Maybe you have been in my shoes...my first networking event

[Yadira Gutierrez]

Hello REI Community,

I am educating myself obsessively!

I am close to a make decision on the best strategy for my first venture. However, I am missing the networking part. 

Just so you can have a laugh on me here it goes:

After some hesitation I finally attended a REIA meeting...I was eager to attend and learn from the PROS, so there I go looking very professional with all my questions and NO FEAR. I started to ask questions and then BOOM, they starting asking for my business card and what kind of investments I do? I almost collapsed, I did not think about that! You should have seen me, I deflated like a balloon. I laugh out loud now of course!

I was so into asking good questions, absorb information like a sponge, and give a good impression that I missed that important part...who's going to take me seriously if I can provide a possible contact with something as basic as a business card? I will NOT go again without one!

Hence the reason of this long  story and post.

How should I present myself? What should I say that is not a lie but that would not discourage experienced REI people to add me to their network? How do I show them how serious I am about REI despite my lack of experience?

What kind of information should I put on a business card? Should I put my current 9-5 position and something else related to REI?

Thank you in  advanced for your thoughts and input...

Yadira

Would be great to have your 2 cents on this one  @Brandon Turner

[Brandon Turner]

first - congrats on getting out there and meeting folks. Awesome :)

Secondly - don't worry too much about the lack of cards. Business cards are an excuse people use to pretend they are investing. Yes there is value. But not as much as you think. Still, get em. Something simple. 

Third- to get people to know you are serious: ask a lot of questions. Be honest about being new. Smile a lot. Ask people about their story. People love to talk about themselves, so let them.  They'll naturally like you and wanna help you. 

Keep hustling! And hurry up and get a photo here on BP. It's hard to take someone serious and build trust and relationships with someone who won't show their face! ;)