Schmoozing Like a Pro: Are You Doing It Right?
Even if your business is a one-person show, chances are you can maximize your gains by leveraging your relationships.
The business without any employees is still involved with networking, making relationships, and communicating with dozens of people. Whether you’re working with vendors or potential investors, learning how to schmooze can lead to fresh opportunities and even a higher chance of success. Building relationships is a mindset that can offer many entrepreneurs a chance to create a solid network of resources. Here are some tips on learning how to schmooze like a pro:
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Focus on the goal of your connection.
Knowing what the purpose of your prospective relationship is before you make an approach will keep you on track for the positive. Understanding how both of you can benefit from the potential partnership makes it much easier to break the ice, and foster a relationship built on respect for each other’s needs. Putting yourself out there first by offering something of value to the other party puts you in a great position to learn how they might reciprocate; and it’s the basis for plenty of negotiations as you move ahead.
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Ask lots of questions.
Schmoozing requires listening and feedback, but you need to be in the position of ‘very interested learner’ as often as possible. Asking questions lets the other person share and talk with ease, and will keep the conversation moving along much more naturally. Avoid dead-end questions that are likely to result in one word answers. You may need to practice this a little, but learning how to get other people to chat away is an easy step to schmoozing success.
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Be a reader.
Get into the habit of reading, studying, and even researching your prospect before hand. If you don’t have anything in common, it’s much harder to carry on a conversation that will lead to results. Find out what your base knowledge needs to be, and think of two to three current topics on the subject that you can discuss with ease.
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Carry your business card at all times.
The opportunity for schmoozing can strike at any moment, and having your contact information readily available makes it much easier for prospects to get in touch. Just a simple contact card will do; when it’s easy for others to get in touch with you, you’ll instantly become more approachable.
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Extend a favor.
Offer to do something for the other person, and make it clear that there are no expectations for reciprocation. You’ll need to be genuine with this strategy, and make sure you have some credibility with the other person or your maneuver could backfire if it seems insincere. Extending a favor can help you become, well, favorable.
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Follow up.
Sending an e-mail, a brief note, or even a ‘Thank You’ card if the event necessitates one, are great ways to make a statement that you’re serious. Following up after the 24-48 hour mark makes it clear that you’re in business, and appreciate your initial meeting. Leaving a lasting impression can help you build your credibility, especially when the prospect has you ‘on top of mind.’
One Comment
Boogey Man
September 6th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
tips 2 and 3 kind of intertwine with each other.
as you ask questions to the prospect, you’re reading both their direct and indirect signals they radiate off.
i have spoke with some people through email - which they’re response would make you feel they’re ideal…but if you speak to them impromptu, live in person, w/o giving them the time to conceptualize their perfect reply…you’ll see they have ‘flaws’, that in fact reveal they’re are not the ideal candidate
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