For the last 2 ½ years, on the 2nd Saturday morning of each month, I’ve been hosting a Speaker Mastermind meeting. I love our meetings! Not only do I have the privilege of meeting so many like-minded, interesting, and inspiring people, I also have a front row seat for the networking and relationship building that takes place before, during, and after our meetings.
Just this past week, while listening to a public speaking podcast, I heard someone say, “the magic is in the hallways.” Whoever said it was so right. Making a great connection rarely takes place while we’re listening to a speaker. In person, it happens in the hallways outside the room and in the back of the room before the speaker takes the stage. It happens during breaks, at lunch, and after the event has finished too.
It’s a little different virtually, but not by much. Virtual breakout rooms work great, and of course, we have the group chat screen. Each month I remind everybody to share their contact information in the chat, and to choose at least one person to schedule a “coffee chat” with between now and next month’s mastermind meeting. I can’t tell you the number of times people have let me know they’ve partnered up with or hired someone they’ve met at one of our mastermind meetings.
So… how’s it going with your networking and relationship building? Have you figured out how to keep right on making connections, networking, and building relationships in the midst of our shared virtual reality?
It would be easy to use the pandemic as an excuse for putting these activities on hold. Hey… there are days when I seriously suffer from Zoom fatigue too. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to use it as an excuse to do less. I’m right here with you, and right now, my goal is to remind you that there are two types of connections you should always be open to and on the lookout for—regardless of how Zoom fatigued you may be!
Connection #1 is with your Potential Clients/Customers: Each talk you deliver brings you closer to your speaking goal of building your business. When you’re “on stage,” you’re taking the first step towards building that relationship, which will be one-sided until you deliver your “light-bulb” and/or “aha” moments to the people in your audience. Do a great job delivering those moments, and the connection will soon become two-sided as people approach you to learn more about you and what you have to offer. Make sure you’re ready and set up to have those conversations!
Connection #2 is with Event Planners: There are so many opportunities for connecting with people who book speakers: replying to an open call for speakers, seeking out a specific event planner, or indirect efforts, such as when someone hears you speak and suggests a referral. Don’t be too tired to work these connections. Get your calendar out and make an appointment with yourself to schedule times and dates for reaching out—because the magic isn’t limited to the hallways!
Bonus Connection—Networking and building relationships with other speakers—even your competition! Did I really just say that? Yes, I did. Chances are good there’s a difference between your competition’s niche and yours. Who knows? You might even learn and grow from one another. Think of it this way too… every minute you spend worrying about what your competition is doing is a minute you could have used making sure your audience walks away with reasons to trust you—and what you have to offer.
What it comes down to is that there are many “hallway” opportunities we all have access to if we keep our eyes and ears open. Add your confidence in how much value you have to offer and how much your solutions really do help people to the mix, and making connections that grow into mutually beneficial relationships will absolutely start happening!
‘Til we speak again,
~Beth