On Tuesday, I had a fantastic opportunity and spoke at a networking event to over 30 businesses in Streatham.  Organised by the wonderful Mel Larsen who is from ‘The Next Level Streatham’ we all gathered for a tasty English breakfast before the workshops began.  

You can follow them on Twitter @TNLStreatham who tweeted “A packed room @TheRailwaySW16 . Business owners learning ways of introducing their businesses in an efficient way.pic.twitter.com/r3zfy1R8Dw

The networking morning was held in a pub called The Railway, which is a fantastic venue with a vintage look and feel.  A great space if you need to hire it for an occasion or visit for lunch or of course, have a drink after work! I recommend a visit.

My aim for the morning was to introduce some of my sales strategies that they can immediately implement, to help them get more results, fast. Here’s one of them for you.

At first I started off asking the group to introduce themselves differently to make more of an impact.  And hopefully this will spark off a conversation.  Usually when out networking people ask, so what do you do? But loads of people then say their name and their job title!

You need to stand out from the crowd.

I could say I’m a business coach. But that doesn’t differentiate me from the other business coaches. So, when asked what do I do? I say I propel business owners to earn six figures and beyond, and importantly feel good along the way.  Much more interesting and helpful.  I usually then hear, wow I’d like some of that, or tell me more! Which is exactly the reaction you want to hear, isn’t it?

One of the chaps there, Alexander Vine usually introduced himself as saying he is a property search agent at Divine (more of a job title than how he helps people).  His new introduction is he ‘finds people their dream home’.  That makes more impact doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to find their dream home?! A divine introduction now Alexander!

Another lady there, Pauline Milligan previously introduced herself saying she’s a project manager and does PR.  But what project? how do you help people with PR? I advised her to pick a project to briefly talk about as she so many to choose from.  This is clearer for the other person to then understand how she helps people.  She also loved how I shared that it’s more useful and makes more impact to talk more about the benefits of her services and not  just the features.

How can you introduce yourself to make an impact when networking?  Make more of an impact and you’ll stand out from the crowd.

Just one of my sales secrets of success.  As I call it, doing sales, the anti-selling way!

Here’s a tweet from Philip Henwood “Excellent @TNLStreatham meeting this morning. Great presenters, attendees and really impressed with Railway pub #streathamgem “

Happy networking!

Jo James xx

P.S. If you’d like me to speak at one of your events or know someone who might, then please get in touch. 07968 016 585 or ping me an email jojames@amberlife.com