In this episode of “The Engaging Marketeer,” Darren discusses effective strategies for pitching oneself in a networking environment.
He critiques common mistakes made during networking events, such as trying to sell directly to the room or failing to engage the audience properly. He offers practical advice on how to command attention and ensure meaningful interactions. The episode highlights the importance of building referral partnerships over direct selling and shares tips on how to make impactful, engaging pitches.
Below, we’ll see what Darren has to say!
Darren: I want to discuss how you can effectively pitch yourself in a networking environment or a meeting where many people are present, all doing various things. You’ve all been to such networking meetings before, and the reason I want to talk about this is due to an experience I had last week at an unconventional networking event. There were around 20-30 people in the room, each given a microphone to explain what they did.
Common Networking Mistakes
Most attendees attempted to sell their services directly to the room. For instance, financial advisors and accountants would pitch their services, hoping to gain clients. However, this approach is flawed. Networking should be about building contacts and referral partners who can connect you with their clients and customers. Direct selling to a small group is ineffective in the long run.
“You don’t go there to sell your services to other people; you go there to build contacts to build referral partners.”
Engaging the Audience
Some people at the event tried to engage the audience by asking them to raise their hands in response to certain statements. Unfortunately, many of these attempts fell flat, as the questions were either too vague or irrelevant to the audience. This approach, while potentially effective, requires careful execution. If you do it in that way, it’s just going to look really crap.
Effective Command Strategies
For engagement tactics to work, the command must be something everyone can agree with. It should be concise and compelling. For example, instead of asking complex questions, use simple, direct commands that are easy for the audience to respond to. Make the command really short, really sharp, really snappy.
When it was my turn to speak, I avoided the interaction pitfalls. Instead, I made the audience think about their own experiences and why their approaches might not be working. This method sparked genuine interest and engagement, leading to meaningful conversations afterward.
“If you talk about the solutions but you don’t talk about the problems, then no one’s ever going to find you.”
Key Points for Effective Networking
Don’t Sell Directly: Avoid trying to sell your services directly to the room. Focus on building relationships and referral networks.
Engage Properly: Ensure your engagement tactics are effective. Commands should be universally agreeable and concise.
Demonstrate Confidence: Show confidence in your pitch. Lead by example to encourage participation.
Understand Your Audience: Tailor your message to address the audience’s needs and interests, rather than your own services.
Conclusion
Networking events are valuable opportunities to build referral networks and engage potential partners. Avoid the pitfalls of direct selling and ineffective engagement tactics. Instead, focus on building meaningful connections by understanding your audience and presenting your message clearly and confidently. Join Engage Web.Club for more tips on effective networking and speaking strategies.
If you don’t do it, you don’t visibly show them what you need them to do, it’s not going to work.
I hope you found these tips useful. If you want more in-depth advice, consider joining Engage Web. Club for access to comprehensive training on effective networking and pitching strategies. Thank you for listening, and I’ll catch you on the next podcast.
About your host:
Darren has worked within digital marketing since the last century, and was the first in-house web designer for video games retailer GAME in the UK, known as Electronics Boutique in the States. After co-founding his own agency, Engage Web, in 2009, Darren has worked with clients around the world, including Australia, Canada and the USA.
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/engaging-marketeer/id1612454837
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenjamieson/
Engaging Marketeer: https://engagingmarketeer.com
Engage Web: https://www.engageweb.co.uk
