A higher honor could not be bestowed upon her. Thanks, Mom.
The “one thing” you must include with your marketing…
Feelings often get left out when we talk about such topics as marketing. But feelings are what people remember.
How does your marketing make people feel?
Important? Empowered? Encouraged?
Your words carry weight, whether you think they do or not.
And you have an incredible opportunity to affect people for the better.
Just about anyone I know (with the exception of the occasional misanthrope), can appreciate the effort you take to connect with them.
This is why email is so important.
Even if you don’t have a list, you likely send out an occasional email message to someone you want to impress. Or persuade.
How well are you getting your message across?
If you have any ponders regarding it… I’ve got good news. For a limited amount of time (this week, and next, until December 22), I’ll take a gander at your email and give you some solid feedback and direction.
All for the price of a nice dinner on the town.
$97 buckeroos. Such a deal!
Other copywriters will easily charge you 3x – 4x that amount (sometimes more).
Get the ball rolling by sending an email. I’ll respond promptly so we can get your message out there as soon as possible.
This way, the next time you send an email, the person on the other end will smile with excitement and say all Sally Field-like… “She gets me! She really, really gets me!”
Your networking-with-major-oomph guide…
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