| I recently had a conversation with several business | | | | for the information the snatch and grabber is asking |
| owners on the purpose of a networking event. We | | | | do not feel bullied to give it away for free. It also |
| all know that networking events have several | | | | takes you realizing that the person is a snatch and |
| purposes. But we came to the conclusion that many | | | | grabber and not just innocently asking a question as |
| people attend networking events with the intent to | | | | a way to establish rapport. After brainstorming with |
| snatch and grab free information from the other | | | | several business owners I realized I needed a script |
| attendees. | | | | to follow when approached by a snatch and grabber. |
| Now, don't get me wrong. We all love to share our | | | | I have learned to say "That is a great question. |
| expertise. But most people are at networking events | | | | Please call my office so we can make an |
| with the high hopes they will meet prospective | | | | appointment to discuss it further." This is also a time |
| clients, people who can refer clients, or meet joint | | | | for me to request their business card and offer mine. |
| venture partners. We even go hoping to make new | | | | After getting their card you will want to change the |
| friends. We don't go to networking events to be | | | | topic by complimenting them on their clothing or |
| accosted or raped of our intellectual property. If you | | | | turning to another person nearby and bringing them in |
| are a snatch and grabber you are being rude; so stop | | | | to a new conversation. The snatch and grabber will |
| it. | | | | attempt to brow beat you into giving away your |
| Let me describe the snatch and grabber. The snatch | | | | intellectual property for free. Be strong and do not |
| and grabber has no intention of ever hiring you. He or | | | | give it away for free. I recently encountered a |
| she is there to snatch and grab free information. | | | | snatch and grabber on a social networking site too. |
| They will approach you each time they see you at | | | | So be careful snatch and grabbers have graduated |
| events and ask one or two very specific questions | | | | from traditional networking events to social |
| which you will answer. They will never invite you to | | | | networking sites. |
| lunch or coffee. Most likely they will not even return | | | | Business owners listen up. You must stand up to the |
| your emails. I have even had one snatch and grabber | | | | snatch and grabber. A realtor is not going to give you |
| pretend at each event she had never met me | | | | a free house so why are you giving away your |
| before. Yet, at each event she had snatched and | | | | information for free? A car salesman is not going to |
| grabbed; that is why I remembered her so very well. | | | | give you a free car and you won't receive free |
| Your typical networking attendee would not think of | | | | stocks from the stock broker so stop the snatchers |
| asking such specific questions unless they had | | | | and grabbers in their tracks by having a script ready |
| requested an appointment to meet with you and | | | | so you do not give away your brain for free. |
| expected to pay you for your intellectual property or | | | | Remember, networking events are NOT for |
| service. | | | | snatching and grabbing. They are great ways to |
| So how do you handle the snatch and grabber? This | | | | meet prospective clients, gather referrals and leads, |
| takes you having a back bone and not giving away | | | | make referrals and provide leads, meet joint venture |
| your knowledge for free. If clients typically pay you | | | | partners and make great friends. |