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Archive for the ‘ Networking ’ Category
Are you finding this year a challenging one for your business? You’re not alone. Right now, it’s difficult for just about everyone but with a well thought out plan, a mega dose of desire, and a positive approach, success is possible for YOU! There are many options available when it comes to promoting your business with some being more effective than others but have you ever considered participating within a networking group? We’re talking about one that is comprised mainly of local professional men and women with the sole purpose of exchanging business ideas and gaining contacts? If not, consider the advantages since it since is a low cost and effective way to grow your business.
Let me tell you, I’ve had some great experiences while networking in this way. Generally, such groups are comprised of about 30 or so members, each from a different profession, sharing practical advice and lessons learned as they establish trust with one another. What a terrific opportunity for a first hand referral as you sharpen your own saw while establishing valuable long term trust-worthy connections. Just think about the last time you needed something repaired in your home and the only source you had was either Yellow Pages or the Internet? It’s easy to be left out in the cold when you consider those options but just imagine having your own ‘database’ within a network of trusted professionals who can steer you in the right direction. Think too, about those same professionals talking to their contacts about you! This is the power of networking within the ‘right’ group and why an effective networking group will prove to be a valuable resource that keeps on giving. There are some real clues to consider in your quest for finding the perfect networking group. Below you will find some tidbits to guide you along the way. If you already belong to one maybe you will see something that will help yours reach the next level or simply add your comments below to extend this list.
Etiquette practices that can be found within most networking groups:
Breakfast is included in membership each week.
You are expected to be ethical, professional and experienced in your line of work.
Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed.
Attendance is a must for meetings. As we know everyone is busy and situations occur but you should consider to a rule with a maximum number of meetings that can be missed.
Members of the group give one qualified referral every week as if everybody works at giving referrals there will be more money for everyone.
Sponsor one or more new members within your first year
Each member once a quarter should visit someone’s place of business in the group while they are on the job to see what they actually do so you can better refer them.
You are expected to be ethical, professional and experienced in your line of work.
Each business category is represented by one member and conflicts of interest are disallowed.
Attendance is a must for meetings. As we know everyone is busy and situations occur but you should consider to a rule with a maximum number of meetings that can be missed.
Members of the group give one qualified referral every week as if everybody works at giving referrals there will be more money for everyone.
Sponsor one or more new members within your first year
Each member once a quarter should visit someone’s place of business in the group while they are on the job to see what they actually do so you can better refer them.
A group holiday party which is part of your membership fee, a great time to bond, relax, and further your relationship with members. When you are at the party be social, visit as many members as you can.
Guests can be invited to have a free breakfast twice as they decide if they would like to join the group.
If two professionals show up the same week it is necessary to have a speak off between the people, with an answer to the question, Why should he or she be chosen to represent the group?
Have a board of three or four members more if the group is over 35, who decide if they are a viable candidate to join the group, mediate when there are disagreements which do happen, and they have the final say over all pertinent matters.
Many groups have their members speak for about 3 minutes depending on time constraints. You will notice some members will find this to be uncomfortable as they are not public speakers and will need you support. What happens is that members learn to become better public speakers by participating within this exercise. This is also done by sharing your 60 second elevator pitch or commercial which will tell others who you are and what do you do.
The above guidelines are meant to give you some insight as to what to expect. They are not written in stone but you will see that the best ones have these elements in one form or another. Remember, the goal is to build relationships, give quality referrals, and attending meetings on a regular basis so as to become an effective networker. You have to believe in yourself as you extend your hand to your fellow networker as you give a sincere thank you that creates a win win situation. By plugging in you will see your business flourish regardless of even the most challenging of economic climates. Never give up, stay the course and you will succeed! Create an excellent week ~
(c) 2010 Bonnie Gortler – The Option Girl
Filed under:
Networking
To learn more Free tips to attract more clients with online and offline marketing, download your free kit at http://www.TheConnectionQueen.com
Filed under:
Marketing, Networking
To learn more Free tips to attract more clients with online and offline marketing, download your free kit at http://www.theconnectionqueen.com
Filed under:
Marketing, Networking
To learn more Free tips to attract more clients with online and offline marketing, download your free kit at http://www.theconnectionqueen.com/
Filed under:
Marketing, Networking
To learn more Free tips to attract more clients with online and offline marketing, download your free kit at http://www.TheConnectionQueen.com
Filed under:
Marketing, Networking
Summertime is usually a downtime for business but you shouldn’t stop networking. Take advantage of this quiet period to be creative and network in a different way by reactivating your contacts.
Since there are less events and people have more free time, use this opportunity to invite people for a social happy hour or join groups that you never joined before. It’s a good time to explore new opportunities to meet new people in new environments for new leads.
One of my favorite places to invite people for a summer cocktail when I was in New York was the Terrace at the Metropolitan Museum. With its great view and ambiance, it’s a great place to reactivate your connections. If you play golf, tennis or run in the park, invite people to join you. If you attend free concerts in Central Park invite a group of people and introduce them to each other. Have your own party or plan outdoor events or organize “Me Time” at the spa. These are some of the creative ways to take advantage of the relaxed pace of summer and connect / reconnect with your old contacts, prospects or clients.
Very often social meetings will lead to business contacts because everyone, for once, won’t try to sell anything. Remember that everything doesn’t have to be about you or your business and it’s more important to be memorable and give the right impression. When you invite people unexpectedly and don’t try to sell them anything but instead, ask them how you can help them, the return on your networking time will be ten times more efficient.
A good networker is a good listener, so LISTEN and take mental notes to find out how you can help others (then write your notes down to use them later to follow-up). Do they need a specific contact or resource? Is their birthday or their kids’ birthday coming up, take note of the date. What if somebody mentions that his birthday is in two weeks, and two weeks later he receives a birthday card from you, this is one of the various opportunities to follow up. They’ll be impressed you’ll be number one on their list when they need your service or have a referral for you.
In addition to attending events and parties, summertime is a great period to track and check up on what happened since the beginning of the year. How many events you attended, how many business cards you collected, how many follow-up meetings you scheduled, and how many new clients you got from your networking efforts.
Take this opportunity to organize and update your database, formally enter your contacts on software’s like Act or Outlook, and set up a concrete follow-up system. Send a note card to say “hello” or “happy summer” or to invite them for a drink or to your party. Send postcard mailings with a marketing message, run a special offer or send a coupon or a special discount.
Re-activate your contacts in one way or another but do it now!
September it will be too late, everybody will be busy again and you’ll go back to your routine.
Need help to reconnect with your contacts and or set-up your follow-up system? Just give me one hour, and I will reveal 10 simple ways to reactivate your contacts so you can get tons of new clients by September.
Schedule your session to reactivate your network before the end of the summer NOW
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Networking
Did you ever stop to think how much your Facebook Page is worth? One company did and proposed to put a value on your Facebook Page and even your fans. This same company, Vitrue, even went further by offering a free application to help you understand how much your Page is worth.
How does it compute for your Page’s value? It’s dependent on many things: fans, posts and interactions, plus a pre-determined “engagement multiplier” and an earned media value in dollars. The default earned media value is $5, but you can tweak this, among many other factors, to suit your own observations and computation.
It’s a pretty cool idea, not only because it’s able to assign a dollar amount to your Page, but also because it confirms one important thing—that it isn’t only about getting the most number of fans—it’s engaging them as much as you possible can. The number of interactions trumps the number of fans.
Case in point: the Skittles Page, with its over 4.4 million fans, is, according to this article, worth more than the Coca Cola Page, despite the latter’s close to 5.5 million fans. Why? Skittles posted more than Coca Cola did.
Virtue’s Social Media Evaluator offers a lot of cool and interesting features. It measures your Page’s current value against your potential value. Not fulfilling your full potential? It even gives tips on how you can maximize your potential. It evaluates your post frequency, post types and even the URL shortener you’re using—of course, these evaluations are generic and based on a 3-level system indicated by red, yellow and green ratings. What’s more is that you can compare your Page with that of your competitors.
Unfortunately, this calculator only computes for Facebook pages. I’d like to see—as I’m sure that you do, too—this applied to other social media sites, such as Twitter and Foursquare.
So, how much is your own Facebook Page worth?
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Marketing, Networking
Revive Your Business and Your Spirit at the Premier Event of the Year for Women Entrepreneurs…
Featuring BRAND NEW Content and Increased Networking Opportunities
Join acclaimed entrepreneur and business coach Ali Brown for a powerful conference this fall to revive your business and your spirit. As we emerge from one of the most challenging shifts in business history, entrepreneurial women are poised to create a better world for ourselves than ever before. And it all starts with you!
It’s your time to Shine. And this three-day event in Las Vegas, Nevada, will jump-start your success like nothing before… guaranteed. Whether you’re a home-based mom with an idea for a part-time business or you already run a wildly successful million-dollar company, Shine 2010 will deliver stellar education, inspiration, and networking bar none.
Shine 2009 was a great success with nearly 500 entrepreneurs attending. This year Shine will be even bigger and better with room for 1,000 participants, more education, more levels of training, more inspiration, and more networking opportunities. Plus you’ll enjoy inspiration and advice from our keynote speakers, who have overcome huge odds to build the empires and careers of their dreams.
Ali Brown’s events, programs, and coaching have helped thousands of women and men create, redesign, or expand their businesses to dramatically increase their incomes – and often while working less than before. Ali created SHINE to lead entrepreneurial women through their own personal revival, helping them discover new ways to propel their businesses and lives to new levels. It’s an event uniquely designed for both experienced and new business owners alike that delivers an exclusive combination of insight, information, and business formulas that can be found nowhere else.
Learn More about the SHINE Event and join ALi in Las Vegas in November – Click Here
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Marketing, Networking
To all of my French readers Happy Bastille Day, enjoy and celebrate.
Lot of cities in the US like New York, Miami, San Francisco have mini parades – Have fun.
For all of you who are not French, I still wanted to celebrate the day with you, so I am offering you 20% off on the digital version of my Power of Networking Secrets Program, Read more
Yes, Biba, I’m ready to step up to your new “Power of Networking Secrets” created specifically for those who are ready to learn and apply more advanced networking and success proven strategies to take their business to the next
level.
- Finally, I’ll receive a 30 day Free Trial exclusive membership of the Teamup4Success of Biba’s exclusive Mastermind that includes monthly calls with Biba and her hand-picked experts, online digital recordings, and a 30 minute one-on-one session the 1st Friday of each month.
My purchase includes the following:
- Instant access to the digital version of the program immediately by email in digital version while I wait for my package, so I can start right away
- 5 training Audio’s with Biba covering all 7-Step listed at http://bit.ly/9UfcpA
- 4 interview Audio’s with Biba and networking experts covering all 4 topics listed above
- 7 FREE bonuses listed at http://bit.ly/9UfcpA
Take advantage of this offer NOW
The offer expires on July17th Midnight Easter Time
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Marketing, Networking
