Venture Atlanta Conference is this week.

Venture Atlanta Conference is this week. Saurav Bhandari, CPA asked for some advice when networking. This was my advice. I’d love to hear your advice. —- Quick story time.

My old company was called OrangeCoat. I used to wear an orange blazer (coat) to all networking events.

It was a crutch I used to help be memorable and to start a conversation. I’m not suggesting you wear an orange coat, but I am suggesting you find a way to be memorable and to start conversations with something besides, “How are you?” “Busy.” “You?” “Busy.”

So, I would consider coming in pretty strong with your first line when talking to someone. “What do you do?” “I help startups get thousands of dollars in tax credits each year.”

“How are you?” “I’m busy getting all these startups all these tax credits.”

That’s suggestion 1.

Suggestion 2 is probably better. Be interested in what the other person does. Ask them questions about their business. Think of ways you can help that have nothing to do with TaxZen. Make connections where you can. Ask for business cards and say you’re going to follow up about item ‘x’. Listen and push them to give you real answers and provide real advice.

Care about them even if they can’t use TaxZen at all.

Suggestion 3. Dress up like Matthew Lesko