As you all know I go to a lot of meet-ups. If you are unfamiliar with the term, meet-ups are social gatherings (usually sponsored by an organization) and held for members with a common social or professional interest. I go to meet-ups that do not charge a fee. A meet-up is not a country club gathering--it's for people who want to talk to others in their line of business or thinking. It's a way for we who have a lot of virtual conversations to gather face-to-face, talk and exchange ideas. I've spent a bit of time on Knowledgewebb chatting about how to choose a meet-up if you are inherently shy.
There's a meet-up group that gathers once a month, three minutes from my house. The hosts are Ron and Angie who are married, run their own small businesses (he printing, she executive coaching) and are really great people. They are very outgoing and always make sure we who attend are meeting others. At the most recent meet-up, I was chatting with four of the other "regulars" at a table.
While we were seated,several attendees came by and aggressively did something we'd never do. The script goes in this highly predictable order:
1. "Hello, my name is..."
2. "Who are you?"
3. "What do you do?"
4. "I'm selling (insert product or service here)"
5. "Here's my card. Can I have yours?"
No, you cannot.
Well, we wouldn't be that rude. Actually, I don't have a business card. Seriously. So, I say I don't have one and throw a wrench into their well rehearsed sales pitch. I take theirs and put it my right breast pocket of my blazer. That pocket of my sport coat is reserved for business cards to be recycled. The left pocket is for those who I want to write immediately and stay connected. My cohorts at the table took the cards as well, politely gave theirs but said later they hoped to not hear from the table visitor.
Note to (your)self: When going to a meet-up, there is a game to be played. You want to be introduced to people and see if anyone there has a like-minded business idea, social network to join or job lead. If you are going to find clients, I don't really have a problem with that either.
But, please be polite, be sincere, be interested (as opposed to interesting) and don't pass out your card like it's an obligation. People should be interested in you and then your business by extension. Build it that way and then they will come.
*Chantal de la Rionda edits this blog
