Fralic’s Rules for Making Memorable Connections
Jun 18, 2022 . 3 min read . 114 views
title: 'Fralic’s Rules for Making Memorable Connections' publishedAt: '2022-06-18' summary: 'Rules Chris Fralic used to become insanely well connected in Silicon Valley and launch his own venture capital fund.' category: '#sales'
Rules Chris Fralic used to become insanely well-connected in Silicon Valley and launch his venture capital fund.
Rule 1: Convey genuine appreciation
- Focus the conversation around what they know and you don't know. This way they will feel good for adding value.
Rule 2: Listen with Intent
- Demonstrate that you have heard exactly what was said.
- Use words like “yeah”, and “mmhmm” to backchannel
- Ask follow-up questions referencing the information just given
Rule 3: use humility markers
- Especially in power dynamics when someone is asking for advice or help you want to put the other person at ease
- e.g: I am wrong all the time and may be wrong here too
Rule 4: Offer unvarnished honesty
- Do not hesitate to offer honest feedback in good faith
Rule 5: Blue sky brainstorm
- Give before thinking about what you get
- Always offer something of value before expecting or asking for something in return
- If you cannot help in the way the other person expected try to help in other ways possible.
Rule 6: End conversations like you would with a friend
- End every meeting or conversation with the feeling and optimism you would like to have at the start of the next conversation.
- Always end conversations assuming that you will pick them up later.
Rule 7: Don't fake it till you make it
- Take time to research before reaching out to people
- A few questions to begin researching the person
- What are the key milestones in their career?
- What expertise do they seemingly love to provide? (Possible to suss out from any articles that quote them or talks they’ve given in the past.)
- Are there any recent news stories or announcements about them?
- What do you want to ask them or get out of the interaction if you get the chance?
Other Do's and Dont's
- DO: Keep your dream contact list ready. Always ask people you meet for specific intros to other folks on the contact list.
- DO: Craft simple requests. People are busy and they have limited time and attention. Make sure your request is crafted in such a way that it is easy to say Yes or No to it.
- DO: Always follow up and follow through.
- DO: Make your system for keeping in touch. It could be reminders to meet now and then or can also be by interacting with their posts on Social Media.
- DO: Get to the zone of indifference. When you approach a meeting or job interview be in a state where you have prepared your best. At this point even if the outcome is favourable you do not care much as you already gave in your everything.
- DON'T: Ambush people. Always ask for permission before making intros etc.
- DON'T: Reach out only when you need something. Always offer first.