Solopreneurs: Even shy people can schmooze.

For those solo travelers who are solopreneurs and those who want to be,
here is the every-other-week business post.

If this isn’t for you, just wait a day or two and another solo travel post will be coming your way.

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I have written about networking and schmoozing many times in my business writing practice, but always from a theoretical perspective. It’s something I’ve never managed to do well myself. I’ve always been intimidated with the thought of working a room – until last week.

At the World Travel Market and at various events connected to it like tweet-ups and the Travel Bloggers Camp, I schmoozed. I didn’t know myself at the end of the evening. I met dozens of wonderful people, had many great conversations and left with lots of new information, ideas and one possible big idea. Schmoozing can be done by those of us who can’t follow those standard networking rules. We just have to follow our own hearts.

So I’ve taken it apart. I’ve analyzed what went right for me this time. I’ve done no research – I’m offering no details on preparing the perfect elevator pitch. This is about how one shy person learned to schmooze.

Preparing  to schmooze.
No deal is ever closed in a networking session but many are identified. So relax. Go with curiosity and business cards. Being able to describe your business succinctly is important but canned elevator speeches won’t matter if you have the other two.

When to schmooze.
Schmooze at every opportunity. This doesn’t mean being obnoxious. It means being curious. The big idea I’m mulling began in a chance conversation outside the organized events. The press room was full so I shared a table and conversation that could prove to be very useful.

Psyching up to schmooze.
I think that one of the reasons things worked better for me last week than ever before is that I had traveled so far to get there – the opportunity might not present itself again and I had to make the most of it. So I suggest that you go to every networking event – even regular events – with the knowledge that the opportunities in that room may never be available again.

The actual schmoozing
Definitely schmooze standing up – don’t get caught at a table. This gives you more control over the amount of time you spend with each person.

Don’t focus on yourself.

• Throw the spotlight on the person you’re speaking to.
• Ask questions. After an introduction and a handshake ask:
  • Where are you from?
  • Is this your first time at this event?
  • What do you do? What’s your blog? What’s your Twitter name?
• Ask follow-up questions. Learn about them and their business.
• If they could be a good contact, ask for their card. As they reach for theirs, dig out yours, and swap.
• At this point, they will likely ask about your business as well. If not, it doesn’t really matter. You now have enough information on their company to do a follow-up like a serious contact.

• Move on. Don’t monopolize their time and take advantage of yours to make more contacts. You can slip away easily by noticing how busy the room is and mentioning that they must have others to meet.

The schmooze follow-up.
Email, twitter… whatever is appropriate to solidify the connection.

Most people struggle with schmoozing because they are selling themselves. When you flip this upside down and let others sell you first, you actually gain points before mentioning a word about your company.

Whether your business is totally digital or not, it really is all about people in the end. Get out into the world and schmooze with the best of them.

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