This may sound strange, but...
Published in Audio Testimonials, Audio Agency, Aberdeen Business Network
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Ever networked in Aberdeen?
Perhaps you do it weekly, even daily if you include your forays into the world of social media within the concept of networking.
It may sound strange, but despite the fact I’ve worked in the world of radio, media and communications for around twenty-five years, the traditional idea of face-to-face networking is something which I’ve thus far had no experience of.
Maybe it’s not that strange when you consider my daily job on the radio for Northsound 1 is essentially just me alone in a sound-proofed room talking to myself and pushing buttons periodically to play music and the commercials which allow me to be paid anything for conducting myself in such a manner in the first place.
Alone.
In a padded sound-proofed room.
Talking to myself.
I’m only a few steps removed from Inspector Clouseau’s Boss in the Pink Panther movie!
So despite having the ability to chat the hind legs off a donkey (no fresh, live donkeys were ever harmed), and even on occasion taking to a stage or a packed room to chat AT a live audience for some kind of event or function in the Music Hall, Beach Ballroom, or a massive stage in Duthie or Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen, I’ve little to no experience of chatting with someone in a normal one-to-one environment.
Even odder, perhaps, for someone who's made his life’s work in the entertainment industry, is this admission: I’m naturally very shy.
Over the years, I’ve conquered that in a work capacity, partially through realising everyone I’ve spoken to on air was more scared of being on the radio for the first time than I was of meeting them, or, in a live environment it worked in a similar way that they’d be frightened of being on stage or in front of a room full of peers or colleagues.
I had the advantage.
However, in this instance, where I was walking into a room full of complete strangers, unsure of what to expect, or what I might gain from the experience - any upper hand I’d had in the past was instantly removed.
I did the only thing I could think of.
I packed a microphone so the playing field was askew in my favour once again.
Call me dastardly.
Look, the main thing is, I still went along and did it, and I asked all the questions you’ve ever wanted to know the answers to about networking, and specifically about networking through the Aberdeen Business Network Community.
The additional reason, of course, was to record some audio customer testimonials which served as an audio marketing tool where existing networkers answer all the questions and allay the fears of newbies, encouraging them to come along to a future event.
On this blog, I’ve included a playlist of those questions and answers, because it’s always best to hear things first hand.
Included are some great tips and recommendations. Listen whenever you like.
And for the record, I’m going along to my first actual networking event, no props included, this coming week.
I’ll let you know how it goes.