| Greetings!
Happy New Year,
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and new year celebration.
January is the month most of us decide what worked and what didn't and actually take action on those decisions. I find most business owners who want to make change happen get the best results when they take classes or ask for ongoing support such as coaching or some kind of program.
I know I wouldn't be where I am today without my wonderful business coach Jane Neff who lives in Pennsylvania. For my business, I'll be taking classes in wealth accumulation and management, training the trainer and yes, even more classes on marketing products and services on the Internet.
Have you given any consideration as to what you will do to support yourself in your business? If you haven't, make an appointment with yourself - yes in your calendar - to decide what information, classes or support systems you will implement during 2008.
This month I am giving you three articles that will help you with your networking in 2008. Please take the time to read them - and try them out!
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| So You're Going to Get Out and "Do Networking" in January. Do You Have a Plan? |
It always astonishes me how many people go out networking without a plan. Some have a kind of "mini-plan. Perhaps you'll recognize it. "I am going to the chamber tonight and my goal is to meet 5 people. Then I am going to have drinks and snacks and go home" Well, that IS a plan, but just aimlessly meeting people is probably not going to do much for you. Oh sure you'll get more people in your contact management system - but is that what you want? Or do you want to make some money?
The number one mistake most people make when they're networking is having no idea who they want to meet. But how do you decide?
First grab a blank sheet of paper. Draw a vertical line (top to bottom) across the middle of the paper and a horizontal line (left to right) across the middle of the paper. You should end up with four boxes. Label the upper right box "A", the upper left box "B", the lower left box "C" and the lower right box "D".
Get our your client list. Everyone with whom you have done business in the last year or so. Now you're going to sort these clients into boxes. First put the clients who are effortless for you and make you a lot of money into the "A" box. Next, place the clients who you like but don't make you a lot of money in the "B" box. (This might be your mother or your sister - you love them, but you give them discounts or they don't spend a lot with you. The "C" box is for clients who you really don't like much, but who bring in a lot of money. Perhaps they are disagreeable or take a ton of your time, but they pay well. Finally your "D" box is for those you don't like who don't make you much money. Perhaps they don't pay on time or bounce checks. Please go ahead and do the exercise. before you read on.
Done? Great. Notice who is in each box. How much time to you spend with your "A" Box People? How much time do you spend with your "D" Box people? What I've found is most business people acquire "D" Box people when they're out looking for "anyone who will do business with them" as opposed to focusing on who they really like to work with.
Notice what the people in each box have in common with each other, both personality wise and demographically. Any similarities?
What would it be like for you if you could "bless and release" those "D" Box People? Most people are in your "D" Box, not because they're "bad people", but because they're not just like you - their personality is different from yours. This is an excellent reason to know others who do what you do especially others with different personality styles. You could "bless and release those clients to your "competitor" in exchange for some of their "D" Box People. Do you see how this could work?
Great! So how do I apply this to networking? Now that you know what kind of clients you really love to work with - you can start looking for them intentionally. So if your "A" box people are mothers with young children who you can help with a nutritional supplement that can ease the symptoms of colic for example, you can networking like this: "Hi, my name is Suzi. I help mothers with fussy babies get a good night sleep. I'm looking for mothers with babies under the age of 9 months.
Do you see how this can work? An even more effective idea would be to look for someone who knows lots of your "A" Box People. In the example above, Suzy might ask for an introduction to the president of the local Mother's Club.
Once you know who you are looking for, you'll be surprised at how much easier it is to find them!
If you like the concepts in this article, you'll love our One Day Workshop. For more information and how to register, see the Calendar section below.
Want to use this article in your newsletter? You can! Just be sure to include the entire article and include this complete blurb with it: Networking Expert Karen Frank publishes Miss Karen's Networking News, the semi-monthly email newsletter. If you're ready to jumpstart your networking, make more money and spend less time doing it, get your FREE tips now at www.misskarensproductions.com
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Miss Karen's Musings:
2008: The Start of Many Things
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In 2007, I worked by backside off. I transformed a one person copywriting business into a training company. I created products to offer to people who wanted more information AND I learned a lot about what worked, what didn't and what I need to change to have the life I truly want. All the planning is complete. All the preparation is done. 2008 is the year the rocket will take off.
This is truly going to be a special year for Miss Karen's Productions. I hinted that I would release some news - so here it is!
Over the course of 2008 I will be incorporating and changing the company name and branding. I am playing with KLF Communications but this isn't finalized yet. I'll also be opening a training center so my students will have space to conduct classes AND I will be completely revamping my One Day workshop experience. I'll also be on the lookout for an apprentice, so if you know someone...
One thing I learned was that holding 4 - 5 workshops and programs per month was really out of control for me, so I am limiting it to two per month. This will also allow me to accept more of the many special invitations I receive to speak to groups both in and outside the San Francisco Bay Area. I'll keep you all posted on the ones open to the public.
I am also in need of more time for family and life in general. With the number of hours I was working I was clearly not walking my talk about structuring my business around my life. 2008 will be the year of being "mom" - maybe the last one as my son will be entering his teenage years AND the years where the hockey scouts start having a look.
...and we won't even TALK about how far behind I am in my scrapbooking.
My husband wants to get another antigravity dog too, so that means time to be a puppy mom again.
You know, I am looking forward to 2008 more than I realized!
Til next month.
Miss Karen
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Recording of Expert Teleclass Available.
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My New Year's Gift To You!
I had such a great time presenting the two part teleclass on how to create
and produce an informational product. The response from the people who called in was huge so I decided to offer the information to you too.
In this two part teleclass series you will learn:
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November Calendar |
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November 19th in Walnut Creek
Combined workshop
Your only opportunity to attend either a preview session or the full 90 minute workshop is Monday, November 19th.
Preview session 8:30am to 10:00 am (no cost)
One Day Workshop 10:15 am to 5:30 am ($297)*
To register email karen@misskarensproductions.com or call our new registration hotline 925-279-1004
*Some students received this workshop as a bonus during the preview session. No additional costs apply for these students.
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| Network Your Way To Success
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At last Miss Karen's electronic book is available!
Network Your Way to Success is Miss Karen's 30 Seconds to Success
Workshop in an easy to read, informative book. If you:
- are on a shoestring budget
- are not
sure if networking will work for you
- can't make it to a workshop
- and you need a
system for networking that really works
this is book is for you!
Let Miss Karen teach you just how easy it is to increase your results while networking - without being pushy or "salesy"
Why did I create an electronic book? I "get" that not everyone wants to or is able to attend a live workshop. Sometimes an affordable, easy read is just the ticket!
I'm passionate about transforming networking
from a "stalking people and collecting business cards" thing to
something that helps people connect to what or who they need to know
next.
Click on the name of the book below to read more or to purchase this electronic publication.
| Link to Network Your Way to Success |
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| Do You Want to Advertise in This Newsletter? |
If your target market is business owners who want their businesses to grow using word of mouth marketing and strategic alliances, you may have something they need to be more successful. Email me at karen@misskarensproductions.com to find out more about advertising in this newsletter. |
| Important Information for Students Who Received the One Day Workshop as a Bonus!
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Bonus Sessions to Expire January 30, 2008
Based upon feed back from students, I've come to realize that the One Day workshop is terrific and you all love it AND that it can be more effective. During the winter months, I'll be re-working the One Day workshop to provide students with an even higher level of value.
Because the new workshop will be structured differently and require assistants to create the optimum experience, this session will no longer be available as a "no cost" bonus. All students who are waiting to take this workshop need to attend no later than January 30, 2008.
Scheduled Dates:
November 19th (Monday) in Walnut Creek
December 10th (Monday) in Walnut Creek
January 12th (Saturday) in Walnut Creek
January 21st (Monday) in Brentwood
January 30th (Wednesday) in Walnut Creek
Please make a date with yourself to attend!
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Karen Frank founded Miss Karen's Productions
over four years ago. What began as a one-person operation providing content for
websites and elevator speeches has blossomed into a multifaceted company
specializing in spoken word communications. From workshops that teach business
owners what to say and how to say it - to effective scripting for fundraising
videos, Miss Karen's Productions is becoming an industry leader in verbal
communications information and training.
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Networking
Tip of the Month
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The Language of Success
Did you know that you can figure out who is successful and who isn't just by listening to them speak?
It's true. Here's an important thought: During 2008, make a point of spending time with people who are more successful than you.
Why? You are the average of the five people (and or groups) you spend the most time with.
Unsuccessful people tend to use words like "why", "how" or "what". For example: "Why did that happen?", How can I fix this?" or "What went wrong?"
Successful people automatically default to the word "who". "Who can help me fix this?" "Who can teach me?" "Who is better at this than I am?"
It's important to note that they do not default to who did that wrong? That is the blame game and successful people take full responsibility for their mistakes - even if they were actually done by another person in their organization.
Remember: Successful people are not victims. They know that life doesn't happen to them. That they create their own destiny - good or bad.
Tip for the month: When adversity strikes, notice what words are you thinking and using. Are you speaking the language of success?
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Does your group need a speaker?
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Every business needs to promote itself to grow and be successful, and yet many struggle with what to say and how to say it.
If your group is looking for a fun interactive presentation, Miss Karen will fill the bill!
She will entertain and educate audiences of any size on topics such as "How to Network" and creating an effective elevator speech. Call 925-279-1004 to schedule Miss Karen for your next event.
Want something just for your group? Miss Karen is happy to customise materials or come up with something just for you! Please call for rates and more information.
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