Just back from a great exhibition the Business Start up Show tons of people, good stands. I got a great contact in a publishing company who have agreed to look at the two books I have written.
One of the highlights was a speed networking session which was a buzz. If you have ever been to one you will know it’s manic and you need to have your elevator pitch all lined up. Now getting an elevator pitch to fill all situations in not realistic, and can often be detrimental to you. My pitch varied from a theme depending on who I was talking to. The key here is to get the other person to speak first.
Once they have spoken you can select part of their pitch and tailor it to meet your product or service. After all what you are doing is broadcasting your service in a condensed form to a prospect who want to know about you. It is learning the lessons of speaking and presenting in a much more intimate environment.
Some people did really well others average and some were clueless. Interestingly in the two hours I spent speed networking apart from me, only one other person had a badge that identified who they were and what they did! And five of those people did not have any business cards to give.
Preparing for any exhibition which is a glorified networking opportunity there are two things you need. Lots and I mean lots of cards and a plan of action. Let’s look at the former. What information should your business card pass on? A business card is a piece of real estate and needs to be developed.
A graphic designer friend of mine told me that for a business card to do it’s job the front should say who you are, and the back should say what you do. Simple stuff mane contact details on the front and your area of business on the back.
Interesting! At the exhibition I spoke to 50 people! Surprising for me that was exactly 50-50 men and women. And I for one am glad to see more women in business. However that group of people I hope were not representative of business today. Fifty cards and only 17 had a physical address!
The two main reasons I hear why people don’t put an address on a card are: I work from home and I don’t want to give out mu home address. And it’s a web based solution so I don’t need an address.
Lets look at the first impression: A business card with no physical address looks suspicious to a lot of people. “Why are they hiding their location?” “What don’t they want us to know?” these questions are being asked more and more as programmes like Rogue Traders and Watchdog are highlighting sharp practice.
The answer a PO box number- for less than a glass of wine a week the Post office will set up a PO box for you, which provides you with a professional looking address and you don’t need to go to the post office as they deliver it to your door.
There are so many on-line scams today you should use a PO box or check with your accountant as many operate accommodation addresses, and these are just as professional as the PO box. Remember you only get one chance to make a first impression – so make it a professional one.
Catch up with you again soon!
Paul Johnstone is the founder of
The Paradigm Shakers
Providers of Thought Provoking Training
Delivered by Subject Matter Experts
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