Look me in the eye – why face to face is important

Social media is an important tool in the communications armoury, but it’s important to remember that it is people who are at the heart of all communications. For clarity, authenticity and warmth you still can’t beat meeting face to face.

There are a number of opportunities to get together in person, they include:

• Award ceremonies
• Trade associations
• Industry Livery companies
• Exhibitions
• Conferences
• Hospitality events (either hosting or attending)
• Seminars (organising your own can be a great way to make sure you meet the right people)
• Press events (including press days or ‘meet the…’ events)

It’s so much better to be given praise in person, and even bad news is better when you can see the messenger and ask questions. When delivering news that affects someone’s life such as redundancy or even just an office move it’s always better to do it face to face. That way the person affected can ask questions and you can judge how the news has been taken.

Face to face is also good for profile raising and making contacts. How many people have you met at a conference or awards ceremony who made an impression on you? Getting out and about helps build rapport with your contacts and helps you make new ones. It also raises your, and your company’s, profile.

Here at Ceris Burns International we’d be happy to talk to you about how to maximise your profile when meeting face to face and also about how and where to do it.