| 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:
- what info products really are,
- how easy they are to create
- how I created mine
- what steps you need to take to create your own
- where you can get more information.
Think about it - 2 hours of your time, on the
phone (in your jammies if you like) could be just what you need to make
2008 your best year ever!
Successful people have many things in common, but I think that the most important one is decisiveness.
Don't put it off!!
The links below will take you to the recordings for each class:
Link to first teleclass
Link to Second Teleclass
If, after you hear the recording you want more information or have any questions, feel free to contact me at karen@misskarensproductions.com or call 925-279-1004. I'll be happy to chat with you! |
Listen to Networking Tips on This LIVE Teleclass
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Can't get to one of Miss Karen's classes? Never fear! Here's one to attend in your jammies! Coming up soon! You won't want to miss this live teleclass! Miss Karen is going to be Gabrielle Fontaine's (author of Cash Flow Kick Start) guest on Tuesday, November 8th. I'll be talking about networking and offering some tips on effective networking. There will also be a Q and A session at the end, so if you've ever wanted to "grill" Miss Karen, here's your chance! This is a no cost event, although attendance is limited. To register, click here
Gabrielle is an terrific host, so I am sure if there is ever an interview where you'll get great info at no cost, this will be it! I look forward to seeing YOU on the call!
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January Calendar |
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January 8 -12:00pm - 1:00pm pst Networking Teleclass (no cost)
January 12 - 10:00 - 5:30 Pleasant Hill One Day workshop **Date will be cancelled if fewer than 10 students are registered.
January 16, - 3:30 - 5:00 Pleasant Hill - Free Preview Class sponsored by the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. Please call for details.
January 21 - 10:00 - 5:30 Brentwood One Day workshop ** Final Opportunity for Brentwood Location - Date will be cancelled if fewer than 10 students are registered **
January 25 and 26 - 9:00 - 5:30 each day - You are the Expert Bootcamp. This class is available at the introductory rate of $197 until January 15th. For more information listen to the Expert Teleclass calls listed above or email me at karen@misskarensproductions.com
January 28 - 10:00 - 5:00 - You are the Expert Session 5. This is a closed session for exisiting students only. To find out more about our next Expert Prgram, please call.
January 30 - 10:00 - 5:30 **FINAL OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND ONE DAY WORKSHOP for graduates of the 90 minute session. This class will not be offered in this format again. |
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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