Practice Makes Pefect

What is the problem when people try to describe what they do and they stumble over their words and never consistently repeat the same message?

Have you ever gone to a networking event and the person next to you is trying to describe what they do and they keep miscuing the words? This happens so often at these events. The major problem, besides focus, is the fact that they have not practiced their spiel. Why is it that they do not practice? Quite often you feel self-conscious when trying to practice in front of a mirror and others are around to hear you try over and over again. The solution is to make sure you have a door closed where you cannot be disturbed. Or you may decide that taping yourself (audio only) or videotaping yourself to hear and see how you look while making the presentation. This is how the professionals do it. They practice and practice until their presentation is smooth. Did you know that Robin Williams takes at least 37 tries on any movie set before he feels that his performance is up to par? He is a seasoned pro, yet he still practices all the time. Could you also imagine Michael Jordan not practicing throwing balls into the hoop?

Even having reached the professional level, practice becomes even more imperative. Without practice, there is no moving forward; without it, you will be surprised that the words do not flow the way they should. You must become the expert if you are to work a room effectively. Do not think of this in terms of a smooth talking salesman (the connotation is often negative), but as the way you present yourself, with confidence and poise. People will more likely enjoy listening to you when your message is practiced.

Practice is like acting, you need to keep working on it until you think the pitch is perfect. Practicing the words is not the only thing you need to work on. How you move your body, your eye contact, hand gestures, arm positions, how you stand, and how your face looks, all play a part in your practice sessions. You need to treat your practice session like you are playing a part in a movie. Soft skills such as body language and intonation all contribute to the pitch.

Bette Daoust, Ph.D. has been networking with others since leaving high school years ago. Realizing that no one really cared about what she did in life unless she had someone to tell and excite. She decided to find the best ways to get people's attention, be creative in how she presented herself and products, getting people to know who she was, and being visible all the time. Her friends and colleagues have often dubbed her the "Networking Queen". Blueprint for Networking Success: 150 ways to promote yourself is the first in this series. Blueprint for Branding Yourself: Another 150 ways to promote yourself is planned for release in 2005. For more information visit http://BlueprintBooks.com

---

Volunteering for a Networking Group

When is it appropriate to volunteer to take a position in the group?Have you heard the saying that "the fastest way to get anything done is to... Read More

The Foundation of Networking: Its Not Rocket Science

Commandment 1LoveWhen we choose to simply love, our giving and receiving becomes unconditional. We can listen and not be caught up in the vicious cycle of judgment.We... Read More

Sharpen Your Business Networking Skill To Grow Your Small Business

Most people become lax at maintaining their professional business network when they've worked with a company a while. With the constant rounds of mass layoffs, having a... Read More

Marketing Essentials: The 15 Second Elevator Speech

You're at a conference. Someone steps in the elevator, notices your name tag and asks, "So what do you guys do?" Quick -- what's your answer? You've... Read More

Lessons from the Wedding Mafia

One of my clients shared a story with me from his networking group, a chapter of BNI. Ivan Misner, the creator of BNI talks about what he... Read More

Networking in the Business world

Why is it so important to network with other people when owning a business? Because without building those key relationships our businesses won't grow. See, most of... Read More

Have We Met Before? What to Do When You Cant Remember Who Yourre Talking To

You see him from across the room. You know him, but you can't remember how you know him. Now you have a problem: you want to break... Read More

Youve Got Personality, Use It!

For the self employed professional, nothing is more important than the image you project to your clients and potential clients. Napoleon Hill put it best when he... Read More

Five Best Ways To Build A Network

I have been working from home on the internet for over 3 years now. 18 months of that was spent trying out various different programs trying to... Read More

Are You Sitting With The Right Company?

When I walked into Dallas's famous Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse, all I wanted to do was to enjoy my New York Strip steak, relax and quietly review my... Read More

Five Steps for Expanding Your Customer Base with Guerilla Networking

As a single company, it is impossible to provide your customers with all the services they desire for every aspect of their life; but with guerilla marketing,... Read More

Why Cant I Start A Conversation With You?

One out of every ten Americans has a fear of talking to strangers. When you enter a room full of new faces, to start these conversations seems... Read More

Flying High, Flying Far

"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was the response I received from one of my clients when I suggested that she needed to get... Read More

Four Brainless Self-Promotion Techniques To Avoid

Many workers think that their hard work will speak for itself. They quietly do their job and stay late at the office hoping that their boss will... Read More

What a Leads Exchange Group can do for You

What is the definition of a leads exchange and how does it differ from other groups?So what is a leads exchange? A leads exchange comes in several... Read More

Which Networking Events Should You Attend?

How does one determine which are the best events to attend based on one's best customer?Customers are not a dime a dozen, especially in today's economy. So... Read More

Should You Offer Commissions For Customer Referrals?

As a small business owner you may find yourself in a situation where you want to partner with another business but they are asking for a commission... Read More

Network Marketing

Network marketing is the ordinary person's best opportunity to make extraordinary income. Well known author, Robert Kiyosaki, says that most ethical network marketing businesses are like business... Read More

Networking and Trade Shows

The most important reasons people exhibit at a trade show? To see what's new and to gather leads - information for future business.So, how do you that... Read More

Your Front End

While surfing for traffic or browsing your safelist emails, you are sure to have noticed the very large number of networkers promoting similar, if not identical, programs.... Read More

Strategic Networking: Take the Shortest Path to Success

Do you use Ryze or LinkedIn to promote your web based business? If so, you may have noticed that everything is linked to everything else. Here's how... Read More

9 Ways to Spice Up Your Nametags for More Engaging Conversation

Nametags are worn for a variety of jobs and functions, but people don't like to wear them because they're annoying, damage your clothing, clash with your outfit,... Read More

Are You Really Listening: The Importance of Strong Communication Skills

Let's face it, when most people think of IT professionals, the image that comes to mind is the guy or girl with the glasses huddled behind a... Read More

Time to Hire a Professional Networker?

It used to be that people said that there was 6 degrees of separation between everyone. Many people know that Kevin Bacon game that people play to... Read More

Are You Building Relationships Online?

How's your relationship?I'm not prying into your personal life, so no need to worry. it's just that lately I've noticed something about most network marketers which got... Read More

How to Make the Most of Those First 30 Seconds

Did you just meet the most important person in your career/business? Tongue tied and not sure what to do about it? With advance planning and creative thinking... Read More