By Guest Blogger, Patricia Weber
http://www.patricia-weber.com
Click Here to here Patricia’s interview with Jennifer at 9:00 am EST on the WomensRadio Network
Can you identify with any of these?
1. I get queasy just thinking about being at a networking event.
2. My stomach is tied in knots and I end up just hanging around with people I know.
3. I get excited about networking, but once I’m at an event, it’s hard for me to talk with people.
4. I attend networking events but never seem to meet the right people.
5. I don’t find networking events that profitable for my business.
6. I don’t have time to go to many events and I never meet the right people when I go.
7. I think networking is mostly for [fill in the blank with the profession you believe networking helps the most.]
8. I’m mixed with looking forward to networking, yet not sure what to say or how to connect.
9. I dread networking events and I am the first to leave.
No four letter words around networking in the list. These are some of the top business networking limiting beliefs many people, particularly introverts and shy people, hold around this effective and easy business sustaining marketing activity. As an author, you’ve poured out your ideas from your head and heart onto paper and you now have a book. Unless your current networking has already landed you interview on a broad-reaching television talk show, you want to get out there! Even with an interview on radio or television, your business networking needs to continue.
If networking gives you any of the above feelings or thoughts, step one to overcoming your reluctance is to – redefine your beliefs, and then step by step slip on one that helps you.
Where to begin so that you can network with confidence and clarity?
First, own up to your key beliefs, or the one, that accompanies you in your thoughts, and then affects your feelings about networking. There’s little point in getting in your car, driving through traffic and then circling around for a parking space, if you are feeling a dread about the event. Admit you feel queasy, don’t meet the right people or just find then intimidating.
An effective second step, ask yourself just how well this is serving – your intended audience? Surprised? Maybe you would have thought to ask, how well is this belief serving you? Well, that is also a route to take. The fact that you authored a book for people to be inspired, to overcome a situation or to set the facts straight means that you are not the only stakeholder in this situation that your reluctance is hurting. Now think about it. How does your feeling queasy, holding back on going to events or being intimidated helping you reach the people who you want to serve? I think we know the answer.
Once you can get past step one and two, you can create some other beliefs that you would be willing to begin to play with and take with you to your very next event. You are just one networking event away from – the radio show you want, the publisher you need, the speaking engagement that will put you right in front of your intended readers, the meeting planner who wants to buy 100 copies.
Forget the usefulness of any four-letter word. What’s the one belief you can own up to? Now start turning it around. You have books to get into people’s hands.
Patricia Weber is America’s #1 Business Coach For Introverts and Shy, debunking negative introvert myths, so introverts can stand up, be recognized for who they are as they are and without any disguise.
Click Here to here Patricia’s interview with Jennifer at 9:00 am EST on the WomensRadio Network