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Nobody to Somebody in 63 Days or Less: The Ultimate How-To Guide To Business Networking & Word of Mouth Advertising
by Joe Ilvento and Arnold SanowName Badge
One of the best, easiest and inexpensive ways to get yourself noticed at a networking event is the use of a name badge. It is real easy to spot the professional networkers in a crowd. They typically are the ones with the custom name badges. Whenever possible, stay away from the "Hello my Name Is..." fill in the blank type tags common at many events. If you must use one, or for whatever reason you donžt want to call attention to yourself and blend into the crowd, print your name and company name neatly on the badge. If you have horrible handwriting and you are not a doctor, get one of the event organizers to print your name on the badge for you. Remember, first impressions count and the last thing you want to be labeled is sloppy or incompetent.
The best name badges we have seen are the ones you make yourself. Little did I know how successful my badge was going to be until the next meeting I attended after wearing it the first time. Not thinking it was important, I did not wear the badge a second time. It was only after three different people came up to me and asked me where my badge was did I realize how much power it had at getting me noticed. The fact is I needed a badge for an upcoming trade show. I wanted it to match a guerrilla marketing theme I was using at the show so I combined a 3 x 3 inch photo of a guerrilla with my name, company name and a "Ask Me How..." type question. A few things happened the minute I put it on. First, as people approached me they all took the time to first comment on the picture and then came even closer to read the message. Second, because the picture of a guerrilla was unique and funny, it brought a smile to their faces. Third, the badge became the initial topic of conversation and then we moved to the business at hand. And finally, the badge earned me an instant reputation and I have since worn it to every major networking event I have attended with similar results.
To reduce the wear and tear on your clothes, use a magnetic name badge. Pick the two oldest magnets off your refrigerator and glue one magnet to the back of your badge and place the other magnet under your blouse or lapel.
Make your name badge an advertising piece. An art gallery owner made her badge into a little gilded art frame. Instead of Mona Lisa you see her picture and name. Or, wear an interesting button. We've seen people wearing buttons that say, "Ask me how to make $,1000" or just "Ask Me..." It's a great way to start a conversation.
Or, if you have a badge in which you write in your name and title, do more! Instead of just putting your title or business, put something like "Problem Solver" or "Money Maker." These quotes get people curious to find out what you do.
If possible, stay away from the small business card size badges. This format is too small and most people do the obvious and slip their business card into the plastic holder. Have you ever tried to read the print on a business card from 5 feet away? If you arenžt familiar with some of the desk top publishing software programs on the market today, find someone who is. Have them create a custom name tag for you complete with a relevant photo and output it on a color printer. Pick up a large 3 x 4 inch or 4 x 5 inch plastic name tag holder and insert the custom piece inside the holder. You may want to make few and place one in the breast pocket of all your suits, put one in your trunk file and keep one in your brief case.
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