A couple of weeks ago, I was surfing online for various meetings and groups I could check out. This was mainly for business purposes, as I'm signed up for enough social type groups right now.
I found a meeting that looked interesting, so I sent off an email to find out more info. My call was returned by the PR person for the event. She put me down on the list to attend, but also asked me to - get this - be a speaker at the event. Wuuuuut?? So I said yes. And for the past two weeks I hadn't given it much thought other than "yeah, I'm speaking at this event."
This weekend rolled around and the nervousness began - I'd be speaking in front of a room of stranger - and I had no idea who these strangers were or how many of them there would be. I also had no idea what I was going to say.
I got home two hours before event time and tried to figure out what to wear. I found the right dressed, grabbed my notepad, business cards, and postcard/flyer things and headed on my way. The event was at the Beverly Hilton, so it was cool to go to an L.A. landmark. I had to valet park, which I wasn't expecting, because self parking was full. Who the hell valets an '87 Acura?? Well, I am getting more nervous with each step, still not sure of what I'll be saying.
I made the rounds to check out merchandise that some vendors had during the "mingle time." I introduced myself to a few people, told a couple of them what I did, and told a few about the magazine I write for if it seemed like they'd be someone who could write for us or be featured by us. Speaking of the magazine, in addition to writing articles, I'm now going to be editing our section on non-profits (which are always close to my heart), but that's another story. I introduced myself to the publisher of the magazine that was sponsoring the event (she runs the event as well).
The speakers included a poet, a real estate agent, a woman who wrote a self-help type book, and a plastic surgeon because, as the publisher said "what's an event in Beverly Hills without a plastic surgeon?" (do you understand why this is a place I never spend time in?). I was the final speaker. People asked questions - I got more questions than anyone else!
how do you maintain?
how do you get started?
how can I help my kids?
what do you do with severe hoarders?
how do you know what to tackle first when everything is a mess?
Wow - I mean, I felt like an expert, it was crazy! After the event ended, several people asked for my business card and others told me they loved what I had to say. A couple of women told me I was "hot" and I "rocked it." Haha. Add that to the people I told about the magazine, and the woman who invited me to her birthday party (!!!!!) and networking events...I'd say I did well in the connections department. None of these people could end up clients, but that's not the point. Sure, I run a networking group - but I've never been a *guest speaker* somewhere for some group or organization I'm not involved in. The publisher had me give my card to her daughter, who apparently needs me. And then - get this - she asked me if I wanted to write something for her publication. Hello!! Of course! Sure, it's not Time or Vanity Fair, but whoooooo cares?
So, the night ended and I actually felt like a somewhat successful person. What a concept!
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