Your Customers Are Looking For You Online...
Can They Find YOU?

Michael Bennitt
Editor
August 2013
Volume 3, Issue 8
  Downloadable PDF version
I'm Social Now 
Newsletter 
 
Note From the Editor:

Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon.com is making headlines this week for his purchase of The Washington Post.

Jeff is a person who is shaping our times.  Here is a video excerpt from my favorite interview I've seen him do.

Hope you are inspired.


Respectfully,

Michael Bennitt
Editor

Is Your Body Language Working For You?
You've heard it said again and again, how important it is for you to get out and talk to people about your business, to press the flesh, to mix and mingle, to go to networking events and make new friends. But what if the way you show up when you're there is working against you, and leaving people with a feeling that something's 'off' about your business?

Body language is exceptionally powerful - if you spend just a few minutes observing a group of dogs, you can see how much gets communicated without words. A certain look, the way you position your arms and legs, the way you listen when others speak to you, all add up to help your fellow networkers form an opinion - not just about your business, but more importantly, about how they felt when they connected with you.

Many people are nervous in networking situations. Perhaps you don't know anyone there, or you're dreading the moment when you'll be called upon to introduce yourself and your business to the group (especially if there's a microphone!). Maybe you're by nature a more introverted person, and it takes about all the determination you can muster to get yourself to the event.

When you're nervous, the people around you pick up on that, even though they're not sure of the cause. When you can train yourself to relax and use smart body language as you interact, you'll feel more at ease and you'll also help the others around you to trust you more.



Here are some tips to help you network so naturally, it'll look like you were born doing it:

1. Watch your eyes.

If you've ever been talking with someone and realized they weren't looking at you, but instead, checking out who else they could be talking with, you know it's not a good feeling. Focus on one conversation at a time, and give it your all. Don't scope out the rest of the room. Instead, make friendly and direct eye contact. You'll communicate that you're listening, and that you value the other person's attention and conversation.

2. Watch your arms.

It can be a challenge to figure out what to do with your hands and arms when you're nervous. Pockets? Crossed in front of you? Hold something? On your hip? Actually, experts say the most friendly positioning is either to leave your hands at your side or clasp your hands behind you.

3. Watch your mouth.

One of the worst feelings you'll experience when you're out networking is if you're in the middle of a conversation and the other person yawns. Are you boring them? Not necessarily, but it sure doesn't inspire confidence or connection. A stifled yawn isn't much better. If you feel a yawn coming on, try pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth.

There's no way you'll be able to connect meaningfully with everyone in the room. You'll feel like you've left having accomplished an important goal if you focus on having one or two excellent conversations. Growing your business through networking is not a short-term plan - it takes time, commitment, and connection, but it's always worth the investment.
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I'm Social Now works with business owners (like you) to grow and increase their profits by doing their online marketing for them.

Our specialty is making sure future customers can find you online and choose you over your competitors, even if they don't know your name - with Social Media, Search Engines and Mobile Phone devices

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As Seen On YouTube
Michael Bennitt's Guide to Marketing Your Business Online in Chicago
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Quick Links
September events and holidays for your marketing calendar:
4 - Newspaper Carrier Day
5 - Be Late for Something Day
10 - Swap Ideas Day
16 - Mayflower Day
17 - National Eat an Apple Day
22 - Elephant Appreciation Day
26 - Johnny Appleseed Day
28 - National Good Neighbor Day

What specials, deals, and packages can you create with these events in mind?

Is Linkedin Premium a Good Investment?      

If you're using LinkedIn, you're getting offers to upgrade to Premium. You're the best judge of whether you'd make use of it to justify the cost, but here are the top three reasons to consider it:
  • Who's looking at your profile? You'll be able to see, as a premium member.
  • Who can you contact? Everyone - even if you're not already connected.
  • Who can you find? Your exact target market, with enhanced search features to help you make the most of this powerful marketing tool.
Need help with this? Just ask us!
What the Army Can Teach Business Owners About Productivity
You probably remember the TV commercials, showing soldiers running, swinging with ropes across obstacle course mud pits, and moving artillery in the pre-dawn hours. The announcer's voice says, "We get more done before 9 a.m. than most people do all day."  

While  hiring a former drill sergeant to 'motivate' you up and out of bed an hour earlier might be a little extreme, there are huge benefits to extending your day on the starting line rather than working late to the point of exhaustion on the other end.

The Most Productive Hour

By waking up earlier, and starting your workday earlier, you enjoy the benefits of undistracted time. The phone isn't ringing. Your coworkers or staff aren't asking questions. Your customers aren't in help-me mode yet. You're looking at prime undivided attention time.

Your Brain on Scatter

When you start your day earlier, you avoid many of the late-making snags that  you're more likely to encounter otherwise. Running late leads to stress, and stress leads to scatter. Scatter mode is never productive because it leads to making mistakes, having to repeat what you're doing or reading over and over, and it also makes it harder to remember important details.

You Can Move Mountains

Everyone's got those tasks we'd rather put off doing. They seem unpleasant early in the day, but practically insurmountable when left to sit and fester. By hitting your day running earlier, you'll have more strength to summon to tackle these challenges - and get the enjoyment of knowing you did it for the rest of the day.

Business owners all wish they had more hours in the day. The good news is, you already have them. It's just a matter of analyzing the costs and benefits, and making a change if it's worth it to you.

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