Greetings!
For weeks it's been yes on this and no on that and who's a hockey mom supposed to vote for anyway.
BOY, am I glad THAT's over with!
Meanwhile, the economy is still the economy and frankly if you're waiting for the election results to magically fix it (and help you make more money), you need a new strategy!
My article - Planning for 2009: Five Simple Steps to Getting Results with Your Marketing is a must read as you plan your new strategy for the upcoming year.
And finally, for those of you who have been waiting (and clicking on links that didn't work quite right) you can check out my newest ebook on my very own website, thanks to the best web person in the world - my brother in law, Craig Polson
And now - on to the mayhem, or rather the articles. Please enjoy!
Karen |
| Karen's Monthly Musing
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Today is my son's 13th birthday. I don't know why, It never occurred to me that one day I would be the parent of a teenager!
 It's both good and a little scary. Good that Stephen is becoming a fine young man. He is thoughtful, kind and smart. What's scary - I have NO IDEA who the heck he was supposed to be for Halloween! I mean just what is a "Slash" anyway?
He told me it was a character on Guitar Hero. All I know is that as I watched this kid with long purple hair, a snake shirt, biker jacket, sunglasses and a top hat get out of the car to go to a Halloween party - I felt OLD!
(As soon as I get the "Slash" pictures back I'll post them)
And the weird part is that all of the other adults I ran into - seemed to know exactly who he was! Clearly I don't get out much!
Of course being the parent of a teenager means other things, like regaining the title of the shortest person I know, helping with homework I completely don't understand and trying  to figure out how all the parental Internet/TV blockers work. I'm thinking I'll have to ask Stephen how they work - ha!
I'll keep you all updated on twitter and on my blog!
Well, there's work to be done! Articles and flyers to write, hockey teams to manage and birthday presents to wrap.
Happy Birthday Stephen!
Til next time,
Karen |
Get the Insider's Scoop!
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Join me for a once in a lifetime Insider's Interview with Nutrition Expert, Shannon Law. What does this have to do with Networking? Everything! If you don't feel well, it shows. I asked Shannon to do a teleclass for you because I know that with the holidays, the news and the stress of getting it all done before year end, you need to look and feel your best. Shannon very graciously agreed to let me grill her so you could have the real insiders scoop! If you've ever wondered how celebrities look so amazing with the crazy lives they lead, you're about to find out. To find out more about Shannon, you can visit her website. This call is free, however it is going to be part of a membership site so this is the one and only time this information will be free of charge. The call is on Monday November 10th at 11:00 PST. Can't make the call? No worries! When you register, you will get access to the recording. Click here to register for this important call! |
Planning for 2009: Five Simple Steps to Getting Results With Your Marketing Dollars
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Recently I conducted a teleclass on the three most important seeps for successful marketing. Remember - this includes networking!! Here are the main points from that call:
There are three main steps for creating effective marketing copy:
1. Find - Find out who your audience is, Find out the problem you solve for them as they view it and find out how they view the solution
2. Design - Using the information you gathered in item one, design a message for your audience using the 5 part marketing formula discussed in prior class
3. Refine - Test your material to see if it gets the response you want, Correct as needed, Re-test
Before you test your marketing or networking message live, review it asking these five questions:
1. Is my copy client focused?
Yes Examples:
Are Ants invading your home?
Do your shoulders ache?
Remember your last sunburn?
No Examples:
We kill bugs.
I adjust backs so you feel better.
We have the best sunscreen you've ever tried.
If your marketing is client focused, then go to item 2 below. If not, rewrite with adjusted focus and re-test
2. Is my focus specific?
Yes Examples:
Attention Homeowners
Attention Computer Users
Attention Swim Team Members
No Examples:
Anyone who lives in a building
Anyone with tired shoulders
Anyone who goes outside
If your focus is specific, go to item 3 below. If not, pick a specific audience, re write and re-test.
3. Does my copy strongly identify the problem/pain?
Yes Examples:
Do you feel like you live on an anthill?
Does back pain keep you from doing what you love?
Painful sunburn keeping you trapped indoors?
No Examples:
Do you hate bugs?
Back pain a problem?
Sunburn is a leading cause of cancer.
If your marketing strongly identifies the problem, go to item 4, if not, re-write and strengthen the problem and re-test
4. Do I give clear direction as to what the next step is?
Yes Examples:
Free Estimates today only! Call 111-111-1111 to receive yours.
Come to my free screening on Saturday at the Farmers Market.
Don't risk sunburn again. Call me today for a free sample.
No Examples:
We give free estimates.
We've screened thousands of patients.
We're having a sale on sunscreen.
If you have successfully given direction to the next step, and you are working on an elevator speech, go to item 5.
If you have successfully given direction to the next step, and you are working on marketing copy, Congratulations! you are now ready to test with live people - friends, associates or clients.
If no, Correct by adding the "next step" to copy and re-test.
5. For Elevator Speeches only: Did I use the word "you" anywhere in the copy?
Yes Example:
Attention Homeowners: Are Ants Invading your home? Do you feel like you live on an anthill? This is the time of year when ants attack. Searching for water and a cool place to raise their millions of offspring - inside your walls!
If you're worried about ants spreading disease to your food and your family, get rid of them today! Call right now for a free estimate.
No example:
When Ants Attack! Right now, disease spreading ants are invading homes in Pleasant Hill! Nasty black ants are in search of water and a cool place for their queen to live and raise her millions of offspring.
We can make it stop. We're ABC exterminators and we offer free estimates. We're looking for a personal introduction to Jane Smith at Super Clean Maid Service. We can help their clients get rid of dangerous nasty black ants.
Here's the trick - If you used the word "you" you are selling to the person to whom you are speaking and that could be considered "pushy" PLUS you will miss out on "who they know" - that magical 'rolodex' of the 250 people they know who might need what you have, so if you used the word "you", re-adjust focus to remove the word you and re-write.
If not, Congratulations! you are now ready to test live.
The process, though simple is not simplistic and it is what I have developed to help you create fabulous marketing copy - without having to hire out!
Do you want to use this article in your newsletter? You can! Just be sure to include this entire blurb with it:
Karen Frank is the publisher of Networking News, a semi-monthly newsletter devoted to helping you avoid marketing disasters and networking faux pas. Get the home study course "The Seven Deadly Sins of Networking and How to Avoid them" Free when you sign up for Networking News at www.misskarensproductions.com
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Only 3 Spots Left! Who Wants an Extra $5 - $10K in Revenue by February 2009?
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This is very exciting. I now have nearly a full compliment of Marketing Makeover Individual Coaching participants. I only have three spots left.I am being very selective with the final three - here's what I am looking for:  1. A solo entrepreneur outside of the state of California in any industry2. A solo entrepreneur in the Financial arena, such as financial planning, insurance, bookkeeping or accounting 3. A second tier or higher Multi-Level Marketer (doesn't matter what the product is) orIf you are brand new to a networking group - 3 months or less, or are planning to apply to one in January. Here's a note: I am specifically looking for businesses that are not "money hobbies." That's a business that you love doing but you're not making enough to support yourself. There's nothing wrong with that, however, that "category" has been filled. You'll get all of the same information I offered in the Marketing Machine Class (click here for info about the class)at the same price as I offered the class but it will be tailored to your business and what your business needs to do to make alot more money - fast |
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November
Networking Tip
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It's All In a Handshake
Usually when I am out networking or meeting with someone, I begin and/or end the conversation with a handshake.
One thing I've noticed recently is that a good strong handshake isn't really noticed but a terrible one can make me forget an entire conversation.
Recently I was introduced to a very professional young woman. She seemed confident and had a nice smile. She spoke fairly well about her business too. When the conversation was over, I had the impression that she wasn't as confident as she appeared.
Why?
When we shook hands, she daintily took my first three fingers, bent her wrist a bit and kind of did a little weak 'up and down motion'.
I wasn't sure if she was afraid she'd hurt me or I her!
I've been the recipient of many many many very strange handshakes. I guess when you do what I do it's part of the territory. Everything from the 'clammy dead fish' to 'Mr. Vice Grip' who squeezed so tight my hand was red for an hour. (What was he thinking?)
It's really very simple to execute the proper handshake and being a man or woman doesn't make one bit of difference.
Take a look at your hand and note the fleshy part between your forefinger and thumb.
When moving into the handshake, that fleshy part should meet the other person's hand at exactly the same point. Take a firm (not killer) grasp and, well, shake hands.
Believe it or not (I didn't) there are actually schools of thought around how many times you should pump up and down and what it all means and I am not going into that here.
Bottom line though is if you start your handshake the correct way, you are much more likely to give a good handshake (and therefore first impression) when you meet someone at your next networking event.
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