Image Source: slayer live @ singapore by notsogoodphotography

Just few days ago, I post my third weekend confession about Weekend Confession – Enjoy life with pretty models. I decided to join the local event and to social with the local entrepreneurs and business owners. I was so amazed by the Twitter power that Darren at ProBlogger created. You can read my post at Twitter – The powerful social networking tool – Are you following me?

Are you a socialpreneur?

I realized that social network is very important for my business. I need to spend some time to get my name and business out to the public. Online social network is not enough. Offline social network is actually more powerful way to get your name out. In the past two days, I attend two local events that totally make me very happy. I think the socialpreneur term will become a big word on this blog in the near future.

Yesterday, I attended the club entrepreneur network in my local city. There were about 50 people attending the event. Many of them have been with the local chapter for over a year. So they pretty much know each others very well. Many of them are already doing business together or with the partnership since they join the group. I was one of the new faces. It’s my first time to attend meeting like this. Some of the attendees are already an entrepreneur, who owns many successful businesses. So it gives a great chance to listen and learn what other people are doing, how they do and how they become success.

I was very luck to be picked from 20+ new faces as the guest speaker to introduce myself and my business. WOW. I got many hand shakes after that. We exchanged business cards. It’s amazing that the diversity of business out there. I got at least three people interested in talking to me further about what I can offer them with my IT background.

Today, I also attend the PayPal Developer Conference. I met one gentleman that I met last night at the club e network. He approached me and started asking me some questions. I simply answered his questions in few sentences. Now I have become his e-commerce consultant for his online stores.

Well. It all sounds easy to just reach out to people who I don’t know. Actually, I was turned down by some of the folks in the meeting. They probably are not interested what I do. Anyway, I have learned so much in the past two days that social network is as important as the quality of your product.

Here are 10 things that I do to get attention from the people I met.

1. Listening – The first impression is very important when you meet new people. I always stand next to the crowd and listening to their conversation. I don’t get involved with their conversation or interrupt them unless I am so sure about it. Avoid saying something stupid to destroy their first impression about you.
2. Eye contact – One thing to get their attention is to look right into their eyes, even they are talking to other person. By staring at them, you are making them aware of your existent. In few seconds, they will turn their head and look at you. You repeat this process to each person in the crowd one at a time until every one knowing you are there. It works very well for me.
3. Firm hand shake – A firm hand shake will make them aware your strong intention
4. Ask question about them - Don’t ever start telling the world about you until they ask. Ask question about what they do before telling them what you do. It actually give you chance to know if they are your competitors or allies.
5. Face the crowd – when talking to people, try to face the crowd. There are people in other group, who are staring at other group and thinking to switch conversation. You are giving them the chance to join your conversation.
6. Answer question in short sentence – Make your answer short, so they came ask you more questions. Don’t answer something they don’t ask. You don’t want to make people lost interest with your junkie talk.
7. Encourage them – Always say something like “That’s great idea!” or “WOW! That will make a big hit!” It costs you nothing to say something and make people feel good.
8. Make fun of yourself for your introduction – People don’t always remember your name, but they will remember your nickname or your funny introduction. Make a little fun about your name or business will make your image burned into their brain. That always works for me.
9. Make announcement of you departure before the end of the event – Make sure everyone is aware of your existent. Announce that you were having fun with the event before every one leave. So they remember you!
10. Remember the faces – Just like the #8. People don’t remember your name, but they remember your looking and what you do. Try to remember what they do with what they wear and how they look together, if you don’t remember their name. When it comes to the time to talk with them, you can give them a great impression by telling them you have a friend in the legal industry or you are trying to learn how to become a pilot, for example.

What do you do to get attention in the crowd? Share your socialpreneur tips and tricks with us!