What’s a BDM Pay It Forward Party?
It’s a party where you pay it forward
Imagine your most recent networking event. You are speaking to a fellow attendees and then you witness the old “So, Sandy what’s Bella Domain Media?” which quickly becomes “I’m talking to you, but try not to notice my eyes scanning every other person’s nametag that walks by – please.” Next thing you know, their eyes are glazing over because you don’t immediately appear to be a prospect for them. Frustrating, right?
I too have experienced these tired techniques in Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, Mountain View…and the list continues. It is time that these behaviors stop and we start recognizing and embracing a better, more organic way to make and cultivate quality connections. This was my inspiration for Pay It Forward (PIF) Parties.
The general theme of the event is that each guest comes to the PIF party with the intention of helping others first.
As can be expected, each attendee leaves feeling good about having helped others and ultimately receives help as well.
The help could be personal (need a tip on a car camping location near water) or professional (want to find a mentor outside of your company, need some new employees or job) or spiritual (looking for a yoga studio in Oakland).
Since I began hosting PIF parties in November 2007, loads of great PIF stories have been shared. A few outcomes have included:
- New business opportunities created
- Job candidates recruited
- Elusive introductions made
- Deals closed
- Re-connections to long-lost contacts
- Jobs found
- New subscribers to blogs and more Twitter followers
- Doctor referrals
- Learning (Facebook and Twitter explained)
- Volunteers recruited
- Cleaning services found
- And even a few dates for some single people.
Check out a PIF Party invite as it appeared on Eventbrite:
Thankful_For_Your_Network_PIF_Party_2012
“Sandy’s PIF Party was wonderful. Everyone I met was thoughtful, kind and eager to genuinely connect and serve. The event was definitely a reflection of Sandy’s many gifts in bringing brilliant people together to build lasting connections through authentic support. Thank you, Sandy.” – Jamie Greenwood, Founder, JamieLiving
Sign up for our updates to get the scoop on upcoming PIF Parties and learn more about PIF Parties in this video:
Pay It Forward (PIF) Parties (There was a super-sized PIF Party in Seattle on Nov 19, 2009, please read THIS GREAT WRITE UP of the event and pay-it-forward style networking or watch the video below.)
Contact me if you’d like to learn more or engage me to help you plan and facilitate your own version of a PIF Party!
Personal Appearances
I’m available for public appearances at Pay It Forward-style networking events. If you’re able to pay travel expenses, I will be happy to co-host a Pay It Forward event with you or your group for a speaker’s honorarium and/or when a minimum of 25 copies of “I’m at a Networking Event–Now What???” book is purchased from me or my publisher in advance (50 books for east of the Mississippi events).
BONUS: You can also learn how to have your own PIF Party by buying, “I’m at a Networking Event–Now What???” which includes a Bonus Chapter explaining exactly how to have one!
You can now order the book by clicking on the book cover:
“This is a great book for learning how to network properly! I love the pay-it-forward approach where I’m in it to help others! I highly recommend it for building your relationship skills.” – Flora
Contact me to invite me to join you at an upcoming networking event or a Pay It Forward Party of your own.
Host venue opportunities:
Do you have a facility you’d like to showcase to fellow Pay It Forward Party types? Venue host opportunities are available for most Pay It Forward Parties. These events can be the perfect opportunity to show-off your venue and hospitality to loads of potential customers. Contact Sandy Jones-Kaminski at 415.613.8508 for more information.
Appetizers and drink specials should be made available for these special events, but hosts are usually open to other suggestions.