Talk to Strangers
How Everyday, Random Encounters Can Expand Your Business, Career, Income, and Life

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.

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

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.