I picked up a real handy tip this morning from a PR guy: When you get an opportunity to stand up & speak about your business, or to do your elevator speech use a prop. You're more likely to stay in people's memories.

An example of a prop might be a relevant newspaper article or cutting (especially if it features you, your business or one of your clients), a photograph, a sample of your work (such as prints of marketing materials you've done for a client), etc.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Jason

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Jae Alexander Linsey - 2SupportU.biz
Administrative Support | Marketing Support | Networking Events

Great tip, Jason. I don't know if this is exactly the kind of "prop" you were talking about but I think it uses a similar psychology so thought I'd share. I can't remember where I even learned this but I've never forgotten.

A red folder... That's it... lol

Whenever you go into a meeting, bring a red folder with you. It can be empty, it doesn't matter. For some reason, it "commands attention", and all eyes and ears will be drawn to you because everyone's wondering what's inside. It must be important or urgent to be inside of a red folder. So, I was thinking, maybe something like this would work at a networking event as a "prop". Walk around with it and maybe people will key in on you and remember you more (maybe even approach you ... hmmmm, there may be a future experiment in this ... lol ).

When I got laid off from the corporate world, I bought a bunch of red folders (more of a deeper red than a primary color) and put my resume, references, letter of recommendation and a copy of my college diploma inside (now that I think about it, that was probably a little over the top but for some reason I thought it would be a good idea...lol). If nothing else, it made me feel a little bit more professional...lol

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase :daisy:

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks for your kind words & also you suggestion. I'll try that. I don't have any red folders to hand. But they're cheap as chips, so I'll have to invest in one.

Regards,

Jason.

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Jae Alexander Linsey - 2SupportU.biz
Administrative Support | Marketing Support | Networking Events

What a clever idea. I like it a lot and since I am sitting here brainstorming my business and my plan, I think I just named a segment of it. "The Red Folder" (for internal use only) I am going to get a Red Folder that sits predominately in my office. I can put my latest referral notes or a newsletter i did or something big I am working on in it. So if I am feel frustrated and ineffective, I can pull it out and look at what's inside. I can also quickly pull a couple of examples and put them in the red folder that I will have with me. HA. Brilliant!

Kathy

I just finished a speech class and that was something that was mentioned there too. Distribute something your audience can hold onto and read at a later time. It will remind them of you and what you said (i.e. flyer, brochure, red folder containing info about your VA business).

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Kathy
www.theofficevirtuoso.com

What a great idea! I think I'll try that!

Originally Posted by StephanieP

Whenever you go into a meeting, bring a red folder with you. It can be empty, it doesn't matter. For some reason, it "commands attention", and all eyes and ears will be drawn to you because everyone's wondering what's inside. It must be important or urgent to be inside of a red folder. So, I was thinking, maybe something like this would work at a networking event as a "prop". Walk around with it and maybe people will key in on you and remember you more (maybe even approach you ... hmmmm, there may be a future experiment in this ... lol ).

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Kathya Kalinine
http://www.emeraldvirtual.com

I like the idea of the red folder and am wondering if you could get red envelopes with a brochure of your business in it, or maybe a billfold type folder that could hold your brochure/company information?!? Either way great tip, thanks.

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Have a Great Day on Purpose!!!!!!!!!!!

For my networking groups, I have created a flyer to give them with marketing tips and why you hire an Administrative Service or I give them my latest postcard, brochure or whatever. Others do the same.

Lately I have been doing some research and have found great articles on better networking and education vs selling and I have printed them out and each week I share them with the groups. In the foot note area, I have where I found the information and also my contact information. Duh, I should have printed it with my letter head! I will remember that next week.

I like the idea of the red folder and I will have to keep that in mind. Thank you.

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Erika Glem
www.advadminsol.com Let my administrative solutions be to your advantage.

OMG Stephanie, your red folder made me think of something at work. I'm working on a project and I've put all my research in a red folder. Everytime I walk into the CFOs office with this folder, she knows exactly what I need to discuss because of the infamous red folder.

I think you have an excellent idea. Carrying a red folder or anything that sets us apart might just be a trademark at networking events. And Jason, filling the red folder with props makes a lot of sense. Get their attention with the red folder and then keep yourself in their thoughts with information from the red folder.

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Jenny McKinney
http://www.offsiteofficepro.com

The red folder idea is great (never heard that one before!) - but Jason's original point is excellent as well. And if your 'prop' can be something other than paper ... show biz peeps use flags or canes ... all the better.

A woman selling healthy chocolate stood and took a bite, chewed it, marveled at how good it was, took another bite, marveled ... that was her 45-second networking meeting speech!

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com