Auntie Kate The Resale Expert

This week, some tips about getting ready for NARTS Conference 2019. If you can’t make it to Conference, this week’s blog posts will still be useful in your everyday business life, so stay tuned!

Looking forward to meeting new friends at Conference? Anticipate making some industry connections for having new “long-distance buddies” to share ideas with and increasing future business and profits?

It all starts with good introductions!

When you’re introducing yourself, speak clearly and slowly. Add a bit about yourself and your business, such as “Hi, my name is Jane Johnston. I opened a children’s consignment shop, GrowUps, last year in Springfield Montana.” If the person doesn’t respond with her or his name, feel free to ask.

Meeting someone you have met before, but can’t remember her name or where he’s from? Simply add, “Hi! I know we’ve met before. I’m Jane Johnston from GrowUps…” Chances are she can’t remember your name any more than you can remember hers, and you’ve just let her off the hook! Once you are reminded of her name, repeat it in your conversation to help fix it in your memory.

Introducing a peer to someone you know? Here’s the rules: Introduce the person you are with to the person you are beginning to talk to. Include enough information to initiate a conversation. “Old Friend, I’d like you to meet My Neighbor from OurTown. He’s just opened a furniture shop near my shop. My Neighbor, this is Old Friend, who helped me with that bad check problem I was telling you about.” Introduce a younger person to an older person: “Old Geezer, this is Young Turk,” and a “nonofficial” person to an “official” person: “Workshop Presenter, I’d like you to meet my spouse.”

Should you present your business card? By all means. Your card gives your name in visual form, which is easier for many people to comprehend. It also serves as a conversation opener. “Oh, you sell bridal attire. Let me ask you…” or “You’re from Springfield! My best friend from college lives there…”

Many happy introductions! We hope you meet lots of new friends at Conference. Let me give you my card…

To read all our posts about Conference, go here.