The Three-Second Rule of Networking

By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter

 

Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter offers a simple technique for networking when you are afraid to talk to someone.

Networking: How You Stay in Contact

Years ago, a friend of mine mentioned this idea to me of how to do pickups. It popped into my mind a few days ago as part of a joke I was telling myself.  I realized though it had applicability to networking events and networking.

Let’s say you’re at a networking event with the opportunity to meet others and suddenly the voice comes into your head that says, “Don’t do this!  Oh!  You are going to embarrass yourself.”  Or words to that effect.  What this technique suggests is to give yourself 3 seconds and then just do it.

It’s like the Nike commercial.  Do it.  Get over there.  Do it.  Talk to the person.  Asked them questions.  Introduce yourself.  Talk to them about what they do and how you might be able to help them.  They’ll reciprocate and ask you about what you do and how they might be able to help you. Just start the conversation.

The trick is 3 seconds.  3 seconds of apprehension.  3 seconds of fear.  Then take a step toward the person.  Smile.  Introduce yourself.  Ask them what they do and start the conversation.

I know when I have met people who are “famous,” I have had that kind of apprehension myself.  Yet using this kind of technique has helped me introduce myself to people who are really quite famous.

Conversation Starters When Networking