What are some "scripts" for when you're out networking? I'd love to know what you say to people.

It's important to control the conversation so you want to find out about what "they" do and where their pain is - and never, ever, ever dump on people what you do.

You want to find out what's keeping them up at night. It makes it so much easier to then address specifics and helps them to relate to what you can do for them. So the key is to start the conversation with questions. Here's one of the scripts I use:

Me: Hi, I'm Pam Blackman the Process Coach and your name is??? (don't pause when you say that).
Bob: My name is Bob Jones
Quickly jumping in...Me: Hi, Bob...and what is it you do?
Bob: I'm a marketing consultant (and they will probably deliver their 30 second commercial)...and they will probably say..."And what do you do?"
Me: "Well I help people get more done in less time - which of course means they make more money and save more money. So Bob, tell me - what is it that takes up all of your time?" (no pausing).. It's an open ended question, so I just let Bob ramble on for a little bit and I listen for what he says. Then from there I ask more open ended questions.
Bob: "Wow...well my reporting is ridiculous. It takes me tons of time to do sales reports once a week. And all this client followup and of course marketing kills me!"
Me: "I can understand that! Let me ask you - what do you use for your reporting? Is it Excel or something else." (no pausing again and let's say he says Excel. Now I have an opening.) "You know Bob, one of the services I offer is to manage anywhere from basic Excel reporting all the way to being able to develop complex reporting systems in Excel. I LOVE working with Excel and it truly is a passion and one of my areas of expertise."

The key is to have typical questions and potential responses to objections ready B4 the encounter. It works beautifully. No more than 2 questions at a time though or they will feel like they just walked into the CIA.

Hope that gives you an idea of a start.

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Pam Blackman - Pam Blackman Online
Certified Online Business Manager | Infusionsoft Specialist

Thanks, Pam! That's really terrific advice!

Hi Pam - great sample - I am going to write up my "elevator speech" and will jot down a few scenarios such as this so I am comfortable saying them. I was asked the other day what my business was and was embarrassed because I did not have a good solid blurb to give them. That won't happen again. I've gotten a lot of good advice from these forum posts!

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Jill Alward
Administrative Expertise