September 3rd, 2010
Guest Expert: Teresa Morrow
You sign up or join a writers or authors group because you want to meet people in your industry who live in your local area. You want to be around people who will understand, share and support your endeavors of writing and getting the word out about your book.
However do you know how to increase your chances of people remembering you once the event is over or do you not even think to give it a second thought?
Let’s look at this scenario:
When you are getting ready for the event, you just grab a pair of jeans and a pull over shirt. You figure it is just a local event so you don’t really need to dress up, casual will work for this event.
Upon arriving at the event you enter the room you acknowledge those people who say hi as they pass by. You go and grab a drink and start to walk around the room. A lady approaches you and introduces herself. You then respond by telling her about your book and then in a few minutes she leaves. You continue around the room, meeting a few more people, here and there but you notice they don’t seem to wish to stay and talk too long.
And the end of the networking event, you leave with a couple of business cards from a few people you met, but are left feeling like you didn’t really a good impression.
Here are a few ways to make you more memorable at any event:
1) Dress to represent the best you
Not every occasion needs a suit and it may not even be aligned with who you are and the message you are trying to share with you book. However, be sure your represent you as an author. By dressing to represent the best you, your confidence will radiate to other people. People are naturally drawn to people with confidence.
2) Make eye contact
When you approach someone, be sure to look them in the eye and say “hello”. By greeting people and making eye contact, it shows the other person you see them and in return it creates a better possibility the person will remember you too.
3) Talk about them
When you meet someone, it is best not to override the conversation by talking about yourself and your book the whole time. Create a conversation around the other person by asking questions about their work and their interests. Continue the discussion around how you may be able to help them.
4) Give back
When you first meet someone, find a way to be supportive and offer advice or a helpful resource to them. Many times in a conversation, you will find an opportunity to offer a helpful resource, tip or idea that will move the other person forward.
5) Don’t be shy
If you find other people are hesitant and not coming up to you during a networking event, you make the first contact. People like it when someone else takes interest in who they are and what they are doing. Again, when you make the initiative, you show your confidence. And people enjoy doing business with or (reading about) people who are confident.
You make an attempt to connect with your fellow writers and authors in your area by attending a local networking event. Make the event count and make yourself memorable by not being shy, giving back, talking about them and making eye contact with those you meet.
Teresa Morrow is an Editor at Large at WE Magazine for Women ™ and monthly blogger for BookBuzzr. She combines her three passions: writing, reading and networking in her business, Key Business Partners, LLC. She manages online promotional campaigns for authors to ease the stress of doing it all by themselves. Teresa enjoys her work as she helps spread the message of her clients’ books with other people. She is available for 20 minute free consultation. You can contact her via email or visit her website.
6 Responses to “TGIF Book Marketing Tips: Authors: Make yourself memorable at any event”
- Sandy Jones-Kaminski says:September 6, 2010 at 12:37 amAll great great Teresa! And being the author of, “I’m at a Networking Event–Now What???,” I’d like to offer some additional networking tips to you and your readers:1) Don’t take networking too seriously. It can and should be fun. Connect with the intention of helping others rather than simply expecting to find the elusive perfect job or client. Relax, take the pressure off yourself and focus on what you can bring to the party or offer in the form of contacts, knowledge or resources.2) Improve your outlook and your fortune will change. If you have a negative outlook on networking, you’re probably sabotaging your chances at connecting with the “right” people. Put all the negative or disappointing encounters behind you and focus on “what’s possible.” As Vince Lombardi said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.”3) Take a proactive approach and get off the couch or out from behind your screen and get out there! Remember, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” You eventually have to meet people to know if you’ll really connect with them, and the more people you meet, the more likely you are to find the “right” people for you. (It’s almost like dating, isn’t it?)4) Keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum if you’re at an event where it’s being served. Being relaxed is good, but having your buzz on and then acting inappropriately is not a good way to be memorable at any event. A phrase that comes to mind here is “The more I drink, the cuter you get.” Yikes! Do I really need to say more here?5) Be the person to include others into the conversation when they join the circle. What a great way to create a good impression and set an example for others. As Dale Carnegie said, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”6) Be polite and considerate. Good manners never go out of style. Leave your ego in the restroom after you’ve checked your appearance (make sure there are no traces of your lunch in your teeth) and also leave the office politics at the office. A networking event is a time to be non-competitive and social in a professional yet friendly way.7) Be sincere, open and follow through on your commitments. Authenticity leaves a lasting impression, and even if you don’t find a way to assist each other immediately, you never know when someone might introduce you to a key new contact down the road.I cover a lot of this in my book (on Amazon, titled, “I’m at a Networking Event–Now What???,” but wanted to share some of this content here and before I attend a few networking events myself this week.Like or Dislike: 0 0
- Teresa Morrow says:September 9, 2010 at 5:44 pmSandy,Thanks for the additional tips for networking at an event to the readers. I especially like your tip on authenticity — so important to be true to who you are and allow people to get to know you.And congratulations on the book!Sincerely,TeresaLike or Dislike: 0 0
- Cheryl Pope says:October 31, 2010 at 3:54 amThanks for the tips, ladies. I will use them the next time I go to an event, which will be in a couple of days.Like or Dislike: 0 0
- Maggie Bishop says:November 24, 2010 at 3:50 pmAll great ideas, especially the “make eye contact” one. I see so many shy authors hide behind a signing desk or stick to a chair at a conference. The extra effort to reach out to others is well worth it. You never know when one of those contacts will make a difference in your writing career.Like or Dislike: 0 0
- George Angus says:December 23, 2010 at 6:58 amHey Teresa,Nice job. Excellent reminders about civility and how being a gentleman (or woman) can go a long way. Civility creates an impression these days as it is in rare quantity.GeorgeLike or Dislike: 0 0
- David Ess says:March 5, 2011 at 10:51 pmTeresa,
I’m a bit leary of the ‘offer them advice’ part. That seems awkward, no?
Thanks,
David