Speed Dating

Val Luther &

Dana Yarbrough

Loneliness may be the biggest disability a person has

• We all want people in our lives– Family– Friends– Acquaintances– Boyfriend/girlfriend

Speed Dating

• What places can you go that might be a good place to meet people?

Speed Dating

On-line Dating• www.match.com

• www.dating4disabled.com

• Google ‘speed dating (___your city___)’

• Facebook

Speed Dating

A word about using on-line sites

• Cost

• Stalkers

Speed Dating

The Introduction (elevator) speech

• an “elevator speech” – a one minute speech about who you are

– what you are interested in - why the person you meet might want to get to know you better

Speed Dating

• It is often about ‘First Impressions”– How you look–What you say–What your body language says

Speed Dating

Dos

• Smile

• Be interested and be interesting

• Have two-sided conversation

• Focus on the other person

• Have fun

Speed Dating

Don’ts• Don’t give out personal details and don’t ask for

personal details right off the bat

• If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all

• Don’t pressure the person for a date

• Don’t take it personal – sometimes its not a match

Speed Networking

Conversation Starters…• Start with a Yes/No question– Is this your first time here?

• Ask a question that needs a longer answer– Wow, what do you think of this weather ?– Did you see that story on the news about___?

• Ask about their work– Tell me, what kind of work do you do?

Speed Dating

Starter Questions (hobbies)

• What did you do last weekend?

• What is your favorite movie, song?

• What is your favorite food?

Speed Networking

Starter Questions (fun)

• What would you take with you to a deserted island?

• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

• What makes you laugh?

Speed Networking

Starter Questions (quirky)

• What is your best joke?

• If your friends compared you to an animal, what would it be?

• If you could be granted 3 wishes, what would they be?

Speed Networking

Lets Get Started…

• Write your elevator speech

• Come up with a couple starter/ice breaker questions

• Lets practice!!!!!

Speed Dating

Practice

Speed Dating

How was it?

What did you learn?

Speed Dating