I have my first Business After Hours Chamber Meeting tonight. I am jittery, nervous, anxious, excited!!! I have a few people to introduce myself to already, but I'm just nervous. I want to land that perfect introduction and hopefully have something lead to connections that might lead to future business. So far everyone in the community I've spoken to seems very interested and curious about my venture. Any tips or advice from someone who is been there?

Mostly, I'm just excited. Can't wait to put my name out there.

I haven't ever attended an event like this but I'm sending you good energy and I wish you luck!

__________________

Congratulation!

The first one is always hard, you don't really know what to expect...but I'm sure you will do fine.

My approach to these types of social gathering, is to be a better listener than a promoter of your business (of course market yourself though!). You just want to keep in mind that everyone will be there to talk about their business... and this is where I use my listening and evaluating skills to hone in on the specific things.

You want to get people talking about what they do and how they do it so that you can be able to suggest things that you can help them out with...It's not just about telling EVERYBODY what you do in your new business, but I think it's better to be able to tell a SPECIFIC person, what it is that you can do for THEM for their business.

One last thing is that when you collect business cards at the function...dedicate a good hour the next day to sending everyone a quick "nice to meet you" email...it sends a great impression to someone that may need your service one day or if they know someone who could use it, they are more likely to forward the email to their colleagues! Be sure to add a link to a special discount of some sorts in your email.

Thumbs up to you as you go out!

__________________
Perfecting Assistance Services
www.perfectingassistance.com
Allowing you time to PERFECT your Business!

Originally Posted by Delady

Congratulation! The first one is always hard, you don't really know what to expect...but I'm sure you will do fine. My approach to these types of social gathering, is to be a better listener than a promoter of your business (of course market yourself though!). You just want to keep in mind that everyone will be there to talk about their business... and this is where I use my listening and evaluating skills to hone in on the specific things. You want to get people talking about what they do and how they do it so that you can be able to suggest things that you can help them out with...It's not just about telling EVERYBODY what you do in your new business, but I think it's better to be able to tell a SPECIFIC person, what it is that you can do for THEM for their business. One last thing is that when you collect business cards at the function...dedicate a good hour the next day to sending everyone a quick "nice to meet you" email...it sends a great impression to someone that may need your service one day or if they know someone who could use it, they are more likely to forward the email to their colleagues! Be sure to add a link to a special discount of some sorts in your email. Thumbs up to you as you go out!

Ugh, your a peach. I am usually one to follow-up like that, in fact I just wrote an article about follow-up, but it did not occur to me to send a follow-up on nice to meet you after exchanging cards. And listening.... a great reminder. I have renewed energy and purpose tonight.

You may also want to ask the people you speak with if you can add them to your email mailing list (even if you don't have one now, you may want to build one in the future). Make a note of the people who agreed or not, since you are only allowed use email to market to people who agree to let you. That way you can start building a database.

I agree about the follow up - make sure to send a nice note to the people you have good conversations with. That will make a great impression!

Best of luck - let us know how it goes!

Yvone

__________________
Yvone M. Kon
M.Y. Marketing & Design
Your Virtual Marketing Assistant - At Your Service!
www.mymarketingdesign.com

Thanks you guys, good tips. I'm sitting at Fazolies right now killing time until it starts. Reading more tips, adding my link to directories.... I can't wait to be out there.

Isn't mobile technology great? You can work anywhere! I love that I never have to read another mangled magazine from 1999 while waiting at the doctor's office. I can actually be productive while they make me wait for my appointment!

Good luck - and have fun with it!

__________________
Yvone M. Kon
M.Y. Marketing & Design
Your Virtual Marketing Assistant - At Your Service!
www.mymarketingdesign.com

yes mobile technology is outstanding. bad news is, i was late. For some reason I had down that it started later. good news is, there was still plenty of time to mingle and it didn't seem to matter. plus the chamber girls offered to let me attend the next one free, because of my own goof up! I met a few people, took everyone's advise and sent followup notes.

It sounds like you had a very successful evening - and you get to go to another meeting! Good job!

Yvone

__________________
Yvone M. Kon
M.Y. Marketing & Design
Your Virtual Marketing Assistant - At Your Service!
www.mymarketingdesign.com