Next week I'm hosting my 2nd business mixer. The first was a great success, in fact one gal said it was the best mixer she had ever been to. I think it was because of the instructions they had received in advance.
- Bring business cards... a bunch.
- Come prepared with a few lines to specifically describe your business in a way that people will know how to refer you. (Saying you are a "tenant eviction attorney" lets me know how to refer you. That you are an "attorney", leaves me not knowing where to go - how do I help you?)
- Spend no more than 10 minutes with each person... and don't just camp out with the most friendly set of eyes. (We are all guilty of this - it's uncomfy to start up with a stranger for most of us)
- Understand no one, except me, knows anyone else in the room. You are not the only one who feels uncomfortable not knowing anyone. You have permission to go up to a stranger without looking like you are hitting on them (and if you ARE hitting on them, cut it out!.. this isn't Match.com!)
- Make the purpose of your being here to learn about the other businesses and to find out how you can refer them to the type of clients they want... and to express how they can refer you.
My goal here is to build reciprocal referral relationships with my "go to" group - the companies and services I go to to get my job done. Pest inspector, home inspector, contractor, paper hanger, landscaper, attorney etc. You can check out my on-line referral directory at my web site www.SallyDunbar.com. The link is on the left side (althoug you may need to disable pop-up blockers to make it work... I gotta deal with that.)
We'll be at Il Forno Classico, in Gold River, in their wine bar. I'll let you know how it goes...
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