5 Opportunities Lost!

I attended a great networking event last week. It had all makings a Pick Up Artist, for business contacts, could want. Food, Plenty of People and a host that encouraged networking. I saw a friend there who has been struggling with his health product business. Unfortunately he did not take advantage of the opportunities this event could have granted him. Below are the five I noticed:

1. Failed to provide a Door Prize. Most events give the attendees an opportunity to win something. This event was no exception. They asked openly for door prizes. I asked my friend if he had any product in his car to give away. He did but when I asked later if he donated anything he said no. Some of my greatest brand recognition has been from door prizes. So donate when you have a chance and get a few people at the event to yell and scream when your product is mentioned.

2. Didn't work the floor. A good Pick Up Artist, for business contacts, will move around as the night goes on. Staying in one spot, with one person doesn't really help. Your goal at these events is to make appointments to talk in depth outside of the event. There are a lot of people here that you may not see again if you don't meet them. Take advantage, move around, meet people.

3. Bad Business Name/card. Your business card is a reflection of you. My advice is to have two sets. One that is personal. Basic Name and contact information plus your personal LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter Address. It should have a conservative Photo of you. (This is for people like me who have a hard time putting faces and names together.) And of course have you Business business card. In this case my friend had won a prize in the raffle. They announce his name and a business name that I think was an ingredient or two in his health product. It was hard to pronounce and long and in the end the announcer made fun of it. Not a good impression.

4. Didn't give away prize won. I know we all like to win but if you want to make an impression give the prize to someone who expressed an interest. I noticed another prize winner did this that night and ended up exchanging cards. This makes you look like a rockstar. The best Pick Up Artist are the ones that you want to meet. This is one way to become that person.

5. Didn't take advantage of wingman. Wingman are friends that can help you look good and meet others. I learned very quickly that there are key people at these events that seem to know everyone. You need to become friend with them right away and they in turn will introduce you to other. The host of this event is one of those. I being a friend was also one. When you get to the event find your wingman and ask who you should meet that night. That wingman will bring you to the person say a couple good things about you and let you do your thing.

I have one other piece of advice at an event, get to know the photographer. If you can successfully get to know the photographer they'll take pictures of you. Sometimes a lot of pictures that end up in articles and forums. Then at the next event you'll be recognized as one of the influential people everyone should meet.

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred

Could I Be a Social Media Success Story?

Reading this article reminded me how I felt a few years back:

Could I Be a Social Media Success Story? by Lou Imbriano

I too am looking forward toconnecting with new people as well as maintaining relationships of trust with those I know. Connect with me on:

http://twitter/TMIFred

http://www.facebook.com/CostaVidaFred

http://www.linkedin.com/in/fabaroa

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred



5 Reasons To Have An Online Conversation

In my book about networking, The Pick Up Artist: Business edition, I mostly talk about physically being there. In person you can watch for body language and use the sense of touch to solidify a meeting. You can also run into problems with first impressions like your clothes, not remembering someone, and simply not knowing what to say. Another problem could be not finding the right people to meet. The solution is the Social Media. A good Pick Up Artist can get more contacts while looking more impressive by having an online conversation. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Choice: In the physical world you are limited by where you live or can travel. I have gone to pretty much every networking event in Portland, ME. Problem is I am running out of people to meet. Second problem is have I met the right people. A friend of  mine had a hard time booking speaking engagements in Maine until he met someone online who physically live on the other side of the country. You really could have a conversation with anyone all over the world from anywhere.
2. Looking your best: A super Pick Up Artist knows first impressions are everything. In the online world you can spend more time prepping yourself. You can get a professional head shot or avatar, spend time getting your profile just right, get to know the person before you start an online conversation and take your time to form complete and knowledgeable response during the conversation.
3. 'Chance' meeting goes away: I've gone to some events hoping to meet someone and had it not happen. Sometimes it was my fault but many times the event just didn't have the right people. Online you can look for the person you want to meet. You can take the 'chance' out of 'chance' meeting by targeting the person you would like to meet and doing research. You can 'hang out' where they hang out and converse with mutual friends. By the time you actual are introduced online you could already have formed a bond.
4. Bigger Network: This goes without saying, there are simply more people you can meet online than in person. Let’s say you go to a conference with over 2000 attendees. You spent 2 days there but only meet 10 people in person. The Pick Up Artist would also participate in twitter with a hashtag to the event. The conversation may have 50-100 attendees participating. By building upon common interests you can become friends with these extra 50-100 and eventually hook up to their friends as well. Just keep the conversations going by asking about the conference. I often ask about classes I could not attend and give notes on the ones I did attend.
5. Its 24 hours a day: Sometimes I can’t sleep so I go on to twitter and ask, “Who’s up?” You’d be surprised at the answer. These late night conversations are golden. The people could be on the other side of the world, up with the baby or working late. This is a chance to be the advisor, linguist or set or ears. Many relationships of trust have started late at night or early morning. Being able to be a Pick Up Artist 24 hours a day also lets you pick up at you leisure, after you have done research and/or when you have the inspiration.

So has this been enough to convince you to be a social media Pick Up Artist? Start the conversation with me using twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.

http://twitter/TMIFred

http://www.facebook.com/CostaVidaFred

http://www.linkedin.com/in/fabaroa

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred

5 Methods For Effective Note Taking

There are mainly two reasons you go to a presentation. It is either to learn or to network and many time both. It is obvious that effective note taking will help you learn, but did you know that sharing notes is a great way to establish relationships? With that in mind here are my 5 methods for effective note taking:

1. Make your notes brief! Never use a sentence where you can use a phrase. Never use a phrase when you can use a word. Use abbreviations and symbols but be consistent.
2. Put most notes in your own words. Some exceptions will be formulas, definitions and specific facts.
3. Use outline form and or numbering system. Indentation helps you distinguish major from minor points.
4. If you miss a statement, write key words, draw a line where the missing words will go and the details later. (I use this as a conversation starter, "That was a great presentation. Do you remember the part about... I need to fill in some blanks)
5. Don't try to use every space on the page. Leave room for note sharing with others. You may want to list key items in the margins

If you are an artist like Peter Durand you can take notes by drawing a picture. See his notes from PopTech at http:\\www.alphachimp.com. I actually use this are to help me review my notes. I also use Evernote to synchronize my notes on my iphone, ipad and pc. That way I can refer to my notes practically anywhere. I discovered SoundNote for the iPad. It records the audio while you take notes. Later you can touch your note to fast forward to that part in the audio. I have to warn you it could make you a lazy note taker.

These are just a few methods to make you a more effective note taker. Share some of you note taking tips, tricks and disaster stories in the comments section below.

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred

Success After 5

Remember the Dolly Parton song "Workin' 9-5, what a way to make a livin'"? Well I hate to say Dolly is wrong, but she was!

If you own your own business or work on a commision the best time to work comes after 5pm. I am talking about attending networking events. A networking event is any gathering of business people. The purpose of these gatherings is to meet others and exhange business cards. Here are 7 pointers on taking this strategy to the next level.

• Know who you want to meet
• Understand that networking is a process
• Go to give, not to take
• Have a goal for each event
• Take notes
• Follow-up

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred

 

Using the iPad to Pick Up Contacts

In my soon to be bestselling book "The Pick Up Artist: Business Edition", I talk about importance of props. A prop is anything that draws attention to you and starts a conversation. I used my Macbook Air, kindle and of course my green glasses. The props work great but only if they are in plain sight. That is why my green glasses work so great. I have received compliments for them all across the country. I further us them as predominately in my avatar and use the color for my iPhone case and other apparel at the same time. Yes the glasses work great but I need other props to keep it fresh.

The iPad is the latest in great props. I recently had one at a get together of father and sons. I didn't even take it out of the pouch and became the center of the conversation for the next 2 hours. My other thoughts are to carry it around with an enlarged version of my business card showing or a presentation deck running on it. That surely will stir up some conversations. I am in the process of developing some new consumer products for Treeno Software on the iPad. This will become an even more intimate pick up technique as many will want to see what I have done and dream up their own app. It may be expensive but you have to look at it as part of your advertising budget.

Props are wonderful pick up tools. Tell me what your favorite prop is and how you have used it effectively.

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred