Ten Questions To Take With You

If you attend networking events, you've probably experienced some awkward conversation gaps. It helps to keep the conversation flowing if you have a few questions prepared.

My favorites start with questions about the event itself. These are dual purpose questions. The primary purpose is to keep the conversation going by gently “tossing the ball” back. The secondary purpose is to encourage your partner to share their knowledge or experience. 

1. How did you hear about this event?
2. Have you met the speaker / presenter/ [describe a person] yet?
3. Have you been to other events put on by this group?

Try asking these questions about other events. It keeps the focus on them and can even led to invitations to other events or an information exchange.

4. Are there any events coming up that I should attend?
5. Have you been to [place/event], yet?
6. Do you attend any other networking events regularly?
7. What other events are you planning to go to?

These next two questions are great for making a transition. After all, the point of a networking event is to meet people!

8. How late does this event go?
9. How are the appetizers?

This is my absolute favorite question for departure.

10. Is there anyone you've met tonight that I should meet?

Often the person you're speaking with will feel compelled to walk you over to the person and introduce you. If you use this technique you will only have to make one approach the whole evening and usually end up connecting with more engaging people.

What's your favorite networking question? And when do you use it?

7 Reasons To Be Loaded With Trigger Talk

Have you ever stumbled over the question “What do you do?” When you are prepared you can engage, inform and even “Wow!” the other party.

At ShoutBrand we called these prepared responses “Trigger Talk” because you are ready to “fire them off” at any given time. “Trigger Talk” sentences are carefully crafted, edited, rehearsed, tested, refined and finally memorized. The "Elevator Pitch" or "30-Second Self Commercial" are forms of “Trigger Talk.”

Be sure to create “Trigger Talk” for the most common questions people ask, especially these two: What do you do? and Tell me about yourself...?

7 REASONS TO BE LOADED WITH TRIGGER TALK
IT GIVES YOU:

1. The WOW FACTOR
2. TIME to think about what you’ll say next
3. INCREASED TRUST as you come across smartly
4. The ability to DELIVER INFORMATION you want them to have
5. An ENGAGING edge
6. A MAGNETIC energy which draws people to you
7. A great IMPRESSION every time

You will want to have a lot of “Trigger Talk” in your back pocket. The more you have on “Trigger” the better. Get loaded-up and give your Personal Brand fire power.

What questions do you have a hard time answering?