Networking Advice from an Octopus-Loving Introvert

I’ve been responsible for business development for over 15 years now; and many in my community would guess me to be an extrovert. I even thought the same about myself for a time, until I learned that it’s not how well we perform in public spaces, but what re-energizes us.

One of the ways that I got over my anxiety when entering a room full of strangers was by following a suggestion given to me by Dave Rothfeld, my sales coach, in the early 2010s. He simply shared with me to play the host! I would stand relatively close to the entry door, and as people entered, I would welcome them to the event. If they seemed open to a conversation, I would interact with them; but if they gave the polite head nod, I would allow them to swim along their merry way. 

What I found is this gave me a purpose at an event, rather than being camouflaged into the surroundings, typically close to the food. After all, I was born a Chubb. 

Something else that I learned, was something called the “bowtie effect.” This is a phenomenon where you try to pick one thing in your attire that makes you unique. For men, instead of a traditional long tie, Dave instructed the gentleman in the room to wear a bowtie. For me, I chose a hat, so when I followed up with folks, I would remark that I was the crazy hat lady. They never forgot me or the conversation that had been had days ago! 

With clarity on purpose and uniqueness in style, I was soon remembered by many of them in the room when otherwise I would’ve been easily forgotten, and my sales began to swell like a tide!  

Although I still wear hats frequently, my unique octopus marketing was not by accident, but by design. I have proclaimed for many years, that I may not be bigger, better, faster, than my competition, but I’m certainly weirder.

Lean into your inner octopus!