[CEATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED] NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS... and other shy professionals http://ezezine.com Are you shy about networking? Learn some simple steps to improve your ability to make the connections you need… to grow the business you want. CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED! From Turning Point Strategies and Lyle T. Lachmuth Please do FORWARD Creative Careers Unleashed to interested colleagues in your network. Links to join and leave this list are at the end of this newsletter. NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS... and other shy professionals I feel somewhat -- foolish? arrogant? – to be an Extravert talking about networking for introverts. But, then I think back to how shy I was as a kid -- Yep! Extraverts can be shy! -- and how I still have times when I’m nervous in groups. So, as a coach who has taught networking to many, many introverts I’d like to shares some useful ideas. Here goes... ======================================================================= HOT LINKS Read CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED in living colour and with live links here: http://www.creativecareersunleashed.com/2005/06/ccu_networking_.html Contact Robert Middleton, the Marketing Maven for Independent Professionals Here  http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=275971 Learn how to Manage Your Energy™ here: http://www.uc.dianalindstrom.com Make your Relationship Magical: http://www.RelationshipCatalyst.com Learn the secrets of BodyMind Nutrition for coaches and other professionals: http://www.NutritionEmpowermentSystems.com ======================================================================= NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS... and other shy professionals I’m going to assume you agree with me… networking is one of the best ways, if not THE BEST WAY, to find a job, find contracts, find information, or find clients. So, why don't more people use networking? Here's what I've heard. - I’m too shy. - I don’t know what to say - They’re staring at me… I feel so naked! - I don’t know where to start - There’s too many people - Get me outta here! Hey! Been there. Got the T-shirt and coffee mug to prove it. Most of the time I feel pretty comfortable in crowds. But, I have times when I walk into a room full of strangers and think: What the heck am I doing here? Where do I start? I think I’ll just sneak out and go home. Here’s what I do when I’m feeling scared, shy, and vulnerable in a crowd. I hope it’ll work for you. #1 I look for someone ‘interesting’ who’s alone You know what I’ve found out… we’re all alone in a crowd. So, I look for the lone guy or gal who’s standing by themselves. And, I walk over and say, “Hi. My name’s Lyle. Etc. [more in a minute on what’s next” Never been refused. Sure, I’ve had folks who never warmed up. But, no one has ever said, “B-gg-r off mate!” I define ‘interesting’ people by how the dress or don’t fit with the crowd. For example at a friend’s 50th birthday party I went over to the guy who looked like a biker. I asked him how he knew my friend. Turns out he’s my buddies IT support tech. Go figure. So, look around. Someone else is feeling just as alone as you are. #2 Ask them questions It IS a fact: people like to talk about themselves. I mean, what could be more interesting. Best way to get ‘em talking is to ask questions. But, what to ask. There are tons of things you could ask about. But, be strategic. Why are YOU there? What are you looking for? Contacts? Leads? A hot date? So, ask questions that will lead you to getting a sense of whether this person fits your target market or might know someone who fits your target market. Ask things like: What organization do you work for? What do you do there? That’s interesting, what’s fun about that? How’d you get into that line of work? What are the challenges you face there? What’s new and exciting at your company? You can actually move through questions like these in under 5 minutes. But, at some point… ======================================================================= QUOTES "Concentration is one of the greatest gifts of the Introvert." – Thomas Leonard about Warren Buffet “It is not necessary to do extraordinary things to get extraordinary results.” – Warren Buffet “Better to say nothing than to open your mouth and remove all doubt” -- Anonymous ======================================================================= NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS and other shy professionals - continued They’re going to ask you about yourself. #3 Have a Commercial prepared You want to be PREPARED to tell others what you do, who you serve, what value you offer, and do it in a way that causes them to go “WOW TELL ME MORE!” Easy right? NO! Crafting what marketing expert Robert Middleton calls an audio logo is hard bloody work. But, it’s worth it! So, what goes into your audio logo? WHAT & WHO – what single, unique, compelling, service or product do you provide? Overwhelmed? Maybe. But, take a breath. Take some time. And, think. What do you offer? So, you say, “I offer coaching.” Great, that narrows it down to 20,000,000 professionals – I’m being sarcastic but you get the drift. What kind of coaching and for whom? Let’s try again. “I coach creative, independent professionals.” “I coach working mothers.” “I coach wanna be writers.” The narrower the market. The clearer the target. The easier more memorable the distinction. The better others remember! RESULTS/VALUE/PROBLEM/SOLUTION – What results do you achieve? What problem(s) do you solve? What value do you provide? Some call this your USP – Unique Selling Proposition. What makes your service offering different from the competition? The answer in a minute… but first a word from a valued affiliate. ======================================================================= ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM LACK OF ENERGY? Do you drag your butt through the day? Do you wake up tired? Go to bed exhausted? Has your life lost its zest? Sadly you’re not alone! More than 20,000,000 Americans and 1,000,000 Canadians lack the energy they need to live their lives. Are you one of them? You can get your energy back. And, you can add more zip to your life. I know because I did. And, I did it through the simple, easy to learn, tips shared with me by a wonderful colleague Diana Lindstrom. Diana knows what it’s like to have to carefully watch every step and monitor every move. You see Diana is a Post Polio Survivor. If she doesn’t manage her energy… she doesn’t walk! She doesn’t get out of bed. And, she doesn’t get to do what she loves. Over the last year Diana was kind enough to share he story and her secrets with me. And, now you can learn how to Manage Your Energy™ Read more about the Manage Your Energy™ program here: http://www.uc.dianalindstrom.com ======================================================================= NETWORKING FOR INTROVERTS and other shy professionals - continued Remember, people are always thinking WIIFM – What’s In It For Me? You’ve got to give them a compelling answer. What’s compelling? How you make it easier, faster, cheaper, less painful. Here are a few examples: Mine: “I coach writers and other creative professionals who are struggling with turning their talents into a meaningful career.” A client’s: “I’m a relationship catalyst. I coach couples who want to make their relationships magical.” Another client’s: “I help high performing athlete’s succeed through the power of BodyMind Nutrition.” So, what’s the secret of networking? Remember you aren’t alone. Ask questions. Have something interesting to say. And, relax and be yourself. See you July 1st when I’m going to talk about CAREER CONUNDRUMS, Lyle Lachmuth MSOD, CDP, CRT(Hons) The Unsticking Coach (TM) Your Talents > Your Life >> Your Way! Turning Point Strategies Box 72140 RPO Glenmore Landing | Calgary, AB CANADA T2V 5H9 T: 403-390-4768 | E: LyleTLachmuth [at] Gmail.com =================================================================== ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER Join or leave this list here: http://home.ezezine.com/72/ Past issues here: http://home.ezezine.com/72/ PRIVACY POLICY: I collect your name and contact information solely to enable me to send you this newsletter and other information on a periodic basis. I will not rent, trade, or sell your name and contact information to anyone, at any time, for any reason! CAVEAT: CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED and its publisher, are not engaged in providing therapy. This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. CREATIVE CAREERS UNLEASHED may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety only, including copyright, legal, and contact information. Copyright 2005 Turning Point Strategies and Lyle T. Lachmuth