How To Network With Speakers At Seminars
Sohail Khan | March 14th, 2010 | Blogroll, Joint Venture Training, Newsletter, Newsletter, The Thirty Day Challenge, Thirty Day IM ChallengeI have just left Yanik Silver’s Underground 6 Seminar in DC and spent a lot of time showing people how as a JV Broker I network with the speakers and get to know them (which has now led to me speaking at some top events around the world!).
On my way here I came across a guy from the UK Aaron Darko from http://www.Millionaireat24.com who won Yanik’s Young Entreprenuer Scholarship Program this year and was fascinated to hear the techniques he used to get to know the speakers.
So, I asked Aaron to share his top 10 tips on ‘How To Network With Speakers At Seminars’.
Many of us think that we are good communicators. But put us in a totally new, unkown environment and we curl up in our shell like turtles! The best way to grow is to get around new things, new people, new experiences etc.
So knowing how to network effectively is key. If you don’t already; GO TO SEMINARS! That’s where all the like minded people are and you will get great ideas just by interacting with different people.
Tony Robbins said
“The only way to change your life is to get around new voices”
1) Prepare in advance – look at the speakers list and target the ones you want to speak to.
2) Dress appropriately – Wear smart casual clothing or even a suit – dont wear a tracksuit or any blatent sportswear! Keep it cool!
3) After each speaker has spoken go to the back and speak with them – this is important as you are introducing yourself straight away.
Ask them intelligent questions.
Say ‘Hi my name is ___ and I currently _____ (say what you do – online or offline) I enjoyed your presentation ….then ask them an intelligent question
4) Go and talk to speakers during breaks – Here you are basically befriending them now – you’ve ideally already spoke to them after they spoke and now you’re just getting to know them more by asking them questions like how their life is, what they do in their spare time etc etc.
5) Get Photos with speakers – Really important. Why? Because if you dont, think about if you will be remembered! In the email you’ll say ‘hi my names Bob from the seminar was great talking with you’ And the speaker is thinking ‘Who The Hell Is Bob!’
However if you take a picture with them and attach it when you email them they are more likely to remember you. This is what I do with all of them like Mark Anastasi.
6) Make them laugh – laughter is the lubricant that enables people to take in information better. So be humorous! After all they are just like you! Just that they know a bit more than you!
7) Be yourself – don’t make out to be someone you’re not because honestly there’s no point.
Be confident – confidence is what makes this whole networking experience. If you don’t have the confidence to go up there and introduce yourself you are just wasting great opportunities. Summon the confidence to put these tips to use!
9) Make sure you listen closely – this is so so important. Listen closely to every word, when they are finished pause before you answer. If you are unlcear about something then ask ‘how do you mean’ this then gives them the opportunity to clarify any points you misunderstood.
10) Keep In Touch after the event – You HAVE to keep in touch otherwise the work you just did to build the relationship was pointless. Its not easy to remember to keep in touch but its a good habit you need to develop. I’m still trying to get good at it, its an ongoing learning process. Typically 3 days after the seminar up to a week you want to contact the speaker with your photo and see how they are.
Thats all! Now you can go network like crazy!
Hope you enjoyed these tips from my friend Aaron Darko
Remember to get out there and go to seminars – you meet some great people
The good news is, now there is a quicker and easier way to learn how to put together and profit from Joint Ventures through The JV University’s 12 week hands-on certified JV consultant’s training program where me, Willie Crawford, David Preston and Gina Gaudio-Graves hold your hand and even let you work on LIVE projects while you are being trained.
For more information on our 12 week JV certified hands-on program please click the link below:
http://www.thejvuniversity.com/sohail
To Your Abundant Joint Venture Success!
Sohail Khan (the “7 Figure JV Expert”)
President & Co-Founder, The JV University
For a free DVD on my ‘7 Figure Joint Venture Seminar’ visit http://www.freejointventuredvd.com
Discussion
March 17th, 2010 at 3:44 am
@Gina: Great tips from you and Aaron, the biggest problem I face is ‘approaching’ the speakers first. Most of the times these guys are surrounded by others who would want a piece of their time, how does one get to even say ‘hi’. I have spoken to speakers many times when I saw them back at the hotel or at the airport. But during the seminars or exhibitions, my success rate is close to zero
Chris@Traffic Ultimatum´s last blog ..Traffic Ultimatum Module One
March 29th, 2010 at 7:24 pm
Thanks for the feature Sohail!
Hi Chris approaching speakers is a bit scary at first. I know what you mean when they are surrounded! In that case you would either wait or just interrupt politely and get whatever you want (picture etc) The latter is an ‘aggressive’ approach but remember you need to leave them with a lasting impression in my opinion. I always think to myself ‘I need to do this because I may never see them again’ I find it helps to think like this because you will do whatever it takes to get their attention.
Hope that helped a bit!
Aaron Darko´s last blog ..Why I Became A Young Entrepreneur
April 6th, 2010 at 8:07 am
It is important for one to learn to be an opportunist. Usually, opportunities don’t strike us more than once. Obviously, the initial attempts would be awe-inspiring but gradually, one does get used to these. Initiating and maintaining contact is very important.
April 12th, 2010 at 12:27 am
Communication is nothing applying your mind well. This implies listening and understanding what you are being told as well as speaking what is in your mind with the correct intonation. Our fear of communication can be driven out only when we start communicating. Initially, this seems a difficult task but gradually becomes a smooth one.
April 13th, 2010 at 5:19 am
Today, developing a good social network is instrumental for one’s development both personal and professional. It is a measure of one’s success. Networks are not developed in a night’s time. It requires one to be communicative and met people. Interaction holds the key! It is here that your post seems so useful.
April 15th, 2010 at 3:30 am
Networking with seminar speakers is wonderful idea to grow socially with intellectual people. Speaking at seminars is a lucrative business for motivational speakers. Not only do they get to do a job they love, they get to inspire other people with their words. There should be an online public forum or blog for the people who are afraid to approach the speakers. This would definitely help people to get acquainted with the speaker without much hesitance.
April 16th, 2010 at 5:56 am
An informative article on an interesting topic! Seminars present an exciting opportunity for interaction with distinguished, smart, intelligent, experienced and knowledgeable men and women. There is a whole bundle house of talent right there; people who are experts in their domain. A first-time interaction with them can be awe-inspiring. But there is always a first time. So, one must muster ahead without any pre-conceived notion.
April 18th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Dude, this was something very informative I come across recently http://toppokersoftware.com/ don’t miss to have a look!
May 13th, 2010 at 12:54 am
Hey great tips indeed. And I believe the listening part is most important i.e. mentioned in 9th point of yours. Other points are also very relevant. I have tried it myself it works fair enough. The speaker are generally well known persons so its really helpful for building a personal contact with them.
May 14th, 2010 at 7:45 am
I am a very shy sort of person but always wanted to speak with the speaker as their personality and talent always attracted me to have a personal chat with them So, all the above mentioned points are definitely going to help me upon this and I am very sure upon this.
May 17th, 2010 at 8:25 am
Loved this article dude. Keep the good work going. Never expected such a thing upon blogs. But you have totally changed my mind. Will surely try this up with upcoming speakers of my college and will get back to you with the results soon. Thanks..
May 19th, 2010 at 7:41 am
Hey I tried manier times in my schooling days to network with the speakers but couldn’t do that any time. Thought its just lack of confidence but that was not so. After reading out this article I can come to the conclusion that there are many other factors too as you have stated and all of them must be compiled properly.
May 25th, 2010 at 8:06 am
Great tips and great topic selection I must say. Never expected to find such a knowledgeable post in blogs. Thanks for the blog.
June 4th, 2010 at 1:27 am
Great tips and good article indeed. Plus want to say that I just love the way your blog looks like as its easily accessible and very user friendly. As its not loaded with unnecessary pop-ups.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Networking with Speakers are very difficult. Thank you for the great article. It is really helpful.
how to get a guy´s last blog ..How To Flirt With Men Without Seeming Desperate – 3 Important Keys
July 20th, 2010 at 5:25 am
this was a good article..very impressive!
Shawn@Insurance car´s last undefined ..Response cached until Wed 21 @ 10:20 GMT (Refreshes in 23.92 Hours)
July 30th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Hi, this idea is great. Seminars handled by experts can be very interesting and helpful. This is a great help for the enhancement of knowledge in field of networking.
Vincenzo @ rocky costume´s last blog ..Boxer Costumes
August 16th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
This is really an interesting and very knowledgeable post. I like it very much. I think it can be beneficial for most of the people.
Add A Comment