Phone, notepad, coffee (the most important thing): check! Mia repeats this mantra as she double checks her essentials before she enters a pitch meeting, iced latte in hand. Taking some cleansing breathes she walks in with a smile and takes a seat before the meeting starts. She takes this time to collect herself and survey the room. She notices, even with the room full of potential clients and representatives, not much conversation is taking place. This could just be her social personality, but in her mind, this would be an opportune time to introduce yourself and who you represent. But across the table, people are more absorbed with their phones and emails than with person to person conversation.
Figuring she should get the ball rolling, she leans over to the person next to her and strikes up a brief conversation. As soon as this happens, Mia takes notice that others around the room begin introductions as well. Smiling, she converses some more before the presenter enters the room, and the meeting kicks off.
Simply conversing with others opens new doors, which anyone in the marketing field should strive for; the more clients the better. Making these connections is what makes marketing as effective as it is. The Huffington Post perfectly addresses The Importance and Value of Business Marketing and how it increases the connections your company can make.
Even with the rise of social media, people enjoy face to face contact with the person they are speaking to. According to HubSpot, 68% of entry level professionals value face-to-face networking more than online. Being able to see the person you are speaking to builds trust, and you can gauge the tone of a conversation better when you can see their facial expressions and body language. This is helpful for pitches because it gives insight into how your client feels about your idea.
Another attribute to consider is one you can personally grow from. Building self-awareness develops your verbal presenting skills. Having the ability to pitch yourself and your company in 30 seconds also increases your confidence and professionalism. You can find inspiration in any and every conversation you have. Creating conversation is an art form that takes time and practice to fully develop.
By the end of the meeting clients and new connections were made, many of which Mia would connect with later. Departing, she felt more accomplished as a marketing specialist for this achievement, one that she would reward with her favorite coffee, and maybe even a scone. Communication is a skill that opens new doors for you as a marketer. Every day you make connections with others, and networking is what makes your company grow.
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