Ambassador Bruny's 5 Tips From Net-Working In Boston

I took a trip to Boston earlier this week on a Net-working mission.  I've been hitting the street to spread the "Run the Point message," and making some new friends along the way.  I hit up two events this week.  The ECHO (Entrepreneurs of Color Helping Others) monthly meeting and a Tweach up at Lansdowne Pub near Fenway Park. 

First and foremost I want to introduce or remind my readers about my view on Net-working.  The hypen is there for a reason.  It's to remind you that you physically have a net that you have to put to work and that you belong to a net and you have to be willing to go to work for them.  I'm big on reciprocity.  Now back to the tips.

Ambassador Bruny tip #1: Be in the mindset of service.  Ask yourself, how can I be of service as you talk and mingle with the people.  I was able to think of at least 2 people that I just had to connect after having 5 minute conversations.  You have to give in order to get!

Ambassador Bruny tip #2: Introduce yourself to the speaker and host of the event.  They are the ones who got all the people out there and they can help you meet more people. At the ECHO event the speaker spoke about the value of blogging for businesses.  Her name is Angel Babbitt and she has a cool blog called The Bridal BFF (check her out).  We had a chance to talk a little bit after her presentation and we are now connected.  She even gave me a referral to a couple of guys who make bow ties.  I spoke with the host of the event and learned about Boston offline which puts on all kinds of events.

At the Tweach up, which is a combination of a reach out and a tweet up (basically asking you to bring a friend who has never been to a tweet up before to partake in the event), one of the hosts was actually kind enough to give me a shout out on Twitter following the event.

Ambassador Bruny tip #3: Be Yourself. Don't work overtime on trying to be someone that you are not.  It's spotted a mile away and it's just too much work.  Let the people love you for you.  I'm passionate about helping people take things to a next level and that shows.  I love my bow ties and that shows too. 

Ambassador Bruny tip #4: Love The One You're With.  Nothing is more annoying that trying to have a conversation with someone and their eyes are scanning the room.  Focus Daniel-son (remember the Karate Kid) and pay attention to the person who is in front of you. Listen to what they are saying and ask a clarifying question if you need to.  I met so many cool people this past week, just by listening.  I met the lady who is in charge of the PR for Boston University, a dean of students, a guy who is a dating coaching (the real hitch; check him out at The Professional Wingman), a woman who is super passionate about building community and even reconnected with a few people (My man Joselin from Boston Tweet up dot com) to name a few.

Ambassassdor Bruny tip #5: Keep it Moving. At some point your conversation with the person you just met will come to an end.  You may decide to exchange contact information or you may not (there is no hard and fast rule).  Do not feel bad about excusing yourself to network with some other folks.  That's why you're there in the first place.  You can simply say something like, "It was great meeting you, I'm going to mingle a bit."

Bonus Tip: All of the work begins tomorrow.  Whatever networking event you are attending is just a gateway to really getting to know the people you met.  The power is in the follow up.  It's in sending them an email the next day or sending them a card.  It's in fulfilling the promises you made to follow up and/or connect them with someone they should know.

That's how a net-works

As alway...keep Running the Point, from where you are, with what you have.

Your Ambassador,
Mike Bruny