Never Eat Alone Notes

 My notes from this solid book on communication and networking. 

Don't Keep Score

    Generosity, not greed. 

What's Your Mission?

    A goal is a dream with a deadline.

    1. Goals that will help you fulfill your mission (3 years from now)

    2. Connecting those goals to the people, places, and things that will help you get the job done

    3. Best way to reach out to the people who will help you accomplish your goals

Dinner Parties

    1. Create a Theme

    2. Use Invitations

    3. Don't Be a Kitchen Servant

    4. Create Atmosphere 

    5. Forget Being Formal 

    6. Don't Seat Couples Together

    7. Relax

Tips on Becoming an Expert  

    1. Get out in front and analyze the trends and opportunities on the cutting edge.

    2. Ask seemingly stupid questions.

    3. Know yourself and your talents. 80% focus on building strengths.

    4. Always learn. 

    5. Stay healthy.

    6. Expose yourself to unusual experiences.

    7. Don't get discouraged. 

    8. Know the new technology.

    9. Develop a niche.

    10. Follow the money. 

"How does my content help others answer who they are, where they are from, and where they are going?"

        *Use emotion to convince your doubters that underdogs sometimes win and Goliaths sometimes crumble. 

Good Personal Brands

1. They provide a credible, distinctive, trustworthy identity. 
2. They project a compelling message. 
3. They attract more and more people to you and your cause, as you'll stand out in an increasingly cluttered world. 

Branding keys:

    Shake things up!

    Find your value!

    Obsess on your image!

    Turn everything into an opportunity to build your brand.

Develop a Personal Branding Message

• What do you want people to think when they hear or read your name?
• What product or service can you best provide? 
• Take your skills, combine them with your passions, and find out where in the market they can best be applied.
• Personal branding message is always an offshoot of your mission and content. 
• Should include list of words that your want people to use when referring to you. 

Creating a PR Strategy for Brand You

• You are your own best PR rep.
• Know the media landscape.
• Work the angles.
• Think small.
• Master the art of the sound bite (3 most interesting points).
• Don't be annoying.
• It's all on the record. 
• Trumpet the message, not the messenger.
• Treat journalists as you would any other member of your network or community of friends.
• Be a name-dropper.
• You've got to market the marketing.
• There's no limit to the ways you can go about enhancing your profile. 
• Your circle of friends, colleagues, clients, and customers is the most powerful vehicle you've got to get the word out about what you do. What they say about you will ultimately determine the value of your brand.