How to Toot Your Own Horn: Shameless Bragging for the Professional Networker

Hi fellow Bizniks,

After one of Howard Howell's famous Biznik networking lunches, we started thinking: How come so many Bizniks deliver services so brilliantly but have trouble communicating what they do?

We decided to join forces to help our fellow Bizniks learn the secret of bragging shamelessly (without sounding obnoxious, conceited or sales-y).

So join Howard Howell (networker extraordinaire) and me (copywriter and unabashed promoter) as we share:

• the single most effective thing you can do when you meet someone for the very first time
• the one action guaranteed to destroy potential business relationships
• how to take your first step to building trust before you leave the meeting

...and a whole lot more.

We're holding this event at Shauna Brennan's beautiful MyDayOffice - convenient to parking and buses, in a quiet conference room where you'll enjoy comfortable seating.

Our first 20 minutes or so will allow you to practice your "before" speech through informal networking. And the last 45 minutes, you are invited to volunteer to practice your new brag, with feedback from Cathy, Howard and the group.

A very productive (and fun) 2 hours.

We're limiting this event to just 30 people because we want make time for questions and coach anyone who wants to practice in our workshop. (If we fill up, send a message: often we get last-minute cancellation calls.)

Cost? Free. And if you've attended any of Howard's events, you know you're in for a very special evening.

More info here.

To our networking success,

Cathy and Howard

• 
  Lauren E Hirt

  architectural columnist, author and speaker

  Seattle, Washington
• 
  Libby Carr

  Retirement & Benefits Strategist

  Seattle, Washington
• 
  Mark Tillman

  Real Estate Agent

  Kirkland, Washington
• 
  Mary Boisselle

  Concierge/Professional Organizer

  Issaquah, Washington
• 
  Michael Max

  Acupuncturist / Herbalist

  Beijing China
• 
  Mimi Riley

  Custom Ornamental Metal & Glass...

  Seattle, Washington
• 
  Nina Durfee

  Life Coach/Meditation Instructor

  Sammamish, Washington
• 
  Paul Gamache

  Business Solutions Sales Manager

  Seattle, Washington
• 
  Peter Fosso

  Internet Entrepreneur (Global Music Project.org...

  Seattle, Washington
• 
  Richard Heath

  Photographer/Artist~Fine Art

  Bellevue, Washington
• 
  Richard Whitaker

  Results Formula

  Federal Way, Washington
• 
  Ron Norton

  Business Coach - Helping people...

  Redmond, Washington
• 
  Scott Holen

  Bellingham Business Strategist; Executive Coach...

  Bellingham, Washington
• 
  Scott Sinclair

  Arborist

  Mercer Island, Washington
• 
  shannon armitage

  therapist and coach

  Seattle., Washington
• 
  Shauna Brennan

  My Day Office Owner

  Seattle, Washington
• 
  Todd Allan

  Consumption Facilitator

  Seattle, Washington

• 
  Posted by Debbie Rosemont, Sammamish, Washington | Feb 12, 2008

  Souhds like a great event. Looking forward to it ...

  Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant
• 
  Posted by Betsy Talbot, Seattle, Washington | Feb 13, 2008

  Debbie, Cathy and Howard - 3 of my favorite people. How could I miss it?

  Looking forward to your expert help as I continue to refine my message.
• 
  Posted by Cathy Goodwin, Seattle, Washington | Feb 13, 2008

  Thanks, Debbie and Betsy! We return the feeling! ;-)
• 
  Posted by Anne Zastko, Seattle, Washington | Feb 14, 2008

  Great idea, thanks for hosting! All the best, Anne
• 
  Posted by Annika Hipple, Seattle, Washington | Feb 15, 2008

  Darn! I want to attend this, but I'll be out of the country. Please do it again!
• 
  Posted by Eric Beemer, Everett, Washington | Feb 16, 2008

  It will be a pleasure to meet with both of you Cathy and Howard. Thank you and looking forward to learning from you all.
• 
  Posted by Howard Howell, Seattle, Washington | Feb 19, 2008

  We just expanded the room so we can accommodate a few more people. Glad to see a large interest in this subject. Cathy and I will definitely make it worth it for your attendance.

  Entrepreneurial Sales Coaching by That Sales Guy
• 
  Posted by David Berkey, Edmonds, Washington | Feb 19, 2008

  Yea! Good going Cathy & Howard. I was just @ a Meet/Greet w/Howard. Said I'd better get in while I could. Good thing, too. Not getting any younger by the looks of things. ;-)
• 
  Posted by Libby Carr, Seattle, Washington | Feb 22, 2008

  Hey Howard & Cathy: Please let me know if there are any cancellations. I (and my husband Paul) would love to attend as entrepreneurs who need to perfect our elevator speeches. Loved Howard's bringing our attention today to Patrick Snow's good work as a publishing coach. Thanks, Howard -- it was great!
• 
  Posted by Howard Howell, Seattle, Washington | Feb 28, 2008

  We just added a pre-function bonus event for 4 people if you want to attend it and the workshop. Check it out.

  Entrepreneurial Sales Coaching by That Sales Guy
• 
  Posted by David Berkey, Edmonds, Washington | Mar 03, 2008

  Arrrghhh! Have to cancel. Opens it up to Libby & Paul.
• 
  Posted by Jen Kraft, Seattle, Washington | Mar 03, 2008

  bummer, I won't be able to make it after all.
• 
  Posted by Terry Loving, Mead, Washington | Mar 05, 2008

  I am canceling as well - don't want to spread this thing I've got... dang it!
• 
  Posted by Kristopher Sookma, Bothell, Washington | Mar 05, 2008

  To much work piling up here, had to cancel. Hope to come to another in the future!!
• 
  Posted by Banu Sekendur, Seattle, Washington | Mar 06, 2008

  Sorry I had to cancel last minute. I've been experiencing some back pain today that didn't go away.
• 
  Posted by Betsy Talbot, Seattle, Washington | Mar 06, 2008

  Great event! I learned a lot about refining my pitch now that my business has evolved, and Cathy and Howard are a good team for presenting topics in an entertaining and memorable way. I hope they host future events together!
• 
  Posted by Ron Norton, Redmond, Washington | Mar 06, 2008

  This was my first Biznik event and I thought it was outstanding. Howard and Cathy did a wonderful job and are very knowledgeable on the subject matter. In fact they were so good I would love to see them put on another event of the same subject but maybe an advanced version (eg..Networking 201) PS..I may be wrong but it seemed like there were a lot more than 17 people in attendence, I noticed a few pictures missing, including my own:)).
• 
  Posted by Jessica Marsh, Seattle, Washington | Mar 06, 2008

  Thank you for a wonderful presentation, it definately helped me describe in a nutshell what my business, Seattle Digital Signage, is, and how it can help the people I meet. I noticed that even though I attended I am not listed as an attendee. Can we change that?
• 
  Posted by Elizabeth Lee, Seattle, Washington | Mar 06, 2008

  Howard and Cathy were a perfect duo for presenting this material.

  As always Howard Howell is the expert on networking. This is a man who could get the family history from a pebble on the beach and we would all watch in marvel as he did it.

  I had no idea how witty and sharp Cathy Goodwin is. She gave me some really great tips on how to introduce myself as a professional organizer (shameless plug) and left me wanting more of her ideas.

  Bragging 201 please.

  Elizabeth...organizing you and your stuff
• 
  Posted by shannon armitage, Seattle., Washington | Mar 07, 2008

  Thanks, Cathy and Howard, for hosting a practical event for the introvert in us all! As a therapist/coach who has helped 100+ clients to overcome difficulties (wink, wink), I am learning to overcome my own challenge in communicating my success to others.

  And I second Elizabeth's Bragging 201 idea. As crazy as this sounds, I want to do my elevator speech again. (And thanks, Scott the Arborist, for saving me up there!)
• 
  Posted by Richard Heath, Bellevue, Washington | Mar 07, 2008

  Cathy and Howard,

  Thank you so much for your time and expertise. It was 2 hours well spent for me.
• 
  Posted by Howard Howell, Seattle, Washington | Mar 07, 2008

  Thank you all for attending, participating, and giving us great feedback. Cathy and I will schedule another one like this. ...Howard

  Entrepreneurial Sales Coaching by That Sales Guy
• 
  Posted by Amy Woidtke (woid-key), Greater Seattle, Washington | Mar 10, 2008

  yes! more more!

  Creating meaningful spaces that matter. How are yours?