Greetings!
Exciting News! I was requested to be a guest author for SuccessNet, the official online newsletter for BNI. I wrote a response to a comment on the official BNI yahoo group that the editor liked and the request for the article resulted! I am so glad that some of the information I've been sharing with you will be able to benefit a much larger community.
This is proof that what I've been saying - that participating in forums is exposure for your business and it really works. I don't have an official "run date" for the article however, I will keep you all posted so you don't miss out.
And for all you "hockey boy" fans - last Friday, my son Stephen  was in a rock band concert with his wonderful and amazing teacher Rick Cittar, band leader of Little Ricky Blues. He had alot of fun and absolutely cracked everyone up with his colorful performance of 'Go Johnny Go.' (Notice the snakes on the shirt...!). Of course after the performance pictures of the family were taken and yes, the boy is quite a bit taller than me, to which his answer was - "Yes and all of my hockey equipment is too small again." I just got bigger stuff donated to us two months ago and he's already outgrown it!!
That's when I realized that hockey season is upon us - ack! ack! I was so unprepared for the thought that I will be doing lots and lots of driving to ice rinks that I though that my "windshield time" should benefit you somehow, so I've cooked up something special. Check out my article "An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure - Except In 2009" below
Well that's all for the announcements, now on to the content!
Have a profitable month!
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New Video Just Posted!
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I just posted my second video and it's all about self introductions. I also included my signature elevator speech template as a bonus.
What I need you to do is go check out the video and PLEASE ask questions, post comments and generally converse about networking!
Here's where you can visit my blog.
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Wow, Does This Guy "Get" How to Make Social Media Work!
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Last week I received an email from Frank Kern (cuz I am on his list). Frank was running this affiliate contest where the grand prize is a car. Frank's email said that not only was he blown away with Perry Belcher's results using social media, he won the car! "Hmmm." I thought. "Is this guy for real?" So I checked out his video. I have to say that I am truly impressed with Perry Belcher. His just released video and report (no cost) completely de-mystify social media - including Twitter. I can't wait to start using some of this stuff because it is pure genius. If you really want Social Media to be your financial friend, you should check out how Perry thinks about Social Media. You'll probably say "Of course! Why didn't I see it like that?" because that's exactly what I said! Click here for the link
He's a little "in your face" - and I think that's exactly the reality check that Social Media "experts" need. Enjoy (and let me know what you think!).
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An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure - Except in 2009
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 As you might have figured out by now, I spend a great deal of my time studying marketing and networking.
What I have discovered recently is that as a marketer (and you're one too when you have a business) you must stay current with today's trends to stay in business. One trend I learned about recently is that in today's economy - prevention isn't selling.
 People would rather run the risk of experiencing the problem and then fixing it if they need to than preventing it from happening in the first place.
Why?
Think about it. Where is the first place YOU are cutting costs? You may be spending more time and money putting out fires than making a good fire prevention plan because everything important to you seems to be on fire!
This is important to notice because most likely your clients are just like you. In order to help them understand the value of what you have, you must see how it fits in according to their new (in this economy) priorities.
What this means is that taking my ideas about your business as a problem solving device to heart is more crucial than ever to increasing your bottom line. 
Now more than ever you MUST be able to identify your niche and figure out how they think about the problem you solve. Only then can you explain to them - in their own language - exactly why they need to spend money with you. And you need to take the time to actually do it - go out networking and revamp your marketing.
By now you've probably noticed that things are different than they used to be. Before, just having a good reputation and relying on word of mouth worked fairly well because people were spending money and if they ran out there were multiple ways to get more. Credit cards, home equity loans etc.
Now those options are not as available as they used to be. People  are thinking twice or even three times - deciding whether parting with their money is worth the perceived risk - in case they don't get what you promise they will.
Speaking your client's language is even more important now - not to persuade and deceive them (because I know you would never do that) but to help them see the very real and very probable benefit of working with you.
What this means to you is that, in order to not just survive, but thrive your marketing has to be very very good. Remember 'the rule' as it applies to marketing? You need to be doing some kind of marketing activity at least 60% of your time and doing the thing you do 35% or so?
And you need a system so it doesn't drive you crazy, because unless you are me, marketing is a hateful chore that yo u wish would just go away - and besides you're not comfortable with it anyway. That's why I am pulling back the curtain and showing you exactly what I do so you can import it into your day to day business in whatever way feels best to you.
So here is how I do my marketing. All of these things are calendered in in ink so I don't schedule something else and overbook myself. - Feel free to steal. In school it was called 'cheating' - in business it's called 'smart.'
1 day per month - I connect with potential strategic allies and follow up. These people have either expressed an interest in promoting me or something I offer. I set aside time for logistics to make sure these relationships continue.
Two days per month - Newsletter writing day. I research and write my articles, create the newsletter and post articles to various online article repositories
 Two days per month: Lead generating workshops: I create, network for and execute at least 2 lead generating speaking opportunities per month. Selling my free home study course one to many makes alot more sense than having one to one conversations. Once they are on my newsletter, they'll hear from me at least twice per month.
One day per week: Networking Day! I devote the equivalent of at least one full day per week talking about how I help people create verbal and written marketing that gets results. I attend at least one BNI meeting per week and try to get to a minimum of two chamber events a month. I also employ my uber networking ninja strategies and network for strategic allies, not clients. Do I also get clients? Of course!
Here are the things I do that don't "feel like" work or networking:
30 minutes per day - Social Media. I tweet (I'm karenfrank43). I am learning tons and building social capital. I think of it as an investment. It's kind of like a networking event that I don't have to get dressed for all in 140 characters or less.
30 minutes per day - I read and respond to the BNI Official Yahoo group (must be a member to win) I really enjoy helping members brainstorm about things to improve their chapter and I appreciate all of the wonderful, thoughtful advice and comments on the forum.
So, our of the 30 or so hours per week I set aside for "work" about 60% is spent marketing the thing I do (marketing) and 40% is spent doing the thing and doing admin.
And that probably isn't enough!!
What I feel is the key here is that I "get" who my clients are and how they think.
So what if you don't? What if you are really struggling with your day to day operation? What if you really need just one or two more clients?
 Maybe you are afraid you won't make rent, pay your mortgage or perhaps your phone rings and instead of clients it's a bill collector? Hey, I know, I've been there too.
The absolute worst thing you can do if you are in this situation is put your head in the sand and hope it will go away. Nobody makes money with "hopeum" - nobody.
What if I could promise you - Promise You - that I can show you exactly how to find and talk to those one or two clients you need? what if I could show you how easy it is to find strategic alliances - in places you would never think to look?
Several clients of mine have had amazing results. You may remember Thornton Prayer who generated $5,000 after a one hour teleclass or Anderson Bros. Movers who were afraid they'd have to lay people off and now they are hiring and looking at a 7 figure year.
These are not super human extraordinary people. They are ordinary business owners like you who are able to follow directions and execute on a plan - even if they feel a little uncomfortable with it. They found allies where they would not have looked and did things that they were unfamiliar with - and it worked.
"But I don't have any money."
I hear you. In fact I've heard dozens of you say exactly the same thing - and I find it painful that the very thing you need to solve the problem is the one thing you can't bring yourself to do.
So I've decided to create something just for you to get you the results you need at a price you can afford.
Are you ready to make some money? click here to learn more about my "OMG it's Hockey Season Special Promo." and how my windshield time will make you more successful in your own business.
For the rest of you, I get it. I appreciate you anyway. I get that maybe we don't know each other well enough or maybe the problem isn't severe enough - yet.
I will trust you to let me know when the time is right.
Until next time,
Karen |
Karen Recommends
Resources You Can Use
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Here are some recommendations of services I've found that will save you time, money, headaches or all of the above. Want to learn secrets to abundance even in this economy? At no cost to you PJ Van Hulle will be hitting ALL of the highlights of her 4 day $2500 event in this one day workshop. Locations in Northern CA and Texas. Click here for more information.Nobody wants to think about it, but we all need a good attorney. Meet Dava Casoni, the Entrepreneur's Attorney. I've had the pleasure of working with her myself and to quote what I said to her - "I usually don't like attorneys. You I like!! She's UBER experienced and won't give you sticker shock to learn more click here:Why not worship something we can all get behind? - Chocolate! The Church of Chocolate's newsletter includes Chocolate reviews, tastings and recipes! Click here to subscribe to their newsletter. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the sign up box. Praise the Universe and pass the chocolate sauce! Business been down in the dumps lately? Then You are not going to want to miss this: Recession Rescue With Rapid Results. Click on the pretty purple box below for more info. |
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Networking Tip of the Month
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It's All About Relationships
One of my favorite quotes from last week's David Neagle call was an answer to this question:
"How do I attract quality people to work in my organization?"
David's answer - "Who you are attracting into your business is a direct result of who you are being in your business."
Wow.
As usual, when David says something like that on a call, I think twice as hard because there is an important lesson lying inside. And it wasn't too long before I ran right into what it was.
Relationships and social capital.
One critical aspect of networking is to always remember the importance of social capital. The benefits of building good capital and the dangers of creating bad capital.
Usually we're all on our best behavior in a business/networking situation. We're careful with what we are saying and to whom because every interaction counts.
But sometimes we "go unconscious." What I mean is we go on auto-pilot, allowing things to spill out, and we say things we don't mean and will regret later.
These are the times when we unintentionally "act small," and fail to see others as their highest and best selves.
This is also when our ego is saying very loudly that we are better than the person we are speaking with because deep down somewhere inside, perhaps we feel less than.
They say there are 6 degrees of separation and that you are only several introductions away from anyone in the world that you want to meet.
You are also that same number of introductions away from that very same person hearing that you were unkind, dishonest or anything else unpleasant.
Be aware that how you are thinking at any given opportunity will determine how you behave, your body language and what you say to people.
Your best investment in networking - is yourself. Learn everything you can about networking. Learn everything you can about other people and how they think. Learn how to develop deep relationships that stand strong over time. (Yes it's a skill, so you CAN learn how)
Most importantly, take the time to educate yourself about how your mind works so you don't burn social capital - because it isn't easily "unburned"
To your successful networking!
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Do You Lead Workshops and Trainings?
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Do you need someplace affordable, professional and private to conduct your training or workshop on the San Francisco Bay Area?
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Good News!
The Networking Lounge has space for you!
Rates are affordable, starting at just $50 for half a day. The space is clean and professional and we can even help you offer refreshments to your participants.For more information, go to our website and scroll down to the bottom to see rates, room layout and details, or you can simply email us for a tour or more information. |
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