People who meet me for the first time think I'm a naturally outgoing extrovert who can talk and mingle with ease.
While that's how things may appear at first glance, that's not the case.
Far from it.
The truth is, I'm more of a naturally quiet, reserved, introvert. it actually takes some work for me to be more social and talkative.
I have to make a conscious effort to engage.
But you know what? I realized that if I was going to be in business, be my own boss, and use my communications skills to succeed, I needed to do better.
Because if I didn't, I would be secretly losing the business game.
I had to be willing to "work a room," shake hands, make small talk and put myself out there.
Although that was squarely outside my comfort zone, it's what I needed to do.
But That's Not All...
I learned that whenever I met someone, it was important to communicate to them what my business was and what I do to help people. We often call this an elevator speech.
If I didn't do that, I was silently losing at business because I was wasting a valuable opportunity of connecting with someone who could help me grow.
Now, it's all second nature to me: I meet someone, I tell them about the Coptic Chamber and how it helps Coptic business owners (even if they don't ask me)! Why? Because who is to say that this person (or someone they know) won't be interested in joining the Chamber?
So, my message today is that I encourage you to get more comfortable with self-promotion. Let people know exactly what you do and who you help -- and communicate it, quickly, upon meeting them.
Even if you've never been comfortable with the idea (like me), you'll eventually see the benefit of this and will reap the rewards.
Until next time...
