Are You Selling at the Barbecue?

26 May 2026 · 0 min

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In this brief monologue, Steve D. Valentine challenges viewers to consider whether they treat casual social settings, like a barbecue, as opportunities to sell their services. He emphasizes shifting the focus from overt selling to showcasing creative work that sparks interest among peers. By consistently delivering value and generating curiosity, one can transition to a relational business model where people seek you out with questions. Valentine then advises taking ownership of these inbound conversations, positioning yourself as a "dot connector"—a hub of resources and connections—so you can steer discussions and provide meaningful assistance, thereby reinforcing your reputation as a go‑to resource.

So if you think about when you get in your circles, are you selling at the barbecue? Or are you talking about the creative things you're doing for other people, creating interest? And then when you get to that point, you're then building a relational business. People are calling you, asking you questions, and then you get to decide how you're going to take control of that conversation because you become a dot connector and you become full of resources.