Professional Network Connections Weekly E-Connect Series
NOVEMBER
October Series Presented By:
Patrick Greer
SpinningSilk MultiMedia
Week of November 25th
Beyond the Blog
Writing to a blog without letting others know about it first hand is basically like talking to yourself. Sure the search engines may find you better with the content but forums, podcasts and social networks are great ways to extend your blog. Ways we have discovered to extend and network beyond our site include participation in web forums, social networks like Facebook and Linkedin as well as photo sharing sites like Flickr.
Just as we network locally in our business networks you will also find opportunities to network online. Also consider the power of combining the two and let those in your local business network know how they can learn more about you via online networks.
How do you extend your network?
Week of November 18th
Serious Blog Commenting Mistakes
I’ve often suggested how important it is to post comments on other blogs as a way to drive potential traffic to your own blog/website but as in all things there is a proper way to go about leaving comments.
Commenting on a blog is like being given the microphone during a follow up Q&A session after someone speaks at a conference. Everybody is watching you, gauging your intelligence or lack thereof and while you may have the mic for a short period of time it is not your mic. Respect blog owners and forum moderators. The same practice carries over into real life situations as well.
Week of November 11th
The Difference Between Web Design and Web Development
When describing our web services you will often hear us use one or two terms to describe what we do. The term “web design” can be referred to as the outer coat and decoration of your web “home”. When you hear the term “web development” it usually means what you don’t see but it’s what makes the site work. Think of it as the framework, plumbing, electricity and appliances of your web home.
Week of November 4th
Finding Time to Write
One thing we encourage clients to do is to write to a “business blog” on their web site. I do realize however that finding time to write new content for your web site can be seen as just another added task in addition to our primary work.
The growth we experience when writing is a satisfying reward as well. Don’t be discouraged if no one comments on your blog as I have many people I meet in person who tell me they read something I said on this web site and liked it or found it interesting plus you are adding compelling content to your web presence.
OCTOBER
October Series Presented By:
Alan Melton
Empire Business Brokers
Week of October 28th
Help Other People
The principle of success in selling really comes down to one simple principle; Help other people. Zig Ziglar says this, "You can get anything in life you want by helping enough other people get what they want." Help Other People!!! Don't forget the Golden Rule; "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."
Week of October 21st
Persistence Pays - Don't Quit... Keep Knocking
At 40 years of age Hugh Patterson, a sales person, had a stroke that completely incapacitated the right side of his body. He cannot see, hear, or move on the right side of his body. As a result of his disability, Hugh lost his job and his driver’s license; it was determined that his disability would be a threat to the safety of others on the road. Hugh needed to work and determined to keep trying to get the driver’s license anyway. Nearly every week he would meet with some official to present his case. They all said “sir, you are disabled, we cannot grant you a drivers license. But he kept trying. At 50 years of age, and after ten years, and hundreds of attempts, Hugh got the license! Don’t Quit… Keep knocking!!! Don’t forget the verse "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."
Week of October 14th
Selling Success - Sow, Sow, Sow and Reap, Reap, Reap
Don’t forget the principle of sowing and reaping. We get a return on our selling efforts in direct proportion to the number of people we present our products and services to. The more people we present to, the more income we will produce. Keep sowing and sowing and sowing, and we will reap, reap, reap!!! Here’s the word of wisdom on this principle; “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Week of October 7th
Wow the Customer - Go the Extra Mile
As sales people, we want to set ourselves apart from the competition. The best way to do this is to "Wow the Customer!" We call this extreme acts of thoughtfulness. A front desk attendant at the Ritz Carlton paid attention to the needs of a sick guest; the sniffling customer mentioned that she had forgotten her NyQuil. When the guest entered her room, there was a note from the attendant and a bottle of NyQuil on the nightstand! Go the Extra Mile!!! Be aware of the needs of others, and find thoughtful ways to show you care. Here's The Word; “And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.”
SEPTEMBER
September Series Presented By:
Debbie Griffith-Brown
Professional Network Connections
Week of September 23rd
NETWORKING
Help my Business Card is Hidden and I can't be Found!!!
Ok, you dusted yourself off and went out Networking! Ok what did you do with those business cards and contacts? Guys – are they in your pants pocket? Ladies – stuck in the purse? How many cars are they in or desks are they piled up on? Anyone willing to confess?
Remember follow up takes planning. And planning takes time.
Here are some simple suggestions:
Add them to your Email Newsletter distribution
Sent them a “Thank You” email for spending time talking to you. If you
kept it to two or three contacts you can personalize this. You can do this as informally as an email from you or through
SendOutCards.com or any type of online greeting card company.
Send them a brochure with your business card.
Invite them for coffee, breakfast, lunch, or whatever to learn more about each other.
Scan that business card in MS Outlook or whatever program you are using. Or file in it a business card file box. What ever
you do, do some thing with that contact so you can find it later on. Nothing is worse than a lost contact; especially if
you need to buy some thing or have some thing to sell them. Or get this one….you have a lead for them. DON’T LOSE
YOUR CONTACT! THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO BUSINESS!
What ever you do; do some thing to follow up. Why? Did I hear you ask why? So they remember who you are! Because they may not need your products and services today, but one day they will. So stay in front of them!
Week of September 16th
NETWORKING
The Networking Interview
Before you enter any room for networking, determine the number of people that you would like to meet. Make it a reasonable number that you are confident that you can obtain.
It’s not who you know, but how well you know them.
Here’s a proven way to increase your referrals by 50-80%. Rather than drift around the room and talk to people that you already know while talking about last nights football game or chatting idly about restaurants or movies, make it a point to get well acquainted with those people you’ve set out to meet.
To make it interesting and to avoid monopolizing the persons time that you plan on talking to, limit your interview to ten minutes. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can learn what you need to know. Ask questions like these and/or make up some of your own:
1. What do you do?
2. How did you get started?
3. Do you specialize in any thing?
4. What’s the most interesting the interesting thing you’ve done in your business?
5. Where are you from?
6. What school did you go to?
7. What hobbies or sports do you like?
8. Do you have pets?
9. Are you married?
10. Do you have children?
After you walk away think about what you’ve learned. How can you make this information work for you? What can you tell someone else about this person, their business, or can you send business their way?
READY! SET! LET’S GO NETWORKING!!!!
Week of September 9th
NETWORKING
Setting the Stage to Go Out Networking....
Going out networking doesn't come naturally for all of us. Some of us really do have to work at it. Some of us are uncomfortable. For others we just don’t have enough hours in the day. Regardless of the reason, if you’re in business and you want more business networking is a necessity of doing business.
So let’s put a plan in place:
1. Plan when and where you're going
2. Take a buddy if you don't like to go alone
Come on everyone, this can be fun it you want it to be! Take turns meeting someone new and introducing yourselves.
3. Plan how many new contacts you’re going to leave with.
Yes, I did say plan. And be reasonable, 2-3 new people to begin with is more than acceptable.
4. Shake hands when introduced!
5. LISTEN!!!! Ask the 5 important questions! Who, What, Where, Why, and When.
6. Spend at least 10 minutes with each new person. Don’t stand in one place with all your buddies and don’t monopolize one
persons time. Even if you think they want you to.
7. Exchange business cards with everyone you meet. AND DON’T GO OUT WITHOUT YOUR BUSINESS CARDS. Find a way to
ALWAYS remember your business cards for networking events.
Week of September 2nd
NETWORKING
So you really want more customers.....
In order to get more customers you have to diversity your network. This will take YOUR active participation which will require thought, preparation and action.
Remember: New business is not in the filing cabinet, under the sofa, hiding out in your office, or knocking down your door. It takes getting out of that cave of an office, shake loose that current rut you’re in, and join a group of people in some sort of networking function. Your choice; breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, coffee, dessert…..you do have options here!