Some of the most valuable conversations in merch don’t happen in formal meetings — they happen over coffee. Maybe you’re getting a feel for a new client or learning how another rep approaches big accounts. Or, maybe you’re reconnecting with a former co-worker. A quick coffee chat is a low-pressure way to catch up and get insights you may not get in a structured setting.
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In a blog post for Vault, senior editor Kaitlin McManus says that coffee chats can bring on the jitters, especially if you’re trying to expand your network. How can you make the most of these conversations without letting your nerves get the best of you? Read on. In this issue of PromoPro Daily, we share her tips for making coffee chats feel more enjoyable and productive.
Rehearse, but don’t follow a script. McManus recommends going into a coffee talk with a plan. Know the topics you want to discuss and the questions you want to ask. You may even want to have an elevator pitch ready to go. Just be sure you don’t run down a list of questions. This feels more like an interrogation, she says, and the other person will notice. A coffee chat is casual, so keep it light.
Try to genuinely connect. The goal with a coffee chat is to catch up with the other person. Maybe you’ve lost touch with them over the years or you’re just getting to know them. McManus says it’s important to ask thoughtful questions and really listen. You don’t have to keep the conversation completely focused on branded merch, either. Feel free to talk about what you’re reading or watching at the moment.
Keep your energy high, but not manic. There’s a delicate balance when it comes to being an engaging person to talk to, McManus says. You want to seem excited to be there, but you don’t want to be too over the top, either. Nerves are natural, she says, so you may as well find a good way to channel them. You could, for example, give yourself a pep talk or go for a walk before heading to the coffeehouse.
Pay for the coffee if you can. You don’t necessarily have to pay for the other person’s latte, but if you proposed the coffee chat, it’s a nice gesture. It shows that you value their time. However, McManus says if the other person insists on paying, just thank them politely and enjoy the visit.
Make a plan to see them again if you want. If all goes well, you may want to reconnect with them again soon. McManus says an email every couple of months to ask how they’re doing or to share a step in your career journey is helpful. And if you want to meet again for coffee, just ask.
If you have a coffee chat on your calendar, consider the tips above to make the most of the experience. Show up prepared but relaxed and always try to listen more than you speak. A coffee chat is a chance to learn how the other person thinks and to create a relationship that could open doors down the road.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Kaitlin McManus is a senior editor at Vault, a career intelligence platform.
