Sick To My Stomach

It was May of 2002 when I was invited to my first Networking Event. I had no idea what a Networking Event was. I thought it would be a lot like a wedding where everyone mingles and eats! What was I thinking? As I pulled up to the hotel where the Networking Event was taking place all of a sudden I had a panic attack. I got sick in the parking lot and had to get to a bathroom right away. It was horrible my nerves got the best of me. I just wanted to go back to my car and go home but, my friend Bill who invited me caught me as I was trying to sneak out of the bathroom to head home. He walks me into a room of 60-70 people I knew no one other than Bill. He says to me "Brigitte you look very pale are you OK?" I said I am freaking out and I don't think I can stay. He took me by the hand and sat me down at a table and got me some tea. I felt like a complete jackass. I had to go to the bathroom so bad again but, felt like everyone would be looking at me as I left the room. Well, soon after I returned from getting sick again!! a man's voice comes over the speaker and says OK everyone take your seat we are going to go around the tables and do our 60 second infomercial. I totally Freaked Out. I looked at Bob and said what in the hell is a 60 infomercial?

At this time I had wished God would just come and get me I was ready to die!!! I was never told about speaking or more less a 60 second infomercial infornt of a room of people. Seriously what was I thinking a Networking Event was?

As it turns out I lived and made it through the event.. so my 1st lesson for you is to Do your homework before an event!!! And just know everything is going to be OK.

After that event I started interview people that had a lot of networking under their belt. I found out that having a 30 and 60 second infomercials about you and your business was very mportant! So I studied and asked a lot of questions about this topic. Here are some important pointers to cover in your 30 and 60 second infomercial. I say 30 and 60 second because many times when there is a large turn out at Networking Events the facilitator will shorten the time allowed on each persons infomercial so be prepared either way.

Down load the form I created (Not original information at all!! this form is a collaboration of many ideas put into my words) and fill in the blanks. This form works for me please tweak it for your self just remember to not throw up on everyone about you and your business... Your infomerical is like a taste test if you will. Trust me in this... After you start networking you will notice the person that cannot shut up and you will just giggle and say Oh Ya that was what Brigitte was talking about. He/She is throwing up!!

Another pointer that helped me was to have several 30 and 60 second infomercials written on index cards and carry them with you so that you can have the confidence when your time comes to introduce yourself. I would read from my cards and no one thought less of me for doing that. Your 60 infomercial is so important, it is a time even though short is when others will get a feel for you. Either they connect or disconnect with you. Don't ramble on while talking about you and your business. Leave some mystery about yourself. Be sure to look for my next article about the Network who throws up on everyone...

Your connector

Brigitte