Note from Lis:  I met Therese Kienast after we both joined Adam Urbanski’s Platinum Mastermind group late last year. From the first time I met her, I was struck by Therese’s laser focus and on-target insights, whether they referred to me or someone else in the group. Her presence is big – and she’s only about 5′ 5″ tall – and when she enters a room, heads turn.

Now you have the opportunity to learn from this amazing woman as she shares her secrets on how you, too, can create a powerful presence. (Here’s a shocker – she didn’t used to be this way.) I also encourage you to learn more about her and her company Powerful Presence – as well as her original company, Radical Leadership.

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” as stated by Shakespeare in his famous play, Hamlet and that could be a similar question asked by many introverts and extroverts as they approach the daunting experience of a networking event to promote their business. Should I try to be an extrovert at this upcoming event or not?

But while that was Shakespeare’s question, it is not the most powerful question to be asking as you approach a networking event because it’ll cause you nothing but trouble. Trying to be something you’re not at any time in your life would be inauthentic and could create unease and resistance in the very person or persons you are trying to enroll!

Why? Because if you’re uneasy about who you’re being, that feeling will permeate the air and create the very same feeling in another. Think about it! You know what it’s like when you meet someone and they’re uncomfortable, fidgety, anxious and trying to be something they’re not. Don’t you, too, start to feel awkward and stressed, hoping to move quickly to another person who’s more settled and confident with who they are and what they’re up to?

Of course you do! So don’t try to be something you’re not. Instead introverts or extroverts, get over yourself! There’s nothing wrong with being one or the other; in fact, at a networking event being an introvert could easily be an advantage because you don’t like to be glad-handing and self promoting (which is not what these events are meant to be, but often what they turn into).

Be Powerful and Present!

Instead, consider this! That any time you are focused on yourself at a networking event – introvert or extrovert – you are probably not going to have great success. Because if you’re worried about how you look and about saying and doing the right thing, or getting your product promoted, you are not over there with the potential client trying to find out about them and what they need. And that is who is going to get my business: The person who is interested in my needs and what solutions I may require to help me be successful.

So the better question in this case is:  Am I powerful and present? To be powerful, you have to be comfortable with yourself and un-self conscious which means you’re not focused on you, but on what’s needed and important in this moment. In a networking event, that usually means getting over yourself and getting over there with the other person in service of their needs and their success.

I used to hate networking events because they felt so pseudo-social to me and inauthentic. Yet, these events were opportunities for me to connect with people intentionally and overtly to build my business and be in service of others and I knew they were there for the same reasons. Therefore, I decided that I would go and commit to having three people feeling seen, heard and celebrated by me and if that had a return in the moment, so be it. If not, I had done what I loved to do and that was reward enough.

I also had an agreement with myself that I wouldn’t offer anyone my card unless they asked for it; because I knew if they asked for it they probably wanted it. And, because I cared more about them than little ole’ me at the event, I often stood out from those around me.

And even if one of those three individuals couldn’t use my services, they often referred others who could because they’d had an experience that made them feel special, important and cared about. Nowadays, that is a rare and remarkable happening! They will remember you if they connect that feeling to your presence.

4 Keys to Being Powerful and Present

Instead of asking yourself whether to be an introvert or an extrovert at the next networking event; ask yourself to be powerful and present by:

1. Being yourself
2. Getting over yourself (introvert or extrovert) and getting over there with other
3. Investing yourself in finding out what other’s needs are and what’s important to them
4. Being dedicated to helping them be successful and your success will be assured

These principles helped me to create a very successful coaching practice within a short period of time and I want that for you and your business, too. I wish you great success!

This article was presented by Therese Kienast, Master Certified Coach and Founder of Powerful Presence. Therese is dedicated to you owning and leveraging your own powerful presence to bless and enhance our world. Therese says, “You are not only one in a million; you are one in 1.7 billion. Act like you are a rare, magnificent occurrence!” www.powerfulpresence.com

Note from Lis:  Hey – I wanted to let you know about my friend Chris Makell’s upcoming networking program. All business owners – regardless whether they’re writers or in other businesses – need to know how to network effectively. Chris is the real deal and I know you’ll love learning from her. By the way, just so you know, I’m recommending her just because I can – there’s no hidden affiliate link here. But if you sign up – let her know Lis sent you.

One of the fastest ways to get a flood of prospective clients into your pipeline is to get out there and let them know how you can solve their problem! If they don’t know you exist, how can they become a client?

Lisbeth Tanz & Chris Makell

Some business owners find it “scary” to walk into a room full of strangers and hope that someone will talk to them! I know, I’ve been there. I remember spending some networking meetings holding up the wall, just doing what I do best – watching people.

But I know there’s a better way. And, if you’re like me, you’d like a solution sooner than later. After all, you have a business to build or maintain!

So, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Chris Makell of Radiance Marketing. Chris is just one of those people who is fearless in the face of adversity. She should be. After years of executive level positions at IBM, you learn how to step up and make your voice heard.

Chris opted out of the corporate life and has never looked back. But she found the road to entrepreneurship to be a bit more rocky than she anticipated. One area she had to bone up on quickly? Networking.

And now she’d like to help the rest of us. (And we are so lucky she does!)

She’ll show you how to make an impact when you’re networking and easily make more authentic connections with heart and soul.

Join Chris for the Telecourse that will change the way you feel about networking!

High Impact Networking ~ Making connections with Heart & Soul Telecourse on September 28th and 30th at 8pm EDT, will focus on the 4 simple strategies that form the basis of your High Impact Networking plan.

Maximize your time and investment – How to really prepare for networking and how, so that you always get results for the time, effort and money invested! Make that dress & drive worth it!

Attend the “best” meetings – Discover where your prospects, referral sources and ideal clients meet – it’s not always where you think!

Communicate in a way that gets attention – Create and use the appropriate “approach” for the occasion – no more one size fits all!

Easily get attention when you talk about who you are – Some “titles” are so ho-hum and don’t do justice to who you are and the challenges you solve for clients

You’ll use this high value, high impact business-building tool to fill your pipeline, attract more clients and make more money! (Woohoo – who doesn’t want that?)

Register now, for this business changing, 2-part Telecourse today, at www.highimpactnetworking.com.

Chris said I could share a sneak peek at some of what you’ll discover and experience, but you can listen to a short interview I did with her earlier this week. You can download it here:

********************

High Impact Networking Interview with Chris Makell

********************

Part 1 – The core ingredients to your High Impact Networking plan

• The 5 secrets for effective networking so that you maximize your time and investment
• The “best” networking meetings to attend to find your ideal clients, prospects and referral sources
• The 3 powerful techniques for creating the ideal elevator pitch

Part 2 – Making connections with heart & soul

• The #1 technique that makes networking more enjoyable – once mastered, it will continually serve your business and your life!
• The “one” word that helps you enjoy the experience and gain more than you imagined
• The key to shifting your perspective from getting to giving

And Chris has promised there will be time for Q &A during each call.

The full networking season is getting underway and you’ll be ready to make the connections that add more clients and more money to your business before the end of 2010.

Register now at www.highimpactnetworking.com.