This not only makes the event more interesting, but a more relaxed environment. You don't feel like you have to do your presentation better than the other home stager or makeup person...or whatever.
This is what I was thinking it would be like......
Luckily, it was nothing like that. But I was still really nervous. As you know from prior posts, I took the Dale Carnegie course when I worked at the life sucking corporation old job. And while that has helped me in many situations, this was a new type. Standing up for five minutes and talking about my businesses should be easy, not hard.
And as I listened to others talk about their business, I heard the passion in many of their voices. I heard how much they love what they do and I heard how I could help them. Maybe not with a purchase (although that's good) but by referrals. So they handed out cards and flyers and catalogs, but there was no hard sell. And there were some really good questions asked as well.
No, not just about prices.
So up came my turn and of course I went after two women has just spoken passionately about their businesses and well, how do I follow that?
With an opening joke of course. (Sure hope it was funny, I don't remember). I went on to discuss both the home staging/redesign business and the Cookie Lee Jewelry business. It went well, I even had questions asked. I asked for referrals - home sellers, realtors, people looking to redo a room in their home, etc.
Then afterwards, it was chatting and mixing time. I really enjoyed this and look forward to participating again in the coming months.
Not for the referrals, but for the supportive way of networking.
