Reach Out And See Somebody

This past month I have discussed a few times how important it is for face-to-face communications with people.  This is especially true in business.  I honestly don’t believe you can really convey your true message if you can’t look someone in the eye.  When someone can read your face, they know what you really think. 

Last week I was on a conference call with a potential promotional partner.  While the questions and answers were being said, I could tell the message just didn’t have the same punch.  Candid moments that could “bring it home” were not expressed.  The next day, I was with the potential promotional partner in a social setting.  I expressed a few of the missing elements. Because we were face-to-face we could read each other.  It put the exclamation point on it!

I understand we don’t always have the option to meet in person.  That is why they invented all of today’s technology.  But we shouldn’t use today’s technology as a crutch.  Look for opportunities to get out of the office.  Go to meetings, sales calls, networking events, and conferences. Network opportunities and conferences are important because it puts you in a more relaxed atmosphere.  When you feel like you are in a social situation you will feel more social. 

Speaking of conferences, this Wednesday March 31 is the deadline for early registration for the Event & Arena Marketing Conference.  This year the conference is taking place in Chicago June 9 thru 12.  If you register before the early bird deadline you will save $100.  I do plan to attend this year and have been asked to speak on a panel again.  When I write this blog I hold back a little.  But you never know what I might say when the live, face-to-face version of this blog speaks out loud.

Networking Is A Key Element Of Marketing

No matter what business you are in, meeting new people and networking is very important.  If you read this blog, then I assume you are trying to gain information on something.  Meeting someone new or picking someone’s brain is the same thing. 

This morning I went to a business networking meeting that a friend told me about.   Besides my friend, I knew none of the other participants.  They all are in business.  None are in my line of work or in each others line of work. This is how they set up the group.  They only want one of each kind of business.  This way there is no competition.  Also, variety is the spice of life.  This was a great opportunity to learn about other business outside my small little business world.  The goal of this group is to learn about each other, make referrals, and pass on leads. 

Gathering people together at network events or conferences should not be looked at as “extra”.  As marketers we should make the time and budget the financial commitment to attend these opportunities.  This is a key element to making more money.

The Event and Arena Marketing Conference is coming up in a few weeks. I look forward to going every year. Even though I have been in the live event business for 20+ years, I learn something new every time I go.  I credit last year’s conference for making me so passionate about non-traditional marketing. I also enjoy seeing friends in the industry that I usually only get to see once a year.  I always get to meet new people. My goals at this conference and any other conference I attend are simple:

1)    Learn something new

2)    Network and meet new people

3)    Gain new business

The common word in all three of these is “new”.  We always need the old or present as our base, but we cannot grow without something new.

Aspen Dinner Club

Speaking of network opportunities, I am helping my brother Jim start the Boston chapter of the Aspen Dinner Club.  This is a spin-off of the Aspen Live Conference. Live event marketers in each participating city get together once a month to eat some pizza, have a few beverages, network, and talk about what is going on in the event & entertainment industry.  The next scheduled dinner is planned for June 4^th. The club is currently up and running in LA, NYC, and Denver/Boulder. As I mentioned, I am helping to organize the Boston group.  If you want to attend, let me know.  If you are in any other market and you want to join or start a group contact jim@theagencygroupevents.com.