| Greetings!
I've been told by other "experts" in emails newsletters that twice per month is the "newsletter frequency sweet spot". Well I intend to find out - and then tell all of you who are creating emails newsletters whether or not it's true!
So here goes my mid month email newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did creating it!
Karen
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The Secret Levels of Networking
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When people think of networking, typically they think about people going to chamber mixers and trying to find clients. This fairly narrow definition of networking is, I think, one of the main reasons people get frustrated and give up. This may be your experience too.
Recently something Alexandria Brown (the Ezine Queen) mentioned something in a teleclass that hit me - probably because I was NOT wearing my "expert hat" at the time. She said something like - "If you don't like your results when networking - change the networking you are doing"
This led to my "discovery" of the secret levels of networking.
Level One: Hanging out where your clients are and looking for new business
This is typically the chamber or another kind of party or mixer.n This gains you visibility and perhaps credibility (if you are a stellar networker). You can connect to people who might know clients for you and you might be able to rustle up a speaking gig if you make the right connection.
Upside - These are typically informal meetings and don't require a strong commitment on your part. If you have family or a busy unpredictable schedule this can be a great way to get out and meet people.
Downside - Because of its informal structure, these can typically become social only events. You're more likely to run into the pushy sales guy who hands his card to everyone he meets, people are less likely to have their "business hats" on, and sometimes - just sometimes the raffle takes more time than the time allotted for networking. Fun if you win - not fun if you don't (and are standing too near the giant amplified speaker- ouch!)
Level Two: Hanging out where clients and people who know your clients are but in a structured environment
This is a business meeting such as the one BNI or LeTip or B2B offers. Here you are expected to try to find business for fellow members, participate in the group and usually in return receive some business.
Upside - If you approach these kinds of meetings with the intention to stay in "for the long haul" - usually at least a year you will become part of the community, establish wonderful relationships with people and become a resource for your clients. I've seen businesses get 10 to 90 percent of their annual revenue from such groups depending upon the type of business they have
Downside - It's a fairly big commitment - typically weekly or at least monthly. It can feel pricey at first because you will be giving much more than you get - trying out other people's services, paying meeting fees etc. This would not be the kind of group to start with if you need cashflow right now - unless the group has a resource for business loans or a cashflow expert.
Level Three: Hanging out where people who know lots of your clients do
You can actually use the groups in Level Two to accomplish Level Three if you shift your thinking and remember to ASK for strategic alliance partners where you're networking here. Level three also includes giving talks or workshops to groups of your strategic partners, (and/or offering informational products for sale - for more information about informational products, see the audio recording links below). It would also be why you might join a service organization or participate in an on line group such as yahoo. If you're going to do the yahoo thing join groups that you are genuinely interested in and participate in the conversations.
Upside - This is much less effort that trying to find clients one at a time and trying to find strategic partners one at a time. This kind of strategy begins to place you in the position of "expert" in your line of work and helps you with your professional image in the community.
Downside - You need to be "on" at all times. Dressing appropriately and behaving appropriately for the situation is key. You'll destroy your reputation as quickly as you built if if you're not aware of who you're "showing up" at these events. Remember - word of mouth marketing is always working - however it may NOT be working in your favor!
Level Four: Hanging out where people who understand the power of a strategic alliance are actively seeking out strategic partners
This is my absolute favorite. This is participating in education and classes with people who do business with the kinds of clients you have and may or not do what you do. For example, I participated in a program that lasted about a year. While I am not longer in the program, I still have relationships with several of the participants. Because we "are on the same page" and understand each others goals very well, it is natural for us to form strategic alliances. Any time you participate in educational situations - whether they are live seminars, teleseminars, workshops or classes you have this opportunity. Remember everything you do is a networking opportunity.
Upside - Everyone is on the "same page" with you and forming alliance with people you've been though training with feels effortless. Often times in business seminars, the trainer spends time encouraging strategic alliances, so attendees are actively looking for this kind of opportunity.
Downside - You need to be willing to participate in the training. If you go with the sole intention of networking and making connections, you'll waste a great opportunity for self growth and it will be obvious why you're there!
Bottom line - you could apply all four of the "secret levels of networking" to any situation. Just remember when you're out there doing that, stick to the problems you solve for people and focus on who you're looking for. You'll be sure to be a networking ninja in no time!
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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Need a Networking Refresher?
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Can't get to one of Miss Karen's classes? Never fear! Here's one to attend in your jammies! You won't want to miss this teleclass! Miss Karen is g Gabrielle Fontaine's (author of Cash Flow Kick Start) guest on this recorded seminar. I talked about networking and offered some tips on effective networking. We got some great feedback, calling the session "information packed" "great energy" and "great value". The recording is an hour and ten minutes and I feel is one of the best recordings I've done yet. There is no cost to listen. To hear the recording and download the wookbook click here
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Learn the "In's and Out's" of Creating an Info Product in This Two Part Pre-recorded Class.
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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! |
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January Calendar |
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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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Mid-Month
Networking
Tip - The Healthy Networker
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Are you too tired to "do networking" in the evening?
I have always been very aware of what I am eating and drinking and its effect on my health.
I always THOUGHT I was dutifully drinking my 8 glasses of water a day UNTIL I really started to pay attention to it.
The "Health Detective" in our networking group, Joan Kasich, did an infomercial about how drinking enough water cured all kinds of diseases in countries overseas and how simply staying hydrated could keep a person from becoming sick.
After REALLY paying attention to how much water I was consuming, It turned out that I was drinking 8 cups of total liquid - including coffee, Gatorade and an occasional glass of wine.
When I ADDED 8 glasses of water a day a curious thing happened. Not only did I have more energy and fewer headaches (headaches are a sign of dehydration) BUT my fingernails which have been brittle since I was a child have become strong AND I've lost about 5 pounds since August without changing anything else in my diet or exercise!
So in appreciation to Joan, I am going to bring health tips from Joan to you in the mid month addition, because if you don't feel well, it's darned hard to make a good impression - much less be an effective networker.
So have a glass of water and happy networking!
You can reach Joan Kasich at 925-680-9000 or email her at joan@herbspecialist.com
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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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