How to be really annoying at a networking meeting

I recently went to a networking event in Chicago with Denise Praul from Accurate Tax Management. Many of us (many!) in the Indianapolis area know Denise is nothing short of a pro at her key message when it comes to networking. It’s brilliant – she takes the pain out of property taxes. (if you’re paying too much, you need Denise’s touch) She knows it’s brilliant because people call her and leave messages containing bits of her message, i.e. “I hear you take the pain out of property taxes…”

On the drive home, we were like 12-year-olds ready to get in the car and talk about the good and bad of the event. There were some indivdiuals with great focus, professionalism and key messages. There were also those not so fabulous. I could rattle off a few ways to get zero follow up from a networking event, but one thing really stood out as extra annoying, so I’ll share that instead. The next time you’re attending a networking event, do not do this – or I guarantee you’ll be THE MOST annoying person in the mix.

The number one way to be really annoying at a networking meeting is… talk over people. This event was pretty well organized. You had certain times to give your message, along with a few other things you were required to share (one of those things is what in the next six months will you be spending money on. I thought this was a good one for a solid way to pass a referral) and that message was given in an equally firm timeframe. Listen up… when you’re given a timeframe in which to speak at an event, you don’t abuse it. You don’t say one more thing, you don’t add one more word, and you don’t finish your thought. You stop. Your time is up. If you don’t stop, you’re taking the next person’s time and seriously wounding your credibility, professionalism and any chance of someone wanting to set up a one-on-one with you afterward. It’s so painful to witness this kind of stuff. Really.

Pretty, pretty please figure out your key message, or call us to help you, or ask just what the heck a key messages is on the Get Back on the Road site. Just make sure you figure it out and deliver it well. Anything less is killing your marketing, hurting your credibility and delivering a really annoying vibe among you meeting peers.