Vanessa Van Edwards explains how to stand out at networking events by becoming the "red apple." She recommends redesigning business cards with fill-in-the-blank awards, adding quirky calls-to-action like "open and get a free joke," and steering conversations toward pet projects instead of small talk.
our brain needs something to stand out. Here's how I think we can turn a plateau, or everything's chugging along slowly, to an inflection point. One, be the red apple. And when you're talking about networking, we are getting flooded with cold emails. They all blend in. We meet 100 people at a conference. It's so hard to have people stand out. So I want you to begin to think about whatever context you are using to network, whether that's LinkedIn or emails or going to events or parties or at work. How can you be the red apple? How can you stand out? A People School student sent this to me. She changed her business cards where on the back, she wrote this: I hereby present you with the award for— and she leaves it blank. And then on the front says, should you wish to become— she circles— friends, business partners, lovers, or mortal enemies, or simply reconnect after finding this card years later, text me at— such a red apple. So I want you to begin to think a little bit outside the box. What are some assets you can use to be the red apple? How can you be the red apple? We're not asking the boring questions. We're not bringing up the boring topics. We're talking about pet projects. We're leveling up the 3 levels of conversation. Those are all red apples. But I even want to take it a step further by being a little bit more creative. I got this one in the I thought this was great. Open and get a free joke. I just thought it was a super creative way. And by the way, I was like, maybe this company would be good to do our plumbing. So I think that if we can break those boring patterns, we begin to be more memorable. And that's the entire goal.
