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Making connections that are meaningful requires some effort on your part. Find out how creating affinity, establishing common ground, and avoiding the word “but” can help you network and create relationships.<\/p>\n
The time and date are set. You made sure you arrived early because you wanted to do everything you could to make a good first impression. It\u2019s your favorite \u201cafter-work\u201d haunt so you\u2019ll feel right at home.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve rehearsed your intro, keeping things light and hopefully funny, but you\u2019re anticipating the words that\u2019ll give you an opportunity to really get the conversation going. At the end of the day, though, you just hope you like them and they like you.<\/p>\n
Sounds like going out on a first date, yes? My partner and I \u201cdate\u201d as much as we can, but a first date has been so long for me I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m the guy you want dating advice from!<\/p>\n
I do know something about creating great first impressions with potential clients or business partners. Just like any other human connection, there are things we can do to give ourselves a chance of making a great impression and <\/i>set ourselves up to get what we\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n
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1. Most of the top marketers in the world hardly ever talk about product!<\/strong> They talk to get people to like them, so when the moment comes the selling is easier.<\/p>\n 2. The one thing that\u2019s critical for everything in life\u2014not just in negotiations but in making connections with anyone\u2014is to create affinity<\/strong>. Affinity is closeness, warmth, and likability.<\/strong> People generally act based on emotion (something to remember when marketing!), and then<\/i> they justify their decisions with logic.<\/p>\n In other words, people will usually give a much better opportunity to someone they like.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not talking about flattering and butt-kissing. That\u2019s fake affinity. More than likely most people will sniff that out and get turned off quickly. Genuine affinity means genuinely intending to make an honest and real connection with the other person.<\/p>\n
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