Tweet

Four Tips to Make New Connections Fast

Written by: Keith Ferrazzi

Article Overview: Today I've culled some of the best relationship-building tips I've come across recently in books that have made the rounds on my nightstand.

Four Tips to Make New Connections Fast

Today I've culled some of the best relationship-building tips I've come across recently in books that have made the rounds on my nightstand.

1. Talk in Color. Nicholas Boothman, in his book How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds, reminds us that one of the best ways to make a good impression is to engage someone's imagination. "Don't talk in black and white, learn to talk in color. Involve as many senses as you can," he writes. For some people this may come naturally. Others may feel like it's "too much." So practice - on your cat, your grandmother, your husband or wife. Like a comedian, try out your material on a test audience. They'll tell you if you crossed over from charismatic to kookoo. (Well, everyone except your cat.)

2. Look people in the eye. This one is nothing new, but I mention it because Boothman (again in How to Make People Like You) serves up what I think is a great exercise to put it into practice. While watching TV, check the eye color of each and every actor. Once you've identified it, say it in your head. Then switch the practice over to real life.

3. Put something interesting on your business card. I love this tip, from Andy Sernovitz's Word of Mouth Marketing. Andy sent me my copy of this book, and he practices what he preaches: Tucked into it was a business card with this very tip on it. If you're self-employed and create your own business cards, ask yourself, "What can I do that makes this business card useful and memorable?" If you can offer clients some good advice, for example, you're putting your best foot forward by showing both expertise and generosity.

4. Host a Weekly "Know How" speakers series. This is from Tom Kelley's The Ten Faces of Innovation, a deepthink on how to set the conditions for innovation and creativity at an organizational level. Talking about the value of cross-pollination, Kelley writes that his company hosts a world-class thinker weekly to speak. You could do this yourself - at your office, your church, your community center, even your living room. On top of being a great way to spur creativity, it's a great way for you, the organizer, to stand out. You'll not only be a new celebrity, you'll also get to know all those great local thought leaders that you put on the podium. If weekly sounds like too much of a time commitment, think about organizing a biweekly or monthly event.

I hope one or all of these tips help you boost your relationship-building skills in the immediate future.

Does anyone out there already have a great business card they'd like to share on my blog?

Warmest,
Keith

Related Articles
  Who Are You Connecting With?
  "Quality" Franchise Opportunity
  Social Networks: How to Click with Your New Tribe
  How To Make Fast Easy Money Online
  You Have to Connect to Sell

Article Tags: best foot, business card, business cards, comedian, cross pollination, eye color, generosity, good advice, grandmother, innovation and creativity, nicholas boothman, nightstand, own business, speakers series, test audience, thinker, tom kelley, watching tv, word of mouth, word of mouth marketing



Related Forum Posts
Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
Re: Quote of the Day - "The only people witho - Thanks for sharing this Evan, there are some very powerful quotes in there, I particularly like this one:- You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully. regards, Mal.
Re: Do Boomers Make Better Entrepreneurs? - Well, for my own account... Life experience - certainly! Connections - yes Money - huh? I suppose it depends on what kind of business you're starting up.. Ros
Business magazines - Fast Company is pretty good if you're into technology although it can be very on the edge. Entrepreneur has become one giant advertisement and I cancelled my subscription. Selling Power also has some useful content if you're looking at improving your sales skills / presentations.
List of a few legitimate online business - Well My main methods to make money so far are adsense,affiliate marketing and freelancing and I think these are some more sites that can help me to make some more money.Your reviews are welcome: ::linkworth dot com>This site is awesome and offer lots of ways to make money. ::mturk dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid ::microworkers dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid ::shorttask dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid ::istockphoto dot com>sell stock photos ::eHow dot com>Make money writing ::Bukisa>Make money writing ::Associate Content>Make money writing ::Triond>Make money writing ::fiverr dot com>$5 freelancing job ::cpalead dot com>make money by completing offer ::peerfly>make money by completing offer


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Environment and productivity at the office

What Type of Business Should I Start?

The Importance of Master Data Management (MDM)

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.