Attend enough parties and events, meet enough people and the numbers should eventually work in your favor. (Photo: Shutterstock)
You are a true believer – attend enough parties and events, meet enough people and the numbers should eventually work in your favor. Picture this: You are at a wedding reception. You meet other guests. You go through “What do you do?” What now? You know talking business with people you just met is likely to make them feel awkward.
9 safe conversation topics
Your objective is to find some interests in common. You want reasons to keep in touch and a rationale for seeing them again. Here are nine safe areas:
1. Where do they live? I've always liked “Where's home?” as a conversation starter. I heard it from someone who worked at a large financial services firm. It's a give-and-take conversation starter. They tell you and you tell them. You might be neighbors.
2. Travel. Most people do it. When talking destinations, you've either been there or you haven't. It gives plenty of opportunities to draw them out. Maybe they are enthusiastic cruisers. What's their favorite ship? River cruising has become very popular.
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Bryce Sanders
Bryce Sanders, president of Perceptive Business Solutions Inc., has provided training for the financial services industry on high-net-worth client acquisition since 2001. He trains financial professionals on how to identify prospects within the wealthiest 2%-5% of their market, where to meet and socialize with them, how to talk with wealthy people and develop personal relationships, and how to transform wealthy friends into clients. Bryce spent 14 years with a major financial services firm as a successful financial advisor, two years as a district sales manager and four years as a home office manager. He developed personal relationships within the HNW community through his past involvement as a Trustee of the James A. Michener Art Museum, Board of Associates for the Bucks County Chapter of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Board of Trustees for Stevens Institute of Technology and as a church lector. Bryce has been published in American City Business Journals, Barrons, InsuranceNewsNet, BenefitsPro, The Register, MDRT Round the Table, MDRT Blog, accountingweb.com, Advisorpedia and Horsesmouth.com. In Canada, his articles have appeared in Wealth Professional. He is the author of the book “Captivating the Wealthy Investor.”
