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Sheryl, The Tapir Gallery

Hello FOD women:

Last summer I met a woman locally who is the "most networking" person I've ever known. Having been shy all my life, it was amazing to me to watch her go about this process. I saw her several times per week for several months, mostly in casual, lunch and "errand-running" type situations. 

Every time she encountered a new person - no matter whether they at first appeared to be "high" or "low" on the totem pole, such as a store clerk, business owner, waitress, bank manager, or whomever, she would introduce herself and me, and get the person's name (she has an incredible memory, which helps). She would ask a few questions, getting to know the person a bit by the time the transaction, meal, or whatever was finished, and she would have learned about their interests and abilities within and OUTSIDE of their "day job." It was clear that most people don't get this treatment very often, and enjoyed it. She was REMEMBERED by them.

 Then, whenever possible she would put people in touch with each other when she knew someone that had similar interests or a service or talent that fit a situation. Obviously, she had also developed quite a backlog of people who were available to her when needed.

 The first thing I noticed when going around town with her (she'd been here about 3 years) was that an astonishing number of people we ran into knew her by name, knew a bit about her, and seemed extraordinarily friendly toward her. So, I started watching how she accomplished this "personal advertising." Networking has always been a bit of a mystery to me, so it was very instructive. I may never be outgoing enough to reach her level of being known, but I've had a very good lesson in how to enhance my own level of networking in person.

 It's obvious that her connections went far beyond our small area. I was in a chiropractor's office with her, and one of the two chiros was from California, the other from Texas. It turned out that she knew and could trade conversation about an associate of each of them. By this time I realized it wasn't a coincidence, I knew how she had done it over the years!

 I thought maybe some of you would enjoy this story.
 

Teresa Thomas Bohannon , Spun Silk Web Design 

I've made this suggestion once or twice privately, but I'm going to use your letter to make it publically for the good of the entire list.

 Each of you needs to make a signature file, (Four lines or less is considered polite.) that leads as a direct link back to your site if you have one.

 To do this you simply make a plain .txt file, "Wordpad in Windows Accessories Section" is great. In this file just basically follow "or alter to suit" the format in my signature file, but make absolutely certain that you put your "Web Site Addresses" in the following format. That way everytime you send an e:mail message you are effectively marketing your site, but sending a easy to use, direct link to your site. But you are achieving sight repetition, which will help to imprint your name on the web community.

 Then (In Netscape -- I'm not sure about others, but I can figure it out if anyone needs to know.) Go to your "Options" menu at the top of the page. Go to "Mail & News Preferences" Then go to "Identity". Beside your "Organization" name put your "Name & Site Address" in this format (for cross platform compatibility) Spun Silk Web Design  Then in the "Signature" area just tell it exactly where to find your signature file. 

If anyone needs any help let me know. I'll be happy to do what I can. Also, I've lost it, but there is a signature file link to over 100 of those fancy picture signatures, if you like them. I'll find the address to that if anyone is interested; but I'll warn you in advance that bandwidth purists (the same ones who are angered by signatures over 4 lines long) are angered by long elaborate picture signatures as well.