Here is a list of five things to avoid at your Point of Entry^® Events.

1. Having your Point of Entry be an hour-long "talking heads" meeting in your conference room because you think you have nothing of interest to show people on a tour or because of client-confidentiality issues; not realizing that every tour, even a tour of the public portion of a "boring office," is an opportunity to showcase your programs, client stories, and unmet needs.
   
   
2. Looking too much like all of your needs are already "handled"; not making your needs clear; assuming that guests will connect the dots.
   
   
3. Droning on and on with facts instead of connecting emotionally with people by telling stories that showcase your mission; not having a live Testimonial Speaker (a client, former client, or staff member), but rather, presenting everything in third person.
   
   
4. Withholding your own passion and stories about the impact of your group's work, either because you are not in touch with it yourself or because you don't know how to convey it effectively. Or, conversely, thinking the stories you are telling are sufficiently moving and inspiring, without first testing them out on people who will give you honest feedback.
   
   
5. Forgetting to ask guests (at the start, middle, and end of the Point of Entry) to be thinking of other people they know who should be invited to future Point of Entry Events.