Talk to Strangers

Connect to the world around you and realize the enormous potential in talking to strangers Everyday, random encounters really can change lives, when you make them happen the right way and leverage the connection at the other end. Talk to Strangers explains how to stand out and tap the potential of others by taking notice of who is standing alongside you on the bank line, the latte pickup point, or the ticket counter at the airport. David Topus' life-changing message is that we should "always connect," which means going beyond online relationships and engaging in the random, real-life interactions that have unlimited potential to supercharge businesses, accelerate careers, and enrich your life. - Why there is opportunity through the people you meet wherever you go - The four key beliefs of successful random connectors - Techniques for creating comfort and trust quickly with complete strangers - How to optimize and monetize your newly-established contacts When you connect to those in your everyday world, you'll discover the life-expanding potential of random encounters and unlimited opportunities.

David Topus is a mega-connector, opportunity builder, and internationally recognized business communications innovator, trainer, and thought leader. He has conceived, developed, and marketed millions of dollars worth of intellectual content for some of the most influential Fortune 500 corporations in the world. As President of TOPUS, with the trademarked tagline "Turning Reputations into Revenue," David has helped dozens of companies, thousands of salespeople, and hundreds of senior executives to define and articulate their value propositions more effectively. Today, his expertise is sought by companies, associations, and individuals across the country and around the world.

Acknowledgments vii Guide to Charts, Tables, and Lists ix Introduction xi SECTION I Creating Your Future Through the People You Haven't Even Met . . . Yet 1 Chapter 1 The Untapped Potential in Your Everyday Encounters 3 Chapter 2 New Faces in New Places 9 Chapter 3 Get Out of Your Comfort Zone 15 Chapter 4 Schmooze or Lose 21 Chapter 5 The Limits of Online Connections 25 Chapter 6 When Traditional Networking Is Not Working 29 Chapter 7 Face It: Nothing Beats the Chemistry of In- Person Communication 33 Chapter 8 Anonymity-A Random Connector's Greatest Advantage 37 Chapter 9 We're All Connected 39 Chapter 10 The Four Beliefs of Successful Random Connectors 43 SECTION II Turning Random Encounters Into Mutually Beneficial Relationships 51 Chapter 11 Find Clues to Initiate Conversation 53 Chapter 12 Avoid Judging People From a Distance 57 Chapter 13 Don't be Overeager 59 Chapter 14 Seize the Moment 65 Chapter 15 Get on Their Wavelength 75 Chapter 16 The Importance of Authenticity and Curiosity 83 Chapter 17 Focus on Your New Connection 89 Chapter 18 Discover the Buried Treasure 95 Chapter 19 Leave No Stone Unturned 99 Chapter 20 Be Clear on Your Own Value Proposition 107 Chapter 21 Position Yourself as an Expert 113 Chapter 22 If Nothing There, Catch and (Respectfully) Release 117 SECTION III Leveraging the Connection 119 Chapter 23 Map the Road to Opportunity 121 Chapter 24 Build Your Momentum and Credibility With a Follow-up 127 Chapter 25 From Unplanned Meeting to Monetized Connection: A Case Study 133 Chapter 26 Create a Basis for Continued Contact 137 Chapter 27 Add Velocity to the Relationship 141 Chapter 28 Success-Desired Leverage Achieved! 147 Chapter 29 Be Google-ready 149 SECTION IV Gender- Neutral Random Connecting 153 SECTION V Mastery Insights and the Talk to Strangers Mastery Program 165 Conclusion 183 Index 185