Such relatively infrequent opposition to schmoozing generally comes from people who are either shy or don't know what to say.
 
Success stories abound, however, about schmoozing; without exception, I hear only enthusiasm and a sense of wonderment that an activity so enjoyable and inexpensive can yield such incredible and immediate results!
 
The reason is simple: as a result of the proliferation of scams, spam, advertising, snail mail and email clutter, the Marketing Strategies that are most effective today are face-to-face (f2f), voice-to-voice (v2v) and education.  Email communication simply does not have an enviable track record, when compared to being able to see or hear people with whom we might be or are transacting business.
 
It all comes back to the emotionality of Marketing.  People buy from us when they're confident in, comfortable with and trusting of us.  Those are all emotions, rather than logical sales formulas.
 
Particularly now, in this economy, we are going "back to basics."  Gardening, crafting (woodworking, for example) and fiber arts (knitting, crocheting, et. al.) are growing exponentially.  "Buy local" have become watchwords.  People want to know who they're buying from, and don't forget the steadily increasing sentiment of "Made in the USA," in light of the burgeoning unemployment rate.
 
All of these interests and sentiments are here to stay.  They breed greater participation in community activities, getting to know our neighbors and colleagues better, cutting back significantly on our spending.  And what fits right into all of these trends?  Schmoozing.
 
There's nothing so constant as change.  The Marketing Strategies that used to be so powerful aren't any longer.  It's time to look around to observe how much business is being transacted in coffeehouses and restaurants, not just offices (of course home-based businesses contributed quite a bit to this development).
 
Now, for those who are still schmoozing holdouts, here are a few opening questions to get your conversations going: 
 
 
Here's the Big Secret that will turn you into an ultra-comfortable schmoozer:  people love to talk about themselves.  Give them the opportunity!  Within a few minutes, they'll say, "Boy, I've been doing all the talking.  Now tell me about you." There's your opening.  Your guest will look upon you as a good listener, an interesting person, someone who'd be good to do business with.  And you're on your way to building alliances, generating referrals and closing up a storm!

Visit Adrienne Zoble's website at www.azobleassoc.com.  Her October 2009-December 2010 Schmoozing Calendar is in distribution, providing ideas for productive ways to sell more in less time.   The Calendar is already generating rave reviews.  Order today:  $27.30 per cardstock, bound copies, including shipping; $16.95 per downloadable version. 
 
Our updated workbook, The Do-able Marketing Plan: Six Easy Steps to HelpYou Sell More in Less Time, will be ready to ship next week.  $67.45 including shipping. 

Special offer:  take advantage of the Calendar/Workbook combination of just $83.00, a savings of $11.75 (we'll pick up the shipping)!  For Early Bird orders by October 15th, the combination is just $79.00!
 
Perhaps your company or organization is looking for a dynamic speaker with immediately implementable and inexpensive Marketing ideas; or you would like an article/column for your publication or newsletter. 
 
Adrienne Zoble will help your company grow and thrive, even in these challenging times. 

___________________________________