Networking Nuggets from Client Connections
Helping You Connect With Confidence                         January 2011
 
 
Kath the Connector
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Greetings!   

 

Happy New Year to us,

Happy New Year to us;

Happy New Year, Happy New Year,

Happy New Year to us!

 

How cool is this?  A new year full of possibilities and potential has arrived. 

 

As it begins, I'm grateful to be surrounded by people who continue to grow both personally and professionally.  These people are ready to take advantage of the opportunities 2011 will present to them.  I hope that these Nuggets will help you do the same.

January's Top Tips
 purple triskele 
1. Be sure you're presenting a professional image that's congruent across all marketing media; for example, you don't want your website to be sober and your LinkedIn company page to be silly.  Such a mixed message will keep prospective clients away in droves.

2.  Just because you could handle all the nuts-and-bolts aspects of your business doesn't mean you should.  Rather than get sucked into thinking you have to do it all yourself, be smart (and self-caring) enough to farm out activities that are way outside your area of expertise.  In the long run, it's more cost-effective and productive -- even when cash flow is tight -- to pay someone to quickly and efficiently handle administrative tasks while you concentrate on marketing and serving clients directly.

3.  Here's a fun alternative to the typical one-minute commercial.  Identify three words that describe your business' "personality", and include them in your description of the outcomes you produce for clients.  For example,  a copywriting team might say, "We're irreverent, playful, and highly professional copywriters.  We rescue business owners from copywriting hell by allowing them to do what they love while we write kick-butt marketing copy that gets prospects chewing through walls to learn more."
How's This for Success? 
 
The Connection ConciergeWhat do you do when you've exhausted your network of contacts searching for that key strategic ally, service provider, or other vital connection?  Naturally, you call the Connection Concierge.  Teresa Thomas-Carrol, founder and connector extraordinaire, has a humongous "Rolodex" and the ability to see connections that others are oblivious to.  She's helped clients find an expert on how con men think; get booked as a speaker for an organization the client had never heard of  before; and secure an expert witness for a legal case.  She doesn't scare easily, so why not take that hard-to-find connection to the Connection Concierge and see what she can do for you?
Really Good Resources
 light bulb
1. If you're tired of playing small in the world, it's time to check out The Big Leap, by Dr. Gay Hendricks.  I've just started reading this book, and I'm already completely jazzed by the possibilities Dr. Hendricks reveals.  This may be just what you need to overturn the bushel that's been hiding your light.

2.  If you're tearing your hair out trying to use a template to create your new website, save your sanity (and your follicles) by contacting Barbara Schendel with Wizzy Wig Design and Animation.  This talented and easy-to-work with graphic designer knows that just because you're a small business, it doesn't mean you have to LOOK like one.  I'm madly in love with the look Barbara produced for for my newest venture (see Really Good Resource #3).

3.  And, last but not least:  It's been a challenging pregnancy, but I'm delighted to announce the birth of WordQueens.  Cindy Daniels and I have partnered to create an edgy, playful, and effective copywriting duo whose only job is to get more prospects in your sales funnel. True, face-to-face networking is a vital part of growing a successful business, but you'd be short-sighted to limit yourself to sharing your value with only those people you can meet in person.  WordQueens would be honored to help you spread the word about your business.  Our marketing copy for web and print will make you stand out like Hunka Chunka Chocolate in a plain-vanilla world.
Client Connections in Action
Thursday, 1/20/11, 6 -8 p.m., New Year's Networking Resolution, Young Professionals Group of the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce, Grumpy's Grille, Roseville, MN
Thanks to my friend Flickr.
 
Here are this month's heroes who graciously allowed me to use their images, posted in the Creative Commons area of Flickr, in this issue of Networking Nuggets:
 
purple triskele by shiftercat
light bulb by aloshbennett
 
We're at the starting line of a new year.  Are you going to just shuffle down the track, or are you committed to making 2011 the year when you leap to a whole new level?

I hope you take the bigh leap.



Wishing you a year of dazzling success,

Kathleen
Client Connections (and WordQueens!)
612-716-8239 

Life is good.