Terrifying
“Absolute silence leads to sadness. It is the image of death.”
~Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Bear with me for a moment, the following is not just a self-serving plug for my new book. It actually does have a point with regards to good networking practice.
You might already know I’ve been working on my first book on networking, “Hello and a Handshake”. You might even be aware that it came back from the printers not long ago and is now sitting in boxes in my library. What you probably don’t know is that it is now available for sale on my website — and has been for a couple of weeks. I mean, why would you know? After all, I haven’t posted the information anywhere. Not in my blog, not in my newsletter, not even on social media. Why not?
I’m afraid of the crickets.
I put four years of blood, sweat, and tears into this project. Now, I’m afraid that when I actually announce: “It’s ready to go and come and order your copy!” all I will hear is the sounds of crickets. This, despite the number of people who have specifically asked me when it will be available and how they can purchase their copy. Despite the fact that I’ve already had orders for multiple copies to be used in training and as gifts.
Those crickets can be pretty terrifying.
In many ways this is similar to the obstacles people place in their own way when it comes to networking. They won’t attend a networking event, because they might not get anything out of it. All that time and nothing but the sound of crickets.
They won’t follow up with people after the event. They’d like to create great connections and a strong network, but what if they meet someone for coffee and it ends up going nowhere? All that effort and nothing but the sound of crickets.
They might even build that network, but then they won’t bother to tell their connections what they want, what they need. After all the people they ask might not be able to help them. That’s a lot of energy spent with no results but the sound of the crickets.
I guess what it comes down to is having a little faith. Maybe not everyone can help, but some will and that might be enough. Some won’t want to connect, but some will, and that might be enough. Some events won’t be worth your time, but some will, and that might be enough.
I might announce that people can buy my book, can take it home and learn some of the tricks of success at the networking event and some won’t be interested, but some will.
That might be enough.
If you would like to order a copy, go to the store, and when you check out use the code “FIRST50” to get free shipping.
