The Art of Schmoozing - From Art of the Start

Continuing my exploration of Guy Kawasaki's Art of the Start: The Time Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything.... See the first post here.

In the chapter about partnering, Guy Kawasaki talks about the Art of Schmoozing - or the process of building relationships with people you know and who know you. Schmoozing should focus on what we can do for the other person (not the reverse). Relationships built in this way will be deeper and last longer. Here are Kawasaki's tips for how to be an effective schmoozer (from page 161):

Get out: Schmoozing is a contact sport
Ask good questions, then shut up
Follow-up
Make it easy to get in touch
Unveil your passions
Read Voraciously
Give Favors
Return Favors
Ask for the Return of Favors

When we build and maintain effective relationships, we have more options and a broader base of support when we need it.

Check out this and the other sections of the book. I love Kawasaki's casual but direct approach.

Stay tuned for more from Kawasaki. You can find Art of the Start here.