23rd June 2014

Being An Event Host – Tip No. 51 – Network Like Crazy

London, UK

A friend on Facebook recently posted that getting work is “a combo of contacts and chutzpah” – he’s possibly right. (Oh BTW, there’s no exact translation of the word “chutzpah” – this Yiddish expression could mean ‘damn cheek’ or ‘extremely audacious’ )

Getting regular paid work as a freelance conference and corporate host doesn’t come easy…one has to get out there and network like crazy. Luckily I enjoy meeting new people and developing good working relationships with them. Years ago, one of my sales managers told me that a salesperson has to spend 90% of his or her time either getting new business, or doing an activity that gets new business. Things aren’t much different today for anybody in business…we are, whether you like it or not, all salespeople.

I spend many hours each week either on the phone (or Skype), e-mailing or having a working lunch with prospective clients. One thing I have learnt over recent years is not to rely on personal contacts or one’s agent too much..the key is to find new areas of work. At an event last week, someone told me that “your next 100 customers haven’t heard of you” – powerful stuff eh?