Category Archives: Definitions of “Networking”
The Anatomy of a Networking Email
Something happened to me a few months ago that was entirely unexpected. A happy accident. And a PERFECT illustration of so many of the ways of talking to people that I’m trying to teach you.
The MAIN point I’m trying to get across when I talk about networking, is that it’s NOT about schmoozing: it’s about having lovely conversations with people you like. Basically, it’s doing what you already do with your friends – just with some other people.
It’s why I want to reframe networking, by calling it MIFing, or Making Interesting Friends (sometimes I even amend this to Making Industry Friends).
It’s why I love to surprise (and delight!) my clients when I tell them that they’re already good at networking – they just need to realise that and use it to their advantage.
It’s why my tagline is “Networking that’s actually FUN”. Because, believe it or not, networking can actually be FUN. Fun for YOU. For real.
The story I want to tell you illustrates all of this – and I’ve included…
The Huge Misconception I Held – And Why It Led To Me Launching A Business
When I was 23, I got to experience what it’s like to be a pop star.
I spent a year as the Chair of the Student Radio Association, a sort of union for student radio stations in the UK. I know, I know – it’s hardly joining Spice Girls. Bear with me.
After I got elected at the yearly AGM & conference, a load of us went for a drink. The only thing I’d done as Chair at that point was to stand on stage and give a three minute speech about why I thought I’d be good for the role. My sole competitor was not a terribly serious candidate, and I was voted in by 33 stations to three.
I arrived at the pub a little after everyone else, and plonked myself at the end of a table that had four people sitting along each side. Then, something peculiar happened…
How to Make the Most of Those Magical Chance Encounters – and Make An Impression On A Celebrity
As you may have guessed from the videos, I’m a bit of a show-off. And as one, I don’t love to share the limelight. BUT sometimes, someone comes along who’s so damn wonderful, you want EVERYONE to read what they have to say. One such person is Robert Keller – actor, comedian, storyteller, and first — and possibly last — ever guest poster here at Yes Yes Marsha Towers. Over to him:
Hi! I am so thrilled to be guest blogging on yesyesmarsha.com!
I gather Marsha was called away to some secret location by Austin Powers to save the world, get knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and maybe replace Sharon Osbourne as an X Factor UK judge.
To begin, an admission…
Why It’s ALWAYS Ok To Arrive In Your Ropiest Granny Underpants
Sometimes, you’re up for quick thrills. But at others, you want the real deal, true love, a long-term Adventure Pal. Depending on which of these two you’re looking for, your attitude will be pretty different. What good networking is, an why this affects it Most people who say they hate networking, hate it…
The Reason Why It Doesn’t Matter What You Look Like
You totally know the kind of guy I’m talking about. Girls do this too, but my most recent experience of being on the receiving end of it was with a dude. My Irish friend Jonathan is a singer. Tall, with masses of brown hair and a deep voice, he’s effortlessly charming and impossibly…
The Best Question To Start A Conversation With
– And How To Avoid Small Talk.
Have you ever had a period in your life where you’ve wished you lived in a sitcom? Not for everything. Just to imagine what would happen if, when asked a certain question, you actually told the truth. A rash decision Several years ago, I took the bold step of quitting a job with great prospects…
What Most People ACTUALLY Think Of Your Conversation Skills
When I tell people about the restricting experience that I had for a lot of my life, they often say exactly the same thing: “You! Shy?? No way! I just can’t see it.”
Even though their surprise is more statement of fact than compliment, I always get a little happy bristle. For so many years, I felt like I was behind a glass wall when I went out to places. My friends would all chat away to new people, but I stayed mute.
These were friends who knew that, when it was just us, no one could shut me up. So as well as feeling deep frustration, I got to feel some shame and humiliation.
*awesome*
The reason I never spoke to them wasn’t 80’s-inspired Stranger Danger. It was usually because…
My Terrible Admission (and Why It Might Not Be True)
I am a little nervous to tell you this. Depending on where you stand, you’ll either: narrow your eyes, smile, and nod in agreement OR narrow your eyes, scowl and exhale in disgust. My big confession All of my life, I have never been a dog person. I’ve never understood why people like dogs. …
Why I Hate “Networking”. (But Don’t Hate networking)
Everybody thinks they know what networking is. Almost all of those people are wrong. It’s one of the reasons I have a HUGE problem with the word. I have to use it a lot – given that my title is Networking Mentor – but I try and replace it with other words and phrases…
