We live in a world of short, exec summaries. People have short attention spans so you have to get to the point and grab their attention. Whether it is a spreadsheet or a sales brochure, a great headline is required.
But headlines don't just apply to printed material. We have headlines in all phases of our life. A good headline is a simple defining statement which clearly extends well beyond the printed page. This idea applies to face to face networking as well. Your "sound bite" is a headline. If you can't keep it short and attention grabbing you won't earn the right to continue the conversation.
Seth Godin summarized this idea in a terrific post about headlines. He says:
That person you met at a conference: What's his headline? Are you actually going to spend ten minutes with him before you determine whether or not he's interesting enough to talk with? Of course not. No headline, no communication.
So as you head out the door to your next networking event, take a moment to think about y0ur headline. It is even worthwhile to spend a few minutes practicing it in the car on your way to the meeting. Are you saying something which will make people want to learn more and remember you after the event?
If not, it is time to work on a new headline. Need a little help? Order a copy of Confessions of a Networking Junkie, a simple step by step guide to networking.
Marketing strategist Lorraine Ball is the Creative Director for Roundpeg, an Indianapolis digital agency.
Marketing strategist Lorraine Ball is the Creative Director for Roundpeg, an Indianapolis digital agency.
