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I am getting more and more convinced that there is a way to combine social media and face-to-face networking to build relationships.
I appreciate, and read regularly, Denise Graveline’s blog “Don’t Get Caught.” At the bottom of one of her blogs she listed her upcoming events. One of them was going to be across the river from me in Portland, Oregon. The conference is not my area of interest, but I got in touch with Denise and asked her if we could connect when she came to the area.
I got a reply shortly after I sent my request. She was working on her schedule. True to her word, she connected with me via email once she had a clearer picture of the conference’s need for her attendance at various events since she was one of the presenters. We agreed on Sunday afternoon and that I would call her in the morning that day to decide when I should pick her up.
Whisked Presenter Away
The conference did a good job of providing attendees access to some of the major “must see” places in Portland. However, I decided coffee was on the schedule and then a walk through our famous “Rose Garden.”
I pulled up in front of the hotel at the agreed upon time. She was waiting for me. We shook hands and the immediate “Like” feeling was there. From the moment I picked her up, there was no silence between the two of us. We shared information about our lives and our work. We had some good laughs over things that we had heard and seen traveling and presenting during our careers.
Conscious of her schedule, I took her back to the hotel after 2.5 hours of non-stop sharing. As I pulled away, I thought, “Dang, I wish she lived in the neighborhood.”
I’ve been saying it from the beginning, there is a way to combine social media and face-to-face networking that strengthens your relationships with people. The key is to ask people to connect with you. Keep your mind open to opportunities to make connecting in person possible.
I am thrilled that Denise and I could get together and from her email, it appears she feels the same way. All I had to do was ask.
Got you in my contact management program, Denise. Next time I am in the Washington D.C. area I will be in touch.
Check out the reviews for my book “Face-To-Face Networking It’s All About Communication” on Amazon.
