Laugh at yourself or you will laugh alone, even with Networking BooBoos where you KNEW better, but…

Ever wanted a DO OVER at a networking event?
You know…you just sat down from giving your 30 second, 60 second or maybe a 3 minute “elevator pitch,” introduction, commercial, or whatever the BUZZ WORD is this year. SHOCKER – there are different terms that mean the same thing!

We have all been there and if you don’t admit it then you need to CHECK YOUR EGO at the door!

Do I say my name first or last or not at all?
When do I include my company?
Should I say my phone number or website or email or give my blood type?
What do they want to hear today?
OH NO, there’s another insurance salesman in the room…how can I sound different/better/one-up them?
WELL THAT’S GREAT! I thought this was a one per industry, exclusivity-type of meeting but there are THREE people from Arbonne here!? Which one of us will go first???

Chances are, you have thought at least one of these and it may not have been the EXACT same words, but it was close…so maybe you are in MAX instead of Arbonne and are a REALTOR instead of an Insurance Agent…does it really matter? NO – because the end result is the same…YOU WANT RESULTS FROM YOUR NETWORKING!!!

These are all times to LAUGH IT OFF. For one, you are thinking too much and BEFORE you even got to the meeting you should have decided on what you were going to say. PRACTICE doesn’t make PERFECT because rarely do we experience perfection…but practice DOES help ease your nerves, soothe the anxiety, and increase your confidence in yourself.

Over time, you may get to a point where “winging it” works for you…but when you are first getting started, grab a notecard and get to practicing!

Are you ready to REALLY LAUGH at yourself?
1) Stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself.
2) Grab your FLIP and record your “pitch” for the week.
3) Practice SINGING it, air guitaring as you talk, and even doing jumping jacks.

Did you roll your eyes or chuckle? GOOD! You are learning the HUMOR of talking about what you do…and in reality, to have a successful “elevator pitch,” you want to focus on the BENEFITS!

So here’s your DO OVER opportunity:
1) What are the BENEFITS, not the features, with your product or service?
2) What problem do you/your company solve?
3) Do you know your HOOK to get them tuned into you after they have already heard 10 or 20 or 50 other people say, “Hi everyone, my name is Brett Favre and I do football. Today I am looking for a someone who can keep up with me on the field, who likes to play football as much as I do, and is ready to earn more money than they dreamed possible. If you have skin, you qualify. So call me, thanks.” (that would award you with the “GET HIM OFF THE STAGE NOW” trophy for worst commercial this decade!)
– Make your hook a compelling STATISTIC, fact, or headline from a paper. “Did you know…?” “Do you realize…?” “Would it surprise you to learn…?”
– Spend time developing your hook and testing it out to be sure that the STARTLING information you share really does startle.
– Pick a humorous joke to open with that makes fun of your own industry (but NOT YOU – never make fun of yourself and insult yourself, your business, or your industry – THERE IS A DIFFERENCE)
4) People will remember your name when it is repeated so don’t let it ONLY be when you start and ONLY when you end but include it throughout…obviously in a 30 second commercial it is not going to be 5 times. That would be ALL you get out. “My name is Angelina and I provide world-class hair designs. If you are looking for a new do, call Angelina. Angelina has the skills to give you the look you want at a price you can afford. if Angelina can’t fit you in to her schedule, Angelina will happily refer you to another Star in her salon, Great Clips.” Was that OVERKILL for you??? So, to that we say DO OVER!!! I think you get my point…

Here is your challenge…
1) WRITE your commercial down
2) PRACTICE IT at least 3 times in front of the mirror
3) GET CRITIQUED by a friend of family member
4) VIDEOTAPE your commercial and hey, if you want to email it to me for feedback, GO FOR IT!!!
5) HAVE FUN WITH IT – be detailed one time, silly another, in costume the third time, and have someone ELSE do it for you the fourth!

Don’t say the same thing every meeting but mix it up! Please…!!! What is your brand and do you have a logo/tagline? If so, WEAR IT and USE IT in your commercial. BRANDING IS KING (or in my case, QUEEN)!!!

If you need ideas for branding YOU, then let’s talk.

Everyone NEEDS a brand.
Everyone should HAVE a brand.
Everyone has a brand before they even realize it…you just need to find it.

(What spurred this post? Seeing a video clip on YouTube that was unedited, reading a comment that someone wanted to post but I edited so it was “suitable for posting for all viewers” and because someone asked how to get started…)

So LAUGH and the world laughs with you but do something to insult yourself, another networking group member or industry or company, and you WILL laugh alone.

CONNECT, RELATE, REFER.
and in the middle there is ALWAYS “C LA F R” …
(get it?!?)
…
….
See Laughter

ROFL!!!

I am laughing at my own joke, yes I am and it is now after 3 AM.
I have to say my morning humor sooo rocks! (if only I had already been to sleep tonight…oh, but I will be sleeping in tomorrow. PRESIDENT’S DAY!!!)

YOU TOO CAN BE AN INTERNET MARKETING GENIUS, NETWORK MARKETING DIVA/GURU – I recommend you start by “getting your laugh on”!

Tagged with: Anxiety • Arbonne • Blood Type • Booboos • Buzz Word • Ego • Elevator Pitch • End Result • Exclusivity • Insurance Agent • Insurance Salesman • Laugh • Mirror • Nerves • Networking Event • Notecard • Phone Email • Practice Doesn • Realtor • Shocker

Filed under: Uncategorized

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