I recently had a drink with somebody that I had met four years ago, when I started Biba4Network, but whom I didn’t get the opportunity to see for a couple of years. He was one of the first subscribers in my newsletter, so even if we hadn’t seen each other for a while, he was reading the newsletter every week and kept informed of what was happening in my business.

One of his comments was “Wow, I can’t believe how much you have grown your business! I remember when you started, just moving from France, and you didn’t know anybody here. How did you get to this point? You definitely can’t do all of this on your own, so how many people work for you now? What is your secret?”

I answered that I found my result a normal growth. You know, you work hard, you learn from others, you implement the techniques and strategies that you have learned, and if you do it correctly, the normal result is to grow. Simple isn’t it?

But when I got back home, I thought about it. What did I do for the past couple of years to grow my business, to the point that I actually made the same revenue in the last three months as I had made all last year? I must have done something!

I think that some of the reasons that I was able to grow my business are:

#1- I spend lot of time learning from others, reading books or attending seminars. But reading a book or attending a seminar is not enough. Most people close a book or leave a seminar very motivated – “Wow, great techniques!” – but the next day they return to their routine and never implement those techniques in their business.

I personally implement at least one of the techniques each time. For example, in February, I bought an audio program from Alexandria Brown, The Ezine Queen, “Email promotions that Sell”. With just one of her simple techniques, I grew the conversion of my newsletter by 20%, which also as a result to help me get more people to attend my events.

#2 – I learned how to delegate, and have all of my administrative tasks done by my virtual assistant, while I have more time to work on my marketing plan and work with clients.

#3 – I established systems, so I don’t have to do the same thing over and over. I do it once and put all of my business on automatic pilot. This, by the way, gives me more free time, to either work on a new project or just take a vacation.

#4 – I make technology work for me. I still remember the time when I was sending my newsletter manually, 30 emails at a time, directly from Outlook, taking an hour to do it every Monday morning. Now, thanks to my Shopping Cart, in just one click, I send the newsletter to my 3000 subscribers. Or when I answered manually each time somebody signed up for an event, then sent a reminder the day before the event. Now the auto-responders are doing it for me.

#5 – I have a lead generation system that works. When I work with clients who are complaining that their business is not giving the results they are expecting, even after a couple of years, or that their business doesn’t get enough leads, I ask them what lead generation techniques they are using. Most answer that they usually send e-mails, sometime have a newsletter, go to networking (but don’t follow-up effectively) and stop there. Well, they use 3 or 4 lead generation techniques, but if you are using 10 or 15 lead generation techniques, as I do, you definitely get more chances to turn your leads into clients.

So what is my lead generation system?

1. Over the past five years, I have exchanged links with other entrepreneurs or websites that have the same target market, but are not my competitors. So when people visit their websites, they see my link and come to check my website.

2. I have a mailing list box on each page of all of my websites. I have five different websites, two of them with more than 220 pages. And since I never know when a visitor will decide to sign-up for the newsletter, I make sure that I don’t miss any opportunity, which is the reason why I have a mailing box on each page.

3. I offer a free report or a free mini e-course. Having a mailing list box on my website is one thing, but to make sure people will actually sign up, I have to offer them something that will interest them, something that will inform them and help them to solve one of their problems.

I offer a free mini e-course, “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Results“. This is free info for them, but at the same time it is a way for me to show them what I do, how I can help them, and how to get more clients with networking. People usually don’t buy from people they don’t know or trust, so showing a part of your product or service will help them to get to know and trust you.

4. I send a weekly newsletter. People sign up first to get the free report. After that, it is my job to tell them more about my business, and share resources, marketing and networking information in order to build a relationship with them. Statistics show that when people don’t buy immediately, they will buy in the next 12 months. So I need to make sure that I am always in the top of their mind, so when they are ready to buy, they will buy from me.

5. I use auto-responders to automate my website. I use auto-responders when people sign-up for the newsletter or for an event. I set up a series of information messages about my products or services and the benefit of using them. I use them to send audio postcards, to offer special reports for free, and/or to thank my clients for their purchases. Any message will remind them about my services and, more importantly, remind them to come back and buy again. This series of follow-up messages reinforces my relationship with my clients.

6. I use the software “Act” to automate my follow-up system, with people who either attended seminars or teleclasses or bought my book, or program. The first time, I set up the different follow-up messages I want to send to people, then each time I have a new client, I just enter his or her name, and the software will remind me what to do and when to do it. I don’t even have to think about it. As I mentioned earlier, I do the work once and put everything on automatic pilot.

7. I send “Thank You” notes to my clients after they bought my book, program or CD, and after a month, I send them a special offer on their next purchase. I keep the relationship going. In this age of technology, sending a handwritten “Thank You” note makes you stand out from the crowd. You want to impress your clients or contacts and want them to remember you.
I use and recommend Send Out Cards to send my cards.

8. I ask my clients for testimonials. Testimonials from satisfied customers are typically the best way to promote your business, and it doesn’t cost you a thing. Stop selling and let your clients do it for you.

9. I write one article a month and post it on about 50 to 60 directories of articles. Writing articles is actually one of the best ways that I found to get free exposure. Each article is a way to share my expertise with people, and again, to give a sample of what I do and how I can help them.

10. I publish a press release on various websites, each time I have a new product. As with the articles, it is a way to get free exposure and inform people, and the press, of what is new in my business.

11. I organize events and promote them on about 10 websites. This is another way to get free exposure, so even if people can’t come to the event, if they are interested in learning about it, they check the website, and sign up the newsletter, plus each attendee is a new lead.

12. I do public speaking. This is not my favorite, so I try not to speak four times a month, but in my marketing plan, I scheduled a public engagement every other month, so another organization will promote my book or program to their newsletters and subscribers.This is another way to get free exposure, and I meet new people during the event.

13. I offer free consultation, on my French Consulting Firm, (www.MyFrenchNetwork.com), I offer a 30-minute free consultation for French people who want to start a business in the U.S.Again, people don’t buy from people they don’t know, so offering a free consultation breaks the fear. They can share their project with me. I inform them of all the steps. They see how I can help them, and doing so, I start building a relationship. As a result, 80% become clients after this consultation.

14. I have an Affiliate Program so other people can sell my program and my book. Because you are a solo entrepreneur or a solo professional, you don’t have to do everything on your own. So having an Affiliate Program is the easiest and fastest way to increase sales and greatly increase your profits. It is like having plenty of salespeople working for you, FOR FREE. The more affiliates you have, the more access you have to thousands of people, who will see your products or services on somebody else’s website or newsletter. You are not the only one to promote your products now, you have a sales force. Your affiliates promote your products or services for free and you don’t pay them until they generate a sale for you. When they make a sale, you will be more than happy to pay them a commission, since you would probably never have had this client otherwise.

15. I do numbers of partnerships with companies or entrepreneurs who have the same target market but are not my competitors. Would you rather meet a thousand people, one at a time, or meet a few people who will each introduce you to a thousand? Most people see networking events as a place to get contacts one at a time or make one sale at a time. My goal when I attend a networking event is to meet potential partners, so we could cross-promote each other on our respective websites and newsletters, organize seminars or teleclasses together, do mailing campaigns together, etc. The benefit of it is that you have exposure to their contacts while they have exposure to your contacts. That is a win/win situation.

16. Last, but not least, I have a 7-step follow-up system that works. Statistics show that we need to hear or see a message at least 7 times in order to notice it. So if you are part of those people who follow up only two or three times, you are losing opportunities to turn prospects into clients. That is why it is important not only to have a follow-up system, but to have at least a 7-step follow-up system in place.To learn more about my own 7-step follow-up system, check out my program “Power of Networking Secrets“.

As you can see, using systems in your business is the best way to grow easily and effortlessly. And most of the strategies that I just shared with you don’t even cost you money. All of these strategies work very well if you are starting your business, or if you need to refocus your business to get the result you are expecting after few years. And when you are an established business, that is a way to keep growing.

So what is YOUR lead generation system?

Take some times to sit and think about it. Are you using 2 or 3 lead generation techniques, or do you have 10 to 15? Make a list, as I just did. Which of your lead generation techniques works the best for your business? What other techniques could you implement today? Schedule a new technique each month, set up a date to make sure you will respect your marketing calendar, track the result for each technique, see what works for your business, and watch your sales grow.

Still need help to establish your lead generation system? Want other ideas like this one to grow your business? Learn more about “Power of Networking Secrets“, a 5-step program to turn more contacts into clients and more leads into sales.
You will learn: – How to create an outstanding business card – How to polish an elevator pitch which will hook your audience, so that people will remember you – How to create a 7-step follow-up system to turn more prospects into clients – How to use your newsletter to promote your products or services without hard selling – How to create strategic alliances to grow your business faster.

Read more about it and get your own copy of “Power of Networking Secrets“
(c) 2007 Biba F. Pédron

Tomorrow it is my birthday. I turn 47 years old, and in celebration of this special day, and I have a gift for You!

I’m letting you take **47% OFF** my program Power of Networking Secrets. Will you take advantage of it?

We have just one month left before the end of 2009. This is the perfect time to prepare your action plan for 2010, create your marketing tools, set up your follow-up system, and reconnect with your network of contacts. I can help you get ahead of the game to attract more clients next year by putting your follow up system on auto pilot.

Remember my motto “Work once, get paid, paid, paid.”

This special celebration is only good through midnight EST on Friday December 4th.

So don’t miss it, click here NOW

I am thankfull for everything I was able to accomplish in the US for the past 6 years, and want to express my gratitude to all of you for your support…

You’re probably busy preparing for the traditional Thanksgiving feast or ready to take a plan or get on the road to join your family so I will make it quick, but I really want you to read this before you go.
　
First, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to all of you for your support over the past six years. And to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving. Have Fun!

Second, What are you doing on Friday (Nov. 27th) the day after Thanksgiving?
If you are like most people I know you probably stay at home and read, watch TV or just surf the Net…

* * * Make It A “Productivity Day” * * *

If you’d like to learn how to turn your annual income into a monthly income marketing with Teleseminars, then I’ve made a special arrangement for you.

My colleague, Alex Mandossian has a video pre-training for his Teleseminar Secrets course and
you can see it here

On that web page you’ll see a dose of what Teleseminar Marketing can do for you and your business in 2010…… and how to unlock the revenue generating power of your telephone!

If you like the sample provided, then I encourage you to opt-in for more videos on the Teleseminar Secrets blog. Alex recently posted a video with Jay Abraham who is the “world’s highest paid” marketing consultant at $5K/hr.

After you’re given access to the other pre-training videos, scroll up to the Jay Abraham video to hear how he made millions through Teleseminars.

* * * Make This Friday Productive * * *

Have a great Thanksgiving and I hope you spend an hour this Friday learning how to turn your annual income into a monthly income with Teleseminars…
　　
- OR -
… if you’re delighted with your current income, Alex can show you the secrets to maintaining your same income level and tripling your time-off (3X free time).

Happy Thanksgiving
Check Alex’s video NOW
　
PS: I learned a lot for Alex over the past 6 years, so take the time to see what he has to say, so you TOO could implement his strategies.
Check Alex’s video NOW　

You worked hard to build your list. You spent lots of time writing articles or email messages that you send to your readers. You have done a great job giving them valuable information. After all that work, all that time, you receive a notification that a reader just unsubscribe. What a waste, right?

Are you mad when people unsubscribe? Well you are not alone.

Nobody likes being rejected. When I started my newsletter years ago and people unsubscribe I was mad, too. What was wrong with my newsletter? Why didn’t they like me? Since I was new in the business I needed to understand the problem so I could make the right change to my newsletter. So I spoke with numbers of other coaches and began to realize that everybody, no matter how successful, has the same issue. Some of your readers will unsubscribe from time to time. This does not mean they do not like you or your newsletter. It is nothing personal. Maybe they signed-up as a curiosity to learn more about your topic. Maybe they just wanted the free CD or wanted to attend a free teleclass, and unsubscribe just after, and that is ok. They could have changed their business or job situation changed and your newsletter doesn’t fit their new situation. Maybe they have too many newsletter subscriptions and not enough time to read them. Don’t you unsubscribe yourself from other newsletters or mailing lists some time? I am sure you have your reasons.

Unless people unsubscribe constantly you probably aren’t doing anything wrong. However if you are losing readers quickly you may have a big problem. We will look back at our previous articles in another article. For now focus on what you can do about your unsubscribers.

Instead of being mad when they unsubscribe, you actually should be happy.
Each time someone unsubscribes from your list it means that he or she was not your right target and will probably never buy anything from you. You may be making a classic networking mistake. Don’t add anybody and everybody you meet to your mailing list. You may think you will get more clients out of a bigger list, but you may just discourage yourself by seeing how many unsubscribes you get. Tell everyone about your newsletter and let them subscribe on their own. If they are not part of your target market, you don’t need them on your list. Plus you will probably just annoyed people and they will unsubscribe anyway.
　
To grow your business and attract more clients you must reach your target market with ideas and solutions that work for them. It is great to have 10.000 people on your list but if they never buy anything from you, what is the purpose of having this gigantic list? It is much better to have 1000 or 2000 people on your list of committed people that buy from you on a regular basis. Those are the people you want and that is the kind of list you need.

Two years ago I met a marketing coach who became so disenchanted with the unsubscribers that he removed everyone from his list and started over from scratch. What an extreme solution! I think there are better and less drastic ways to manage your subscriptions. Don’t be mad when people unsubscribe because each time they do you will better know who your target market is. Your target market is comprised of the people that stay.

From time to time you should test your list and track the results to see which messages work best. Should you send newsletter only, solo-emails only, mix both? Should you send an email every day, two or three times a week or only once a week? Separate your list or have various websites or squeeze pages to attract people a different way to build separate lists. Test and track for the first 3 weeks, adjust and adapt for the next 3 months. You will discover which options work best for your target market. Then you can implement them to your entire list.

Building a list and creating a follow-up system is an integral part of Power of Networking Secrets. You will discover the step-by-step process to integrate and customize simple, yet effective strategies to put your follow-up system on auto-pilot. You will do the set-up work once then let your system work for you! Work once, then your system will work for you!

You can learn more about Power of Networking Secrets – here.

While organizing events and training small-business owners to attract more clients with networking, I am still amazed to see how many entrepreneurs don’t use their business card as a marketing tool.

You are your first marketing tool. The way you dress, speak, and introduce yourself to people make the first impression. In less than 10 seconds, they already decided if they are ready to spend time speaking with you or working with you. After you introduce yourself, you usually give your business card, and this is your second most effective marketing tool, because this is what people keep from you and go home with.

So why don’t you put every chance on your side and give others more information about your business?

Most of solo-entrepreneurs and small business owners spend hours and hours, and lots of money, to find the best way to market their businesses. However, when it comes to their business cards, they don’t follow the same rules. Most of them use a regular black-and-white business card with their logo, name, e-mail, phone number, address, and website.

Do you really have the feeling of standing out from the crowd with a boring business card like this one? Would you rather use your business card to hook your audience and make a phenomenal impression right away?

First, you need to use the same logo on your business card and on every other piece of marketing material. This includes your website, letterhead, brochures, postcards, etc. This is your branding. I know it sound obvious, but still many people use different graphics on each and every piece.

Second, I personally don’t think that mentioning your mailing address on your business card will bring you more business, unless you have a store, a restaurant, or a retail business. You could definitely use the space with a much more important marketing message. A tagline which describes your business mission in three or four words will be much more efficient. Offering a discount, coupon, a free consultation, or inviting people to sign up for your newsletter to receive a free report or a free e-course will also be much more efficient. It should drive people to your website and help you build your list.

Every time you give your business card to somebody, it’s a chance to communicate something about your business. Your business card will help people decide whether they want to work with you or not, since it is an extension of your business.

So it is time to give your business a makeover.

In my program, “Power of Networking Secrets”, Step 3 is “How to Design a Memorable Business Card”. I help my clients to completely redesign their business card in order to grab people’s attention within seconds.

Take the opportunity of the Holiday, when business can be slower, to think of what message you want people to keep about you and your business. Find the message that will get their attention and generate questions.

For example, when I started my business I used to put on my business card, Biba F. Pédron, Founder. Who cares? Now I have Biba F. Pédron, “The Connection Queen”. That gets me comments each time: “The Connection Queen, I love that”, “The Connection Queen, great name” or “The Connection Queen, I definitely need you. How do you keep in touch with people after an event”, etc…. The first impact on people makes them ask me questions, and they will remember our conversation after the event.

Then I use the back of my card, to either promote my book, “Start Your Dream Business Today”, my program “Power of Networking Secrets”, or offer my free mini e-course, “15 Ways to Maximize Your Networking Results”. I have various business cards, so even if I meet the same person at different times, I give them a different card each time, and it is an opportunity for me to communicate in another way with them. This also means that they will react to the message that speaks to them the most and according to their needs.

How many of you use the back of your card to spread your marketing message?

Remember your business card is a very important marketing tool. Use it to attract potential clients and not only to provide your contact information. Use it to pass on your business message and attract more clients.

After you give your business card a makeover to make sure you will start 2008 with the most effective marketing message, please, please, avoid printing them yourself on your printer. It doesn’t cost a lot to print professional business cards. You can order a thousand for $40 or less online. You can even print your business cards by 100 or 200 and change the message on a regular basis. It doesn’t cost a lot more to print on both sides, but it does make an incredible difference and has a greater impact on people.

Promote your business the right way. Don’t kill your effect with a non-professional business card.

Still need help to revamp your business card and create a professional image? Don’t lose another client because of a non-professional business card. Read more about it and get your copy of “Power of Networking Secrets”.

(c) 2007 Biba F. Pédron

I recently mentioned, I gave my blog a makeover. I am much more active on the new and improved edition. I post each and every day, sometimes scheduling my posts in advance. In just a few weeks I could see the difference.

Having a website is great, but unless you update it every day, you won’t have a ranking on Google. Having a ranking ensures you more exposure. Receiving comments from readers helps you advance your online presence, but if you don’t post often people won’t have as much to comment on.

One of the purposes of your blog is to attract people via your website or squeeze pages which guide them to sign-up to your mailing list.

I take this opportunity to Welcome all of you who join us and posted comments on my blog in the last few weeks.

If you don’t have a blog yet, take the time now to add one to your marketing plan, so you can build your list much faster. It is the easiest way to market yourself online without the hassle of waiting for a web designer to update it for you. The best part it is totally free!

Don’t delay; start your blog NOW and let me know how it works for you. Post your comment bellow – I love success stories

If you need help to set up your blog and/or a marketing plan to develop your blog check my Laser Networking Plan. Click Here

As a business consultant, one of my mission is to helppeople to grow their business, either by using networking as a marketing strategy, or helping them to find ways toattract more clients. But I like to show people the way I doit means selling without selling. My technique is to attractpeople and have them to come to me, instead of chasing them. This works much better than running after people to try tosell them my services.

Depending on the products or services that you offer, thereare different tactics to use to expand your client roster.
- Ask yourself, why you don’t close more sales?
- Do you make enough sales calls?
- Do you call on the right people?
People who are likely tobe interested in your products and services?
- Are your prospects afraid to buy from you because of therisk they will take with the product or service itself, orbecause they don’t know you yet?

Today, people are nervous, skeptical. When you reduce oreliminate the risk of making a purchase from your business, you will create an environment that allows people to buy more from you, and buy more often than they otherwise would have. It is very important that you build a relationship with your prospects, leads, and customers, so they will trust you, conduct business with you and buy from you.

How can you break their fears?

By offering a sample of your product, you can create a great opportunity for people to test your products and servicesbefore they make the decision to buy from you.

Have you noticed companies that advertise on TV? Very often you will see an invitation to “Call for yourfree brochure,” or “Call to receive a free sample.”

Why do you think these merchants pay a lot of money (I mean million of dollars) to advertise on TV, plus offer to paymore to send you a sample? Because they know that they may give away a certain number of products, but they will earn ahigh return on their investment.

In other words, by putting the product into the target customer’s hands, they create a relationship with the customer. They provide incentives for customers to testtheir products, and see the results for themselves. This is a proven way to build your customer base and increasesales.

Probably a number of people will take the free sample only,and never make a purchase, but the merchant also gains theopportunity to sell products to people who would never buyif they didn’t try it for free first. Those people maybecome repeat customers.

If nothing else, the merchant builds his/her mailing list.This can be especially valuable, since most of the peoplewho request the sample are interested in the product. They are the ideal target market. And, even though a portion ofthe respondents will not make a purchase right away, theymay make a purchase in the future.

What if your products or services can’t be sold as a sample?

Well, be creative. Let’s say you offer a free report, a free e-book or a free booklet, to give your target clients. In your publication, you provide information about your products and services. The result is they will learn more about you, which will position you as an expert in your field, and a good percentage of those people will be more willing to contact you instead of your competitor when they need this product or service.

Take my Free mini E-course at www.TheConnectionQueen.com as an example. Sending 15 Tips in 15 days on networking help people to answer their questions, but also learn more about me, who I am, and how I can help them.

Similar, in one of my other businesses, www.MyFrenchNetwork.com, I offer a 30-minute, free consultation for people who want to start a business. Being able to speak with the potential client and answer all of his or her questions helps me to learn more about their projects. I can give them advice, show them how I can help them and more important build a relationship with them.

This example is the best way to show you how people contact you, instead of contacting them, to try to sell them something.

In this business www.MyFrenchNetwork.com , just giving access to lot of information on my website, plus offering a free consultation, I have 4 to 5 people calling me every week. After the Consultation, 80% become client immediately, 10% contact me within few months when they are ready to launch their business and 10% don’t become clients, either because they give up on their project or don’t have the finance to start. But in any case, they still receive my newsletter on a regular basis, and I communicate with them, which means that the day they are ready, I will be on the top of their mind and they will come back to me.

A free report, a free booklet or a free consultation are the best tools to break peoples fear and showcase your expertise. As a result, they will know more about you, which will create a feeling of trust, and chances are that as soon as they will be ready to buy, they will return to you where they already have a relationship.

When people meet you, they will see that you know what you’re talking about, and that you have the expertise and knowledge to help them. They will realize that there is a “real person” behind your brochure or website. And if you can give them some valuable information during this consultation, they will be more willing to start working with you, and buy from you when they are ready.
Implement this strategy on your business and you will be surprised on how you will easily attract more clients.

Still need help to set up you free report or free consultation?

Learn more about The Marketing Makeover Consultation -
Give me just 2 hours and I will help you save time and money putting your business on automatic pilot creating systems. We will :
* Review your actual marketing strategies,
* Brainstorm on new strategies to promote your business,
* Create a newsletter/ezine, the most effective, least expensive and easiest way to build a mailing list of prospects and get more sales,
* Create a follow-up system to attract a constant stream of new clients always flowing into your business, instead of chasing clients?

(c) 2007 Biba F. Pédron

Join Biba Pedron, The Connection Queen, interviewing Alexander Gayton, Wealth Assurance Strategist.For lots of solo-entrepreneurs and small business owners the situation is not at it best, due to the economic situation. Lots of people are struggling right now, but there are solutions to continue to grow your business even in a slow economy and there are definitely ways to go around.

So today I invited Alexander Gayton, Wealth Assurance Strategist to come and give you some strategies to manage your finance to continue to grow your business. Alex will even reveal the Top 10 Recession Rescue Tips on how to stop overpaying on taxes, interest and insurance.

Alex has 19+ years experience in the financial services industry. He Works with multiple financially sound financial institutions, he helps people to Recover financial costs, Protect their hard earned money
And he will Compliment and enhance your existing plan with little to no-out-of-pocket cost. Alex’s financial strategies focus on reducing unnecessary overpaymentss and financial expenses while increasing financial security.

Ready to learn “How We Lose $ & Don’t Even Know It!”

So make sure to take a pen and note book and be ready to take lot of notes while Alex will show you how to maximize and protect your wealth.

Access the audio NOW