Introduction -- Why you should read this book -- Who this book is for -- What's in this book and how to use it -- pt. 1. How to swim with sharks -- Secrets of rapport -- It's what you know -- Go back to square one -- Make it easy on the other person -- The nature of confidence -- pt. 2. Titles, teasers, and trailers -- The myth of the elevator pitch -- The title creation word grid -- Teasers for all occasions -- Trailers that work -- The four questions -- pt. 3. Getting in the room -- Stop networking now -- The only networking principle that means anything -- The best networking events -- Discover more good people to know -- Cultivate your VIPs -- Nurture your inner circle -- pt. 4. Inside the room -- The five stages of a meeting -- Before you go into the room -- Avoid deal breakers -- Dumb is the new smart -- 100 percent outward focus -- How to ask great questions -- Show, don't tell -- Why you should love Q&A -- The closing sequence -- How to get out of the room -- After you leave the room -- Before you go into the next room -- pt. 5. Mini-meetings -- How to make requests -- How to keep in touch -- How to follow up -- How to say no -- pt. 6. Troubleshooting -- Interruptions, mistakes, and catastrophes -- Bad buyers -- Partner hijinks -- Read this chapter when you get stuck.