Reminders to Improve Your FBLA Success Rate

Ruth Okedina, Treasurer

As we’re preparing for the state conference, it’s a great time for you to plan even further into the future for Nationals! Nationals is the perfect opportunity for you to expand your network, so I’m going give you some helpful reminders that can improve your success rate!

Reminder #1: Find Intriguing conversation starters

In order to grab people’s attention, you need to have an interesting conversation starter. Without one the conversation can fall flat with some awkwardness, so to avoid this you need to have a line prepared before going up to people. Since you’re going to be at nationals the topics can range from FBLA to School to your personal hobbies. Some conversation starters ideas can be: discussing both of your FBLA events, asking the other person to pin trade, or asking them to complete an obscure task like participating in a social media post with you.

Reminder #2: Stay engaged

After the conversation has started it's important to continue showing your interest during the conversation. Make sure to ask follow-up questions and to keep initiating and providing new topics to be discussed. Your body language also shows your involvement in the conversation. This means having your arms uncrossed, feet facing whoever you're speaking with, and giving constant nods while they are talking, can make the other person feel appreciated and heard.

Reminder #3: Pin trading

Now for my favorite part of nationals! Pin trading is an easy fallback to help start conversations and help you meet new people. Almost everyone at the conference participates, so you shouldn’t have a problem finding someone interested in trading with you. Pin trading won’t only help you get your desired pins, but is an easy way for you to start a conversation during the trade. This is how most of the friends I meet at nationals are made. The act of pin trading with the other person gives you at least one piece of common ground and interest. This interest and talk about pins can lead to conversations about other topics. So be brave at nationals, and even if you aren’t the most skilled pin trading, walk up to someone and give them one of your pins. You never know what that conversation can lead to!

Reminder #4: End with an Action

Finally, when the conversation comes to an end, you have to make sure it ends on a positive note. You can do this by ending with an action. The most useful action is asking them to follow your socials. This allows you guys to keep and build that relationship even after nationals is finished.

Good luck on your networking endeavors at nationals! And don’t forget these four reminders as you go around meeting new people in Anaheim!