Greetings!
Yes, February is here!
Yesterday was my final One Day Networking workshop and I was so fortunate to have some of my favorite students in attendance.
Everyone walked away with sparkly new infomercials and introductions and I can't wait to report their success stories back to you.
This month, I have some special new "stuff" I am rolling out and I am going way out on a limb and telling you the truth about how I feel about networking! Yes, you're going to be surprised.
Oh, and before I forget, many of you have asked me how best to refer me. I completely understand it's hard to straight up tell people - "Hey your introduction sucks" and so many think they already know how! And yet I know you run into people that make you want to run away every day, so I decided to make it easy!
The easiest way is to forward this newsletter and tell them to click on the links to the teleclass recordings. They get a demo of what I do best AND they learn in a completely non threatening way how best to introduce themselves.
And here's the button to do it. How easy is that?!?
Enjoy the information. I am sure I'll see you at a networking event soon!!
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What I Hate About Networking and Why You Care.
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OK, I admit it. I hate networking.
OK OK, I don't really hate networking, but there are some aspects of networking I really do hate. Why do you care? Because if you understand WHY I hate these things YOU will make more money. Let me explain:
I was thinking about this in my car the other day. Networking is like hunting for birds in the bushes with a Gatling gun. You can't really see if any birds are actually in the bush but you shoot anyway. Every once in a while a bird drops dead out of a bush and you think "Success! This really works!" Except the gun fired 100 rounds and the bird was sick...
Networking's alot like that. You spend 80 percent of your time networking and every once in a while you get a referral. Success!! This really works! Except you've spent dozens of hours to find a client that wants a $1000 job. Sound familiar?
When most people decide to go into business, they are brilliant at "the thing" that they do. They may take business classes and hear things like - "you must spend time marketing your business" and that networking is important. So they join a group with a vague idea of what they're supposed to be doing and what they'll get out of it. Meanwhile, they can't identify who they REALLY want as a client (their true target market), and they go in with the hope of thousands of dollars in referrals and quickly become very disappointed.
See most people are networking in the dark. Well, let me flip on the light switch!!
Networking groups are great and they're really important to your business IF and only if you understand how deep networking really is.
Take out a penny and study it. Right now. Study the penny for two minutes. Go ahead. I'll be here when you get back.
So what did you notice?
The penny is more complex than that thing you left on the sidewalk because it wasn't worth picking up...
Networking is like that too.
The thing that drives me crazy about networking groups is that some of them offer pretty good education on how to work their system. The problem is most people think that's it. "Oh I see, it's a penny. Well, that's all I need to know...so where are my referrals? This system doesn't work!"
By their very nature, networking groups focus on referrals and results and when people don't see the results they want, the "system" doesn't work. It IS the system's fault (despite what the group will tell you) to the extent that nobody told them how to work it as it applies to their business and it's overall vision.
If you're out there in a networking group or going to a chamber and you don't know exactly what you're looking for (and it isn't "as many referrals as you can get) STOP!!
If you don't know where you're going that's exactly where you'll end up. And if you're just out there giving referrals to get referrals and you have no idea who your dream client is, then all you're going to get is the kinds of referrals and clients you DON'T want.
Do yourself a huge favor and decide what kinds of customers you really want. Which of your clients make your life easy? What company specifically do you want to do business with?
The big lie about networking, infomercials and introductions is this: If you have a great infomercial that makes people want more information that is all you need to do.
That's a lie. If you have a great infomercial and you don't know what kinds of clients make you money and which once don't, a great infomercial won't help you.
Don't be like so many of my students who discover that, although they get a ton of referrals, they are people who drive them crazy and don't generate enough revenue to begin to cover the time they take our of the day.
Remember, you are the average of the five people and or groups you spend the most time with. You can apply this to your clients as well. Take a look at the clients you have right now today. With whom are you spending the most time? Are they making you rich or are they making you poor? Figure out who is generating the most revenue for you and ask for clients like THEM the next time you're out networking.
Otherwise, you just shooting bird in a bush with a Gatling gun.
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 to Know HOW to Decide Which of Your Clients Are Most Profitable?
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This teleclass will get you there. It's another fabulous teleclass with the wonderful Gabrielle Fontaine - but THIS TIME it's her turn.
One of my biggest faults is that I hate hate doing the books - but then I never know who's making me money and who's wasting my time, so early last year I made some poor decisions that cost me dearly. (Still digging out from those, in fact)
Not this year!! Gabrielle is going to help us stay on track by teaching us what SHE is an expert in. Bookkeeping basics. DON'T CLICK AWAY YET!
This may seem like an "unfun" topic, but you know me I don't do anything that isn't fun or doesn't make me money! This call will do both for you.
The call is not just a teleclass, it's an interactive Webinar. If you've never done a webinar it's fun. You actually listen to the call and watch on your computer. If you're visual, this will be a great class for you.
The Webinar is on February 5th from noon to 1:00 pacific time. It will be fun, free and live! Don't worry if you can't be there on the call. You can always listen later.
click here to register
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I Hate It When I Forget to Hit "Save"!
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Have you ever done that? Written an entire article and have it dump before you have saved it? Just happened to me.
I wrote this wonderful (well I thought so, anyway) musing about the end of the hockey season and my stupid crazy cocker spaniel (fondly known as antigravity dog) and after the spell check - it was gone. Forgot to hit save. D'oh!
So rather than re-invent the wheel, I'll just blurt out a computer "basic". When you're an expert writing an article for your newsletter - or anything else for that matter - hit "save"!!
I'll muse on hockey and dogs next month!!
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! |
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Upcoming Calendar |
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Upcoming
Workshops and Events:
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February 5. 2007
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Webinar - Bookkeeping Essentials with Gabrielle Fontaine
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12:00
pm - 1:00 pm
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click here to register
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February 22, 23,
2007
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Expert Bootcamp
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10:00
am - 5::30 pm
Each
day
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Pleasant
Hill
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February 29 and
March 1, 2008
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Meet the Experts
Business Symposium
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9:00
am - 10:00 am
Both
days
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Walnut
Creek
area
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March 5, 2008
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Facilitator, East
Bay
Business Women's Networking luncheon
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11:30
am -1:30 pm
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Castro Valley
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April 10, 2007
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Facilitator,
Mt. Diablo
Business Women's Networking Meeting
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5:45
pm
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Lafayette
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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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Dressing for Networking Success
How you look is just as important (some say more important) as what you say and how you say it.
Ever notice how some people show up at events dressed "comfortably". Or rather "too comfortable".
These are the computer guys in jeans and long bushy hair and the mortgage people in jeans and a polo shirt.
Their "excuse" is that this is how they dress when they do their job, and they want to appear to be accessible and/or real.
WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!
If you're attending an event and want any HOPE of credibility with the people who CAN AFFORD your services, dress appropriately.
I am NOT suggesting a tux at a picnic!
DRESS GUIDE:
Find out how people will be dressed at the event and dress one "notch" higher. So if it's jeans and T-shirts, wear a polo shirt and khaki's. If it's business casual, wear a jacket.
If you want to be perceived as a professional, clothes really do make the person!
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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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