Networking

Networking Blues - You Are Arriving to Events Late

2008-08-19T21:55:00.002-07:00

One of the keys to having a successful networking experience at events and meetings is to arrive on time. Although, it would be ideal to arrive early, arriving on time gives networkers a chance to take advantage of unique networking opportunities and meet people before the big crowd rush. But as a business professional, do you find yourself always running late to networking events and meetings? Do you always enter the room after the speaker or presentation is done? Do you find yourself standing up at the back of the room and never meeting the right people? Do you feel like events are not as beneficial as they could be?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, then time is a factor and critical issue that is affecting your networking endeavors. Learning to have better time management skills and being properly organized for networking events can improve your networking results greatly. Listed below are helpful tips that professionals, entrepreneurs and students can use to get the most of their networking experiences.

State of Mind

Before you attend another networking event, take some time to develop your ideas and mental capacity for the future event. Whether it is meditating, brainstorming or visualizing a successful event, take some quality to focus on the event. Decide what you want to accomplish from attending the event. Focus on the type of people you would like to meet and how that will impact your business, business relations or social status. Develop positive thoughts towards networking and achievable goals in your networking pursuits.

Networking Buddy

It could be possible that you may need some accountability or extra help in your networking endeavors. Professionals that battle with networking obstacles should consider a having a networking buddy or networking mentor. This is someone whom they can attend events with who are associated with their company, industry, profession or social sphere of influence. It is a motivating piece that can get you on track and improve your networking progress. Keeping connected with a networking buddy can also improve your networking outcomes and allow you to set higher goals and objectives for your networking endeavors.

Proper Preparation

In order to stay focused and prepared for networking events, this may involve professionals taking time to properly prepare. We encourage individuals to be conscious of the time, location and date of their networking events. Call or email ahead of time to confirm practical and useful information about networking events and ask to be updated on last minute changes. Also be aware of construction, traffic delays, increment weather and other issues that may cause you to be late for events and meetings.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

Networking Tips - The Proper Handshake

2008-08-19T21:55:00.001-07:00

Business professionals, students, entrepreneurs and savvy networkers know the importance of making a good first impression. Whether you are interviewing for a job position, meeting the top directors of your company, making a formal presentation for clients or doing business with colleagues, your professional approach is key. Individuals and companies invest a lot of time and money developing and perfecting their skills for business and social etiquette.

Although there are several ways to make a great first impression, the handshake is the strongest and most viable element. It is the greeting call and the platform for a great conversation which leads to a great relationship.

Listed below are helpful tips that individuals can use to improve their first impression with others, gain the right attention and develop excellent social and business relationships.

First Come, First Serve

At networking events, meetings, conferences and interviews, individuals should not wait to be introduced. We encourage you to take initiative, step up to the plate and introduce yourself first. Being proactive is a great way to show that you are eager to meet the other person, passionate about building a great relationship and are not shy or intimidated. There may be situations where you are being accompanied by someone, and must wait for a formal introduction. But in most cases, it is socially and professionally acceptable to introduce yourself first and get the ball rolling.

The Right Hand

The right hand is key to making the best handshake ever. The right hand is the symbol of power, authority and order. Business professionals, students and entrepreneurs should not use their left hand to make handshakes. It is considered a faux-pas and very offensive in various foreign cultures. Also, when you are expending a handshake, always make sure that you are standing up and making direct eye contact with your business counterpart. This is a clear sign of respect and shows that you have manners and understanding.

Firm and Confident

The proper protocol for a handshake goes as follows:

1. A firm grip that is not too tight. Women should also have a firm hand grip which conveys confidence and respect to their business counterparts. Having a limp or weak handshake is offensive and not very inviting.

2. The handshake motion should be up and down and not back and forth. The grip should be two short but firm pumps. Both individuals should make sure that they are doing the motions at the same time. So it is courteous to wait for your counterpart, in order to make the right handshake motions.

3. The initial handshake is just as important as the release. After shaking your other person's hand, make sure to do a proper hand release. A proper hand release is a gently release of the other person's hand without dropping their hand or quickly letting go of their hand.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

What 42 Blind Dates Taught Me About Looking For Employment

2008-08-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

Once I recovered from a ten-year marriage that ended - much like being fired when the employer decides you are no longer an asset to the company - I decided I had gone long enough without a steady relationship and I joined a dating service. During the course of a year I had 42 blind dates - and just like a job seeker who racks up plenty of interviews (but few offers), I learned a lot about what it takes to succeed.

Networking is a great way to meet more people and uncover more interview opportunities. Let those in your immediate network know you are in the market for a new relationship and ask them to tell others in their network what you have to offer. Never turn down an opportunity for an interview. Through every interviewing experience you learn more about the market and yourself while you make contacts that lead you to more opportunities.

We are more attracted to people who show an interest in who we are, what we do, and what we need. Instead of talking incessantly about yourself and what you want and need in a relationship, show more interest in the person on the other side of the table and discuss ways you can fulfill his/her needs.

Holding on to anger from previously failed relationships is not an attractive quality. If you were fired/RIFed/replaced, accept it, and move on. Desperation also is not an attractive quality. Sure you want a new relationship, but if you let the other person know that you are willing to do anything and take anything, you appeared damaged and undesirable.

How you dress for the interview reveals a lot about your personality and how you feel about yourself. If you dress "old" and look "old" you will be seen as someone who is too set in their ways. Likewise, if you show up at a five-star restaurant in a t-shirt and jeans you will come across as uncaring or just plain ignorant!

Don't try to hide what you perceive as potential barriers to securing a long-term relationship. If you are over 40, have kids, or different life goals you hope to attain, don't try to hide it - once you are in the relationship, these things will reveal themselves. Decide what will be the next step after the initial meeting. If you are not interested in the second interview, say so. Don't say you will call unless you are going to call.

Pay attention to those subtle clues that this relationship may not be good for you and walk away. Listen to your "gut" and don't second guess your instincts. Don't repeat previous mistakes in the hopes of righting previous wrongs.

Know what you are looking for and you will find it more quickly. If you can visualize - in minute detail - what that ideal relationship looks like, you will confidently discard those that do not measure up and recognize the right fit when it comes along.

Unfortunately, it took me longer than it should have to learn these things, but I had only been in one long-term relationship and my dating experiences were pretty limited. I was getting a lot of poor advice from others who also had limited dating experience and there were no "dating coaches" I could turn to for guidance. As a result, it took me 42 blind dates to finally assemble the correct tools and techniques and execute a targeted search that led me to my ideal relationship.

I am happy to report that I just celebrated my 16th anniversary in this relationship, and although life offers no guarantees, I can assure you that we are both committed to making this one last!

ekm Inspirations provides new grads and experienced professionals with career tools, coaching and resources to help in their job search and career management. Visit the website at http://www.ekminspirations.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Norine_Dagliano

Should You Join a Networking Group?

2008-08-13T02:27:00.004-07:00

Someone told me a couple of years ago that there were over 300 networking groups in the UK each with their own networking events - who knows what the situation is right now? The number of networking groups has grown exponentially while I've been in business and what's more each of them has a membership structure where you can potentially join the group. So, should you join a networking group and if so, which one would be the best for you?

Before you make the decision about joining any networking group, I would strongly suggest that you visit lots and lots of groups and see which ones you like and which ones you're not keen on. Even within the same group (like BNI - Business Networking International), there will be different chapters and some chapters will suit you better than others.

Most networking groups will welcome you twice as a visitor before you need to make a decision, but if you are seriously considering joining ask the organiser if you can come again. As long as you don't take the mickey (going 27 times and still not joining) any organiser should allow you to do this is if they can see you're being serious.

Should you join a networking group? I would only say the answer is yes, if you're prepared to spend the time and the energy that joining a networking group requires. It's not just about attending the event; it's also about meeting up with fellow members and finding out more about their business and following up after the event. It's about consistently attending the networking groups and making the most of their training etc. And sometimes, it's about sitting on the committee too and organising the events.

For the small business owners who have joined a networking group and put the time and effort into it, most of them have told me that they get excellent returns on investment and most will continue to be members year after year after year.

If joining a networking group is not for you, you should aim for five or six different networking events each month - this will ensure that you get a good mixture of events and meet lots of different people. You should then be consistent at following up with everyone at the events, regardless of whether you meet them or not.

In summary then, should you join - yes if you can commit the time and energy it takes to get to know the other members and make the most of a networking group; if you can't, go along to a variety of other events and be consistent at following up with people you've met afterwards. Which one should you join - it's really important that you go to a number of different groups and events before you commit to joining one group. That way you can see which group would suit you best.

Remember though, ultimately you're looking for return on investment; you're looking to get more business from the group than the joining fee would cost you. So when you're looking for a group, keep this in mind.

Exceptional Thinking (http://www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk) provides help and advice for small businesses on marketing and for people starting up in business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Helen_Dowling

After Hours and the Networker

2008-08-13T02:27:00.003-07:00

Networking in the daytime is slightly different from networking at night. As a matter of fact after hours seem to more relaxed and engaging for the business professional, entrepreneur or student. There are few different rules for evening encounters and professionals should pay attention to these so that they can make the most of their networking efforts.

Listed below are ways that professionals can make the most of their networking events and functions as the sun goes down.

Networking Uniform

Evening cocktails and events are less formal that morning breakfast or business luncheons. Professionals tend to wear darker colors and have a more casual yet professional style. Business men can loose the tie and business women can keep leave the suit jacket behind. Although it is not an all out party attire, cocktail and evening events can be a little more festive and appealing in comparison to the daytime office wear. Men and women can even wear nice denim slacks with comfortable and stylish tops to set a professional yet chic image.

Talk of the Talk

When it comes to conversation, after hour networking events tend to lean more towards the social and personal side rather than business. It is a relaxed and more casual environment and people will definitely use that atmosphere to influence their conversation and interactions with their business counterparts. Typical conversations can includes sports, entertainment, travel, family as well as a host of topic of personal interest. This is also an excellent way to build relationships and connect with the right people. Often times, professionals will use this opportunity to set up an appointment at a later date to discuss business.

After Hours Supplies

Before your next networking event that is after hours, professionals should consider being properly prepared for a success and fun encounter with their business counterparts. Professionals are encouraged to carry plenty of business cards. They should also use business etiquette when passing out the cards to make a dynamic first impression. Professionals should also carry cash with them for paying for tips and other additional services.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

Stuffing Your Face at a Chamber of Commerce Meetings is Pathetic and Disgusting Indeed

2008-08-13T02:27:00.002-07:00

Perhaps you are a small business person who attends chamber of commerce meetings to mix and mingle and network, that's great, you should always participate. However, you should eat before you go to evening mixers, so you can spend the time to network and introduce yourself to new business contacts. If you are busy stuffing your face you look like a free-loader and in doing so you do not look as professional, hardly a way to make a first impression.

Myself, well, over my career in franchising, I made it a requirement that each franchisee join their local chamber of commerce and attend meetings and mixers. Thus, whenever I was in town visiting, often I would also attend such events. I found this issue of folks stuffing their face rather than networking such a common occurrence, I wondered why the SBA did not teach classes on business etiquette, as obviously these folks had lots to learn in that arena.

Even more interesting was when well-known business owners were doing it. Sure, one might expect a certain number of employees which have been sent to such meetings to drink too much and eat heartily, and yet, it should be considered very poor representation when they do.

Let's face it, in a small business you develop your reputation and you serve your community, but if you show such disrespect then you defeat the purpose of building your local brand and in doing so you do a disservice to all. Be wise when it comes to networking, play it smart, eat before you attend Chamber of Commerce meetings. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Why It's Time to Dump Organised Business Networking

2008-08-13T02:27:00.001-07:00

One thing I must share with you is that in the 5 years since I wrote the networking manual "Speed Business Networking - The Manual", I've gone right off organized networking. Not because I think it's a bad thing. But because I'm yet to see a single organization that actually does it right. I'm yet to see a bundle of "members" use anything like truly effective networking practice.

The overwhelming majority of organizations are letting their members down by not teaching simple strategies that could double their business revenue extremely rapidly (and would make networking much more satisfying as well) and the members are letting each other down by their disinterest in learning and using more effective strategies.

I don't mean YOU of course! You're here, reading this tutorial, so I think we can safely say that YOU are interested in, and committed to, doing it better and reaping the benefits which are certainly there!

But in an online, anonymous survey of experienced networkers, the overwhelming majority said they did not want to learn more about their fellow members, and they did not want to learn more effective ways to network, to get more leverage out of networking. To my enormous surprise, the majority said that they did not want to network, and that for them the most important thing that they wanted their networking organisation to provide was passive entertainment!

This is definitely a major factor in the +95% failure rate of small business. You would NEVER hear the owner of long-term, healthy, thriving business say those things. Because NO-ONE achieves that level of success on their own. Without exception they achieve it because of the support and input of their business friends - their business network.

So that brings us to the point of asking "Well if this is the case, why aren't networking organizations trying to drum this into members' heads?" And the answers are "marketing" and "fees". If the networking organizations provided what members actually need in order to grow their businesses, if they had policies in place which required members to network effectively, they would lose members. That's the bottom line.

Want proof of that? Well we are number one on Google for the 2 most-searched-for business networking search phrases. And we have been for some time. We offer to use our position to promote, wholeheartedly and completely free of charge, any networking organization that commits to following effective and proven networking strategies. We even offer to help them to do that, also free of charge. We will "personally" promote those organizations on our site, and we won't take a cent at any time for doing that.

How many networking organizations do we promote in this way? None, zero, zilch.

Although we were the first networking organization to coin the phrase "Speed Business Networking" and we promote a speed networking component at nearly every meeting, that was only EVER a mechanism to get people in front of each other instead of in corners, to give them an opportunity to "click". (And we taught people how to look for the "click"!) The main emphasis was on the principles and methodology of ethical and effective networking. So we were NEVER saying that meeting new people was the key part of networking because it ISN'T. It's what you do with them afterwards that counts, and that's the ONLY THING THAT COUNTS.

Most people who join networking organizations do so because for one reason or another they don't have the ability to form their own networks. Some people think that members join for the efficiency of meeting lots of business people. As I just pointed out, that's false logic, because you can meet a million people at these functions, and if you don't follow up by building real and personal friendships with those individuals that you "click" with, to the extent that you become each others' raving fans and share expertise, resources, advocacy, joint ventures, and of course referrals, you may as well not bother.

I'll put this even more simply. The overwhelming majority of organized networking done today is a complete waste of time, effort and money. And the fact that it's usually done out of business hours means that it is simultaneously robbing people of their home lives, and robbing them of the time that they could be spending with a network that is at least genuine: family and friends.

So here I'm going to make a very big statement and it's your reaction to it that will tell you whether or not you're going to get the really big payoff from networking.

To get a really big payoff from networking you will have to BUILD YOUR OWN NETWORK, and although you will certainly enjoy some out-of-hours activities (probably including members' family and friends for the simple fact that these people WILL be your REAL friends) the majority of your networking will be done in business hours because IT IS A BUSINESS ACTIVITY.

Now, if you're going "I can't possibly do that because ....." then although you'll certainly get something out of this article, I know you're going to struggle to grow your business. If you're going "Sounds interesting, I'm prepared to commit" and you follow that up with action, you have a recipe for success!

Speed Business Networking offers FREE MEMBERSHIP to individuals and networking organisations who want to improve their networking satisfaction and results.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Sutherland

Build Business By Building Relationships!

2008-08-13T02:27:00.000-07:00

There has never been a time when marketing for the construction industry was so important. However, those of us who are involved in this crucial aspect of business development are acutely aware that the industry has been notorious at making huge blunders in its marketing efforts!

On of the top five blunders people in the construction industry make when trying to grow business, is in the way it deals with prospective and current clients.

Most business development professionals recognise that all marketing for construction begins and ends in one simple principle - knowing how to build relationships.

It is at least 5 times easier to win a new contract from an existing client than to go out and find a new one! That is not to say that we should not be extending our client base because this is essential for ongoing company growth and to ensure a healthy sales pipeline.

However, if you are producing good quality work, you should find that 70% to 80% of your turnover comes either directly from current or past clients, or from referrals and recommendations from clients you have worked for. You need to spend a lot of time developing relationships with these key people as they can become your best marketing tool.

Current and past clients are like gold dust to your business. Your existing client base also forms potential sales revenue for back end products and services.

If you have no track record with your potential client, you need to be able to demonstrate that you are trustworthy. Endorsements and testimonials from people you have built relationships with, are crucial to substantiate this. It is also important to be available to your prospects so that they can have a face to face meeting with you. This is crucial even at the highest management level of your company. This will build confidence and reassurance because they are dealing with a real person and not just a marketing consultant with an ulterior motive!

There are many ways that relationships can be built:

1. Run a Lunch Club for your project team at completion.
2. Hold Continuous Professional Development Training Seminars with guest "experts" in the industry
3. Promise less, deliver more
4. Make sure there are open lines of communication
5. Give you workforce "Customer Relationship" Training
6. Distribute a high content newsletter
7. Open a Social Networking forum

You will find that if you apply these strategies every day, you will reap the benefits.

Steve Flashman is a Marketing Consultant with a unique edge! He is a public speaker published author, recording artist, media broadcaster and communications expert.

Marketing For Construction

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Flashman

Is Your Networking Approach Missing These Three "Must Haves?"

2008-07-15T08:12:00.001-07:00

Networking is a hot topic. It's common to hear that the majority of jobs are won through some form of networking. So, if you plan on getting another job in your lifetime then learning about networking is a wise choice!

If you are wondering where in the world to start learning how to network or if you are apprehensive to network because it's new for you or you have had a negative networking experience from the past, this article is for you. Here are three must-haves that are easy and powerful ways to quickly get started networking AND quickly reap the benefits of your valuable contacts!

#1: Focus on Them
When you are talking with someone you are meeting for the FIRST time, you must keep your focus on them. In other words, this is not the time to introduce what you need but rather to ask them a few questions about them. Interestingly, you will make a far greater impression on someone when you keep the focus on them versus on yourself!

If you are one of those professionals who really get stage fright before a networking opportunity such as a mixer, then a great tip for you is to write down 5 questions you feel comfortable asking. This will boost your confidence and help you avoid that feeling of being tongue tied.

#2: Reciprocity
Networking is more about what you can do for someone else then what they can do for you. In other words, if you put the focus on helping others, not only does it take pressure off you but it creates a positive exchange between you and your network.

Whether you are sending a key decision maker of a company you want to work for a positive article about their company, passing on a valuable bit of mentoring to a junior executive or referring one of your top vendors to another company - the more you get in the habit of helping others in these small ways the more you network will extend their help to you exponentially.

#3: Don't Play the End Result
Maybe you are wondering with all this gifting you are doing just when you are going to get to network?! That's understandable. The answer is you definitely will have multiple opportunities to network in order to take action towards your goals.

When you approach your network for information it's important to be polite, gracious and clear about what you want. But don't play the end result. Meaning when you follow up with a key decision maker after sending in your resume, when you connect with an executive to ask for a short mentoring meeting or when you query your friends about who they might know in your industry of interest, it's critical that your only expectation at that moment is the opportunity to pose the question.

Your success rides more on how many people you network with and how you ask someone for something than the actual response you get. Some contacts will be able to help you and some won't. Knowing this, you can relax and keep your expectations in check. The person on the receiving end will certainly pick up on this intuitively and respond in kind.

Self-Promotion - How to Write Your Elevator Pitch

2008-07-15T08:11:00.002-07:00

If you're in business for yourself, you must master the art of self-promotion. Every opportunity you get to explain what you do is an opportunity to earn new business. If you are self-employed or an independent contractor, you might already be familiar with the concept of having an elevator pitch, which is a short, 15 second explanation of what you do, how you do it and for whom.
Ergo, it's an explanation that can be delivered in the same amount of time that it takes to ride an elevator.

Often times, when people ask you what you do, you might feel compelled to give a one word response: Doctor, Teacher, Realtor, Musician, etc. If you're giving a one word response, naturally people may ask follow-up questions: what is your practice; what grade do you teach; where do you sell houses; or what instrument do you play, etc. The problem with giving a one word response is not with being asked to further explain yourself, in fact, asking questions is a great way to build a relationship. It's the amount of time it takes to respond. If you're in an actual elevator, you're likely to leave your new prospect or networking friend hanging.

The second misfortune that comes with a one word response is allowing your prospect to group you with other business professionals i.e. you're just another doctor, another teacher. Don't allow people to assume what you do. Tell them by developing an elevator pitch that can delivered to anyone, even your mom.

Start with the three questions above:

1. What do you do?
2. For Whom
3. Most importantly, what do they get out of it?

Or you can fill in the blanks: I help (Who) _________________________________ (do what?)________________________(so that they can) ________________________________.

Let's take the example of a teacher. They're not independent contractors in all cases, but let's assume we have an elementary school teacher at a party with bankers. He or she might say something like this: I manage and instruct twenty four 10-year olds in Literacy and Math for ABC school so that they can one day become productive members of society. Ok, so maybe this is a little bit over the top, but it's at least a start and a better description than a one word response.

Create a Profitable Network

2008-07-15T08:11:00.001-07:00

Do you ever wonder why kids of affluent families get into the best firms and land on the best jobs right after graduation? It's because their parents have mastered the art of networking. However, you don't have to be a parent or a businessman to build a network because honestly, networking is for everyone. So how do they do it?

First of all you've got to do your homework. If you want to meet someone, make sure that you at least know something about the person. Have you ever tried to Google someone? According to studies, on the average, an individual looks up at least 13 people in Google every month. It would also help if you read about the person you want to meet. Read magazines or books about the industry they belong to. By knowing some bits of information before meeting them, you are actually doing more than connecting. In fact, it becomes an excellent opportunity to bond and impress them.

Your name also plays an important role in networking. A name is actually one of the things that people should remember about you. So how would they remember your name? One way to do it is by having your own domain name. For example, Microsoft has its own domain name. So if you look it up online, only one site pops up with Microsoft. Thus, having a unique and memorable name is an excellent way of making people remember you and of course, easier for them to find you online.

According to Mitch Albom, author of the bestselling novel Tuesdays with Morrie, "Build a little community of those you love and who love you." However, you have to build your network before you need it. It's annoying when people you haven't heard of in years calling you to sell or ask for something like a job. The myth about reaching out to others only when you need something is a big trap that we must avoid. Those people with the largest networks of friends and contacts know that it is wise to reach out to others before you even need anything at all. There are a lot of opportunities out there that would help you build your circle of contacts. It may be as simple as talking to someone in the PTA meeting or when you're in line in the grocery checkout. You will never know when you will need them but it's important that you get to know them even if you don't need anything from them.

There are people who were born to connect with other people without a sweat and there are people who have difficulties in doing the same. But what can we learn from the spontaneous and audacious? If you are not that kind of person, then your best arm is to prepare. It means knowing beforehand what to say. You just don't talk; you have to say how you benefit people and how you make them feel. The goal is to convey your image in a positive and worth-remembering way. Skip the jargon. It will not impress people and might just cause confusion. Just keep it simple yet definitive.

Finally, knowing who you want to know is one of the keys in creating a good network. Identify the people who can help you get there. It wouldn't hurt to reach out to authors as they are very knowledgeable. Reach out to the people who have the same profile as you and find out what they did and what helped them to become successful. You may also want to talk to someone whom you aspire to be like. You are making this connection to learn from others and to create a meaningful relationship at the same time. Remember that people crave to be appreciated and showing sincere interest about the person and what they do is a way of showing appreciation.

The truth about networking is those who are good at it don't just reach out to people; they create meaningful and lasting friendships. They know that success can be measured by relationships. So when do you start creating an enriching circle of trust? Today is a good day to start.

Business Networking in Person - 4 Tips to Try

2008-07-15T08:10:00.002-07:00

Business networking in person can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you tend to shy away from public speaking or group gatherings. However, it is a necessary part of growing your business, so try these four tips next time you attend a business networking event.

Be Prepared

Prepare an elevator pitch before you attend the business networking party. An elevator pitch is basically a 30-second mini-commercial that describes your business. If you prepare one ahead of time, you will avoid stuttering or stammering when it is time to do it for real.

Avoid Alcohol

Some business networking events have wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages available. Try to avoid drinking alcohol during one of these events. Even if you only have one drink, it can cause an odor on you that may make people think you had several drinks. It can also impair your judgment and ruin your chances of making meaningful contacts.

Bring Business Cards

You do not want to write your phone number down on the back of an event program, so make sure you have your business cards available. One trick to try is to have the link to your professional networking profile printed on the back of your card. If you have a profile at a site like Schmoozii or LinkedIn, have the link included on your card so people have one more way to get in touch with you.

Follow Up

Collecting business cards does not help you if you never follow up on them. Take the time to call or send a letter to every person you met during the business networking event. Do not hit them with a heavy sales pitch. Simply let them know it was nice to meet them and that you are available for future projects.

Taxidermists Need Friends, Too!

2008-07-15T08:10:00.001-07:00

It's easy to think of the taxidermist as a lone wolf, working in isolation in his shop to complete his clients' mounts. While that's certainly true some of the time, in actuality the taxidermist has an increasing number of options available in terms of networking and cooperation.

One of the most important tools in the taxidermist's networking kit is the professional association. Members of a state or national taxidermy association have the tremendous advantage of being able to meet and compare notes with other professionals at conventions and competitions. While the independent taxidermist exists in a locally competitive market, when he or she meets taxidermists from other regions around the nation and world, an astonishing amount of sharing can take place. Many taxidermists are only too happy to explain a new technique that results in a better, more profitable product --and are just as likely to ask for tips in return. Relationships forged at conventions and competitions can result in direct business as well, as taxidermists might be looking for a qualified professional to whom he or she can refer clients whose needs go beyond his or her abilities.

Taxidermists who operate in different regions can also call upon each other to help prepare a mount. If a taxidermist in New York knows one of his or her clients is going hunting in Montana, they will likely recommend that the hunter take his kill to a local taxidermist to prepare it properly for shipping. The Montana taxidermist will very likely be someone the New York taxidermist has met at a convention or competition, and whose work they trust.

Taxidermy, though a skilled trade that has evolved over the years, still has a bit of an old-world cachet about it. It might be surprising, therefore, to note that online taxidermy groups thrive, and are an excellent source of give-and-take advice and mentoring. As social networking online grows, taxidermists are popping up on MySpace, Facebook, YouTube and other popular sites.

The best way for a taxidermist to take advantage of the networking opportunities out there is to consult with experienced taxidermists who have already blazed that trail. By receiving instruction in this and other important sidelights in the taxidermy world, an aspiring taxidermist can greatly increase his or her visibility, marketability, and profitability.

Top 3 Essentials For Power Networkers

2008-07-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

Professionals, students and entrepreneurs are constantly networking to build their clientele, gain professional experience or develop socially. There are not many rules in networking and the sky is the limit in how a person can excel. The beauty of networking is that it can be tailored to your needs, your profession and your commitment. This type of flexibility makes it very attractive to business people and students. There are several ways of being successful and building on your success while networking. There are tools, tips and techniques which networkers can use to make significant improvements in their relationships and networking strategies for success.

Listed below are certain items that can help networkers make the most of their networking events, meetings and business encounters.

#1 Essential Item: Coffee Card

It might sound silly but a lot of networking involves following up and staying connected. Time is often limited during networking events and people usually find themselves meeting up after the event to conduct business and build relationships. It is typical to meet up for a coffee or lunch for approximately 30 to 60 minutes. Professionals and students who are active networkers can expect to meet up with their business counterparts at least two or three times a week. In this case, purchasing a gift card from coffee shops is a great investment. There are several retail coffee shops located in prime and central locations which will allow flexibility in organizing and conducing meetings. Also, purchasing the cards can be a tax or business write off. It is also great to carry these cards around for unexpected meetings and encounters.

#2 Essential Item: One Dollar Bills

Networking events are conducted in various venues and types of locations. They can range from office meeting rooms, to restaurants, lounges, hotels, conference centers etc. It is always beneficial to carry cash for up front parking and public transportation. Using cash can also reduce your risk of identify theft if you are constantly using your debit or credit card. Having cash on hand is great if you are attending events at restaurants or bars. It is always courteous to tip waiters, waitresses and bartenders as well as valet service.

#3 Essential Item: E-card Membership

Sending out thank you cards periodically, remembering a client's birthday or simply sending a quick note are good ways of staying in contact with your business counterpart. Clients, customers and friends can increase their loyalty when they know that you are sincere and genuine in your efforts. Having an ecard membership allows you to be able to show gratitude and appreciation for your valued business and personal contacts

Profitable Social Networking - 8 Key Ways to Get Started With Social Networking

2008-03-01T03:26:00.000-08:00

There are eight key ways to get on the road to profitable social networking. Through this article, you are provided an overview of these eight key ways to profitable social networking.

One. First of all, profitable social networking depends upon your ability to become involved at a popular social networking site. Are you ready to become involved?

Two. In this regard, get feedback and advice from other individuals. Ask your friends and neighbors what they think and are doing.

Three. This next step of profitable social networking is setting up your appropriate and attractive page at a social networking site. You want to attract visitors.

Four. You will want to make sure that your profitable social networking efforts are coordinated with all of your other promotional campaigns. Coordinated marketing is the key to success.

Five. You want to continually review the steps that you've taken in regard to profitable social networking to make sure that they remain effective.

Six. Through your profitable social networking efforts, you will want to develop a relationship with other strategic partners. This can be very beneficial to your efforts in social networking.

Seven. You will want to make sure that you are active at social networking sites. Profitable social networking depends upon the amount of time that you devote to this exercise.

Eight. Finally, there are some consultants that can provide you with professional advice when it comes to social networking in this day and age.

Productive Social Networking - 6 Key Ways to Excel At Social Networking

2008-03-01T03:23:00.000-08:00

In the 21st century, productive social networking is becoming an element of the overall marketing scheme for many different businesses. If you are interested in productive social networking, there are six key ways to Excell at social networking. Through this article you will be provided an overview with the six key ways to excel at social networking, to create a productive social networking scheme.

1. The first step that you need to take when it comes to productive social networking is very basic. You need to understand what social networking is all about. In this regard you might want to talk to other business owners or individuals who have been active with social networking in the past.

2. The second key to productive social networking is to develop your own strategy or plan. You do not want to embark on social networking willy nilly or blindly.

3. The next key to productive social networking is to identify those social networking sites that are popular and widely used.

4. At this juncture you will want to develop your own page or page is at the social networking site or sites that you've selected. You need to keep in mind the importance of the page that you create. It is your page that will draw people's attention to you in the first instance.

5. Of course, one of the keys to productive social networking is interacting with other individuals who are involved in the social networking site. With this in mind is important for you to set aside time every day to engage in activities at the social networking site if you want to be successful.

6. Finally, you will want to keep well abreast of trends and changes that are occurring at the social networking site in which or participating. The Internet is constantly in flux. So our social networking sites. Therefore, if you want to enjoy productive social networking success, you need to stay up to date with the latest trends and changes.

Smile At Everyone

2007-07-09T02:49:00.001-07:00

I love people. I enjoy talking with folks from any background (as long as they are respectful and have an open mind). Different political views, religious beliefs, various ethnic origins and a schmorgesborg of interests are what make the world so fascinating. Your spirit comes alive when you meet another human being with whom you can have a captivating discussion.

Yet so many walk through life in a protective shell. People try to insulate themselves from others. No eye contact. No smile. No hint of joy in their soul. YUCK.

One morning in Starbucks I sat reading a book. From time to time I would watch the urban professionals roll through to get their daily caffeine fix. I am a regular in the coffee shop, thus I often would see a friendly face and get a familiar smile. Many who know me will exchange a few words. Beyond that, few of the patrons make any effort to notice those around them.

"Tall decaf, room for cream". "Grande extra shot non-fat, sugar-free vanilla latte". "Venti zebra mocha with extra whip". The Starbuck's has it's own language which all the citizens speak fluently. But they only speak with the bartistas. Few will acknowledge that others are in the store. They fall into line and try to be invisibly lost in their own world.

The younger folks have iPods blaring in their ears, just to be sure that they do not have to interact with any other people.

I believe the world was different 100 years ago. My fantasy is that people talked to each other in the coffeehouses of yesterday. They did not live their lives behind invisible fences of the mind, but instead ran free with each other in stimulating conversation. Maybe I am wrong. Perhaps it was always like it is today.

Opportunities come from people. If you do not know enough people, then you are missing out on countless ways to improve your life. Reach out to others, smile, have a polite conversations. One never knows who they will meet that could become an important influence in their life. Hide from humanity and you are hiding from your future success.

If you ever see me sitting at a Starbucks, feel free to smile and say hello. I am easy to recognize, as I am the person who is smiling at you.

Where You Need To Look To Grow Your Networking Marketing Business - Growing Your Downline!

2007-07-09T02:48:00.000-07:00

Who are the best people and where are the best places to find people to join your MLM business?

Multi-level marketing or network marketing success it normally at its best when you maximize the people of the network plan which means you earn income off the work of others. As such to be successful you will need to grow a team of people, partners or what is often referred to as a down line.

Although general advertising can be effective, experience shows that there are certain types of people who are either more receptive to your business proposal. Who are these people and why should you target them?

Other Multi-Level Marketing People
One of the first places you should look at is people who are already in some form of network marketing program. The reason is obvious - you don't have to over come false notions of pyramid marketing or other network marketing falsehoods told by people who don't understand laws of rewarding hard work and the benefits of network marketing. (You would think with some of the largest multi-nationals in the world now involved in network marketing some people would realize that MLM is a modern economic reality, but still there are hanger's on who believe in old industrial models of employment until their bubble is burst when their life time loyalty is blown with retrenchment and lost of their retirement income).

People who are already in network marketing can with the right product just transfer it straight to their already existing network. For example - Global Domains International which offers web hosting and domain names package in a network marketing frame work is very popular with other participates of network marketing programs because it provides their down line with a tool they can use to help market their primary MLM product or service.

Less training is needed. Because these people are already in network marketing and used to the concepts and practices. Further they already have an entrenched down line to market to.
Internet Gurus Another place is to take the 'Wall Street' approach. You may remember the popular film in the 80's about greed and Gordon Geeko and how by capturing the whale meant higher income. The same is true in the MLM world. Capture a whale who already mass markets and your MLM could explode.

Ezine and List Builders
These people already have a list of people normally in the thousands with which they can market an MLM program to. In fact if you are a list builder and you don't have your own network marketing program with recurring income (like GDI) that you are also marketing to your list you must have rocks in your head, because your missing out on an easy second income.

Young Adults
As you know the older you get the harder it is to make friends. We become introspective and less trusting. Teenagers are natural network marketers. The love the latest techno gadget and naturally 'market' to one another all the time - peer pressure and other similar factors mean that if a young person has something that's popular then you can expect the others in the network to be assaulting their parents wallets demanding to be part of the latest cool thing. Things like Ipods were mainly marketed and gain huge popularity by WORD OF MOUTH. Word of mouth is still THE most powerful marketing in the world - hence why NETWORK marketing seeks to tap into this concept.

Young people are also looking at ways to earn extra income without too much labor - with study, uni. and parties taking most of their time - working at a low rate of pay at a takeaways is not the most appealing way to earn money. How much easier to earn money while out at parties and socializing with friends.

Seekers
People who are frustrated with their life or job are the final group of people you should target. Often these people are looking for something different and at least the promise of escaping the rat race. They will normally be willing to devote their spare time to achieving these goals. People who want to start a business, but don't have the buy a franchise or similar business.

If you start with these four groups you may find your MLM program having more productive results.

Should I Join for Another Year?

2007-07-06T02:36:00.001-07:00

The voice could be the one inside your head, or you could be overhearing a conversation. It really doesn’t matter who, what really matters is what is being said. It probably sounds something like this, “I’m not going to renew my membership because "they" aren’t helping me.” Or similar, “I joined this group to get more business and nobody has given me anything worthwhile.”

Actually quitting may not be such a bad move. If you are a member of too many groups, your return on your investment may be diluted. Instead of pointing the finger at them, though, you need to do some soul-searching about your own responsibility. As the old saying goes, “When you are pointing a finger at others, three of your fingers are pointing back at you.”

If quitting doesn’t sound like the right idea, then the first step is to determine what value you add to the group or groups you belong. If you are seen only as a taker instead of someone who gives time and effort, members will shy away from you. Do you have organizational talents that will help the group function better? Can you bring new member prospects to the group to help strengthen and diversify the organization? Giving of yourself willingly will catch the attention of others.

Are you meeting with members individually outside the normal group meetings? No matter whether it is the chamber lunch, the association meeting or the Board of Director’s gathering, developing stronger relationships is impossible at during the scheduled meeting time. Having the group in common, however, gives you the opportunity to develop more credibility by meeting later over coffee. Be sure to have your appointment book with you to facilitate scheduling these appointments.

Look around you. Who else is needed in the group? This is where you can keep your own needs in mind along with the group’s requirements. Make it your rule to invite guests to all group meetings. Invite those who will be a positive force for the group. Bringing those resource people will enhance your credibility as a member.

After determining which groups you may want to stay as a member, write a plan of action for how you will operate with these organizations. For those that don’t seem to be working, even if you are following this plan, you have one more step. Write a letter of resignation. The extra time will allow you to concentrate you efforts and gain a better return on the investment with the groups you do remain a member.

Jesus and MLM

2007-07-06T02:35:00.000-07:00

Some of you reading this article might be surprised when I say this but Jesus Christ was probably the best network marketeer ever. Jesus built a small team of 12 disciples and spent 3 years educating them to spread his message around the world. How successful was He and what lessons can we learn?

First lesson: Jesus didn't go too big. He understood the power of the network was in the many levels down it would go so he had 12 main players in His 1st level - the twelve disciples. He spent most of his time with them, educating them, motivating them, showing them the ropes.

Second lesson: These people not only were his 'partners' in the project they also became his friends. In fact 3 of them James, Peter and John became his best friends. Remember network marketing isn't just about the money - its about making some friends on the way.

Third lesson: Even Jesus lost people from his first level. Despite all the energy, time and friendship when it came to the crunch all his first level buckled and ran, all except John. In fact one Judas even back stabbed him completely.

Fourth lesson: Although his down line had lost faith in the project - Jesus won them back to the plan - so much so that eleven of the twelve he originally lost stayed with the plan to the point of giving their lives in the cause. The other one Judas destroyed himself.

Fifth lesson: One Jesus had gone the training and plan was still so good that these eleven plus even some new people and a surprising new first level apostle (Paul) took the gospel all over the world. Thomas went even as far as India. Others went to Africa and Paul went to went through Asia Minor (Turkey), Greece, and Rome.

Sixth lesson: Explosive growth. Jesus knew the power of the plan lay in the multi-level marketing. So the new 12 on the day of Pentecost adding 3,000 people to his down line! Soon they were so successful they had to appoint 7 new leaders (deacons) in the 2nd level. In less than 2 centuries the number involved in the gospel multi-level marketing plan had grown into Millions! By the third century everyone could see how successful the project was and even former enemies wanted on board.

Seventh lesson: Some of your best sales people are going to be those who originally opposed you. The apostle Paul originally persecuted the Christians until Jesus paid him a special personal visit. Paul then took the gospel to Asia Minor, Greece, Crete, the Middle East and Rome.

Eighth lesson: You must believe in the product your marketing if you want to grow.

Final lesson: What plan are you following for your life.

Need a plan - meet the creator his book the Bible is a good place to start!

Rating the My World Plus MLM Program

2007-07-02T04:27:00.001-07:00

A new MLM -- My World Plus just launched on March 15, 2007. As a founding member of MyWorldPlus, we have had the pleasure of seeing first hand the excitement this program is generating.

Why so much excitement with the launch of My World Plus? Well for one, the substantial savings and discount the My World program is generating are astonishing. Everyday people are saving up to $200 per month with the My World discounts plus card. Not bad for an investment of only $19.95/month.

How would you like to get a Big Mac free, a Quizno's Sub free, or up to 50% off of your order from Pizza Hut? These are just some of the examples of the over 175,000 retail locations worldwide that My World Plus allows you to save more for your pocketbook. Plus you get access to cash back shopping at over 600 My World discounts online vendors!

With most MLM companies, you are spending money on expensive products and struggling just to get your money back in return. This is the impressive part about the My World Plus MLM launch opportunity and what they've put together. Many people are saving well over $100 each month just by saving on the things we do in everyday life. MyWorldPlus has created a win-win situation that doesn't come along very often in the network marketing industry.

When you combine the savings with the 9 levels of infinity bonuses and bonus pools, the MyWorldPlus business just makes good common sense. The results -- My World Plus is a top MLM winner!

BNI From Top To Bottom

2007-07-02T04:26:00.000-07:00

What is BNI?

BNI is a networking organization for small and medium sized businesses with chapters all over the world. Most groups have between ten and thirty members who meet once a week, usually in the early morning or at lunch. The purpose of BNI is to generate sales for its members through referrals. In joining a BNI group each member commits to actively looking for potential customers for other members--the members of each BNI group act as each other's "sales team." Each group has only one representative of any given profession or business, allowing all relevant referrals to go to that individual and ensuring that there is no competition within the group for referrals.

Each BNI group tracks the revenue generated from referrals by each member. This information is used both to monitor individuals and to track the success of the group as a whole, as well as the group's progress towards its specific yearly revenue target. Each member's standing within the group is also recorded. To do thisBNI uses a point system based on two things:

* Passing a referral
* Bringing a guest

Beginning

BNI groups generally have one or two members waiting at the front of their meeting places to meet other members and guests as they arrive. Another member has the job of recording attendance, collecting fees and welcome guests. Members pay the chapter dues by the month and guests pay around $15 per meeting. Substitutes do not have to pay. Substitutes and guests also receive name tags. Usually there are about ten or fifteen minutes before the official start of the meeting for informal conversation between members and guests.

The meeting begins with an introduction of the guests, substitutes and executive members. This is followed by a brief description ofBNI by a member chosen at random by the groups president. Next comes a presentation by the groups education committee. These presentations are intended to improve members' sales, marketing and networking skills.

Middle

Following the presentation by the education committee, members of the group begin, one at a time, doing sixty second introductions to tell the group and guests about their business. These introductions are timed, with a warning before the last 15 seconds. Usually the introductions contain the name of the member, their business and their ideal referral, but members are free to say anything they want in their 60 seconds. After members and substitutes, guests give their introductions. At most BNI groups substitutes speak on behalf of the person they are replacing, not for themselves.

Ending

After the 60 second introductions are finished, one member,different each week, gives a ten minute presentation about their business. The purpose of these presentations is to teach other members about the business so as to enable them to more effectively pass on referrals. There is usually a short question period after the presentation.

Next, the members of the chapter pass each other referrals. These referrals, and their value, are recorded on special forms and passed at the meeting to the intended recipient, while the chapter keeps another copy. Guests and subs are not expected to pass referrals, but are asked to give their impressions of the group and meeting.

The meeting is concluded with networking announcements and a quote, read by the groups president. Following the official end of the meeting, members often spend ten or fifteen minutes talking to each other and sometimes discussing referrals or possible referrals.

Effortless Networking - How to Prevent your Contacts from Losing Interest

2007-06-25T03:13:00.001-07:00

“I do well with meeting new contacts. The conversation seems to flow very well, but when I call to follow-up, it seems their attitudes have changed and the interest level has diminished significantly.”

This brings back (bad) memories! This used to happen to me when I first started my business — and I can tell you, it was most demoralizing.

Well, fortunately, this doesn’t happen much anymore.

Here’s why:

1. I took a closer look at those disappointing situations and discovered some patterns.

2. I used the information revealed by these patterns to decide whom to follow up with, and whom to “let go”.

It turned out that most of the people who who’d lose interest when I called them later were in what I call the “trade show mode” when I initially talked to them.

This mode is when one says, “yes, I want whatever free thing you have”, without giving it much thought! This usually happens at trade shows (though not always) where there’s so much being offered, that many people get overwhelmed and say “yes” to everything.

Well, I found that these “trade show mode” folks were rarely ever interested when I followed up with them.

The other group of people were in “inspiration mode” during our initial conversation.

In other words, the speaker or something about the event where we’d met had inspired them to be interested in talking to me again.

However, by the time I followed up with them — even if it was the next day — the reality of getting back to work and the “daily grind” had dulled much of the initial inspiration and interest.

How did I solve this problem?

I started going for quality, not quantity.

I started paying closer attention during my initial conversation with people, to screen out the first group of people. And I probed the second group of people a little more about their interest in talking with me.

This means that I now spend my time and energy following up with only those who truly want to hear from me. And it makes all the difference in the world — for both of us.

So what can YOU do?

Look for patterns in your experience (your patterns may be different from mine). And decide how you’ll use the information to reduce your disappointments.

Which Networking Group For You?

2007-06-25T03:12:00.000-07:00

Deciding the best one or two networking groups to join is crucial to building your referral network. Many people make the mistake of thinking they should belong to every possible Chamber of Commerce, but then wonder why there is no return on the financial investment.

The statement above is one reason for the lack of ROI. Those who think only of budget concerns when deciding to join an organization are thinking of only one third of the equation. The second and third components are time and commitment. Someone who belongs to five chambers is only able to attend a few events each month per chamber. Their effort is diluted. They typically are time-extended and arrive late for many meetings. The also tend to leave a little early. They are doing themselves a huge disservice.

We have been taught that relationship building and trust are two factors that create strong referral partnerships. When someone constantly arrives late, they are limiting the opportunity to meet new people or connect with familiar people. Same thing for leaving early. The savvy networker brings her calendar with her to events and then uses the time after the event to immediately schedule one-to-one appointments with those in attendance. Those leaving early miss that opportunity.

Another common mistake is joining several strong contact network groups. The definition of a strong contact group is an organization that limits their membership to one person per profession. The members meet for the reason of developing relationships in order to be comfortable sharing referral business with others in their group. Sounds good, right? It is good, but when someone joins more than one of these groups, their loyalties are divided. How does this dual member determine which member of which group to give a referral to when each member represents the same category. There are bound to be hard feelings. People who make this mistake may have an attitude of scarcity. They feel they don’t have enough, so they are going to try to take it all. Members of each group who become aware of such a situation and the lack of commitment, wonder about the dual member’s integrity. Instead of getting it all, they may get less or none. Not what they had planned.

Carefully choose the appropriate groups for you. Visit twice, talk to other members of the prospective group and understand your own goals before selection. The right decision can make a huge difference in your bottom line.

When People Talk Non-Stop

2007-06-21T03:11:00.001-07:00

Many business people get stuck in the networking situation of being cornered by people who talk and talk and talk about themselves. Those people also take a hard sell approach, working diligently to convince you to buy from them even if what they are selling is nothing you want or need. It would seem that there is no way out of the situation. You are doomed to being bored until this person moves on to their next victim.

A good friend is an accomplished networker, knowing that really it’s all about the person he meets. Realizing that his job is to find out as much as he can about new acquaintances, David uses a uniform set of questions to gain important information. He says, “Using this method makes networking very easy because I don’t have to do much talking, but instead ask a few questions and then listen and take notes. What I hadn’t considered was that I could use this formula to actually stop the boring people in their tracks. Even though I’m asking them to talk about themselves…something they do very well, I am controlling what they talk about with the types of questions I ask.

He continues, “Recently, I found myself in one of those situations where I was cornered not by one person but by two. I was being tag-teamed.. I could have just sat there and gritted my teeth, but I began directing the conversation by asking questions about the two offenders. One great question I use is, ‘What sort of goals do you have for your company or your career in the next year or so?’ Before long, they forgot that they were trying to sell me something and instead relaxed and began asking questions back to me. I had neutralized their attack! I’m sure they have no idea what happened that day, but I do. Actually, I found both to be very interesting people; people who probably had been given some very bad sales training.”

This young businessman is teaching us a several lessons. We all know that the hard sell approach doesn’t work when someone is using it on us. We must be sure to never use it on someone else. The second enlightenment is that by asking well chosen questions about the bore will re-direct the conversation, giving you some control, where previously you felt you had none. It makes networking a lot more fun.

A Complete Formula For Wealth

2007-06-21T03:10:00.001-07:00

For most of us finding a complete formula for wealth can be a very tedious one. It is not from the lack of opportunity for there are business that launch online every few days and if you've subscribed to enough list, your inbox is more than like full of them each day you log in. The prices can range from a low start up of $10 and exceed $20,000. The problem in finding the complete wealth formula is that there usually is a weak point found in:

1. The Product
2. The Compensation Plan
3. The Marketing System
4. The Support System

To further explain weakness that can be found is a complete wealth formula cannot be found in a high ticket investment ($1,000 or more) where a person entering the business has very little advertising budget and is expected to pass up 2 of their sales before they qualify to make money (known as a 2-up comp plan). This usually sets one up for failure. Further, a complete formula is hard to be found in a business where word of mouth advertising is needed to sell your product which usually leads to alienating your friends and family. Last, there cannot be wealth found in a company that has very little or poor support.

To find a business that has a complete wealth formula before you give your hard earned money, you should email or call the person who is presenting the business to you and ask them if it contains the following:

1. A product that people need.
2. Step by step marketing system a complete novice can follow
3. Good support from the head of the company
4. A compensation plan that rewards you from the beginning

After having tried literally hundreds of businesses that have had the weakpoint in one or more of the places listed, I happen to come to a formula that is as complete as anything I've ever seen. The founder and CEO of the Perfect Wealth Formula, Jason Pearson, has not only created a product that every network marketer can use, but also has constructed a support system and compensation plan that is absolutely ingenious.

Reviewing Your Networking Schedule

2007-06-13T04:35:00.001-07:00

I think most of us are pretty sold on the idea of extending our networks. Knowing more people gives you a greater opportunity to be of service. Like many other marketing activities, networking requires an investment – of your money, your time and your commitment. So before paying again for another year’s membership, take a moment to analyse whether this investment has given you the return you expected.

Firstly, did you commit fully to the network over the last year. Did you go to meetings regularly, make an effort to meet new people, and then keep in touch with them afterwards? Did you join a committee or become involved in the management of the group?

If you haven’t made the grade by participating fully in a network, then you shouldn’t expect a big return. Your decision on whether to stay with this particular network should revolve around whether you plan to put in 100% effort for the next 12 months.

However, if you can say - hand on heart - that you invested the right amount of time, then the question really does become about what you got out of it.

Here’s a list of things to consider:

 How many new contacts did you make that you would feel comfortable contacting?
 How much new business did you get as a result of being part of the network?
 How valuable was the content of the events you attended? What did you learn that has helped you or your business?
 How much did you enjoy mixing with the other members?
 How much time did you invest with each network?
 What was the total cost of being with the network for the last 12 months?
 How relevant was the network to the type of business you run?

When you start to articulate some of these things, it will quickly become clear whether you should stay or move on from each group.

Networking is one of my key marketing activities (along with writing…), so I make sure I review my success with various networks on a regular basis. I have recently decided not to rejoin one of my networks, but to substitute it with involvement in 2 industry bodies.

And don’t be afraid to quit a network if it isn’t working for you (providing you’ve put the effort in to making it work of course), or if your business changes and other things become more relevant.

Polishing Your Appearance is Important For Making Good Impressions

2007-06-13T04:34:00.000-07:00

It should go without saying that making a good impression on others is important for building relationships. That said, your appearance makes a big difference with how you portray yourself to others during your networking activities.

Because many businesses now allow their employees to wear casual clothing, people can forget to dress appropriately when networking with others. With a few pointers on improving your appearance, you will come across as more professional and you will help your chances of forming new relationships.

Clothing

Probably the most important item to address is your clothing. You want to make sure that you’re wearing the appropriate attire for each networking event that you attend as well as other situations in which you interact with others.

Some networking events require more professional attire while others allow more casual or business casual clothing. Contact the event organizer or check out the organization’s Web site to find out about the dress code.

If an event usually draws professionally dressed people, make sure you dress accordingly (even if you are less formal at work). It’s important to stand out in networking. However, you want it to be for positive reasons and not because your clothing was inappropriate.

If you dress casual at work and an event requires more formal attire, either wear professional attire at work or bring a change of clothing. Don’t let your attire prohibit you from attending an event.

Also, when setting up meetings with people that you meet at events or with potential new clients or partners, make sure that you dress appropriately as well. If you know that this person dresses professional, it’s a good idea to dress the same way. If this person is more casual and you are casual at work, don’t feel obligated to dress up.

Make sure you still wear nice enough clothes so you come across well groomed. You can never do wrong with professional attire even if the people around you are dressed less formal. If you are unsure of what to wear in certain situations, choose professional clothing.

Other Items to Consider

Make sure you put on the appropriate shoes with the attire you decide to wear. Though this should go without saying, some people need reminders. Also, make sure your shoes are in good condition and look professional.

Get in the habit of polishing your shoes on a regular basis either by yourself or from a shoe shiner. People notice shoes and you should make yours look good. Every detail matters when you’re trying to make a good impression on others.

Another topic to address is wearing nametags at networking events. The correct position to wear your nametag is on the right side of your body.

By wearing your nametag in this position, it will be in the line of sight with the person who you are shaking hands with since you use your right hand to greet people. If you put your nametag on the left side, it will be harder for people to see your name when you meet them.

Exceptions do occur (such as using a lanyard nametag holder that fits around your neck). Also, if you have a clip nametag holder with no place to clip it on your right side, you may have to use your left side.

Just make it a habit most of the time to use the right side of your body to secure your nametag. Most people don’t know this so use this knowledge to your benefit.

You should also bring a quality and nice-looking pen with you to meetings or networking events. By using a quality pen, you will further come across as professional. Don’t bring a pen that you would normally use during work (unless, of course, you use high-quality pens during your day).

Buy a nice pen that you designate as your “networking pen” and only use in networking environments or situations that you want to come across as very professional. Impressions make a difference in how people perceive you and ultimately decide on whether to do business with you.

Obviously a pen alone won’t be the ultimate deciding factor in how you come across. It’s your entire appearance that portrays you to others. Make sure you have all of the details covered.

Final Thought

Your appearance is one of the first aspects others will judge about you. Don’t let your clothing and other related items prohibit your networking and relationship building.

Marketing Tip to Leverage Your Formal Business Networking Referrals While Increasing Sales

2007-06-08T03:24:00.001-07:00

Many business owners and executives belong to formal networking groups such as BNI, Leads, LeTip just to name a few. These groups exist with major purpose of exchanging business networking referrals.

Formal networking groups not only involve a financial investment, but also investments of time and energy. Then it would make sense to make sure that these limited resources of time, money and energy are invested to secure an increase in sales.

One sure proven marketing tip to leverage your formal business networking experience is to make appointments with each of the members. Granted, these appears to drain your limited resources, in actually, this is really an investment for these three simple reasons.

First, when you meet with your other networking members you begin to establish a mutually beneficial relationship that is the basis for networking according to Lillian Bjorseth of Breakthrough Networking. Business people must remember that networking is a 2-way street, not one way.

Second, you learn more about what makes your fellow members unique. That knowledge becomes a testimony about them. Honest third party testimonials are a much better way to make business networking referrals. For example, I met with a member within my group who sells cars. I personally experienced his selling style. Now I give an honest testimony that he truly wants to fit the car to you and not you to the car.

Third, they learn more about you. Your standard 30 second infomercial may leave out everything that you do. For example, even though I am a business coach, I also work in developing student leaders through an incredible student leadership program entitled America’s Rising Stars.

Formal networking groups are a great marketing strategy to get your name out and to secure new leads. By taking the time to know your fellow networking members, this marketing tip will truly help to increase your sales.

A Powerful Business Networking Web Site

2007-06-08T03:23:00.001-07:00

Networking is a problem for most working professionals. Some of us just don’t have much time to network (I belong to this category). Yet for others, networking is as pleasant an exercise as having a root canal at the dentist.

That’s why LinkedIn is such a great idea and I suspect it may work for at least some of us. It is a website where your register specifically for networking possibilities.

are automatically matched by 10 possible networking buddies. But this is not the most exciting part of this service since the initial contacts are pulled from your own Outlook address book. Nothing to write home about there. (Yet, I have to admit I was surprised to discover that one the suggested “networking partners” pulled from my own address book was already a LinkedIn member.)

The membership list is displayed alphabetically by last name and a cursory look reveals the depth of the membership roster.

The most innovative feature of this service is that it puts you in touch with your old classmates.

You enter the school(s) from which you have graduated (by country, state, name, years of attendance) and LinkedIn automatically pulls in all your old classmates who are also LinkedIn members, by year of graduation which you can select from a drop-down list.

And the list of schools is truly global and not only limited to the United States. Even if you went to school in Congo or an island in the Pacific, the chances are LinkedIn covers it.

I have already sent a message to an old school mate of mine whom I had not talked to for over 20 years now. It would be interesting to see if he will reply.

People Respond to Policies

2007-06-05T04:15:00.001-07:00

The other day I got a phone call from a guy who wanted me to join his association.

He made a strong case, too: reasonable dues, good people, great networking.

When he asked for the sale (or in this case, the membership), I paused for a few seconds before responding.

“Mark, my policy about saying no is, ‘I don’t say it enough.’ So, for that reason alone, my answer to you is no.”

Dead silence. I smiled and waited.

“Well um, uh … OK,” he stammered. “I-I guess I’m not going to challenge that.”

Dead silence. I smiled and waited some more.

“OK well, uh, thanks for your time Scott,” he resigned.

“My pleasure!”

I hung up the phone.

Whoa. Where did THAT come from?! I wondered.

That was a first for me. Telling someone my “policy” on saying no.

And I tell ya what; it felt GREAT!

Candid, yet friendly.
Honest, yet confident.
And nobody’s time was wasted.

LESSON LEARNED: people respond to policies.

I actually just looked up the word policy. It means, “shrewdness or prudence, especially in the pursuit of a particular course of action.” Which means:

You’re not being mean.
You’re not being difficult.
You’re not rejecting someone.

You’re simply sticking to your guns. Telling someone, “Look, this is how I roll. This is who I am. That’s my policy.”

NOTE: I’m not talking about company policy. That’s different.

I’m talking about personal policy.

Knowing thyself. Being the world’s expert ON yourself and confidently articulating that on a consistent basis.

The following steps will help you put this idea into practice:

POLICY PREPARATION

1. Brainstorm a list of 10-15 of your most valued personal policies.
2. Organize and type them out on a small card.
3. Carry that card in your wallet.
4. Look at it regularly.
5. Next time someone challenges one of your policies, whip out that card and ask them physically read it back to you. (THIS IS CRUCIAL!)
6. Smile and wait for them to respond.

B2B Networking

2007-06-05T04:14:00.000-07:00

Business to business networking can go a long way in boosting your business. There are really two different venues now available, one of which was not available even two decades ago. Some business owners are seeing, within their own lifetimes, the growth and the introduction of brand new possibilities for business to business networking. This new technology that has cleared the way for new advances in business to business networking is the internet. The internet has added a new venue for networking in general, but this is especially pertinent and relevant for the businesses who wish to engage in business to business networking.

The internet allows businesses from all over the world to "discover" each other. A business in Taiwan that sells whatchamabobs can connect with a business in Toledo that sells whatchamabob covers with just a few clicks. The internet may not have made the world smaller, but it certainly has made it accessible. Now business to business networking is easier than ever. With business to business networking communities such as Direct Matches, businesses can connect easier than ever. These types of companies narrow the focus specifically to business people. This could be business owners, managers, executives, CEOs, you name it. What it also does is allow these people to connect, to network.

Businesses in similar industries can trade information. Events, conventions and seminars can be posted on these sites to keep business people in the know. These sites do for business people what MySpace did for teenagers and college kids. There is nothing like it.

Forums and newsgroups are also a great way to do a little business to business networking. You can enter these forums and newsgroups and establish your reputation as an expert while you are networking with other business people. This will also boost your credibility among your peers as well as prospects. When you have that type of credibility, other businesses are more receptive to proposals for swapping backlinks and other marketing strategies.

Finally, another great way to attract business people to you and do some business to business networking is to keep a blog. If you are keeping a blog, you should post to it 3 to 5 days a week. Also, consider your intended audience and make the posts informative, but give your readers information that they can use and that is relevant to them. Also, place your keywords in your blog post's title so that it will be picked up easier by the search engines. If you write for an intended audience of business people, then that is who will come to your blog. You can begin business to business networking from there.

Business to business networking can prove to be very beneficial to your company. It can help you with your marketing strategies and even help you expand your markets. You may find other businesses and do a marketing co op. You can get a heads up on news and upcoming events. Business to business networking is a very effective way to build your business.

Non-Profit Community Can Provide a Meaningful Networking Environment

2007-05-21T03:46:00.004-07:00

When networking comes to mind, most people think of business networking in an environment with other professionals who generally talk about business. However, another atmosphere that’s a great place to build meaningful relationships is the non-profit world.

During your career, it’s important to get involved with a non-profit organization or attend some non-profit events. Many business professionals are involved in this world and you will get the chance to meet some high-caliber people.

Get Involved With a Non-Profit

A great way to give back to the community and meet some great people is to get involved with a non-profit organization (especially a charity). Pick a charity that interests you and a cause that you’re passionate about so you will get the most out of your experience.

Once you decide which group you would like to help out, contact a board member. You can usually find this information on a group’s Web site. Otherwise, contact the charity and ask who you need to speak to about getting involved.

This person will be happy to talk with you about the charity.

After all, this person most likely became involved because of a genuine interest in the organization’s mission. You will find that it’s rather easy to get involved with a charity. These groups are always happy to have volunteers and can use the help.

Before you take on a position, it’s typically a good idea to attend some board meetings and events to get a good feeling for the organization and the people involved. When you’re ready to help out, you should probably just start with small projects to feel out the organization.

At the same time, you will get a good understanding of what each board member does as well as what areas you can choose from to focus your help. Over time, you should be able to take on more responsibility with the group.

When the time comes for electing board members, you will be in a good position because you have shown an interest in the organization by helping other board members. You will have already built some relationships with the other volunteers so they will most likely support your desire for a board position.

Regardless of whether you have a board position, you will have had a chance to build some meaningful relationships with others because you are all focusing on the same cause. The main focus on your involvement should be to truly help the charity.

Networking will come naturally and won’t have to be an activity you need to worry about.

In fact, your dedication to a charity will show other volunteers your commitment and hard work. Assuming that you connect with these individuals, you won’t have a problem networking with them for any reason.

Attend Non-Profit Events

Even if you decide not to get involved on the board of a charity, it’s still important for you to attend a non-profit event every once in awhile. When choosing which type of event to attend, pick a charity whose cause resonates with you or one that you would like to know more about.

Many charity events are formal and may include black-tie events, silent auctions or entertainment. Treat these occasions as networking events, dress appropriately and bring business cards.

Charity events are usually very nice events. Act professionally and show an interest in the charity (if you have one) when talking with others. If you do have an interest, you will connect quite well with others at the event (assuming they also have an interest in the charity).

Formal charity events usually draw all types of business professionals. You will have the chance to meet a variety of people. Some of these professionals will be high-level executives. Treat every conversation as it’s important because you won’t always know who you’ll be talking with at first.

Of course, less-formal charity events do exist as well. These may include young professional events, socials or community work. Events of this type are worthwhile, fun and rewarding. These events are a great way to casually meet other professionals.

It’s nice to attend events every once in a while that aren’t as focused on business.

Final Thought

Networking For Your Employer is Great For Building Your Personal Rolodex

2007-05-21T03:46:00.003-07:00

Networking for yourself is important for building relationships that will carry into your personal and professional life. At the same time, it’s also important to focus on networking just for your employer.

The relationships you build for your company will be ones you can carry with you from job to job. Treat every relationship you build carefully. No matter what company you work for, you will find it valuable to have some of these people in your network.

Attend Industry Events

Depending on your role within your organization, you may have to attend trade shows or other industry events to either generate leads or build awareness for your company. Even if you don’t have a sales or marketing role, it’s still good to attend these events to represent your company.

Some people may have to represent their company at a booth while others may just need to walk around the event and talk to people. Treat these events like any other networking event. Instead of focusing specifically on your personal elevator pitch, focus more on your pitch for your employer.

When you meet people, mention what you do for your company, explain what your company does, let people know what you need for your company (i.e. new customers, partners, etc.) and ask people how you or your company can help them.

Your company elevator pitch will give you good practice for when you need to use your personal pitch. Either way, it’s good to have more than one elevator pitch ready because you never know who you’ll be talking to at an event and whether you’ll want to talk about your company or yourself.

The people who you build relationships with for your company will be important people to have in your Rolodex. If you maintain a good relationship with these people, you should be able to keep them in your network no matter who your employer may be at the time.

If you have a sales role and you move over to a competitor or a company within the same industry, your contacts may be very valuable to your new employer. If these relationships don’t carry over as clients, it’s still important for you to try to nurture some of these relationships so they can remain in your network.

Generate Leads, Sales, Awareness

If you have a sales role within your organization, most of your networking will be focused on generating leads or sales for your company. If this is the case, networking will be a very important part of your job.

You will need to be an effective networker to generate leads or sales for your company. Spend time understanding your target market and do your research on where to find these potential customers.

By having a good understanding of the networking organizations and events locally, regionally and nationally, you will have a starting point of where you can go to meet the right people. Not only will you meet potential customers but you will also meet potential partners and good contacts.

Some of the people who you will meet will be able to introduce you to potential customers. You will also have to use your own network to get referrals or introductions to prospects. Whatever method you use to target your prospects, networking is a great strategy that can help you generate leads or sales.

If you don’t have a sales role within your organization, it’s still important to represent your company when attending events or talking with others. You are merely generating awareness about your firm when you mention it in conversation.

You are indirectly selling your employer to others just by talking about it with others. At the same time, the people who you meet will have a better understanding of your current role and how it fits in with your set of skills.

When talking with others, you may offer to connect these people with others within your organization. You may end up generating a lead for a salesperson within your company, which will make you look favorable to your employer.

Use Networking as a Major Strategy When Searching For a Job

2007-05-21T03:46:00.001-07:00

Studies have shown that 80 percent of jobs are found through networking while 20 percent are found through advertising. Because of networking, jobs are found through people you know, referrals, informational interviews and direct calling of employers.

Networking is a powerful tool that can help you in all aspects of your career. You should try to continuously network regardless of your employment situation.

Contact People You Know, Ask For Referrals

One of the easiest ways to get job leads is to contact people you know. Your friends, relatives and business acquaintances are all people who can help you.

When contacting these people, make sure to clearly define the type of position you want. Without a clear description, it will be more difficult for them to help you.

Your contacts may work for companies that interest you and you may want to talk with these people first. Do some research on these company Web sites to find out if any jobs are posted.

Even though jobs may be advertised on a company’s Web site, you will be getting a referral from someone within the organization. This will carry more weight than someone blindly applying for a position.

Because all available jobs aren’t always posted on an organization’s Web site, your contacts should be able to let you know about additional opportunities. Also, when new opportunities arise, they may contact you directly about jobs that aren’t yet advertised to the public.

When talking with your contacts, you also want to ask them for referrals to other people they know outside their organization. If you have companies in mind that you would like to work for, ask your contacts if they know anyone at these firms.

If you don’t have any companies in mind, ask your contacts to connect you with other individuals who you can talk to about your situation. When approaching these individuals, tell them you would like to brainstorm with them about your career and get advice.

No matter who you talk to about your job situation, it’s important that you either have an existing relationship or that you are starting to form a relationship with these individuals. Depending on who you talk to, it’s not always a good idea to just ask for a job.

Instead, approach individuals with the mindset that you will just talk about your job situation. After talking with people, they will most likely offer to help you with your job search (especially if their firm is in hiring mode).

Attend Networking Events

Another important way to get job leads is to attend networking events. At these events, one of your goals should be to meet a few individuals with whom you can start to build a relationship.

When meeting people for the first time, it may not be effective to ask them for referrals or job leads right away. These individuals want to get to know you and feel comfortable with you before they will open up their Rolodex.

Be patient with these individuals because you also need to get to know them. You want to make sure these new contacts are worth adding to your network.

One good strategy is to offer to help these individuals first before you ask them for referrals or job leads. If they do need help with something, make sure to follow through. This is key when building any relationship.

You want to form a good impression and show your new contacts that you are serious and value the relationship. Otherwise, they will probably not help you when you ask them.

When deciding which events to attend, do some initial research so you can maximize your time efficiently. You want to make sure you are attending events that will give you the best chance to meet the right individuals.

The right individuals could be people who work in companies or industries that interest you or people who have job functions that match your skill sets. You should be able to find some of this information on the Web site of a networking organization.

In addition, contact the event organizer to ask who will be attending. No one will know better about the attendees than the person who organizes the events.

Networking Within Your Organization is Important For Career Success

2007-05-21T03:45:00.001-07:00

It’s true that networking outside your company (such as finding a new job, establishing business relationships or making new friends) is important for your career. At the same time, it’s also very important for you to network within your organization.

Networking within your organization can help you build important relationships to stand out, receive a promotion or excel in your role. You should make an effort to network with other employees in your organization.

Join a Committee

A great way to meet others in your organization is to join a committee. These groups usually include employees from various departments. It is important that you get to know employees outside your department.

When the company or your supervisor solicits employees for volunteering on a committee, make sure to take advantage of this opportunity. You don’t need to volunteer for every committee. Just pick one that makes sense for you and one you feel you can contribute to in a positive way.

The committee you decide to join doesn’t just have to be focused on internal company strategy. It could be to plan company events or raise money for a charity. Take this as opportunity to have fun with other employees and to do something that’s not specific to your job.

Working on a committee is a great way to build relationships because you are helping and working with other like-minded individuals. The relationships you build will also be valuable outside your organization. For example, if a committee member leaves your company, you will have a new contact outside your organization.

When a company is going through layoffs, your job may be spared if you’re involved in a committee because it shows your dedication and importance to the company in other ways than just your immediate job. You need to find ways to stand out and make yourself valuable within your organization.

Attend Company Events

Another great way to meet others in your organization is by attending your firm’s events (such as holiday parties, birthday celebrations or conferences). You need to give yourself the opportunity to meet other people. Make sure that you attend some of these events.

The more you attend these events, the more you will see some of the same people. This is helpful for building relationships. Make sure to introduce yourself to other employees and let them know about your skills and the work you’re doing for the company.

By building these relationships, you may come across new employment opportunities in different departments. It’s OK to express an interest in another role within the company when talking with other employees outside your department.

These discussions may prompt an employee to tell you about a new job opening (either immediately or when an opportunity becomes available). Networking to find jobs works effective both within and outside your company.

You may also be able to meet some of the top decision makers in your organization by staying visible at company events. Over time, you may start to bond with these individuals and be able to approach them with ideas for the organization. Again, when layoffs are happening, you may be spared because of these relationships.

Help Others, Be a Team Player

While you’re probably busy every day with your own work, it’s still important for you to become a team player and help your departmental co-workers whenever you can. By offering to help, your co-workers will appreciate your gesture and they will at some point extend their help to you.

With a willingness to help others, you will be showing your co-workers the type of person you are and they will remember you positively. When any of them leave the company, these relationships will be important because they will probably help you with your job search.

If you have the time and desire, offer to help co-workers outside your department. You’ll build some new relationships and broaden your skills within the company. Of course, make sure that this new work doesn’t interfere with your job responsibilities. You may have to do some of this work during your free time on evenings or weekends.

Again, if your company is going through layoffs, you may be seen as more valuable because you’re doing work outside of your department.

Final Thought

Remember that networking with other employees within your organization is another important piece of building relationships. These relationships will be important not only while you are working at the same company but also throughout your career as you move from employer to employer. Make the extra effort to continuously network with people no matter how you meet them.

Problems Building Your Downline

2007-05-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

As almost every Affiliate or Networker sure knows, it may sometimes be hard to get a WORKING downline. It is often easy enough to get a couple of guys to sign up under You, but then...

Why do they STOP?!? How hard can it be for them to sign up a few names, when it was so easy for You?

During the last five or so years I have been involved in a lot of different projects. With a great variety of success. I have sold everything from telecommunication to vitamin pills for old ladies. The only thing common to these projects has been the fact that they all work as some kind of MLM or, in the worst cases, as a pure pyramide scam. Downlinebuilding.

So what have I learned?

- NEVER, ever invest a dime in a MLM or similar until You have a solid ground of resellers to stand on!

- Get experience and knowledge. There is nothing worth more than experience and knowledge of the program You currently are selling. You have to be able to answer the questions You get from people You try to sign up.

- Do not be afraid to fail. The problem is not necessary in You OR the product. There is a multitude of reasons why a project can fail.

So how do I achieve all that?

The cheapest way, of course, is to sign up for one of those gazillions of "free" programs out there. Scam or not. That way (with a bit of luck) You can obtain both a downline and experience in the field at the same time. Don't count on it to happen immediately, but in time You get one contact here and another there. Before You know it You have a few names. That is the beginning of a LIST. And if You have a list of contacts, You have the beginning of a working business.

Work only at one project at time. You cannot expect Yourself to have the ability to get a multitude of projects running with no previous experience. Not even WITH experience I recommend trying that.

When and if You get one program working properly, then start another. Don't forget working on the first one! And when You get someone to sign up, try to combine Your downlines. Be careful You don't scare away the ones You've managed to sign up!

AND: One of the easiest, cheapest and best tricks of all - keep in contact with Your downline! Encourage Your people!

The Follow Up - The Importance of After Trade Show Networking

2007-05-15T05:19:00.004-07:00

There is so much involved in making your participation at a trade show successful. Most people think that showing up and promoting a business is all that is needed. This is not entirely true. Probably the most important aspect of attending trade shows is following up with potential clients afterward.

Structure your tasks when you market your work at the next trade show. Divide them into groups of pre-show, at-show, and post-show. Of course the pre-show planning process is essential. You must have your graphic materials, brochures, and promotional products ordered, printed, and ready beforehand. At the trade show event itself, it is necessary to work on public relations, make contacts, give away promotional items, and circulate your marketing materials. However, even after the show has ended, your standard protocol should involve checking in with the connections you have established. You don’t want all of your hard work, time, and energy to be wasted by not following through. You come to a trade show to market your business, so be sure you are really trying to make your sales.

One of the most crucial elements is time. Don’t put off reconnecting with individuals interested in your business. Make those calls to check back with potential clients soon after meeting them. You want your positive image to be easily recalled and you want to continue the helpful, eager impression you have created. Follow up right away and show your clients how dedicated you are. And, if you agree to send clients additional materials or supplies, do so promptly upon returning home. If a customer needs more information on a product or if there might be information that you need to investigate, then make this an after trade show priority. Demonstrate your speediness and ability to keep your word. This will build credibility and support your image as well.

You can actually begin your after show work during your initial planning process. You can create special thank you notes for those you networked with. On the other hand, consider sending out a flyer of upcoming specials or discounts. Create your materials in advance. Have them printed, stuffed in envelopes, and stamped. That way all you need to do to wrap the event up is to personalize the mail with addresses, a signature, and maybe a handwritten note.

Consider also shipping a small, relatively inexpensive promotional product to your potential clients. Work with a promotional consultant to select an item that best ties into your trade show theme.

Your method of mail can influence the way your contacts receive it. Choose a carrier like Federal Express or UPS. Show these contacts that you mean business. Packaging can also catch clients by surprise, and doing something out of the ordinary will encourage them to open your mail.

If any of your business is local business, skip the mailing altogether, and opt for making a personal appearance. Bring the after show literature and promotional gift in person.

Once you obtain your potential client’s contact information at the trade show, utilize the various methods of modern communication and try a variety of them. Consider e-blasts, faxes, postcards, personal phone calls, coupons, and newsletters. Keep track of the times you send out marketing materials and the method employed. Don’t overwhelm your contacts by bombarding them too frequently. Note also though which techniques get the best responses.

So what if you don’t make that big sale? Perhaps you didn’t strike a deal with contact you thought had committed. Keep such people on your list anyway.

One success story involves a lake water management company. The representatives administered their brochures and aquatic pictures during their stay at the show. They spent hours explaining to people what it was that they exactly did. They got the names and contact information of those who expressed an interest in their field or requested catalogs. After the show had ended, they didn’t stop there. They created a special mailing list of those they met, and sent additional materials along with a promotional product. Even though the item they sent out had nothing directly related to their line of work, they sent out pill dispensers imprinted with their company logo. Attached was a note that read, “We’ve got the remedy.”

To reiterate, following up with your potential clients is most critical part of the trade show process. Besides distributing your brochures, handing out your promotional products, and networking, remember the closing procedures of a trade show. You’re there to establish contacts, so strengthen them and stay connected by following up soon after the closure of the next trade show event.

The Art of Business is the Art of Relationships

2007-05-15T05:19:00.003-07:00

The Art of Business is the Art of Relationships. After all, wouldn't you rather do business with someone you know and like rather than with someone you don't know or don't like? So if that's the case, doesn't it make sense that the more relationships that you have, the more business that you will also have? So how do you create more relationships? Networking, that's how.

I've said it many times, the art of networking is the most crucial skill to your sales career. Networking leverages your sales ability by maximizing the amount of eyes and ears that are working to send you recommendations and warm leads.

Networking is not about using people. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Networking is about forming deep and long lasting relationships with people that hopefully can help you to achieve your goals. And the best way to get what you want is to help other people get what they want.

I've been to networking functions and seen "sales professionals" walking around with a pocket full of business cards, just handing them out to anyone that will take them. They walk up, introduce themselves, hand out their card, ask for a card in return and then without much more investment of time, they walk off looking for someone else to do it again with. How much benefit do they really believe that they are going to get by spending an average amount of about five minutes with each person that they meet? How much can you really find out about someone in five minutes? How much real bonding is going on here. The problem is that unless there is an immediate reward, most people don't want to invest much time in building a new relationship.

The other mistake that I see at networking functions is when the attendees seek out people that they already know and spend most of their time just chit-chatting. This is not networking. As long as you are taking the time to attend these networking functions, you might as well try to meet some new people. And when you do, take a real and genuine interest in them and their careers and look for ways that you can be of benefit to them. By taking an interest in them and their job, you are demonstrating to them the value of a relationship with you. When they realize that you are not trying to get something out of them, but instead you are looking to help them, the seeds of trust are planted and trust is the foundation of a strong relationship. But what about you and your needs? Well, the rule of reciprocity will take care of that. No one can be helped without them feeling a need to return the favor. And here is where a leap of faith comes in. Even if the person that you are helping is not in a position to return the favor immediately, somehow, someway, your benevolence will be reward, perhaps even from some unexpected source.

By repeating this process multiple times over the course of your career, you will create a network of valuable business contacts that leverage your sales ability by having more eyes and ears looking out on your behalf.

Dealing With Rejection in MLM

2007-05-15T05:19:00.001-07:00

Do you remember the first networking business opportunity that you were ever exposed to? Do you remember how you laid awake at night as your mind busily went about processing the endless possibilities that your new business was going to create for you and your family? Do you remember how excited you were after learning about the outstanding benefit and value your product or service offered potential clients? Didn’t you feel as if you had just won the lottery and all you had to do was go down to the local convenience store and simply cash in your winning ticket? I mean you couldn’t miss with this one!

So, what happened?

Rejection was the last thing on your mind. You couldn’t wait to tell your friends and family about the wonderful benefits of your products or the terrific opportunity that was poised to explode and you wanted your friends and family to get a piece of the pie. In fact, I’m willing to bet your up-line encouraged you to do just that. Like a race horse, you were probably ‘chomping at the bit’ to get out there and tell everyone you knew about the fantastic business opportunity that was going to change your life.

Ahhh, enthusiasm is such a great motivator. And out you went…

But something happened along the way---you were doing fine until you got spooked after your first rejection. Then you started to notice that people weren’t as excited to see you anymore---they didn’t seem to share the same enthusiasm and excitement that was keeping you up at night. “What is wrong with these people?” you think to yourself. Are they blind? Why are they rejecting this life changing opportunity when it is so obvious to you and the other folks who’ve been drinking the company kool-aid?

But you are the persistent type and you reject the idea of giving up and quitting. After all, there is no success in quitting and besides, your up-line told you there would be days like this and they encourage you to just keep at it and to talk to everyone you know and soon your three will get three and before long the whole planet is drinking your company’s kool aid. But then something happens…

The wind in your sails start to flutter and your dreams of sailing the high seas begin to turn into a nightmare. You feel helpless because your sailing yacht has turned into a small dinghy drifting away from the safety of the shore and you don’t have a paddle or any idea how you will get back. You look around and you’re all alone---even the guy that told you about the wonderful opportunity is rejecting your calls and you’re feeling like you are all alone bobbing in an ocean of self doubt and you begin to second guess the validity of your own dreams.

The rejection becomes unbearable.

You try not to let it bother you, but when your friends cross the street when they see you coming, or the invites to the parties don’t seem to be coming like they used to do you begin to wonder if it is really worth the time to continue pursuing this silly dream. Your phone calls are not returned anymore because your friends and family know that all you want to do is talk to them about your business opportunity.

Hello, my name is Steve Alan Chambers and I have been a network marketer since the 1980’s and I know exactly how you feel. Don’t let anyone delude you, rejection hurts. It crushes your self-esteem, it takes away your motivation, and it steals your dreams.

My fellow network marketer, there is a better way.

Like you, I struggled to make my networking business work. I was enthusiastic and I was determined to make it to the top---even if it killed me. I went to the hotel meetings, sat in strangers’ living rooms, and I watched people get on the stage who shared their fantastic stories of deep down-lines and unbelievable six figure incomes and lifestyles that I’d only seen on TV. They made it look so easy it was only natural for me to feel there was no reason why I couldn’t do it too. But, as you and I both know, it is easier said than done.

Here is a little secret, a lot of up-lines don’t tell you this, but only a very small percentage of the people in any network marketing business ever make it to the stage. While this may be hard to believe, the dirty little secret is this: most people in network marketing are content to earn a couple of hundred dollars a month. They use the products for their own personal use and they are happy with the little bit of additional income they receive. They have neither the desire nor the inclination to achieve the results that the big dogs do. And this is exactly where I was until I listened to the call that would change my life.

The Power Call changed everything.

The Power Call revealed to me the secrets to building huge down-lines that literally explode and expand networking businesses. Rejection has become a thing of the past and I no longer chase my friends and family to listen to me rant and rave about my latest business opportunity. In fact, since listening to the Power Call, I have learned and applied the same powerful marketing techniques that will allow you to put 3 to 5 people into your business every single day. Imagine what would happen if 20 to 30 people a week came into your business. What would that do to your comp plan? Or what about the business you WERE in before your dreams were stolen from you. It may seem hard to believe, but now I am the one doing the rejecting because I can’t handle all the calls that I receive since learning and applying the techniques shared in the power call.

My fellow network marketer, a seat is waiting for you.

I encourage you to put rejection behind you. Find out how to get your phone ringing off the hook with people ‘chomping at the bit’ to find out what you know. Log onto www.abc4mlm.com now and reserve your seat to hear this life changing information. Make rejection a thing of the past and watch your business explode and get you to the financial rewards you deserve. Your friends and family will love you for it.

Steve Alan Chambers is a retired 22-year veteran of the USAF. He lived in Europe for 10 years and has lived in the Tampa, Florida area for the last 12 years. Steve has been involved in numerous network marketing company's since the 1980's and has built several business that have sustained him and his family through the years. He has been married to his lovely wife for 28 years and they have three grown children. Steve's passion is music, motorcycling, and the company of good friends. His goal in life is to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...(lol).

Networking Skills - 10 Steps To Networking Heaven!

2007-05-15T05:18:00.001-07:00

Down the ages, it's been a vital component of commerce to make the best relationships, with the best people, bring together those partnerships where mutual benefit was the goal.

And trust in those relationships is often the acid test of how well progress is made, especially in the early stages.

Although you may be recommended by others, usually a good sign, meeting up with someone for the first time is often the initial opportunity to make a name for yourself, literally.

So, would it be good to know some easy steps to take to make the new relationship go well?

Of course it would. So here are ten tips to help you on your way.

Imagine it's the first conversation you're having with someone you would like to have on your side. These small steps in how you talk to, and listen to them will make a huge difference...

1. Listen well and pay full attention.

By paying attention to them they immediately feel valued and important. This is critical in them believing that you are worth the time and effort. It's also a matter of courtesy. When someone else is speaking it's the right thing to do to, listen patiently and being interested.

2. You are more interested in other people than yourself.

It's almost impossible to do completely and if you do it well, showing that it's how you are, you will make people like you more. And in the big picture, seeing this as a way of looking after your own interests is far wiser than short term actions.

3. You keep promises and do what you say you will.

By always being upfront with what you say you will do - and then delivering, you will be much more attractive to most people. 'Dependable', 'reliable' and 'committed', will be words to describe how others see you and the way you are.

4. You are a great friend when others are in need.

Whilst this needs some care (or you spend you life sorting out everyone else's problems), being there for others is a great asset to have. Their needs are often to be listened to and therefore they need someone to talk to. If you are good at this, and help them find solutions to their own problems (not you finding solutions for them all the time), they will thank you and value you.

5. You share resources and put the people you know in touch with each other.

Where you can be a resource for each other, then the network builds into a shared support and resource group. I can't think of the number of times I have been able to help someone with something that I know and can share. And I know I can now call on others to help me too!

6.You aren't judgemental, but very objective (fact-based) when dealing with others.

It's way easier to help others if you stick to fact, rather than supposition, assumptions, judgement and opinion. Hey, there's nothing wrong with any of these - in fact we all use them all the time to live our lives. It's just when you apply it to someone else directly, that you can find they resent it and the relationship falters.

7. You talk less than you listen (see a pattern here!).

This is an old and very wise concept. You have two ears and one mouth, when you want the best from a relationship for you, then use them in that proportion. You will struggle to build a business or career relationship (or any other for that matter), when you keep yourself center stage. People want to be heard and they are prepared to give a lot to have someone hear them. That's your role!

8. You make time for others when you say you will.

There ain't nothing worse than people who say they will be there and then they aren't - or they cancel last minute. If you say you are going to do something; meet someone; reply to something, then do it. As you get better at recognising those times when you miss out, you'll see the steps you need to take to avoid a recurrence. That learning will shape how well you deliver.

9. You say 'yes' when you can. And 'no' when you can't.

Sometimes when we are trying to make relationships work, we agree to things which make us uncomfortable; or we know we are going to struggle with; or we regret. In these cases it might have been better to decline in the first place. Saying 'no' is sometimes much better than 'yes'. Conversely, when someone offers to help out, or do something for you, be prepared to say 'yes' to them sometimes. It really builds the relationship, even though you might not have needed their help!

10. You are encouraging, enthusiastic, supportive and challenging with those you know.

Being a good friend or colleague used to be enough. In the fast-paced changing world we work in it's time to raise the stakes. Friends are sometimes too generous; kind even. And this means they won't call the shots when they need to. Really good friends need to make sure they are that and the trusting relationship they have with others is strong enough for them to be honest and true. You need to be able to encourage, enthuse about, support and challenge each when your partner needs it.

Using these 10 skills when networking and even just conversing with anyone will make them like you and that makes your job of building your network that much easier.

Networking With Your Alma Mater Great For Building Your Rolodex

2007-05-15T05:17:00.000-07:00

One of the perks of graduating from college is that you become one of thousands of alumnus that have attended the same school. Networking with your fellow university alumni is a great way to build your network.

Take advantage of this major accomplishment when you need to connect with people in the business world. After all, having something in common with another person is a great way to begin building a relationship.

Leverage Your Alumni Database
Immediately after you graduate from a university, you instantly become an alumnus. More important, you can start tapping into your alumni database, which is probably the largest network that you will ever get to access.

After you graduate, make sure to get your alumni login and password for any online databases, your alumni ID card and anything else you may need to leverage your alma mater.

Before you access your alumni database, find out the school’s process and how often you can request contact information. Some schools may allow you to access the database at any time while others may have some restrictions.

Definitely abide by these restrictions and don’t abuse the system. The last thing you want to do is get yourself banned from this database.

If you’re looking for a job, you can search the database for an alumnus who works at a firm that interests you. You may also be able to search the database to find a mentor in your field.

Whatever your reason, be professional and have a purpose for contacting an alumnus. You want to make a good impression and hope to develop a new relationship.

Attend Alumni Events
While it may be obvious, a great way to meet other alumni is to attend alumni networking events. It’s important to attend these events so you stay connected with your school.

Make sure you’re on your school’s distribution list so you are notified of all alumni events. You don’t want to miss out on an opportunity to meet fellow alumni.

Your university may offer a variety of events that are social, cultural and business in nature (such as basketball games, theater events or professional development seminars). Whatever the event, it may be worthwhile for you to attend several of these because you never know who you’ll meet.

Because of your alumni connection with other people, it may be easier for you to talk with individuals at events. As previously mentioned, having something in common with someone is a great way to build a relationship.

Depending on the event, alumni functions can be good events to bring your significant other, family or friends. Networking events are typically more professional in nature and you may not get a chance to include your family.

Volunteer With Your Alumni Association
While attending events is a great way to meet other alumni, so is volunteering with your alumni association. You will be able to build some great relationships while you’re a part of that group.

It doesn’t matter how much time you donate so long as you help out in a positive and productive way. You may decide that you want to get involved on the board or a committee. You may just want to help out at events.

Whatever you decide to focus on, make sure you put yourself in a position to get to know others who are helping the association. The other volunteers are like-minded individuals and you will have a connection with them.

Take these relationships seriously because they could help you find a new job, act as a good reference or provide you with business advice. You will be able add them to your network so long as you build a mutually beneficial relationship with some of these people.

A great way to quickly build credibility with the alumni association is to take a leadership role on the board. With this role, you will be visible to the alumni and you will put yourself in the position to build some long-lasting relationships.

For example, I received my M.B.A. from DePaul University and I sit on the board of the Business and Technology Alumni Network. As an active board member, I have helped plan events and I have discussed the direction of the group.

Because of my involvement, I have expanded my network and have enjoyed giving back to the school. I feel good that I have been working with others who all have a similar desire to be a part of a special group of people to serve the alumni community.

Final Thought
Many ways exist for you connect with others through attending networking events, volunteering with an association and asking for referrals. Remember that networking with your alma mater is also a great way to build your Rolodex.

Ding! Are You Going Up With Your Elevator Speech?

2007-05-08T04:34:00.003-07:00

So what do you do? For more than a year and a half, after having attended dozens of Business Chamber Mixers, professional workshops and social networking events and failing to get good quality leads, I finally figured out the problem…I was literally answering the question. Who knew that what they asked, what they implied and what they meant would result in three completely different answers intended for three entirely different people? And being that I am a dominant right-brained, artistic and visionary being, I really didn’t need that much room for “creative interpretation.” The question implied was “So what do you do…for your customers?” But what they meant was what specific value-add do you provide for your specific target profile customer? Indeed, how you create your 30 second elevator speech is both a science and an art. It is a science in that you need to know the proper elements to formulate it so that it doesn’t blow up in your face, and it is an art as far as the when, where and how you present it. In order to create an effective elevator speech that quickly pre-qualifies your target customer, there are three things that you have to clearly define and incorporate:

1. What is your great idea and, more importantly, what specific problem does it solve?

People tend to talk a lot about the importance of benefits, saving time, money and doing business more efficiently and what have you. But how can you make that tie back to you without sounding like everybody in your industry? The answer is you have to think back to why you started your business. The reason that so many of us started a small business is because we worked for another company; and after doing things the same old boring way for year after year, one day we thought of a new and better or faster or creative way to do things. These niche concepts are essentially what build the backbone of America’s thriving small business community. So think back to why you started your business. Whether you sell a product or a service, what specific problem was your business created to solve?

2. What specific customer is your specific solution geared toward?

Sometimes you will hear this customer profile type referred to as your “target customer.” Yeah, exactly, what does that mean? Your target customer is a person or group of people that have to fit in a very narrowly defined profile. The target customer should be defined all the way down to their job title, geographic area, extracurricular interests, the kinds of publications they read and the kinds of places they most likely hang out. And why is this important? Because if you go to a general “small business” networking event where there are lots of other business professionals, networking can be like a shot in the dark. You may have to work a little harder to find a common thread and figure out how it is possible you can leverage each other’s pre-existing customer relationships. And, of course, everyone at the event is trying to do the same darn thing. After a few hours, you might get all disenchanted and weirded out because you are starting to feel like you are on a first date. The next thing you know, you are really reaching and getting creative to find that common thread. That is your right brain kicking in, LOL.

3. Seek out places where your specific target customer would most likely spend their time.

Use trade journals and industry specific websites to search their calendar of events. Think of places like conferences, trade shows, social networking events or workshops. I am not suggesting that you become a sponsor or try to get a booth, as both of those are not usually viable options especially for small businesses. But instead consider alternatives like being an event attendee, writing an article for the trade publication or organization that is hosting the function, offering to moderate a roundtable, host a workshop or be a speaker. Imagine if you defined your target customer as office managers at doctors’ offices that have 20 employees or less in blankety blank geographic area. I am sure you could probably easily think of three places right now where you could go and find those people. It would also be far less challenging than trying to decide which professional networking events you will go to in hopes of making those most promising contacts. Even if ultimately you may be attending a lot fewer events like medical conferences or seminars that have “sales people” there, your chances increase significantly of getting appointments because you would always be surrounded by tons of pre-qualified prospects.

Also, people would get to know you because they would see your face over and over again at all the different events and would start to leverage you as an industry resource. People buy from people they know and trust. You have to get your face or name in front of people six or more times for them to remember who you are. So bottom line, you need to find places where your specific target customers congregate and tell them directly what you specifically do for them.

When building the perfect elevator speech to use with your target audience at your industry specific event, you would introduce your name and the name of your company. Then you would say who you help to do what. Here is a 30 second elevator speech example: My name is Mary Jones of Medical Moneysavers and I help office managers at small medical offices (like yours) to cut their manual billing process in half by automating their system.

Your elevator speech tells them the what. Your first appointment tells them the why. And after the contract is signed, you show them the how.

The Chamber of Commerce Mixer - 12 Steps to Mastery

2007-05-08T04:34:00.001-07:00

There is no other place that more embraces unabashed promotion than networking events such as Chamber of Commerce Mixers (sometimes called "Sundowners" or "Business After Five") or other business-oriented events. Unlike social situations, it is expected that everyone will be "talking shop", exchanging business cards and a lot of connections can be made. Most Chamber Mixers are open to the public, and they are an inexpensive way to meet a lot of people. Remember these tips when attending any networking event:

1. You are not there to eat. You can't talk about business with your mouth full, or shake hands with greasy fingers. Try to eat a snack first, so you don't arrive ready to inhale the cheese tray.

2. Have a goal for the event. Sample: I will collect cards from 5 prospects and 10 strategic partner potentials. Don't leave before reaching or exceeding your goal.

3. Arrive early. Meet the staff of the sponsoring organization. They are very knowledgeable and good resources to know. They can introduce you to the movers & shakers of the organization.

4. Spend no more than 5 minutes with any one person. Your time is limited. Determine quickly who you want to follow up with, ask for their card, then move on. Building rapport comes later.

5. Know your 30-second promotional. Practice it. Learn different "sound bites", and "bullet points", so you can be concise and exact. If it is not provocative enough to raise their curiosity and request more information, either it's not good enough, or they are not interested. You're done there.

6. Ignore your friends, unless they are with someone you don't know. Remember the "5 Minute Rule."

7. Don't sit down. It is too difficult to extricate yourself and move on to a different group. Keep moving. There is usually a lively crowd at the bar or in the food line.

8. Invest in a custom a nametag that states Your Company Name in large font with your name below. (Your industry or business is what is of initial interest to others.) Custom name tags are less than $10 and will increase your networking results 500%. Guaranteed!

9. Act as host/hostess. Approach the person standing alone and introduce them to others.

10. Ask people about their business and what type of customers and connections they are looking for. If you know of a contact for them, offer it. Take their card and write down the information and promise to get back to them. Then do it! They will be impressed and they will want to return the favor.

11. Take plenty of business cards. But do not offer your card unless they request it!! (Foisting cards on people who don't want them is the #1 wrong thing people do!) Keep them in your right-hand jacket pocket along with a pen, and put the cards you receive in your left. I do not take a purse. Business cards, money, lipstick, & a pen are all I need for a 2-hour event.

12. Follow-up the next day with a phone call. With a strategic partner potential, no selling! Instead, start building a relationship. Hint: You cannot build a relationship with someone if your first agenda is to sell to them. Instead, suggest that you can help each other build business. Very few people do this! They will remember you.

Free - Free - Free!

2007-05-08T04:33:00.002-07:00

Did I get your attention? Or do you see so many advertisements with people giving free things away that you just don't even pay attention anymore? When is something worth paying for? Do you value something less when you got it for free? Does the value of something go up proportionately in your mind to the cost you paid for it? And then again, how often have you paid for something, only to realize that it's value is far less than it was advertised to be?

What brought this to my mind this week relates very directly to an opportunity in which I recently became involved. This is a fun one, and I am doing quite well in it. One of my downline members, "Pete" is a very active marketer and he has set up a forum specifically relating to this project. I have been approached about the use of a splash page I created by "Bob" one of Pete's downline signups.

Now the way this particular program is structured, I would not receive any monetary value from Bob's work, even if he signs up 1000 people. But, I am willing to do the work for Bob and create a splashpage just for him and help him with his marketing. I have no intention of charging Bob for this.

But it got me thinking... if we are working out here in this jungle of internet marketing, our perceived goal is to make money. Most of us aren't doing this with any charitable overtones! Certainly, our time is of value. So, my original question -- when does it make sense to charge for your time, and when does FREE make sense?

My answer to this question may not be the same as yours. But if I can see a long term benefit to myself, then I am willing to forego the immediate possible monetary compensation. In the above instance, here is why I choose the FREE option:

* I will have made a friend of Bob, and probably of Pete also since I am caring for his downline.
* Since the splash page I am making is being given to Bob, he will not object if I place an advertisement at the bottom of it asking people to sign up for my ezine, which will potentially bring me new subscribers.
* Bob is willing to sign up underneath me in my autoresponder to handle all of the leads he will be getting from this splash page, so I will make a small commission there.
* Both Bob and Pete will be "warm" contacts and more interested in looking at opportunities I may offer them in the future.

So should you always give your work away in the hope of future monetary reward? Certainly not! But the real key to this is value! Even though in the above instance I am not getting a "check in the mail" for creation of the splash page, the value I will receive will be worth my time and effort. This is the essence of the "social networking" we all hear so much about.

Next time you are approached with an idea, a proposal to get involved, or a FREE item, take a second and think of value. What will the value be to you? Don't be afraid to say NO! Just remember though - value is not always measured in dollars and cents. Often the intangibles are of far greater value than monetary.

What Opportunities Are There For Me?

2007-05-08T04:33:00.001-07:00

I could have easily ignored the old man but something inside me felt that I just couldn’t. And what a difference it has made to my life.

It all started around Feb 05 on a Friday night when I had stayed back with my work colleagues for a few drinks and caught the train from Circular Quay to Miranda.

When I sat down on the train and got settled for my 45min ride home I pulled out of my bag the real estate magazine from my local area which comes every Tuesday. My parents always pressured me saying “save your money and buy property” over and over again and as history shows they are right. I mean my parents bought a house in 1979 for around the $40K. It was just a 3 bedroom fibro house with a garage. In 2005 it was valued at $650K-$700K and you hear these kind of figures everywhere. I had enough money for a deposit and I guess the reason for this is because I still lived at home.

Anyway I was flicking through the magazine when this old skinny man with a mustache who was sitting behind me says “Are you interested in property young man”. I turned to him and replied “yes. I’m looking at buying my first property this year”. He replied “good for you” and sat back and smiled. Anyway we get to the next stop (Redfern) and almost everyone got out of the carriage accept me and the old man. I turned to the old man and ask him, “What are thought’s on buying property?” and he replies with a big smile “In Australia only or around the world”. I hate a question with a question but I answered with amazement of the overseas comment as I didn’t know you could buy property overseas and why would you. I mean who could you trust. It just seems risky. I could have easily got out of my seat right there and then and changed carriages and never see this guy again, but this smile had more to say. I could see it and feel he had something he wanted to say but wanted to be asked.

So on it went. He proceeded to tell me that he was in the process of selling his apartment here in Sydney and that the market was about to change. He then sat up and said very confidently, there is too much money to make in the overseas property market if you do your due diligence.

“So how many overseas properties do you own”? I asked him and he said “a few” and sits and smiles again. So I keep firing off the question and he gives me short answers not giving away too much.

I guess you know my next question so I asked “What country do you own property?” expecting him to say U.K., U.S.A. or Canada and he said “a few different countries”

Which ones?

Eastern Europe and the UAE.

Which country in Eastern Europe?

Russia, Latvia.

Latvia, where is Latvia?

It’s next to Russia.

Why Russia? Isn’t there poverty and corruption in that country?

“That is your perception” he said confidently

Then why?

I will tell you a little secret….read….read…read and your perceptions will change, find out for yourself why I am investing in Russia, Latvia or Eastern Europe. Don’t become a lemming, become an investor!

As I listened intensively he continued to tell me to read and research as much as possible.

“Research, Research, Research”

Anyway, we got to Rockdale Station and he gets up and says “This is my stop. Good luck with your property buying, make sure you do your research, hands me his business card and leaves. Well, I’m thinking now, is this guy for real or was he pulling my leg.

Anyway I went home and everyone was in bed so I jumped on the PC and got Google up and punched in Latvia. Well, there it is, Latvia. The capital is Riga and it borders Russia and has a sea port and beaches.

The next morning I asked my parents, who are from Africa “Have you heard of Latvia?” They both said no. They asked me why so I explained about the old man I met on the train and our conversation. Well, they said you can’t buy property overseas. That’s stupid! You will lose all your money. That’s crazy and on and on it went.

Well the following week went by and I was looking at some of the countries’ he mentioned and in particular Latvia. There was something about Latvia I just liked. I even read that Latvia had joined the European Union in 2004. but I didn’t know what that meant and I still had this guys card and I looked at it many times but never called. I had drinks on the Friday again but I made sure I got the same train home as I did two Friday’s ago hoping to run into this guy. I walked through all the carriages top and bottom and he was not there so I called him while I was on the train. He sounded on top of the world. He had just walked from his place to the beach and back and said he has been doing it every night for five years rain, hail or shine. No excuses. He called it conditioning. I was like yeah man whatever you reckon.

I asked if we could meet over the weekend. “No problem” he says. “Novatel Brighton Le Sands in the foyer, Saturday or Sunday around 6.30pm”. I couldn’t make Saturday so I went Sunday and I got there at 6pm so I wouldn’t miss him. Sure enough 6.30pm on the dot he walks in the foyer ‘SMILING’.

We sat down and he starts talking about the economy here in Australia and the endless opportunities there are around the world if you just change your content. I tried to get more information of him but he wouldn’t budge. He told me some good books to read and some websites to look up. We spoke about his past and his business partner but would not talk about money he’s made or what he’s invested in. He said he and his partner have done 5 years of research and that’s what I needed to do. Create a network. Get 5 people. Tear books into 5 sections and go away and read them and then meet up again and everyone will explain what they have read. Crazy things like that. So after 2 hours we went our own ways. About a week later he phoned me, said he had sold his apartment and leaving for Russia.

As time went on I became focused on changing my perception on overseas investment property. I started to research with a mate of mine. We spoke to other people about overseas property investing. Most of them seemed very negative, which was understandable as they where in the same situation I was when I was talking to the man in train…….without knowledge.. Some show interest but fayed away and some have stayed, read, researched themselves and now we have purchased 2 properties in Latvia. I have tried to find something in Australia that compares to the deals we have found in Latvia and nothing comes close. My parents think I’m crazy and stupid but from what I have read and researched and the people we have spoken to I know we have taken a great step to financial freedom at a young age and the risks are just as risky as here in Sydney. With financing becoming easier and with attractive interest rates you’re not spending an arm and a leg to secure a property. Our 2 properties have not been built yet as they are off the plan but we have created a great alliance with a developer with an outstanding track record and in actual fact they happen to be Australian. These are 2 guys who share the same vision and there is much more to come.

Alternative Approaches to Consider When 'Networking' is Not Working

2007-05-08T04:32:00.000-07:00

It has long been accepted wisdom that the best way to market your business is to network yourself with others. This is especially true if your business is service related or if, in fact, you are yourself the “product” being marketed.

While there is some truth to the idea that networking is a key marketing tactic, conventional wisdom places too much emphasis on networking just for the sake of networking. Instead, a better approach is to select the best networking opportunities that give you the biggest return on the time and energy you invest.

Traditional networking and its limitations

Traditional networking is all about meeting and greeting, exchanging business cards and collecting contacts for your Rolodex or PDA. This type of networking is best illustrated by the evening or breakfast events often sponsored by your local Chamber of Commerce or other economic organization. At these events, you will find a room filled with people from all kinds of industries and businesses, some of whom might fit your customer profile.

It can be time consuming to attend such events on a regular basis, and often the return on your time investment is not as large as you would like it to be. Complicating things further is the fact that if you are in a competitive business with a large number of providers available, you will often find yourself in direct competition with those other providers during a traditional networking event.

Now of course there is a great deal of value to being involved with your local Chamber of Commerce or economic development organization, and we are not suggesting that you ignore the importance of such organizations. We are suggesting, though, that you carefully consider which events and networking opportunities are the best suited to your needs.

A new approach to networking

With all of the demands on your time and energy, you need to approach networking from a slightly different perspective. Look for networking opportunities in places where your target market is likely to be active and perhaps even passionate about the activity. For example, you might participate in a charitable function in your community, either by contributing products or services or, even better, volunteering your time. This gives customers and potential customers an opportunity to get to know you in an environment where there is much less “sales” pressure.

Another effective approach is to find opportunities to share your expertise through workshops or seminars. You can also look for public speaking opportunities with local service organizations such as Industry Trade Groups, Rotary Clubs or even teach a workshop or moderate a round table at your local SCORE or Small Business Development Center. The key is to get your name and face out and about in a way that people find positive and non-threatening. Sales and Marketing 101 says that people don’t like to be sold, but they love to buy from people they know and trust. Give it a try and you will likely be amazed at the results you achieve.

The Power of the Mastermind

2007-05-04T04:13:00.003-07:00

A mastermind group is a support team that meets on a regular basis to provide and receive advice, feedback and ideas. As Napolean Hill discovered, the results that are produced can be far greater than the sum of the parts. Explore involvement in a mastermind group as a way to network, share resources, and achieve greater success!

Are you looking for creative and critical input regarding business projects? Why not form (or join) a mastermind group?

The phrase “mastermind group” was first coined by Napolean Hill in his classic book, Think and Grow Rich. In researching his book, Hill spent 20 years studying hundreds of success Americans, including Henry Ford, John D. Rockefeller and Thomas Edison.

Hill defines the “master mind” as “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.” To state it simply, a mastermind group is a support team that meets on a regular basis to provide and receive advice, feedback and ideas.

The specific benefits of a mastermind group include:

1. A safe, non-judgmental environment in which to express your ideas, thoughts, dreams and goals.
2. A network of successful, like-minded people to serve as your personal Board of Directors.
3. Increased accountability regarding your goals and objectives.
4. Helpful advice and feedback regarding ideas presented to the group.
5. Powerful synergy that is created from the collective input of the group.
6. Development of strong relationships between the members.
7. Enhanced leadership and communication skills that develop through the presentation of ideas, and offering feedback.
8. Great solutions to the questions and issues that are brought to the group.

You can create a successful mastermind group by taking the following steps:

1. Form the group. Contact a number of prospective members. They should work in non-competing fields, and be people that will contribute to the synergy of the group. An ideal group size is 4-6.

2. Create a regular schedule. Monthly seems to work well, and a regular day and time is best. All members should be committed to this schedule.

3. Formulate a plan. A set format causes the meetings to run more efficiently. For example, the first 30 minutes could be open for general discussion. Then, each member could receive an allotted amount of time (15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the group) to discuss his or her “issue of the month.”

4. Include an occasional guest (optional). Some mastermind groups include guests as part of their format. These guests could be invited to speak on a particular topic (e.g., an attorney who specializes in estate planning), or could participate in the planned format.

5. Take action. One of the benefits of a mastermind group is built-in accountability. Be sure to take action on the ideas that were generated at the meeting. Furthermore, develop a support structure that includes follow-up reporting at the next meeting. Be sure to report both your successes, and your challenges.

Effortless Networking - Can We Get Together for Coffee?

2007-05-04T04:13:00.001-07:00

How many cups of coffee do you need to cultivate a networking contact? Here is a comment from a reader, and my response to it:

"[My biggest challenge is] following up after the initial meeting, and another follow-up after the first coffee/drink, and eventually developing this new contact as a longer term network contact. People are busy, and after the first chat, it sometimes seems like we may not have more to talk about later."

That's absolutely correct.

If after the first (or second) chat, there seems nothing more to talk about, that's a red flag -- don't ignore it!

It is very possible that you don't have any mutual interest. (After all, you don't become close friends with everyone you meet. The same is true in the business context.)

In fact, that is the purpose of the initial conversation -- to find out whether or not you and the other person share a common interest.

The common interest may be exchanging leads and referrals, it may be a product or service that one of you wants to sell that the other may want to buy, or it may be something else.

So when you get together for that initial cup of coffee, be clear about what you want to get out of that conversation or meeting. In other words:

* Why are you getting together? To talk about what?

* How will you recognize whether this is a relationship you want to develop further?

* How will you share this information with the other person?

* What will you do if only one of you is interested in further developing the relationship? (Hint: there are infinite shades of gray between "yes" and "no" -- if you'll excuse the mixed metaphor.)

Pay close attention during this initial conversation.

If you suspect that there's no common interest to build the relationship, decide carefully how you want to proceed.

Your time, energy and money are valuable resources -- use them wisely.

7 Networking Tips for New, Young, or Inexperienced Entrepreneurs

2007-05-04T04:12:00.002-07:00

Recently I had an unpleasant networking experience that I thought would make a good article. Here's my take on what to do, verses what NOT to do, when meeting with a potential networking associate.

I was in a well-known office supply store, and a young clerk tried, unsuccessfully, to establish a networking relationship with me. Here are seven things he demonstrated, things I already knew, but things that some young or inexperienced entrepreneurs might not know. So here they are:

1. Introduce Yourself – The person I met did not introduce himself to me. Once he learned my occupation, he immediately started his spiel about his other, non-office supply store, occupation, and how networking with him could benefit him.

2. Ask the Other Person What His/Her Name Is – This person never asked what my name was! Imagine trying to establish a networking relationship and never even asking the person’s name.

3. Give One or Two Business Cards, No More –This person gave me EIGHT cards! And I didn’t even want one of them! If your potential networking associate wants to work with you, they will contact you. You can give more cards at that time, if it seems appropriate.

4. Ask for One or Two Cards – After giving his EIGHT cards, he didn’t even ask for ONE of mine! This item alone was a No-Sale for me, because he was clearly not interested in networking with me, only in prompting his own side-business.

5. Respect Your Audience – As I mentioned in #1, after learning my occupation, this person dove right into his own occupation. He didn’t inquire any further about my occupation, or anything else about me. It was all about HIM, HIM, and more HIM. If you are truly interested in networking with somebody, you must respect the person. Allow them to talk about themselves so you can learn about with whom you may be working. After all, you may be sending clients to this person. Doesn’t it seem prudent to learn a little about whom you may be referring?

6. Don’t Talk Too Much on Somebody Else’s Dime – This guy was a clerk in an office supply store, and didn’t seem to care that he was blatantly promoting his own business on company paid time. That’s the wrong thing to do when trying to network with a bookkeeper/accountant/QuickBooks person. I kept thinking about what this encounter was costing the office supply company in payroll wages, payroll taxes, worker’s compensation, benefits, lost productivity, potential lost sales . . .

7. Listen Carefully, and Accept a No When You Get One – I told him two or three times that my clients rarely, if ever, ask me for financial planning advice. What am I saying? Does that sound like a “Yes, I’m interested in your services”? Careful listening is very important, especially for men dealing with women. Generally, women are not going to be straightforward with a clear, “No,” in situations like this. My “No,” was there, he just couldn’t or didn’t want to hear it. You can always ask if you are unsure.

All of these are clear examples of somebody who did not care for anybody except himself. And he didn’t even really care about himself. If he did, he would have done a better job promoting his side-business, don’t you think?

Even though his tone of voice was always friendly, his entire manner was extremely self-centered. Being polite and considerate is more than speaking with a pleasant tone of voice. It's about showing some care for the other person. Relationships are two-way streets. When we understand and practice this, our potential networking associates will be more likely to turn into real networking associates.

Corporate Party Games - Livening Up Your Next Work Function

2007-05-04T04:12:00.001-07:00

At any corporate party, games are great for two reasons – they allow workmates to bond and have fun together, and they are an ice-breaker for people who may not know each other. Here are 2 corporate party games to play at your next corporate party:

"The Gift Game" Corporate Party Game

This is one of the simplest corporate party games, but is still loads of fun. Prior to the event, purchase and wrap 10 cheap gift items for the game. Before guests arrive, hide 10 coins in and around where the party is being held. Guests have to search for the coins, and the people who find them can exchange their coin for one of the gifts, as long as they don’t open them yet. All the partygoers stand or sit in a circle, with one person reading a made-up story containing the words “left” and “right” many times. Every time the word “right” is mentioned, guests have to pass their gifts to the right, and the same with the word “left”. Once the story is finished, the people left holding the presents keep them.

"Pass the Hat" Corporate Party Game

This, more than many other corporate party games, requires cooperation and imagination. Party guests have to stand in 2 circles, one inside the other. One player from each circle starts the game wearing a hat, which has to be passed around the circle without anyone using their hands. The first team to pass their hat all the way round is the winner.

At almost any corporate party, games can generate laughs and make the event really enjoyable for everyone. All that’s needed is a bit of imagination, and people willing to ‘have a go’ for the sake of team building and having a good time.

Keep Your Eyes On The Horizon, But Leave The Back Door Open

2007-05-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard the saying that good things don't always come to you the way you expect them to. That's why it's best not to get too focused on "how" something is going to come about, but more on what it is you want to create or achieve.

My goal, like yours, is to grow my business, so I constantly explore avenues and possibilities for expansion.

Sometimes acting on certain opportunities have brought me to dead ends.

And sometimes they've taken me miles away from where I thought I'd end up, but surprisingly, to a much better place than I ever imagined.

Here's one such example...

Because I conduct my business primarily over the telephone and Internet, I never made an effort to integrate into my own community. Coaching was, and still is, virtually unknown in these parts.

A year ago, I decided to open a chapter of a national women's business group in my city. The organization has a solid platform and is rapidly expanding across Canada and the U.S. It provides national exposure, training, networking opportunities, and support and resources for entrepreneurs and executives.

Through this alliance, I saw the potential to integrate myself into my local business community while providing my fellow business owners with the venue to learn, connect and grow their businesses on a much larger scale.

I envisioned a large gathering of passionate business owners who would embrace the concept and opportunity as heartily as I had.

Unfortunately, only a select few were able to think bigger and bolder than the masses. The majority of business owners were satisfied with their businesses remaining "as is". They were comfortable with where they were.

After almost a year of attempts to build the group from the small number I had enlisted, I decided to let it fold. The efforts were taking me away from focusing on my own business and the dismal results gave me the answers I needed.

This was something my city was not ready for. At least, not just yet.

When I first envisioned the dream of one hundred or more local business women embracing the concept and helping each other grow their businesses, I was excited and couldn't see how anyone wouldn't want to be a part of it.

And, based on the failure of this attempt, I could be frustrated and remorseful for taking the chance, but the experience brought me far more than I expected or hoped for.

Because I took a chance, I put myself in front of many highly respected and successful business women I may never have met. I've since formed business relationships with several of them that will bring me several thousand dollars in added revenue this year.

I was invited to join a local mastermind group made up of some of the brightest business minds I know with wide circles of influence.

I was invited into a "by invitation only" group of business owners who share leads and resources with each other. At the last meeting I received over 34 leads from just one person alone!

I receive regular phone calls from local business owners inviting me to lunch, to learn more about what I do, looking for help in expanding their thinking and businesses.

All because I took a chance and put myself in front of others.

I didn't fail. I just created an entirely different result than originally planned.

And I honestly have to say, I'm loving how everything has unfolded.

I'm sharing this because I want you to embrace the possibilities.

As you build your business and explore opportunities, by all means, do your due diligence to ensure you take responsible risks.

You may land on your butt from time to time, but that comes with the territory.

The important thing is - when you come across something that you think might have teeth, take action. Sometimes you will create the results you were hoping for and that's great, but don't let a detour break you.

Sometimes those detours will take you down a path that you never knew existed, one that is far better than you could have envisioned on your own.

Keep your eye on your vision, but always leave that back door open because oftentimes your greatest opportunity will slip through, waiting for you to turn around and notice it.

Offline Relationship Building a Networking

2007-04-30T03:07:00.002-07:00

Offline networking and relationship building can be thought of as almost like building an offline list.

When marketing any of kind you need to decide who you are going to market to. The right audience means the desired sells and revenue you seek.

Building a list can provide you with the people you seek to market to.

To begin your list simply write down those people closest to you. Friends and family, of course you will market to them but this will not lead you to the revenue you seek, unless of course your family is Bill Gates! Break this into two pages, write friends on one page and family on the other. Start with your family, write their names down. Then branch down. List their friends, their associates, the groups and/or organizations. For example; your brother Bo has a girlfriend named Sarah. Bo works for the Fire Department and Sarah is a teacher. Bo’s coworker Eric that you meet once had a girlfriend that you liked name Beth, Beth works for the power company. This goes on and on. Writing the name of the person along with the affiliation of the person provides you with advertising possibilities. Not that you will go to Beth in particular and advertise directly to her, but you can go to the Power Company and ask to place business cards or flyers in their office. See where I am going with this? It’s a simple yet very productive way to seek your revenue.

Why build a list? Because building a list provides you with organizations and companies that you would not have thought of as revenue for your specific situation. It provides you with various forms of advertising ideas, and brainstorming menerouvs. Using the power of brainstorming, in this form on list building, guides you in directions you might have otherwise been blocked from seeing. You would have never thought that your friend that had breast cancer and volunteered at the American Cancer Society would have provided you with a ring of customers by advertising for their DogsWalk Against Cancer event and obtaining new customers for you pet sitting business. Building that list and thinking outside the box provides ample opportunities that “writes block” would have left out! Get started. Build that list! And it is important not to stop. As long as you want revenue you will continue your list. Everyone you met is associated with or knows someone who could benefit from what you have to offer and could lead you in places you never imagined you could go!

The Art of Small Talk

2007-04-30T03:07:00.001-07:00

Business people, particularly those of you who travel, must be well versed in a variety of areas. You must be efficient packers, good at directions, and adept at lathering ridiculously tiny bars of hotel soap. You must also be skilled at small talk.

Small talk might seem like something that carries little weight, seeming as though it is called small for a reason. However, small talk can open the doorway to all kinds of conversations. It can lead to finding commonalities, discovering similar likes or dislikes, and finding the universal ground of laughter. It can also help you be remembered by those you want to impress. On a business trip, the need to shoot the breeze may come up more that you think; you don’t want to be left winded.

Ask people where they are from: Everyone is from somewhere and people are often very proud of their roots, yes even those from Canada. Asking someone where they are from is a great way to start a conversation and possibly find a commonality. It also gives people the chance to tell you a little bit about themselves and allows you a moment to travel the world vicariously.

Ask people about their kids: Sure, this might not apply to everyone; not everyone has children. But, if someone does, asking about their offspring can get both your feet through the conversational door. Parents love to talk about their kids – it allows them to brag about their gene pool in a subtle manner. Most people hold their kids as one of their favorite subjects, so feel free to ask away.

Ask people about recent events: There are some recent events that you probably want to stay away from. Events involving politics, religion, the Iraq war or the debate over abortion are best kept out of the small talk world. Other events, however, are fair game. Try striking up a conversation by asking people what they thought of the latest Super Bowl or what summer movie they are looking forward to seeing. If you are feeling particularly brave, ask them if they are the father of Anna Nicole’s baby.

Ask people about television: Okay, so not everyone watches TV. But, since the invention of TIVO and DVR, there is really no excuse to not watch at least an hour or two a week. From 24 to Lost, from Grey’s Anatomy to ER, from The Office to, say it with me, American Idol, chances are someone watches what you watch. Discussing a television show you both find addicting is a great way to form an instant bond…one that won’t be interrupted by commercials.

Being well versed in the area of small talk is not just important for businesspeople; it’s a skill that everyone can benefit from. Small talk, after all, is just big talk on a littler scale. Staring up a small talk conversation often, and doing it well, can help you make friends, form alliances, and learn a little more about the people whose lives cross with yours.

Business Success And The Art Of Networking

2007-04-30T03:06:00.004-07:00

Networking is about creating a support system for your business. It can help you raise money attract employees or partners and even offer a fresh perspective.

Networking is a non- starter if you start with the end in mind. This is even true when one thinks of networking in the business context. Business networking is not merely about exchanging cards and few laughs over dinner, its about looking for ways to help each other grow symbiotically. It is a process which helps to build relationships and develop the support system for the entrepreneur and his business.

Any successful entrepreneur will tell you that a network of contacts can add value only if you know how to add value to each one of them. If you want to know the secret to building the network which will help you, you have to learn to understand other peoples problems and challenges first. You have to be ready to give first and demand later.

The art of networking is not an easy one. Most young entrepreneurs find that it is easier to build upon an idea than to develop a network of contacts. The best bet for young entrepreneurs is to participate in forums that are provided by business networking professionals like Business Networking International (BNI), The Indus Entrepreneurs, and even online networking sites like Ryze and LinkedIn. These have regular mixer meets- where new entrepreneurs have an opportunity to interact with more experienced entrepreneurs and take the concept of organised networking very seriously.

Such forums result in a place where business supply and demand have a command ground. For eg: people who require funds can connect with people who want to invest funds, and there is always the possibility of finding a new business.

It is an opportunity for new entrants to gain an insight into the minds of biggest and the best in business. Its not just a platform to help entrepreneurs interact but also a responsibility to educate and inspire them. Entrepreneurs have to be realistic about what they can get from networking opportunities.

Essentials of Networking:

1. Look at building relationships, not a database.

2. Networking events are not always buyer- seller meets.

3. Aviod western rules for networking. India and Indians have a different approach.

4. Learn to give, seek the giver's gain.

5. Listen and understand others business first.

6. Look at ways of growing your network through giving

7. Learn to distinguish between networking and fund raising events.

8. Networking events should be informal.

9. Follow up with people or suggestion for people you meet at an event.

10. Do not just collect visiting cards, get to know people.

What Should You Be Saying When Others Ask "What Do You Do?"

2007-04-30T03:06:00.003-07:00

Small talk is society’s way of cutting the silence, of filling the empty void that makes many of us nervous. When faced with a situation involving just us and a stranger or someone that we are not well acquainted with, it is our innate reaction to talk about the weather or news events as opposed to feeling comfortable sitting in silence. How many times a day are you asked, “So what do you do?” If you are like most, your answer is usually confined to a simple professional answer, “I am a self-employed ___________”. In most cases this is the end of the conversation or you then ask “and you?” But let’s face it, do we really care and did the person asking the initiating question care? The next time you are faced with this question, take the time to find an answer that makes them care and create enough interest to keep the conversation flowing.

As a small business owner it is important to talk to anyone and everyone about your business because let’s face it, anyone could be a potential client and the person asking could know of potential clients. When answering the question “What do you do?” I am not talking about starting an hour long conversation where you get into the meat and potatoes of your job and start relaying a grocery list of your skills and capabilities. Rather I am talking about giving them something to be interested in talking about and something to make them spread the word about you. When looking for that interesting factor, think back to when you first started your business. What excited you and drew you to start this business? What makes you stand out from the crowd and makes others excited to hear about your business?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Provide a hook or a reason for potential clients to remember you and your business. Paint a picture for the person that is asking. Imagine a person selling a cloth that provides a streak free shine every time. They explain to the person that they no longer have to lug bottles of glass cleaner and paper towels, but simply dampen the cloth and rub and the cloth does the rest. I guarantee the next time that person is lugging glass cleaner and paper towels they will think about that cloth.

2. Give them a reason to ask more. Imagine the questions when you hear of a person who just opened a massage therapy business that utilizes water but the patient never gets wet. What part of your business is most likely to make people ask questions?

3. What makes you stand out from others like you? I am a virtual assistant who provides bookkeeping services. I also provide administrative support and many people choose to work with me because they only want to deal with one person to assist them as opposed to both a bookkeeper and an administrative assistant.

4. Ask a question that will provoke an emotion. This will enable the person to think of you every time that emotion is felt. For example, ask “have you ever felt overwhelmed by the unorganization present in your home? I am a personal organizer who not only organizes things for you, but also provides you with tools and resources to improve your own organizational skills.” The next time someone is feeling overwhelmed and is in a state of chaos I am sure they will think of you.

Always, always, always keep in mind that although the person you are talking about might not be your target client, you can never be sure what fifty people they know. Truly talking about your business can make the difference in truly creating a thriving business.

Why Do Most Network Marketers Fail?

2007-04-30T03:06:00.001-07:00

Network marketing is Simple, but doing the old way (i.e. cold calling people) is NOT easy.

Don't kid yourself!

Let me explain my view of why network marketing is notorious for having a 95% or higher failure rate..

Have you ever heard of Occam's razor?

It states that the simplest explanation for a phenomenon is usually the best. We'll use this theory to explain why more than 95% or more network marketers fail.

Ready?

Most network marketers fail because the marketing methods that they are taught don't work 95% or more of the time.

So we're led to ask the next logical question, what are most fledgling network marketers taught?

Well, I can only speak from my experience, but what I was taught was to buy and cold call leads.

Now, I'm not going to say this doesn't work, but I will say after six months of cold calling leads for 3 hours a day with very little success this tactic doesn't work for me.

Honestly, unless you're natural born confident sales leader going into your network marketing career you'll probably have these same results.

Don't get me wrong some people are very good at cold calling leads, but most people aren't.

What happens to most people after they've spend thousands of dollars on leads with very little success after months of effort?

They run out of money. They get burned out and then . . .

They give up.

Another important factor contributing to why most network marketers fail is the type of leads they buy.

Why does the type of leads network marketers use make a difference?

Well . . .

Business opportunity leads, the leads most new network marketers are told to use, are generic. These leads answer an ad that just asks them if they want to be financially free or make money from home or something like that.

Well . . . of course they do!

But that doesn't mean they want anything to do with YOUR network marketing program.

When the average network marketer calls these generic business opportunity leads the leads don't know anything about the network marketer's business and for the most part honestly don't care.

This leads to the fledgling network marketer hearing a lot of "NOs".

Hearing NO all the time leads to quite a bit of self doubt, both about the network marketer's own ability and the validity of their association with their network marketing company.

Negative feelings begin to harbor and as I said before eventually the network marketer gives up, usually within 3-6 months.

People want to follow a leader. When you have a system that works like a magnet, prospects will then rely on you to lead them. You need to capture other network marketers with a proven system that can help them achieve their financial freedom.

That's basically why 95% of network marketers fail if you asked me.

Let's take a look at a flock of geese. When a goose flaps their wings they provide an uplifting air to those around them. There is a lead goose in ever flock and in flight the geese are in formation behind their leader. Whenever they want to go faster the geese behind their leader will honk until the leader is up to speed.

How many people do you want to follow you in your business? Are you providing them with uplifting air? Are you listening to their honking?

Keep It Alive, Part 1: Using Email to Stay in Touch with Your Network

2007-04-25T05:34:00.001-07:00

Guess what? Today you will be taking field trip!

No permission slip needed.

THE DESTINATION: your inbox.

Here’s your first assignment:

Start by going back to your oldest saved email message. Maybe it’s from last year. Maybe it’s from last month. Maybe it’s from last century. But spend the next half-hour working your way backwards to today.

By reviewing past emails, you’ll come across people, messages and issues you’ve completely forgotten all about. You might think, “Wow, I wonder what Karen’s been up to lately!” or “Hmm…I don’t recognize Mike’s name. Better re-read his message to refresh my memory.”

Either way, this trip down e-memory lane is the perfect exercise to workout those out of shape networking muscles. And if you can reconnect with just one person you otherwise wouldn’t have talked to, it will be worth it.

OK. Here’s your second assignment:

Another underused feature for staying in touch is the email auto-completer. Depending on which mail client you use, you should be able to do this in a few quick steps:

1. Go to “compose new message.”
2. Punch in any letter of the alphabet.
3. You should be prompted with a dozen or so potential email addresses starting with that same letter. Pick a name and email away!

It’s actually kind of fun. You’ll see names you completely forgot about!

Gmail is good at this. They provide you with a drop down box. It reminds you of every person you’ve ever emailed (or received an email from) over the years.

TRY THIS: every once in a while, take a few minutes and just go through the entire alphabet. You never know whose name might come up! And a simple, “We haven’t chatted in a while, so I just thought I’d drop a line and say hey!” is the perfect way to reconnect with an old friend or colleague.

Ultimately, running a monthly email search is the perfect tool to Keep It Alive with old contacts, friends and prospects.

Maybe it’s a simple “just checking in” note.
Maybe it’s a reply to an old message you forgot about.
Maybe it’s an email update to an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

EITHER WAY: people will appreciate your follow up.

PLUS, YOU NEVER KNOW: you might make a sale, reconnect with old friends, even made someone’s day!

AND SURE, it might seem like extra work.

But remember, the last four words in N-E-T-W-O-R-K are W-O-R-K!

LET ME ASK YA THIS...
How do you keep it alive?

LET ME SUGGEST THIS...

Networking Etiquette Means Business

2007-04-25T05:33:00.002-07:00

Everybody is doing it. At least, successful people are doing it. And “it” isn’t even a dirty word. “It” is Networking. Successful business people network for a variety of reasons.

Career Networking is an excellent tool for finding and landing your next great job opportunity. In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, 94% of new job finders cited networking as their primary mode of job search.

Networking is also used to build relationships with potential and existing clients and vendors. Let’s face it, people prefer to do business with and refer business to people they know and trust.

Think you don’t have to network because you are not looking for a new job and are not in sales? Think again. A recent poll by Inc.com found that 48% of their readers believed that personal connections are the primary factor that most often leads to getting ahead in an organization. No matter how qualified you are, unless you have strong relationships with key players, your advancement opportunities are limited.

There’s even more to networking--it’s an excellent source of information and ideas about events, trends, opportunities and industry news. You can also find support for your proposals and the chance to help others. Charitable fundraising is also driven heavily by personal and professional networking.

So what exactly is networking?

It’s simply building enduring relationships that are mutually beneficial. Not so simple is the ability to stand out from the networking crowd as being polished, professional and endearing. This ability gives you an edge to make an outstanding impression and outclass your competition. It comes from understanding and applying Business Networking Etiquette.

Use these Business Networking Etiquette tips to achieve your networking goals:

Jump on the “Brand wagon”

Personal Branding is the message you send--and your audience receives--about you. Do you want to be known as a problem solver, a rain man, a philanthropist? Creative? Aggressive? Dynamic or Disciplined?

For your audience to receive your intended message, it must be genuine. Take your true skills and strengths, combine them with your passions and identify your unique promise of value to your clients, your employer, colleagues and other important contacts. This message becomes your personal branding statement.

When you are networking, one of the first things people will ask you is what you do. Take this opportunity to communicate your personal branding statement and make it shine. Avoid stating your job title; focus on the value you bring to your client. Be prepared to customize your branding statement to suit the situation, while still maintaining authenticity. For example, instead of saying you are a financial planner, share how your analytical skills and interest in helping others enables you to achieve high returns on your clients’ portfolios, while managing risk so they can sleep at night.

Impress with Your Impression

First impressions are the most lasting. Humans are very visual beings. More than half the impression you make is based on what people see. To make a positive visual impression, make sure you are well groomed and feel good about what you are wearing at all times.

Not only does your personal appearance speak about you, it also speaks to you. If you feel that you are appropriately dressed for the occasion, you will feel more confident and able to handle whatever comes your way in any situation. If you don’t feel good about your appearance, it can inhibit your confidence and you may find yourself avoiding speaking to people, leaving networking opportunities unrealized.

When you network, you are promoting your personal brand. Like any product, your packaging defines and differentiates who you are as a professional business person. Make sure your visual message matches your verbal message.

Know Your Desired Outcome

Before going to a networking meeting or event, ask yourself, “Why am I going?” Be specific, such as “I am going to speak to 10 new people today and get contact information for 4 of them.” Target individuals and research them on Google, or through mutual acquaintances so you are prepared to make small talk intelligently.

Your reason for going should not be to sell anything. You are there to meet people and develop relationships with them. Another reason is to “give to the group”. When you identify a group to attend regularly, ask the leaders how you can serve. Is there a committee opening? Is there some task you can perform to add to the success of the group?

Small Talk

The purpose of small talk is to break the ice and build rapport. Without rapport, there is no foundation to develop a relationship. Start with an introduction and a handshake. Follow with positive observations and questions about your immediate surroundings, such as “The speaker really took the time to research the audience.” or “What kind of work do you do?”

When you are engaging in small talk, keep your body language relaxed and confident. Lean in to show interest, but respect individual personal space.

For eye contact, the rule of thumb is 60%. This means look your companion in the eye 60% of the time. When you are not looking directly into the eyes, rest your gaze on the eyebrows or mouth. Don’t let your eyes stray too far away from the face. The goal is to achieve a good balance between a scary stare and evasive eye darting.

It’s easier to build rapport with someone if you remind them of themselves. Without being obvious, try to match pace and volume of speech as well as body language.

Spend 80% of your time listening and 20% talking. As Dale Carnegie wrote, “become genuinely interested in the other person and encourage them to talk about themselves.”

“Work” the Event

When you are at a networking event, recognize that everyone is there to network too. Make sure you don’t monopolize any one person’s time. Aim to spend a maximum of 10 minutes with each person. To end a conversation graciously, simply say, “It was a pleasure meeting you, perhaps we could have coffee in the near future,” and depart.

Enjoy a snack before the event so your attention will be focused on meeting people. Keep your hands free to shake hands and gesture. If you fancy a drink, carry it in your left hand so that your right hand is not wet and clammy from the sweaty glass.

Business Cards

Be prepared. Have a clean supply of business cards easily accessible. A slim business card holder that fits in a jacket pocket is ideal. Never take cards from your back pocket. You should never dig in your purse, fumble or make people wait while you retrieve your card. Present your card in a manner that demonstrates it is worth something. Ensure that the type is facing up and towards the other person.

When receiving a business card, take the time to look at it and comment favourably on some aspect of it, or ask a question that shows your interest.

Places, please

Avoid standing at the bar. People may congregate there, but it’s not an ideal spot to engage people in conversation. Instead, stand near the food or dessert table where people are lingering and eating. You’ll find them more open to talking because people like to chat during meals and people are usually happy and receptive when they have ready access to food.

Keep in Touch

Your connection may start at a networking event, but the relationship is built over time. It’s important to follow up the first meeting in an appropriate fashion to keep the momentum and stay top of mind. You can achieve this by email or personal note, “It was a pleasure meeting you. I’ll call you in the next week or so to set up some time to get together.”

Another way to stay in touch is by periodically sending important information, articles or notification of a relevant, upcoming event. This demonstrates your understanding of a person’s needs and your willingness to be of service. You can also set up a Google news alert and send congratulatory notes when you learn of pertinent deals or promotions.

Take It to the Next Level

The most important business relationships are often created and maintained outside the traditional work environment. This means that you should be prepared to meet your networking circle at restaurants, sporting events, association meetings, fund-raisers, golf courses, seminars, workshops, conferences and conventions. Be committed to knowing and practicing the particular etiquette for these venues as well.

Understanding and applying Business Networking Etiquette will empower you to build and nurture a network. These lasting, mutually beneficial business relationships begin with projecting an outstanding impression, but are sustained through trust and the investment of time and effort to help others.

Learn The Best Tips On How To Find Legitimate Jobs Online

2007-04-25T05:33:00.001-07:00

Legitimate jobs online are abundant and you can find from small and simple jobs that allow you make extra money to professional jobs that can allow you to rid of your job, you can experiment a freedom that you never imagined possible.

Starting a legitimate job online is not as difficult as you think, the first step that you need is to gather the correct equipment to work from your home. You will need to have a personal computer and internet access, a high speed internet access is the best option to go if you want to start a legitimate job online. This will help you save time and will allow you to be more efficient.

Since you want to start a legitimate job online, you will need to get the necessary software, also you will need to buy a virus protector in order to protect your information and programs. Without a virus protector all your information is running the risk of being attacked by any virus.

There are many possibilities when you look for legitimate jobs online, first of all there are many different work at home and freelance opportunities, including writing, online sales, translation, website design, copy writing, graphic design, data entry, photography, online surveys, transcription, etc.

All of these options are available if you choose a legitimate job online, there are more possibilities and this market is growing more every day. People want to have a better lifestyle and now is possible working from the comfort of your home. Remember that you can have the lifestyle that you want, the online market is full of opportunities, all you need is to choose the right one for you, depending of your skills and abilities, Do not waste more time, you will see the results as soon as you start.

What Average People Don't Know

2007-04-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

Many people have been looking for ways to make excuses as to why they are broke, busted and disgusted. They come up with all sorts of reasons why they should not try a network marketing business, or “scheme” as they call it, and why they should not waste their time with companies who only want to take their money. The fact of the matter is that people are too afraid to admit the fact that they are afraid of change and have a fear of failure.

Sadly, people would rather be remain comfortable with the fact that they are AVERAGE because they will be compensated with a steady source of income while murmuring and complaining that they do not have the time or money to do the things that they would like to do. Well if you look up the word average in the dictionary you would read on to see that it means “mediocre or plain”. You would also learn that the meaning of the word average is, “the highest degree of poor”.

In order for the things in your life to change, you have got to change the things that you are currently doing and have the habit of doing. You have got to be able to step out of your comfort zone. Otherwise, how would you know what something else other than what you have ever known exists? How would you be able to focus on becoming better if you don’t know the feeling of a fresh start? How could you teach your children to d Either you send your life to disgrace, or you send your life to destiny. o different from you or do better than you if you are not learning to do better than you? Suppose you think you are doing everything correctly.

You went to college, you were the top of your class, you graduated and found you a good JOB; Are you able to buy anything that you want and need at any given point in time? Could you retire when you get ready? Do you have the time that you would like to spend with your family members? Do you spend the time with your loved ones that you would generally like to spend with them? Are you making plans now for your life that will totally impact the life of your heirs? These are the typical long term goals that you are making short term decisions for. In order to see realistic changes you have to be realistic. The things that you want to see done in your lifetime are done through demonstration by you. If you want to see grace in your life, you have to be graceful. If you want positive things to come into your life, you have to first be positive. Life is like a boomerang - whatever you send out into the universe is what you will receive in due time. YOU decide your own destiny and disgrace.

Joint Ventures - Part XIV

2007-04-25T05:22:00.000-07:00

JV Anything You Need – Need a room to hold your seminar? A rental car? Your hotel or airfare covered? Any expense, rental, or use of a product or service? Why not use your product or service to JV what you need. Michel Fortin used to do this with a local hotel. He would get the room for free and hold all of his seminars there, getting new leads and business. While his seminar attendees were there, they used the hotel’s business center, giving the hotel business as well. It was a win/win situation.

JP Maroney worked out a deal to get his room for free to hold his mini-seminar as well. Jay Abraham regularly did deals to get cars, airfare, you name it.

JV for Airtime – Yes, it’s even possible to JV with radio and television stations for free airtime for your ads and infomercials. Every radio or television station has some unsold airtime. They have to use it for something. They only need to fill a certain amount of public service time. After that, the rest of the time is used for the most profitable way they can come up with. If you present a compelling offer to them, yours may be more desirable to them. Simply find out what they want, and offer it to them for an exchange of airtime.

NOTE: This technique is done more often than you think, mostly by ad agencies and bigger companies. But even with that going against you, there is still a considerable amount of unsold time available, especially in the smaller stations. Hint: You don’t have to do the deal with only one station at a time.

Leverage JV with Bartering – This is another little-known technique you can use to make your deals even more lucrative.

Let’s say that you found out that your local radio station WXXX needs a new roof. So you do a deal with the local roofing company J&J Roofing, where you trade your services for a roofing job. J&J charges $10,000 for a new roof needed by WXXX. But it only costs them $3,000 in labor and materials. The other $7,000 is profit. So you provide $3,000 worth of services to J&J, get $3,000 worth of labor and materials in result, and are able to give WXXX a new $10,000 roof for only $3,000 worth of services. Now you get J&J’s $7,000 profit.

Listen, it does work that way more often than you think. Jewelry, cars, furniture, services, and just about anything you can think of produced by a for-profit company always has that kind of leverage if you work the deal the right way.

“Think Outside the Box” – Yes, I know it’s a cliché. But in this case, it’s very true and profitable. The examples I provided here aren’t by a long shot every possible technique you can use. Rather, they are designed to get you thinking in the proper “mindset.” You’ll soon see that there are more possibilities and opportunities around you that you may have not noticed before. So your job is to always be on the lookout for them. And recognize them when they do catch your attention.

Will they always be profitable? Hardly. But as you get more and more exposed to this kind of creative marketing thinking, you’ll be better equipped to spot the ones that are more frequently up front.

The best advice I can give you to that end is to try some of these ideas for yourself. Make them your own. Find out what works best for your business and which ones don’t. Read more than one newspaper each day. Read trade journals and magazines. Read what your target market reads. There’s opportunity everywhere if you know where to look.

Joint Ventures - Part XIII

2007-04-24T05:11:00.004-07:00

School Deals – You can contact local community colleges and other educational learning institutes and offer to teach a course for free or for a salary. While you’ll teach them valuable skills, the logical outcome of your course is for them to purchase your full-course and other information products. While I haven’t personally done this, I know of others who have, and it’s a great way to both establish you as an expert and make money on the back-end as well. And the inevitable publicity doesn’t hurt, either.

Company Speeches/Seminars – Lots of companies give in-house speeches and seminars. Most charge a nominal sum. You can do the same, and sell your products and services. It’s a great way to get into a company and do your pitch.

Friends and Relatives – One of the best ways to get started in JV deal making is by working with people you already know well and who trust you. I’m talking about friends and relatives who are entrepreneurs. Look, there’s a reason why MLM companies like Tupperware and the Pampered Chef do so well. Most of their first-time salespeople sell to their friends and relatives first. My younger brother sold a set of knives to my mother that she still uses to this day (after years). I used to sell Mason Shoes door to door when I was a teenager (yes, admittedly a LONG time ago). Guess who my first buyers were?

Well, the same thing works for JVs. I have some friends who opened up a restaurant. I’m now working with them, without any money out of their pocket, to develop JV deals that will build additional profit centers for them. And yes, I get a cut.

When you work with folks that are close to you, you tend to have their vested interest at heart. And that sets the stage for JV deals with “cold” prospects, because you also want to be known as having their best interests at heart.

You are the dealmaker. You make it happen and know all of the ins and outs of business. This comes with time, so the more deals you make (even the unprofitable ones), the better you’ll be equipped to handle the bigger more profitable ones.

to be continued....

Joint Ventures - Part XII

2007-04-24T05:11:00.003-07:00

JV the Costs – Whether it’s an office you share, or a receptionist, or an administrative assistant, or standby conference call lines, you can make deals with other businesses that may not need a full-time receptionist, for example, to keep the costs down. A local school supply business shares an office with a surveyor. A small downtown Hartford mail order firm shares office space and conference rooms with an advertising agency. A New York investment consulting firm shares the mailing address with a Florida realtor who is also licensed in New York and wants a local presence. Things like office and mail services, help desk support, and other shared services are becoming more common. If you can’t find one that makes sense for your business, why not invent your own solution?

JV to Build Your List – Your list is your greatest asset, right? But if you only have 1,000 names where 50,000 or 100,000 is the norm (more is better, right?), then why not JV a list exchange. Bear with me. It’s true that you may not have much to offer to the list owner of 100,000+ names, when you only have 1,000. But it can be done.

One way to do this? Ok, let’s pretend that I convince a speaker to do a teleseminar with me that I know at least 2 or 3 other 100k+ list size owners would love to tell their subscribers about. Let’s couple that with the fact that these list owners want to build their lists even more. And you do too. You could make a deal with some of these list owners that whoever opts in to your teleseminar, you’ll do a solo mailing of a product of their choice to the entire list if they promote the call. Remember they’re delivering a message to their list that their list would be interested in, and they’re interested in getting the names of the other list owners that will opt-in. So you act as the middle-person and make all sides happy, while greatly adding to the size of your list.

I’ve personally done this, and I’ve got some big promotions on the way that will grow my list even further. All you need to do is to contact these people and let them know how they benefit from the arrangement.

Will everyone welcome the deal? No. But there are plenty who will. And everyone wins (those are the best kinds of deals, by the way). This is one of those ideas that will work just as good online as they do offline.

Joint Ventures - Part XI

2007-04-24T05:11:00.001-07:00

JV With Those Who Already Have Business Relationships – I mentioned at the start of this section that some of the best companies to JV with are those whom you already have a preexisting relationship with. What if you don’t have any?

You can JV with those people who do! Put an ad in your local paper. Go online and network with people who do have these relationships. Then cut them in on the deal and let them introduce you. It’s the difference between a cold intro and a warm or hot one.

Start Small – Do you have a big idea for a deal but no relationship with the potential partner company? You can always start out small, with a test to validate your experience and the results before moving onto the big deal you had in mind. By the time your small deal is validated, you know have that relationship to move to the next level.

Let Them White Label You – Let’s assume you are an IT consulting firm, and you decide to JV with hardware companies to access their customer base and have them endorse your services. The trouble is, you want to JV with several hardware makers, and each one wants you to use only their hardware. How do you get around that and still have access to all of their lists and endorsements?

One way is to let them “white label” your services. In other words, when you consult for their customers, you represent that hardware company. So every time you go out, you change “shirts and hats,” so to speak. That way each hardware company has you representing them. Basically, they would sell your services as their own.

Think of it as a “private label rights” situation, where you sell your works to other companies that they can in turn repackage as their own. If you’re looking to drum up more business, this one approach alone could bring you more than you can handle. In other words, you may have to hire more staff. It’s that powerful.

Listen, do you think all of the “Geek Squads” and such are all owned by the companies dispatching them? No, many are contracted. These are large-scale corporate deals, but nothing says you can’t do something similar on a smaller scale to start.

to be continued....

Joint Ventures - Part X

2007-04-24T05:10:00.001-07:00

JV With an Agent to Bring in “Found” Business – If you want to focus on your core business, like the dentist example I mentioned about (i.e. let’s say that you’re the dentist), and you’re not sure how to go about bringing in this “found” business, there are experienced marketers out there who could handle the nuts and bolts of the campaign. In other words, this would be the reverse of the previous two examples, where you are the professional, and a deal with a marketer would yield you additional business, but without the marketing headaches. At the very least you could pay someone to teach you how its done, or learn by example in observing their methods and asking questions.

JV a Consulting Back-End With a Static Product Seller – Let’s say that you are a consultant specializing in doing creative real estate deals. You could find someone who sells a static book or course on the subject, then partner with them to offer your coaching or consulting services on the back-end for those that want to go beyond the book or course. You could offer your own course, seminars, coaching programs, whatever.

JV a Static Product With a Consulting Back-End – And the opposite is also true. If you sell a static information product, why not seek out an expert on the subject that you can partner with and endorse for additional training for your customers. Everybody wins!

Tie Up the Rights to Real Estate – I don’t mean real estate in the traditional sense. I mean space. Using the chiropractor example, what if you opened a satellite office that’s manned once or twice a week in a health club or health food store? You could put lots of things in those places. Acupuncture, Shiatsu, massage therapy, weight-loss clinics, exercise products, the list goes on.

Instead of an office, you could tie up the rights to a display space or an impulse buy counter near the register. How about a segment of the store, the rear section of a store, or the front corner where merchandise or services can be placed? Banks now put branches in grocery stores. So do flower shops. Sears put Allstate Insurance in their stores and created a billion dollar business. Designer shampoos have space in salons.

If you tie up the space first, then you can go out and find inventory that you will in essence consign to the space. Anywhere there is foot traffic is really fair game. Just be sure to find a product or service that is a match to the foot traffic’s preferences (i.e. the target market).

There are lots of one or two-person companies who manufacture their own jewelry, or candy, or cookies, or toys, or crafts. Maybe a local hotdog joint doesn’t have cookies on their menu. Put them together and take a cut. How about craft supplies and raw materials at a craft show? A service in a hotel that perhaps that hotel doesn’t offer? Maybe free wireless Internet access in exchange for their contact info. The nice thing is you don’t have to put up any inventory.

Vacant lots are great to put in cars for sale. Or organize your own flea market or craft show. A haunted house around Halloween, sponsored by the local costume shop. A golfing goods tent that coincides with the timing of the US Open.

I’ve mentioned some of these ideas already, but this example is about tying up the rights to space. Get the rights first, then looks for ways to fill it.

to be continued...

Effortless Networking - In Only I Had The Confidence

2007-04-24T05:09:00.000-07:00

If only I had the confidence...

... I would get over my fear of not wanting to waste other people's time, and ask them for their help

... I'd speak in front of large groups of people and tell them what I do (because I love what I do!)

... I would confidently promote myself and my business

You can add to this list what you would do, if you only had the confidence.

And if you've ever caught yourself saying something like this, here is my question for you: How do you know that you're "lacking confidence"? How did you come to this conclusion -- based on what?

Here's what I mean:

At a conference I attended a while ago, the speaker at one of the sessions paused to see if the audience had any questions.

One woman raised her hand. She started by saying that since her heart was thumping hard, it meant that she had something important to say. So she'd better stand up and say it.

I was stunned.

I didn't hear much of what she said, because I was too busy processing the implication of her opening remarks.

Here's what I was thinking:

All these years, when my heart started thumping during similar situations, I had interpreted this as being a sign of nervousness, fear, anxiety -- in other words, lack of confidence.

So unlike this woman, I often didn't speak up when this happened because I was sure that I was too afraid or nervous to speak clearly.

And at those times when I did speak, I was so focused on my thumping heart and related discomfort, that I couldn't pay much attention to what I was saying. As a result, I ended up doing exactly what I was afraid I'd do -- not speak clearly or coherently.

So I concluded that I just didn't have the confidence to speak in front of large groups, or start conversations with people I didn't know.

However, hearing this woman's comment I wondered:

* What if my thumping heart is an indication something else?

* Have I been misinterpreting this as "lack of confidence" all these years?

* Is it possible that I don't lack confidence after all, and have been holding myself back unnecessarily?

My point is this: very often our "lack of confidence" is a result of how we interpret a particular situation.

So gaining confidence then is a matter of re-interpreting the same situation from a different perspective.

"No way! I think you're over-simplifying the matter, Sri."

If that's what you're thinking, I dare you to try it out. You'll be amazed at the results you get (my clients always are)!

Establishing Rules in a MasterMind Group

2007-04-21T04:29:00.001-07:00

One very important way to ensure interest and keep a mastermind group moving toward new challenges is to set rules in the beginning. The first couple of meetings should focus on these rules and begin to build trust. Trust is essential to a group’s success. Without it, people will become disenchanted and leave the group. A mastermind group’s goal is to be able to engage its members in thought provoking discussions that lead to solving issues that are important to the group.

This is the first rule. Decide what topics are going to be discussed. If the group is going to focus its energy on business matters, then that’s what the focus should always be on, not other issues. There are many different types of mastermind groups that discuss everything from real estate investment to how to raise a better child. Joining a mastermind group should be a chance to voice concerns, opinions, and find answers through feedback and debate.

The second rule is to only allow those who are serious about joining a mastermind group and will contribute to it in a healthy way. People who have to be the leader or who feel their opinion is the best should not join these groups. Mastermind groups should be joined by invitation only. It will be up to the group members as to who will be allowed to join the group and how big they want the group to be. Finding people to join a mastermind group may prove difficult at first, but when people use their networking skills, they will be able to find people who want to join and who are willing to not only give advice, but also take advice.

The third rule should include ways to talk to others, time limits for individual comments, and how to offer feedback. Getting feedback from the group every few months is a way to gauge how the group is doing and how the group is helping each other. Mastermind groups are formed to empower others, not make them feel uncomfortable at meetings. A successful group takes all the members suggestions seriously.

Working the Room and how to do it

2007-04-21T04:28:00.002-07:00

Let’s cover an area of working the room with which people often struggle... the actual moving around the room. Disengaging with one group and breaking into groups. Finally I will cover the bridge process and explain the importance of the follow up after we have met new people.
Perhaps you have recently had a chance to meet people at a business networking event or social event, a conference, or seminar and have taken the opportunity to go up to someone standing alone. The problem comes when you wish to extricate yourself from this person but don't know how to go about it. Here let me give you some practical ideas. If you are both fellow guests at a function you don't owe it to this person to spend the rest of the evening with them. Think about it for a moment, the chances are that this person wishes to move on as much as you do but like you they simply don't wish to offend or cause any embarrassment.
You can do one of three of things:

· After you have finished speaking you can simply say “Well, Jo, it’s been great meeting you, enjoy the rest of the evening. Please excuse me as I promised to go and talk to Gerry over there”
· You could say, “I’m going to get another drink, would you like to come?”
· The coward’s way out is “Please excuse me, I need to go to the loo!” and make sure you move well away from the person.

Whichever you use please do it with respect, integrity and politeness. Good manners is essential when working the room and is good business; bad manners brings no business.
The important aspect here is to move around the room with or without your new found friend. Again can I remind you that if your conversation is dry, they too probably want to be off working the room as well. You are doing them a favour by using your superior business networking techniques

Using the second idea of moving to the bar is an opportunity to park the person with someone else or for them to park you. It’s rare both of you will be at an event where you don't know anyone so moving to the bar usually has the desired effect. When you do bump into someone you know even though you are a guest at an event act as a host. Don’t just say “Hi Lou this is Jo” and leave it there. You have been chatting to Jo for some time and you obviously know Lou …so play host. Say something like this, “Lou let me introduce you to Jo who I’ve just met this evening. He has a fascinating business selling sand to Middle Eastern Companies and, Jo, Lou here and I have been friends for years. He runs a business helping growing exporters raise finance from people who are looking for high-risk high return opportunities”. These introductions are designed to get the two of them to talk quickly and with ease and reassurance. Who knows what may happen. You just might have created some potential for both of them? Business networking isn’t just about what you can do for yourself, it’s about what you can do for others. If you help someone, they will remember you when they hear of someone who needs your services. This of course makes it so much easier for you to move on and meet other people. This exercise is what I call parking. Like your car do it carefully, watch all angles and don’t hit anything!

So now you have a parked Jo with Lou you have freshened up your drink. You look around the room and you see clusters of people or groups chatting to each other.

“Help... What do I do next?”

It's easy. Work the room! Look for a group of three people and move over to the edge of the circle. As you are moving towards the group, look at the faces of the people and decide who seems to be the most welcoming. Stand opposite that person at the edge of the group and smile. I can assure you the following will happen. The person you have smiled at will smile back and one or both of the other people will turn towards you and both will take one step to the side making a space for you. When you first do this, it's not easy. I'm not pretending it is but it always works. Ask in a gentle voice "Good evening please may I join you"? Again I have to tell you, you will not be rejected. The chances are someone will put their hand out and introduce themselves. I often play a game at the start of a business networking seminar or prior to a sit down meal by asking my newfound friend if they would allow me to use them as a Guinea Pig. I get them to go up to people they don't know, try out what I have just said and it always works. I do this simply to ensure that whenever I write about the matter or speak about it at the presentations and seminars I deliver that I feel confident in the advice I give.

Once you have successfully joined a group, don’t change the subject matter and wait for them to start asking you questions. Bear in mind again, the chances are these people are from the same business or have known each other for a long time but haven't got the self-confidence to break away and meet new people... So you are a big relief for them!

When you are in a group, you will know the time to move on, instinct will tell you. I don't need to. So go to the top of this article and remember the tips about working the room.

Business Networking Techniques

2007-04-21T04:28:00.001-07:00

Clearly business networking is one of the most effective methods of generating and maintaining business, but how do you do it? When you first enter a room full of business people, how do you overcome your fear and work the room? UK Business Networking guru Will Kintish provides a few handy hints.

Article Body:

Over the last 6years I have presented to nearly 30,000 delegates and a wide variety of audiences and what I have learnt beyond doubt is that about 99% of them don’t like business networking.

“I feel uncomfortable entering a room full of people I don’t know.”
“I get nervous when I see an invitation I ought to accept”

are just two of the comments I hear. Or a third comment,

“It’s not for me I get enough business through referrals and recommendations.”

Now, that third response always brings me to ask what is the fundamental difference between getting business from referrals and getting it through business networking? Simple answer, the former is reactive marketing the latter proactive.

If you are content to wait for third parties to dictate the growth rate of your business, that is fine. Rely on clients and contacts to make those recommendations. However, if you want to dictate the growth of your business then I believe the most cost effective way to spread your message about who you are what you do and how your clients benefit from buying your services and products then business networking has to be the answer.

Having spent literally hundreds of hours analysing these negative attitudes to business networking, I believe I now have most of the solutions to help overcome people’s fears and anxieties. Let me share my findings with you. Can I ask how do you feel when you go somewhere be it business networking or social and you are not likely to know many people. If you are like my seminar delegates or audiences you tell me things like:

“I could make a fool of myself”,
“I may not belong here”,
“I am going to feel well outside my comfort zone”,
“I am likely to be embarrassed”,

and the list goes on and on.

I know the key learning point here is virtually everyone feels the same, therefore as a consequence if you feel totally relaxed and comfortable you are abnormal! Don’t worry, there are just a few of us still around. Don’t misunderstand me but I know the root cause of all these fears, it is your mother’s fault. My mother, your mother, everyone’s mother, what did she tell us about strangers? That’s right never talk to strangers. What she forgot to tell us when we became mature teenagers that there was no harm in safe environments in talking to people we don’t know.
I now give you that permission because you will never be rejected. Rejection, that is the overall fear to networking. Zig Ziglar, that famous and international motivational speaker said “Fear false evidence appearing real”. Now think about it for a moment. When have you been rejected when you have approached someone at a business networking event or social gathering? My guess is never, unless of course you don’t do it in the correct manner.

Imagine a scenario. Your clients have invited you to the opening of their new premises and have been kind enough to include you on their guest list. Let us move into that room. There are 50 people there and the only people you know are the hosts. You said your hellos to them then they move on to greet other guests. Now is the moment when I ask you to remember that 99% of the people in that room had similar misgivings and doubts. So, if it is a bar do, go and get yourself a drink and look round the room and you will see them. There they are standing alone near the wall like Billy and Betty no mates. These people are standing there because of all the fears we have mentioned so far. They feel as if they have 2 ton of lead on each foot weighing them down, unable to move. At best this is due to unease, at worst raw panic. Knowing now how they feel, take your drink, go up to them and from a short distance smile. Ask if you may join them, extend your hand, shake hands and introduce yourself. I think first names only are a great way to start to build a business relationship. Most of us struggle with names, let’s keep it simple. At this moment please, please believe me, you will not be rejected. You will never be rejected. They will want to make you their friend for life at this point. They will want to give you a big mental hug and more than likely they will offer up a little prayer of thanks. No one stands on their own by choice, they do it because of their lack of self-confidence, their worries and their misgivings. Even at this early stage you and Billy or Betty will have at least four things in common:

1. You are both fellow guests of the same hosts.
2. You both know no one.
3. You are both in the same business networking event.
4. You both travelled to get there.

There are many easy subjects you could discuss. You could talk about your hosts. You could comment on the room if there is something different about it or you could ask “so Jo, (it’s changed now from Billy or Betty Nomates because they have told you their real name) so Jo, how far have you travelled today to get here?”

It does not matter what the opening question is as long as it is something Jo won’t have any problem answering!

Believe me when I tell you that unless the person is truly antisocial, and yes it does happen very occasionally, the conversation will begin to flow. More often than not, there will soon be common topics to talk about. It may be where you both live, where your businesses are based, the fact that you are both in the same sort of business. You may both be suppliers to the host. By this time, you will both be feeling much more relaxed.

And finally, a quick tip. If you are nervous about entering a full room at a business networking event, get there early. This gives you a chance to chat to your hosts a little longer and it is likely they will introduce you to fellow guests immediately. This of course, rules out lots of the negative feelings, which we have already covered.

In other articles on business networking, we will talk about:

1. The problem people have with remembering other people’s names.
2. How to build relationships through the power of small talk.
3. How to extricate yourself, one person or a group of people
4. How to break into groups
5. How to park people with others, understanding that business networking is all about giving first and receiving second.
6. Finally, how to leave any business networking event with real potential business opportunities.

How to Optimize your Online Business Collaborations

2007-04-21T04:27:00.002-07:00

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter on
your web site as long as the byline is included and the
article is included in it's entirety. I also ask that you
activate any html links found in the article and in the
byline. Please send a courtesy link or email where you
publish to: support@multiplestreammktg.com

How to Optimize your Online Business Collaborations
Copyright ? 2006

As a manufacturer, importer or distributor, you are facing
today's difficult business challenge in how to compete and
succeed in the Internet economy. Your traditional channels
of sales and distribution are being or should be recast to
take advantage of the Internet and this implies new ways of
utilizing your reseller or channel assets.

While you and many other companies feel the pressure to
sidestep competitors with a first-to-market advantage,
there is little benefit in aimlessly building and
implementing e-commerce systems. Many companies are taking
a haphazard approach to the Internet, trying to shoehorn
existing business practices into simplistic e-commerce
capabilities or worse, drastically changing current
effective business practices.

A more sensible approach is to determine how to use the
Internet to optimize and extend your company's established
sales methods and align your e-commerce strategy with your
company's overall goals. The question is not whether you
should utilize Internet sales channels, but how can you do
so in a profitable way without alienating your existing
distributors, resellers, dealers and clients.

But where do you start and what are the essential elements
of a collaborative commerce solution? Before embarking on
an e-commerce strategy you need to ask yourself a few
important questions on how you will relate your business
needs with those of your reseller partners.

The Gartner Group estimates that over 90% of manufacturers,
importers or distributors do not sell their primary
branded products online. Why? The primary reason is channel
conflict; fear of the consequences of going into business
against your own selling partners.

Therefore, typically many manufacturers or primary
distributors establish a website that simply helps
customers gather product information and build a shopping
list, which they can then take to the nearest physical
store. Ultimately, your website does not close the sale and
has no visibility into whether these customers actually
purchased your products from your reseller.

Not only do you give up the rights to a new revenue stream,
but you also lose control over, and insight into, the
commerce activities within your own customer base.

But, what if you could provide customers with a unified and
guided selling experience across your sales channels by
presenting a seamless selling experience to your customers
and site visitors while integrating the value-add of your
reseller network? Your customers could access real-time
product information including pricing and availability
through resellers directly from your web site and their
respective web sites.

And what if your e-commerce system could ensure that
products were properly configured and orders routed to the
appropriate sales partner? This way you would remain
intimately involved in the e-commerce activities of your
resellers, while maintaining influence over the sales
process and customer experience.

You must determine which of your sales channels to take to
the web. You may presently utilize multiple channels to
respond effectively to your customers' needs such as your
direct sales teams plus a mix of resellers, retailers,
OEMs, and dealers who deliver value to your customers and
strategic value to you by providing you with global and
vertical reach, logistics and additional value-added
services.

It will be necessary to formulate an integrated strategy
that provides a common infrastructure for all of these
sales channels that you take to the web and then provide an
e-commerce infrastructure that integrates all of them
within a single cohesive system.

This online collaboration will allow your active
participation in all aspects of your customer's sales and
marketing experience, from shopping and product
configuration to fulfillment and feedback. Short-term
rewards include reduced costs through process automation
and efficiencies. Long-term rewards include increased
revenue, greater customer and partner loyalty, and the
ability to create strong sell-side partnerships that help
differentiate products.

Your resellers want to work with you, yet an Internet
business strategy that does not consider all your relevant
sales channels, including their sales and distribution
models and related business processes is a recipe for
failure.

How to get more visibility through networking

2007-04-21T04:27:00.001-07:00

Joint Ventures - Part VII

2007-04-19T03:23:00.004-07:00

Endorsements – There are people and businesses that have a great personal relationship with their customers and prospects. They may not necessarily know this fact. In fact, a lot of them don’t even realize the amount of pull they have with their audience. People who recommend certain stocks or trends, people who give great content and information to their subscribers, people who give investment advice, generally people who have a certain rapport with their subscribers. They are the ones you want to target. If their niche is non-marketing-related, so much the better in order to cut through this niche’s clutter. I know someone who targeted golf enthusiasts for a marketing product, simply because of their test results. In any case, if you can JV with this sort of person who will endorse your product or service, you have a huge advantage. It’s simply one of the best ways to print money on demand. Please don’t overlook this technique.

These people may not even realize the relationship they have with their list. So you would be well advised to start with those folks.

JV Your List Building: Large List – If you have a large list, one of the easiest ways to build it even further is to do a cross mailing. That is, you partner with another large list owner in your target market. You send out his message to your list, he sends out your message to his list. Simple. Just remember, once your prospects or customers are on another list that sells to them, there is increased message clutter. That is, they are now being pitched by your JV partner AND you. It’s a tradeoff you need to consider.

JV Your List-Building: Small List – Ok, if your existing list isn’t large enough to warrant a cross JV mailing as described above, here’s a clever way to build your list up quickly. I’ve done this, but not to the extent I should. I’ve got more deals like this in the works. Here’s how it works:

Let’s say your list is on the small side. “John Smith” has a huge list. You want to JV with him, but a cross swap isn’t going to persuade him. You need to be the middle person between John Smith and another large list owner.

”Jane Doe” is another huge list owner. What if you can put John Smith and Jane Doe together to do a cross mailing, and you get exposure as well. Instead of a cut of profits, you agree to get a slice of the list. In other words, perhaps in order to get onto Jane’s list from John’s, they have to come through you first. Or, you could have John mail his list with the agreement that whatever prospects Jane gets, she’ll share with you. It’s a win/win/win situation, because all of you are gaining new prospects on your lists.

John gets some of Jane’s list.

Jane gets some of John’s list.

You get some of Jane’s list. Or, ideally, you get some of both lists. You are the deal maker. It wouldn’t have happened without you, so depending on the deal you make, why shouldn’t you get access to both lists?

to be continued....

Trained For Success

2007-04-19T03:23:00.003-07:00

Many network marketing companies make it very easy to be trained and learn what you have to do to succeed in the business. Today there are so many opportunities out there, anyone can be a millionaire if they really want it. If you are willing to take the time and be trained for a certain network marketing company that's just the first step. Once you learn what you need to do in order to succeed then you can begin making money on your own.

A popular way that many MLM businesses are doing their training now is by conference calls. With a conference call they give you a phone number and a pin code to dial onto. Most companies have conference calls on a daily basis and anywhere from 2 to 150 people can access the call at the same time. It can be on many different subjects depending on the company. Usually at the end of each conference call the speaker gives the networkers a chance to ask anything they want. For example they can ask about a problem they are having with their downline. The speaker usually has alot of experience in the company, and knows the answer to most of the questions that are asked.

Another form of training is audio trainings. Most network marketing companies have a main website where you can access recorded trainings if you missed the live conference calls. With the audio trainings you can listen to them whenever you have time. Or you can even download them onto your mp3 player and listen to them while doing the dishes! The only negative thing with the recorded audios is you cannot ask a question, but you can hear the questions and answers from previous questions that were asked.

Some people may think that it is difficult to start a home based business, but with the proper training it is actually pretty easy. If you are involved in a MLM company then learning from the professionals is definitely the way to get started in your own business.

Joint Ventures - Part VI

2007-04-19T03:23:00.001-07:00

JV to the Affluent – If you can partner with a business that sells a high-ticket item to the affluent, here’s a blueprint worth testing:

- Choose the most popular high-ticket item they sell.
- Send a letter via Fedex to their “A” list, those 20% of customers that are responsible for 80% of their profits. Tell them about a special one-day closed door private by invite-only “showing” for that one specific product/service. Hire a professional copywriter to write a specific sales letter for that one product or service.
- Serve coffee, tea, muffins, or whatever is appropriate for that target market on the day of the showing. Make it an event, more than just the product or service itself. Look for ways to gain media exposure. Yes, it’s a private showing, but if their “A’ list hears about it from the media, they’ll want to be there.
- Make sure they have their most knowledgeable staff on hand for the showing. You’re selling to the affluent here, so you don’t want to cut any corners. Find out what they want and give it, to them.
- Collect your profits, but be sure to follow-up with a thank you letter, ideally also Fedex’d to them. And unadvertised bonuses always help!

Lead Generation JVs – Find out what other businesses your target market visits. For example, I sell to entrepreneurs, and a lot of them frequent the UPS Store and other such places. Fedex/Kinkos and other “copy shops” are also ideal places where I live. Many of these places don’t capture their customer’s name, address, email address, etc. So I made an arrangement with them. I setup “take ones,” where they can take a brochure for free, go online to my website, fax me, or mail me their contact info, then I send them a free report relevant to them. I give their contact info to the store I JV with (and I notify the prospects of this fact…it hasn’t seem to hurt my leads significantly so far). For those businesses (a Staples store, being one of them) that are stubborn, I offer to give them the contact info I collect from all the stores I JV with in their area. Again, you need to include a disclaimer when doing that, but in my tests, the benefit has outweighed the losses.

to be continued....

Joint Ventures - Part V

2007-04-19T03:22:00.003-07:00

If You’re the Guru, Vice Versa – If you are the expert, the reverse is also true. You could JV with a middleman to bring people to you to pay for access to your expertise. Coaching programs are an obvious choice for this approach.

JV a Dealmaker – If brokering deals isn’t your forte, you can always JV with someone who sells well and knows how to negotiate to pitch and put the actual deals together for you. This way you can sit back and pull all the strings while your “agent” handles the stuff you aren’t comfortable doing.

Painting Fire Hydrants – One of the first deals Jay Abraham put together was paying kids to paint fire hydrants. He’d put all the deals together, the kids would go out and paint, and he’d pay them a percentage of what he was getting paid. His value was that he was the one to put it all together, he set up the deals, and he got the labor organized. This approach works well anytime there is someone willing to perform the service for less that you are getting paid.

Even ‘ol Tom Sawyer did this when he had to white wash a fence in Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer. He got the local kids to do it, and they loved it.

Overstock/Surplus Selling – It’s not difficult to find businesses with excess inventory, tie up the rights to unload it at a discount, then find outlets to sell it at retail. You pocket the difference. On the flip side, if you yourself have excess inventory, you could JV to find someone to unload it from you in the same fashion.

to be continued...

Joint Ventures - Part IV

2007-04-19T03:22:00.001-07:00

JV Mailings – For certain product or service offerings, direct mail can be prohibitively expensive. That’s why card decks and Value-Paks are so popular. But aside from those types of mailings, you can always partner with a non-competitor (or two or three) that offer a complementary or similar product/service with the same target market as yours. By splitting the cost of the mailing, you still get your message out, but at a much-reduced cost.

JV Inserts/Flyers/Circulars – Similar to JV mailings, you could arrange to have your flyer, insert, or circular inserted into another publication already being mailed. This “hitching a ride” approach works best when your audience is targeted, although newspaper inserts are popular with local bricks and mortar businesses. The JV part comes into play when you pay so much per lead or a percentage of all sales resulting from the arrangement. Depending on your price structure, you can pay a percentage of the first sale only, or a tiered approach where a smaller percentage is paid for all first year purchases, a percentage of the back-end purchase, etc. You need to determine what types of deals bring in the biggest profits for you, while still providing a valuable incentive for your JV partners. And that really goes for any type of deal.

JV a Mini-Seminar or Teleseminar – Using the lawyer/accountant example again, the two could get together and hold a seminar for new business owners, offering a package deal for both of their services.

Sell Your JV – When you have an income stream from a JV deal you have worked out, you can always sell the rights to that deal to someone else. Just like a money-making website that you can sell, JVs that have a positive cash flow are assets in their own right.

JV Deals to Observe and Learn From a Guru – Basically, you can act as a broker or middle agent between a person with a certain expertise and others who want to learn from the expert.

to be continued....

Joint Ventures - Part III

2007-04-17T04:47:00.001-07:00

Leverage Buyers and Sellers – A business broker sent a letter to 30,000 CPA firms saying “We’ve got buyers ready to pay all cash to buy your practice whether you stay or not.” 500 people responded, so he took those 500 people out and mailed the other 29,500 firms saying “We’ve got 500 hundred firms right now that are big money makers ready to be sold. Owners will stay or not. Terms or cash is your choice.” Then it was a simple matter to match the buyers to the sellers, resulting in a million dollars worth of commissions. This is a very powerful technique that can be used in a variety of different ways.

Match Front-End/Back-End Products – If you sell a high-ticket back-end product, you can seek out people who don’t yet have a back-end product and JV yours via an affiliate program. Likewise, if you don’t have a high-ticket back-end product, the reverse is also true. There are plenty of expensive product and service sellers out there to partner with.

You can also broker deals between businesses selling front-end books and tapes and businesses selling back-end expensive seminars, for example.

JV a Sales Force – There are plenty of professional sales people that sell a variety of different products on a commission basis. It’s a snap to put an ad in the paper to get these folks to sell your products and services.

The Neon Sign Approach – I call this the “Neon Sign Approach” because Jay Abraham talked about a particular JV deal with a neon sign maker. He would have high school and college students drive around at night and look for neon signs that were not lit or only partially lit. Then he would pay them per “find,” and report those locations to the neon sign maker. Voila! Instant leads.

A variation on this approach could be done with motor vehicles. There are numerous services to get the names and addresses from a motor vehicle registration plate. Those same high school and college students can be on the lookout for broken taillights, body damage, cracked windshields and the like. When they find one, they write down the license plate information and give it to you. You can then supply the leads to auto repair shops, body shops, windshield replacement shops.

What if you owned a furniture store? You could JV with door-to-door salespeople and have them on the lookout for badly worn furniture. They’re already going to be in their prospect’s living room, right?

How about the furnace maintenance person who keeps an eye out for water damage in the basement? If you offered basement-sealing services, wouldn’t you want as many furnace maintenance folks as possible getting you leads?

to be continued....

Joint Ventures - Part II

2007-04-17T04:46:00.004-07:00

Sell an Idea – A lawyer knew how to make a million dollars in a year with one person and three associates. Since many attorneys don’t make that much, he codified his knowledge and had someone sell it. A realtor had a list three times better than anyone else, so she trained other realtors for a fee. A lumber mill knew how to kiln dry wood and get greater quality wood in less time with half the energy cost, saving him millions of dollars. He taught his techniques to other lumber mills. If there’s something remarkable about your business, or something you know how to do better than 99% of everyone else, you have an opportunity to license or teach your skills to others.

JV With Your Suppliers – Your suppliers generally want you to be more successful, since it means more sales for them. They may fund sales people, mailings, extra staff, etc. You’ll never know unless you ask them.

Seek Out Other Business That Cater to Your Market – I used the lawyer and accountant example above. A realtor may JV with moving companies, custom framers, carpet cleaners, pest control services, lawn care companies, painters, electricians, plumbers, the list goes on. Just be sure to JV with those businesses who have products and/or services your customers may need (i.e. a realtor JVing with a video game company doesn’t make much sense).

Make a list of businesses who want and need a constant flow of leads: lawyers, doctors, dentists, realtors, home remodeling services, carpet cleaners, pest control services, etc. Broker deals between them where there is a fit to generate leads.

to be continued....

Joint Ventures - Part I

2007-04-17T04:46:00.003-07:00

Joint ventures (JVs) are one of the best ways to lure new leads and customers. By partnering with other businesses whose customers are part of your market, you have an additional profit center of incremental income. For example, an attorney can refer his clients to an accountant, and the accountant in turn refers clients to the attorney. It’s a win/win situation, because many times a new business will need both an attorney and an accountant. Depending on which one they approach first (the lawyer or accountant), they’ll be referred to the other.

JVs can go much further than this simple arrangement, however. They can be very complex, and there can be 3-way deals going on. In fact, JV brokers make their money by taking a slice of the profits between two or more different businesses, where he has brokered the deal and set up everything between them.

The key to making these deals work is to make sure that you let a prospective JV partner know from the start that:

v You’ve discovered an additional profit center for them that they are probably unaware of (offer projected profits, if possible).
v The additional profit center will not detract in any way from their current income stream.
v The additional profit center will not incur any additional costs or labor on their part to implement.
v The additional profit center will not incur any risk whatsoever on their part.
v You will perform all of the leg work to set it up.
v They can stop at any time for any reason.

There are so many potential JVs that are possible that there’s no way to cover every conceivable one here. So instead I will give some examples. Some of them may be applicable to your business. Some may not. And, like the accountant and lawyer example I gave above, it’s not feasible for me to cover every type of business. Therefore, you should look at each example and see how it may apply to your business. These examples are designed to get you thinking creatively. By no means is this an exhaustive list. It’s designed to put you in the right mindset, where you will look at your business and others around you and see possibilities that you never noticed before.

A great course on JVs is the JV Mastery Course, by Jay Abraham and Marc Goldman. It may be out of print now, but if you can get a hold of it, I highly recommend it. If you have it, you may recognize some of these examples from the course (no need to reinvent the wheel here). Others are variations and some examples that I have personally done.

One Tip: If you try to set up a JV with a business, and they already have a deal in place with someone else, you can take that information to their competitor and say “Your biggest competitor is already doing this.” And if your partner ever decides to stop the JV deal, you can go to their competitors and say the same thing (Hint: if you let them know you are going to do that, they may reconsider). Never feel that you have to partner with one specific business exclusively. Ideally you should have JV deals going on all over the place.

You can also do JVs between your business and another, or you can broker JVs between two different businesses and take a cut.

to be continued....

What's The Main Difference Between People Who Achieve And People Who Are Average?

2007-04-17T04:46:00.001-07:00

"We are all failures-at least, all the best of us are."

Ever wonder what makes achievers excel? Why some people skyrocket while others plummet? You know what I'm talking about. You can call it luck, blessing, or the Midas touch-call it whatever you want. But the truth is that some people just seem to achieve incredible things in spite of tremendous difficulties.

What makes the difference? Why do some people achieve so much? Is it...

Family background, wealth, opportunity, high morals, the absence of hardships?

No, none of these things are the key.

The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.

How people see failure and deal with it - whether they possess the ability to look beyond it and keep achieving - impacts every aspect of their lives.

Even positive people have a tough time learning how to see failure positively.

Perhaps your attitude towards failure is...

1) You fear failure. 2) You misunderstand failure. 3) Your unprepared for failure.

"People are training for success when they should be training for failure. Failure is far more common than success; poverty is more prevalent than wealth; and disappointment more normal than arrival."

In life, the question is not if you will have problems, but how you are going to deal with your problems. What are you prepared for?

If your perception of and response to failure were changed, what would you attempt to achieve?

No matter who you are, you are facing obstacles in your life right now. But whatever they are doesn't matter. What does matter is that your life can change if your willing to look at failure differently. You have the potential to overcome any problems, mistakes, or misfortunes.

Here is your first step: Realize There Is One Major Difference Between Average People and Achieving People.

* Take responsibility. * Learn from each mistake. * Know failure is part of the progress. * Maintain a positive attitude. * Challenge outdated assumptions. * Take new risks. * Persevere.

No matter how difficult your problems are, the key to overcoming them doesn't lie in changing your circumstances. It's in changing yourself. That in itself is a process, and it begins with a desire to be teachable.

Tips To Build Confidence In Network Marketing

2007-04-17T04:45:00.000-07:00

Confidence means a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence, or embarrassment. Confidence stresses faith in oneself and one's powers without any suggestion of conceit or arrogance.

Here is a list of nine important points that will help to build your confidence.

Build Your Dream: It all starts with a dream. It’s the “why” behind the “how”. Try this exercise: take a look at the back of your hands. Focus on them for a minute. Now close your eyes and imagine your hands wrapped around the steering wheel of your dream car. Picture yourself driving it. Revel in the emotion you feel as you experience that car. You can do the same with any dream you have, tangible or not. Picture the expression on someone’s face or the sense of anticipation as you hand someone a special gift; whatever your dream, imagine it and savor the good feelings it produces in you.

Our thoughts have a profound impact on what manifests into our lives. The more we focus on what we want, the more we attract that into our lives. By the same token, the more we focus on what we don’t want, the worse we feel, the worse we perform, and consequently, the more we attract what we don’t want.

Dress Sharp: No need to give up your style while you conduct business (unless it’s sloppy, sleazy, or downright scary), but do dress up to the same level of professionalism as your leaders. Professionally dressed people draw more trust, respect, and credibility. If you need some help picking the right threads, or if you have questions about hair, make-up, to shave or not to shave etc., get some perspective from someone on your support team.

Smile and be yourself: People who smile are 100% more approachable. Smiling is also the quickest, least expensive way to improve your looks and your results in the business. You are at your best when you are true to your inner self. Don’t try to be something or someone that you aren’t; just work on being the best you.

Get Organized: Don’t clutter your valuable mind space with things that you need to remember. As a professional in this business you need your brain to think. Get yourself a pocket calendar, a notebook, or a planner and write everything down. Important dates, tasks, your prospect list, your dreams, goals, thoughts- write it all down. The more you dump your thoughts on paper, the more space you’ll have in your brain to think. Try it and you’ll be amazed at how the fog lifts!

Prepare to do business: Have on hand what you need to show your business and to follow through with prospects including any materials you may want to leave them. You should also have your own set of personal favorites (books/audios) to keep you up and on your game, especially after those times when your prospect turns out to be a dud. Don’t load up on a bunch of stuff you’re never going to use, but don’t shortchange the things that you do need.

Know and use your products: It’s the building block of your business.

Start reading, listening, and learning: Give yourself a week before your attitude is challenged. The only way to equip yourself with the right answers, the right attitude, and the right perspective for what you are about to face as you talk to people about your business is to devour the books and audios recommended by your coach. Your support team has some sort of continuing education program they recommended – subscribe to it. Whether you are smart or not, when you read and listen often, you’ll come across as an informed business owner because you’ve acquired the knowledge, attitude, and belief of top leaders. And even if you feel you don’t need it, there will be someone on your team who does. Stay informed and you’ll know what books and audios to promote to your team.

Set a goal: Point your compass toward something achievable that is also a bit of a stretch. If you don’t have a simple goal that comes to your mind this instant, stop reading, give it some thought and then write it down. Talk it over with your support team and develop a strategy to obtain it. Short-term goals give you focus, they get you moving, and of course, when accomplished, you’ll feel great to have a win under your belt.

Keep an open line of communication: People headed for quicksand usually don’t know it so it’s important to keep in regular communication with someone on your support team who can guide you through the field you’re trekking. One piece of advice could be the difference between one week and one year. Keep them informed of what’s going on and try to learn from them every step of the way.

Effortless Networking: Constructive Conversations

2007-04-06T03:14:00.003-07:00

Here are a couple of comments I got recently:

"[How do I] bring a conversation in a social situation around to a discussion of the service I offer?"

"I don't know what to say. I want to meet people, but am often at a loss to get the conversation started or keep it going."

So how do you start a conversation that's useful to you and the other person? Or re-direct a meandering one? How do you talk about your business in a social situation?

You really only need 2 things:

1. Know what would be useful for you.

In other words, what would make a conversation worthwhile? What's of interest to you?

2. Listen for opportunities and "openings" in your conversation, to take it in the direction you want.

Of course, the topic can vary from day to day, from context to context, and from person to person. But if you have a sense of what you want to get out any given conversation, or what would make one interesting, you can direct or re-direct its flow.

For example, if you're talking someone who mentions that she suffers from hay fever, and you sell air purification systems, that's an opportunity.

A conversation about the product you sell, with someone who may benefit from it, could certainly be a worthwhile conversation for both of you.

When you ask this person whether she has looked into air purification systems, and she says "No, what's that?" or "Yes, but I'm not interested" or "I tried one and it didn't work" -- these are all "openings" for you.

You can use any of these responses to take the conversation in the direction of your product offering -- although the path to it would be different.

In other words, in one case you might mention your product right away, in another case you might find out more about her experience with such systems and why she's averse to using them, and so on.

Don't Short-Circuit Your Personal Brand and Reputation With Faulty Networking Skills

2007-04-06T03:14:00.001-07:00

``How you meet and greet new people shapes your personal brand and reputation long before your successes, community contributions, and stories earn editorial consideration by the media.

Everyone you meet around town at networking functions, conferences, and other venues is a potential colleague, co-collaborator, or client. And everyone you meet has his/her own extended network of people who form an inner circle that could potentially invite you in. It is essential to put your best face forward when you meet new people. Lead with your eyes and ears to make a winning connection.

To get the inside scoop on winning ways to connect at networking events, I consulted with Zita Gustin. Gustin is the executive managing director of the Greater Seattle and Snohomish County Chapters of the eWomenNetwork (www.ewomennetwork.com and zkg55@comcast.net.) Gustin is a master of the art of networking and speaks often to professional groups and the media to help others improve their skills and results.

Gustin says – and we all know – that some people are skilled at making quality connections that result in authentic relationships built on trust, admiration, and respect. When they need advice, information, or referrals, they count on their own inner circle to tell them the truth and help them get what they need. Best of all, they are happy to return the favor. This translates to greater success with ease and speed. That counts for a lot in today’s information overloaded world in which time matters just as much as money.

“The best advice I can offer to improve networking skills is to become a connector,” Gustin said. “If you spend more time focused on how you can help others achieve their goals, you will find many unexpected gifts and rewards bestowed upon you.

“To become a connector, learn to listen more than you talk. To understand what other people need, look them directly in the eye and hear what they are saying. Stay focused and present while you are listening, and people will marvel at your conversation skills. All the while, gather information to help you help them. Be curious and ask smart and gently probing questions that will help you do just that.” We’ve all been on the receiving end of networking efforts gone wrong. It is jarring to have someone collect business cards as if on a scavenger hunt to earn a prize. It is uncomfortable when someone is listening to you with one ear and watching the room around you to see where next she can next pounce for a potential lead.

As Gustin often says, “Good word-of-mouth marketing spreads fast and bad word-of-mouth spreads even faster.” How you engage with others at networking events reflects upon your personal brand and reputation, and it can factor into the stories the media prepares about you and your company.

Gustin emphasizes that networking is about building relationships. Never forget that, and remember that building takes time. Bulldozing takes moments and leaves a swath of destruction in its path. “The next time you head out to network with others – including reporters and editors -- be sure to have the goal in mind that you are there to build relationships that will blossom over time. Leave the bulldozer at home,” she says.

Whether meeting people for the first time or talking with a reporter for a story, consider Gustin’s sage advice:

• Always focus on the other person.
• Be interested and helpful.
• Stay focused and present.
• Listen carefully.
• Be curious.
• Be able to describe what you do and why it matters in a concise, compelling, and memorable way.

Follow these tips and lead with your eyes and ears at networking events in your own backyard and beyond. In doing so, you'll put your best face forward when you meet new people and never again short-circuit your personal brand and reputation with faulty networking skills.

Effective Business Networking: How to Keep a Conversation Going

2007-04-06T03:13:00.000-07:00

Whenever you meet someone new, whether it's at an informal gathering (e.g. a party) or at a more formal venue (e.g. a business conference), sometimes it's hard to know how to start a conversation. Keeping it going is even harder. How can you have a great, memorable conversation that your conversant won't forget? The good news is that there are two simple tricks for captivating the person your talking to. Keep reading and I'll explain how.

Trick #1: Turn the spotlight on them, not you. Rather than focusing too much on you, the more you can get your conversant to think about and speak about themselves, the more engrossed they will be with the subject matter of the conversation. Confident people realize that if they listen more than they talk, they will learn more about someone, and in the process, they are able to captivate the talker. In most cases, the talker won't even realize that he or she is doing most of the talking! This technique works surprisingly well, and even causes you to be more memorable to the speaker. My manager still remembers one conversation I had with him when I first got to know him. He considers it one of our best conversations, but the truth is, I didn't say much but rather kept the conversation on him!

Trick #2: Echo key words like a parrot. Conversations naturally bounce back and forth between you and the other person. It can be nerve-wracking when it gets back to be your turn, and you don't know what to say next to keep the flow of the conversation going. Fortunately, a foolproof technique is to identify a key word that your speaker just said, and to echo it back, prompting further elaboration. For example, here's a sample conversation that makes use of the echo technique to easily keep a conversation going (and even steering it different ways):

* Partner: "I had a great time at the conference."
* You: "Conference?"
* Partner: "Yeah, food was wonderful, and the keynote speakers were really good too."
* You: "Good keynote speakers?"
* Partner: "Yeah, Bob Johns was there, and Adam Carlson gave a talk on business ethics."
* You: "Business ethics?"
* Partner: "Yeah... [conversation continues]."
* You (repeating earlier keyword to take conversation a different direction): "You said the food was wonderful?"

Keep these two simple techniques in mind, and the conversations will flow and be more memorable. Good luck!

How To Turn Your Business Card Into A Power Marketing Tool

2007-04-06T03:12:00.002-07:00

First impressions are everything when it comes to image marketing. Take a moment to consider the message your business card is sending to potential clients. Does it make a silent pitch for your company's products or services? Does it create a lasting memory in the customers mind? Bottom line: does it sell?

Standing Out In The Crowd

A business card that stands out promises outstanding service. Vibrant colour, eye-catching graphics and attention-grabbing slogans all add up to a winning corporate image.

For maximum impact, opt for an oversized, folding business card. With twice as much space to promote your company, folding cards go a long way to making a lasting impression.

When folded in half and set on a table, the front portion of the business card will act as your own personal billboard. Carefully consider the elements of size, colour, content and style to bring out the best in your card. Enhancing a sizzling slogan with head-turning graphics and bold colours, for instance, is a surefire way to grab and hold your client's attention.

Getting Down To Business

The back of your business card should feature any important information, such as your name, job title, telephone number, email address, fax number and mailing address. Double-check all numbers and postal codes to verify the information is accurate. Finally, ensure all wording is large enough to be read at a glance, even by those with poor eyesight.

Putting Your Best Face Forward

A picture is still worth a thousand words. In fact, a professional, high-quality photograph can actually help form an emotional bond with a prospective client. For best results, be sure the portrait features a genuine smile, a complementary background (dark for fair-haired individuals and light for dark-haired individuals), and the appropriate dress and setting. Note the camera angle of potential marketing photos as well; some may be more flattering than others.

For something different, why not try a black and white photograph? A unique, black and white shot may be just what it takes to set you apart from the competition.

The key is to hire a professional photographer, rather than a part-timer or a friend of the family. Nothing less than a high-quality image will do when it comes to making your business card the best it can be.

Making Your Sales Pitch

The interior of your folding business card is the perfect place to display your sales pitch. In this space, list the reasons why a client should buy your product or service. This brief, yet compelling, summary should use colourful adjectives and adverbs, and feature easy-to-read copy that is presented in a graphically pleasing way. Remember: don't compromise when it comes to hiring a graphic artist. Visual images make a powerful impact, so you'll want to consult a professional.

When it comes to creating a winning sales pitch, it's not how much you say, but how you say it. Don't bog down your readers with too many details; keep it simple, with prose that whets their appetite for more information about your company's product or service.

It goes without saying that your business card should not contain any spelling or grammar errors.

In addition, be sure all wording is easy-to-read, and use plenty of descriptive language to give your words wings.

Creating A Colourful Impression

Colour creates a strong visual impression, so it's important to choose the colour of your business card with care. First, be sure the colours you choose complement your business image. In the case of business professionals, gold, platinum and silver inks are your best bet, since these are both formal and elegant, while suggesting an air of success.

Consider using warm colours, such as burgundy, red and green, to create a warm and inviting business card. Cool colours like blue, teal and grey, on the other hand, should be avoided, since they make less of a visual impact. Likewise, avoid standard blue and black ink on a white background; while these colours may be considered "traditional," they may also be interpreted as a lack of imagination.

For best results, use at least two colours on your business card. A glossy sheen may also be added by highlighting your card with a special varnish; this service is available at most reputed printing companies. Never compromise on quality when it comes to your business image or it will come back to haunt you!

Adding The Finishing Touches

The thickness of your business card can create both a visual and tactile impression. For best results, use 12-point card stock. Avoid raised printing cards, since this traditional form is considered pass, and not in keeping with the late 90's image.

What is the late 90s image? A business professional who is warm, friendly, on the cutting-edge and always ready to do business. Know what you're selling and why people should buy from you. Exude confidence -- and be sure that your marketing tools do the same.

Don't Leave Home Without It

A high-quality business card is a vital part of any marketing kit. More than simply a piece of paper to be filed, it is a visual statement that helps promote your business image among potential clients.

With this in mind, always carry plenty of cards with you wherever you go; you never know when the opportunity could arise to make a new business contact! And make it a habit to hand out your cards in pairs, so people can pass them on to their friends.

Folding business cards may cost more than conventional cards, but when you add up all the benefits, the card more than pays for itself. When you consider that the folding business card doubles as a brochure, the price is actually very economical. In the long run these pocket-sized promoters will pay off with big dividends.

Wealth Networking-Unconventional Tactics in the Campaign for New Business: Chapter Four

2007-04-06T03:12:00.001-07:00

Smoothly end the conversation

You’ve had an enjoyable and informative conversation with someone at the event. Your conversational partner has revealed reasons for attending the event and told you the biggest challenge in their business today. These reasons and their challenge affect how you end the conversation.

If during your partner’s responses to your open-ended questions and encouragement, you hear some interesting things but nothing related to your products or services, you can still leave them feeling good that they met and talked with you.

At an opportune point in the conversation, you can repeat or rephrase what they told you was the biggest challenge in their business today. Then offer to keep this in mind as you meet other people. Say that if you meet someone with a potential solution, you will be sure to introduce them to the other person. You have now become their partner in problem solving, not just another stranger they will have difficulty remembering.

If your partner spent several minutes telling you about a difficulty that you could help them with, you have an opportunity for your own company, but you mustn’t push yourself on them. The goal is to attract them to you.

At an opportune moment in the conversation, you could rephrase what they told you about their biggest challenge. It sounds like this: “It seems to me you are saying that you’re frustrated by…” Pause and they will nod in agreement.

Then you can ask if they have done anything already to alleviate the problem, and follow up with questions such as “how did that work?” “Are you going to try something else?” “What happens if you don’t fix this?”

At this point they are feeling that you care about them. You want to maintain this rather than swooping in for a hard sell. You can casually mention that you’ve helped some of your clients address a similar problem, and simply mention one result. Less is more in this case.

Your partner will probably ask you a bit about how you did it. Keep your response simple, and say that you offer a variety of approaches to this problem. This gives you the chance to then say, “You know, it’s been great talking with you. I’d be happy to continue this conversation at your convenience, if you’d like. Would you like me to call you this week?”

If your partner says ‘yes’, then make a date for the phone call. If he says ‘no’ or evades with something like “I’m really busy” just accept that graciously. You have decided that you’re going to be an active member of this organization, so there will be other opportunities to meet this person again. You can always keep what you learned in the back of your mind, and mention it when you meet again to strengthen your connection with this person.

What about the ritual of exchanging business cards? Wealth Networkers who avoid being Collectors or Givers have a carefully thought out method around business card exchanges. Details are in Chapter Five.

Susan G. Trivers, MBA, President of Trivers Communications Group, is a long time member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the Washington D. C. Chapter of NSA, where she served on the Leadership Council. She has been a popular speaker for Women in Technology and is in demand as a presentation skills coach.

Wealth Networking-Unconventional Tactics in the Campaign for New Business grew out of Susan’s own frustration over the waste of resources caused by conventional networking organizations and approaches. Tips and referral groups, accelerated networking, mixers and the like physically bring people together but emphasize all the things that actually drive people apart. After vowing never to do conventional networking again, Susan developed Wealth Networking, and her business has grown. She delivers Wealth Networking workshops to corporations, professional firms and entrepreneurs all of whom need to maximize their long term streams of business.

You Only Have 30 Seconds

2007-03-28T22:39:00.001-07:00

Don't panic – you can accomplish a lot in 30 seconds! You can also be completely forgotten and disregarded before you are even finished. Panicking will not help, however. Education and practice – that's what works.

The necessary components of a 30 second introduction include your name, your target and a hook based on benefits. (Depending on your industry and your networking group, other components may be included.) In all components, it is important to remember not to make your listeners think too much. If you have a difficult name for the average person to understand quickly, fix it. If it is your last name, you can just drop it. If it is your first name, see how you can shorten or simplify it.

If your name is really unusual or foreign-sounding, the listener gets hung up on it, trying to figure it out. They don't even hear the rest of your intro.

The main intention of networking is to get referrals. To get referrals, you need to build relationships by consistently and regularly attending meetings in the same organization, clearly communicating your target market and illustrating the benefits of doing business with you.

In the 30 second intro, and everywhere else you market for that matter, your target needs to be narrow and clear and clearly communicated. How can anyone refer business to you if they don't know whom to refer? The individuals who attend networking events are there to build their businesses, just like you. If you make them think too much, they just forget about you.

The worst target markets I have ever heard include "anyone with skin" and "anyone with a net worth over $1million." Anyone with skin? Really? She wants me to refer every single person I meet to her? And how will I know a person's net worth? That doesn't exactly come up in casual everyday conversation.

People in networking meetings really do want to refer business to as many people as possible – if you make it easy. Everyone I ask says they are really happy to refer business!

The third component is often a challenge – the hook. You want people to remember the emotional reaction they had when they heard you.

Both direct customers and referral sources need to be enticed by your words. Use the benefits of what you provide to create the hook, and make it provocative. The reason people buy is mostly emotional, so you need them to feel something when they hear you. Using numbers and verbs can accomplish this very well, especially if you are talking about mo'ney. For example, "my clients typically increase their sales by 25% by working with me" makes the listener pay attention!

(By the way, don't talk about yourself. Nobody cares about you; they only care about how you can help them!)

It is unlikely you will be selling your products/services right there at the networking meeting, but it is very likely you ARE selling the sales meeting to potential direct customers. You want people to make an appointment with you – whether it's the complimentary consultation, the demo or the visit to your store.

Creating your 30 second intro is a lot like time management – it's very personal. This means you should not just listen to one person's perception of how to put it together; you should study and gather input from multiple sources. Read more articles, read books, listen to how successful networkers do theirs and cherry pick what will work for you – your personality and your industry.

Then – practice, practice, practice! Record yourself, listen to it and practice some more. Test it. If you don't get the response you want, change it, practice it and test it again! Good luck.

Networking Revolution Reaches Microsoft's Desktop

2007-03-28T22:38:00.004-07:00

The explosive growth in online social and business communities such as MySpace, Ryze and LinkedIn has brought the term “networking” into everyday use, not just with seasoned business executives, but graduates and teens as well. Now, vendor Software Magic is extending the concept to Microsoft’s best-selling Outlook desktop, giving their address book a networking “makeover”.

Peter Astley-Sparke, CEO of Software Magic, explains, “Outlook is a great product, and remains the desktop of choice for millions of individuals and business users. But, Outlook’s Contacts are still based on a traditional address book.”

Astley-Sparke continues: “Today’s technologies provide so many different ways to network with people and build relationships, it’s far more natural – and productive – to visualise and manage your contacts as a network.”

Software Magic’s Cortege software runs along-side Microsoft Outlook, allowing users to create an interactive model of their business and personal networks. Users organize their contacts into “branches” - groups of people they generally think about together. Examples include family, friends, prospects, customers, business contacts or the clubs and societies to which they belong.

Customers of the first release described Cortege as “mind maps for the address book”. “This is a fair description”, agreed Astley-Sparke “mind maps help people organise their ideas, and our software performs a very similar function on their address book.”

The latest release builds on the success of the first; enhancing the range of relationships Cortege supports to include those for business, and allowing customers to use it as a highly effective alternative to traditional contact management software. Software Magic has also extended support for Microsoft Outlook, allowing customers to synchronize Cortege with user-created Contact Items folders, and the Business Contact Manager extension introduced with Outlook 2003.

This is not the first time Software Magic’s founders, Peter Astley-Sparke and Julian Childs, have created and managed the delivery of leading-edge software based on Microsoft’s Windows platform, having both played major roles in Dow Jones Market’s successful push into the highly competitive trading room systems markets using the same technologies.

Effortless Networking-Finding Qualified Prospects

2007-03-28T22:38:00.003-07:00

I'm helping a company find qualified prospects for their product.

This company manufactures lighting systems. And although I'm no expert on this topic, I am still able to help them figure out and find qualified leads.

How?

The short answer is: through "informational interviewing".

(No, this is not just for new college grads! In fact, "informational interviews" can be a very powerful networking tool for seasoned business professionals.)

Here's the long answer.

I'm helping the business owners first identify whom they want to meet. What kinds of people or companies would be good prospects for them? Retailers? Wholesalers? For interior or exterior lights? And in what countries?

Then, we're using "informational interviewing" as a tool to test the waters. In other words, we're networking to get information -- specifically to find out what kind of interest, if any, there is for their product in a particular company, market or region.

These "interviews" invariably turn up new leads. Names of companies we hadn't thought of, contacts that people we already know have within those companies, etc.

We're also using "informational interviews" to understand how best to find and meet the decision makers in each of these companies.

By the end of such an "interviewing" process, you end up with a whole lot of useful information -- such as who'd be a "qualified prospect" and why; the best way to meet these people and get their attention; etc.

However, you can also get personal introductions to the very people you want to meet through this process. Which means, you don't have to fight to get their attention.

And that is the ultimate goal, isn't it?

Prosperity Is Your Birthright And Your Natural Condition

2007-03-28T22:38:00.001-07:00

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"Reel" Special - How to do the W.O.R.K in Net-work-ing

2007-03-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

One of the most valuable life and leadership lessons my grandfather taught me on our fishing excursions was the importance of the preparation phase for any great task. He would wake me up early to find live bait in his backyard, check everything off on his list as he packed the truck, and then take one final look at the net to check for tears.

In networking, you are the net. If you prepare yourself well and learn how to do the W.O.R.K. in net-W.O.R.K.-ing, you will catch all of the fish—target clients and connections—that you desire!

When you’re creating business partnerships or net-W.O.R.K-ing, how do you do the W.O.R.K?

W – Write it down. My grandfather had a checklist of what to take fishing. As professionals who want to expand our sphere of influence, we need to have a checklist of whom and what we’re looking to market. Who is your ideal client and where would you find them? If you’re a dentist, do you really believe that anyone with teeth is your ideal client? Offensive, obnoxious and rude people have teeth. What do you want people to know about your business? What will you share with others when attending a networking event or when you’re out and about? For true clarity of vision, write down what you do and with whom you’re looking to make a connection.

O – Openness. “Openness, what the heck does that mean?” Be authentic. Share something personal. Over the past few months, I’ve shared some personal experiences about my life and my relationship with my grandfather. While being open makes me vulnerable, I bet for some of you, I have touched a special place where you can identify with my experiences in your own life. And that’s necessary to build relationships – and it’s good for business. Most people can tell whether you’re being genuine or trying too hard. (p.s. Please don’t share your life’s story and/or your biggest problems with perfect strangers.) But, as Grandpop always said, “If you don’t cast your line into open waters, you never know what you might catch!”

R – Remember, remember, remember, remember!

The four remember’s are lessons learned from watching my grandfather network, even when he was fishing.

1) Remember their name. Think about how good it feels when someone remembers your name. If you don’t have a good memory, practice. Use word association, ask them if they were named after someone special and/or repeat their name back. Find whatever works for you and do it.

2) Remember to listen. You’re looking to build a relationship with this person. Take this opportunity to find out as much as you can about them!

3) Remember not to take anything personal. I’ve had people say dismiss my business and my ideas. I look at those situations as an opportunity to further narrow who my ideal client is.

4) Remember to always be gracious and kind. My grandfather always told me to be a lady and spend time with gentlemen. He reminded me that not every man can be given the title “gentleman” and not every woman can be crowned “lady”.

K – Knock ‘em out! Have you ever watched a boxing match? What’s the most exciting part? The Knock-Out! After all of your preparation and involvement, it’s time to knock ‘em out. What is it that you want them to remember most about you? Is it your attentiveness, your sense of humor, your intelligence or what you do? Webster’s dictionary defines the term “knock-out” as a person or thing overwhelmingly attractive, appealing or successful. If you’re prepared, open, use their name, listen and are always gracious and kind, you’ll knock ‘em out every time.

As a leadership coach and consultant, I spend time helping my clients learn how to increase their network. After all, leadership is about influencing others, and if there isn’t anyone in your sphere of influence, chances are there isn’t anyone following what you’re doing. You get where I’m going, don’t you? No followers means you’re not really a leader. It’s not who you know; it’s who knows you. By using the net and doing the w.o.r.k., you’ll naturally increase your leadership ability and sphere of influence, and build relationships that are “reel”-y special.

As the President and C.hief E.nthusiasm O.fficer of Upside Thinking, Inc., Ms. Lisa Marie Platske brings passion and excitement to her work every day. Committed to transforming organizations, Ms. Platske teaches professionals how to develop a clear leadership vision, increase their sphere of influence and achieve long-term growth and steady profits. An energetic and inspirational trainer, leadership coach and certified True Colors facilitator, she has influenced the lives of entrepreneurs, small business owners and corporate executives with her “call to commitment”, challenging individuals to create a plan for excellence.

Why Is The My World Plus Discount Card Program So Successful

2007-03-23T00:09:00.002-07:00

In January 2007, a little company called My World Plus exploded onto the market, offering a little discount card that gave discounts at more than 175,000 stores.

In all my years of network marketing, I have never quite seen such an explosive launch. In just the first day, over 500 people paid and upgraded to be member/associates - the membership that lets you save money and make money by building teams in the business.

In just the first week, over 2,000 people became member/associates.

Why?

There are a number of reasons.

First, the owner of My World Plus has a great track record for running programs with professional marketing systems and feature-rich back offices. Payments are always made right on time, too.

Second, many top leaders, myself included, knew about the launch before it happened, and prepared for the program's launch.

Third, the discounts are amazing. People are using the card at everyday places, and getting really good deals - discounts so good, that other people in the store often ask how to get a card.

Fourth, it's associated with the largest discount and loyalty card system provider - Access Development. Access has over 11,200,000 members worldwide, and the system, with it's coupons and cash-backs, are fully integrated into the My World Plus back office. You simply enter your city or zip code, and hundreds of coupons are generated which give you discounts and special offers.

With the discount card, you can save $50, $100 or even more, just by using the coupons and cash back at the places you visit now.

This creates loyalty, and builds momentum when people get excited and tell others about the program.

Join My World Plus today and start saving money. You can make money, too!

Your Spam Box Is A Pot of Gold

2007-03-23T00:09:00.001-07:00

Most people would agree that the bulk mailbox fills up all too quickly with unwanted mail from every possible internet marketer trying to promote their goods and/or services. But, what if you as a business person could turn these unwanted emails into welcomed email? More junk mail may just be the way to more wealth.

It seems so basic of a concept but it truly is a sensible way to get leads for your existing business. Imagine all that mail just waiting to be opened. Look for phone numbers, and other contact information contained within the body of the emails.

Next, get busy sending emails out to these contacts and even calling these leads. The goal is to establish rapport with these business people. They do not want to be sold on your opportunity, however, there are many services you may be able to offer to assist them in their current business.

There are many resources that are available to help business builders with their online business. By being a messenger rather than a sales person, this new contact will be more receptive to your friendly and helpful approach rather than a sales approach. Programs that may be of interest to this contact may include an invitation to join Direct Matches, a networking organization or free educational materials or online training resources that you may be affiliated with. Perhaps you have access to marketing tools that will help them such as lead generation systems provided by Veretekk or the Pay it Forward for Profits program. You might invite them to a free seminar that you have become aware of.

By finding a point of connection with this lead, and exchanging contact information with them, you will begin to build a list of high quality business builders whom you may develop business relationships with in the future. Sharing information can open the door to communicate openly with a fellow network marketer.

Networking For People Who Hate Sales and Networking!

2007-03-23T00:08:00.004-07:00

The phrase, "it's not what you know, it's who you know," is so common it is almost a cliche. The phrase is common though, because there is a great deal of truth to it. Personally, I can trace much of my success to relationships I have developed over the years. Other people can be a tremendous resource in terms of contacts, knowledge, and experience.

Unfortunately, it seems like many people in the world have no idea what "networking" is. They seem to believe that networking is about getting as much as possible from other people as quickly as possible.

In the recent past, I have had experience with both the good and bad side of networking. I want to quickly share the guidelines I keep in mind so that you can apply them to your own situation. Though my examples are mostly professional, these are basically communication principles which can be applied personally or professionally. This is not a comprehensive list, but rather a few good ideas that I have come across.

Also, some of this advice goes against what you may read in a sales or networking book, and you may disagree. That's fine. I just find that sometimes the sales and networking experts tend to be people that enjoy this stuff, and so the things they tell you to do (and that work for them) don't work well for those of us without a sales disposition. Think of this list as "networking for people who don't love sales and networking!"

Relationships First, Info Second

One of the biggest turn-offs at a networking event or association meeting is when someone walks up to you and immediately starts pumping you for information. "Where do you get your clients? How do you charge? How much business do you do a month?" The list goes on...On the one hand, I understand where the questions come from. People who are new or uncertain get very excited by someone with some experience and feel that this is their chance to have all their questions answered. For this reason, I do my best to answer as many of these questions as possible. On the other hand, I have never developed a relationship with any of these "info-pumpers." When someone just tries to get information out of me, it immediately creates a sense that they don't care about me as a person. I give them info, and then move on. This is unfortunate for them, because the real power of relationships comes after the relationship has become long and deep.

It's ok to ask some questions, but remember that the person you are speaking to is a human being, not a computer. Build a relationship first. Which takes us to the next point...

Be Genuinely Interested

One of the fastest ways to build a relationship is to be genuinely interested in the person you are speaking to. Ask them questions about themselves. Not the "pumping info" type of questions, but genuine questions about who they are, how they are doing, and how you might be able to help them. Then, listen to the answers - really listen! - and be interested. You can not fake this. If you are the type of person that just isn't interested in others, then networking is not for you.

Most of us are interested in others - when you stop and think about, other people can be fascinating! You just need to remind yourself

Ditch the Elevator Speech

This one is simple in concept, but hard in implementation. Be who you are. People can smell a fake a mile away. I also think most people should throw away their elevator speech (an elevator speech is a clever 30 second pitch about who you are and what you do). Whenever I ask someone what they do and they bust out their elevator speech, my "fake-meter" goes off. Not because I think they are lying, but rather once someone starts reciting a pre-memorized script, they are no longer in the moment and no longer being real.

I realize this goes against the advice of almost every networking and sales book out there, but I stand by it. I have never felt comfortable delivering an elevator speech, and every time I hear one I feel distanced from the other person. When someone delivers and elevator speech, they are basically saying, "this is what I am selling." That goes against the first rule of building relationships first.

Keep a Long View

You can ignore all of the relationship building rules and still get something from other people. You can walk into an event, get questions answered, and maybe even close a few deals. However, by not building a relationship, you will be leaving a ton of future opportunity on the table. Sometimes business comes from the weirdest places, and often doesn't come right away. The person who has no use for your services today may get a promotion or new job next year.

Be Real

Be who you are. Too many people act fake and try to connect with everyone they come in contact with. You will not like everyone you come in contact with. It's ok to let them go. You don't have to be rude (in fact you shouldn't), but don't exert a ton of effort maintaining those contacts. To me, that's being fake. If someone I don't "click" with keeps trying to meet me for lunch or whatever, I think, "this person doesn't really want to meet me, they just want to stay in touch for potential business."

You will be better off cultivating a few good, deep relationships than many shallow ones. The people I tend to meet up with are people I enjoy meeting and talking with anyway. Here's a gauge: if you met up with or talked to this person and you didn't talk at all about business, would you enjoy yourself? If the answer is no, you may want to reconsider what you are doing.

Note: I am not talking about initial meetings and first contact. I am talking about ongoing meetings and relationships

Give First

This is the primary one. The key to building a relationship is to give, not to get. Give advice, give help, give leads, whatever. And, you must give without an expectation of anything in return. Some people pass along leads with the expectation that you will pass leads back to them. Some of them will even say it outright. I understand that and it seems fair. You give to me so I should give to you.

But that's not how relationships work. Think about your best friend. If you came across a great opportunity that they would be perfect for, would you pass it along to them? Of course! When you did, would you then say, "now that I've given you this, I expect you to pass me along a great opportunity too." No! You give because you want to give, not to create a sense of debt.

Think of your networking relationships the same way. Give without a specific expectation of something in return. This is why I suggest cultivating fewer deep relationships - if you try to give to everybody, you will burn yourself out!

Keep in mind that you may not receive from where you give. I think that's how the universe works. I have had people help me out a whole lot, but so far I have not been able to give them much back in return (except my thanks and friendship). In the same way, I have helped others out who have not given me anything directly back. Make sure you look at the whole picture. Don't demand that the people you give to give back. Keep giving, and, maybe from unexpected places, you will keep receiving.

I hope that helps. I personally find that by implementing a few good ideas like these, my relationships have greatly improved. Both my personal and professional life have benefited, and I hope yours will too!

Savvy Networking: Getting Our Needs Met

2007-03-23T00:08:00.003-07:00

We all have information for each other that can help to improve the quality of our lives. Clarifying what we need and communicating it to a receptive community can make the difference between a comfortable prosperous life and a struggle to keep up.

I once hosted a small gathering where a group of six women met and networked. Although the group was small and no one knew each other, it was amazing how many needs were fulfilled. Here is an actual sampling of what happened.

One woman was an accountant. She was looking for more clients and she was looking to house-sit for someone because she had sold her house and her new house wasn’t ready yet. Another woman there had a friend who was looking for a house sitter while she was gone for a couple of months to care for her daughter. The two exchanged information and an arrangement was made.

One woman had started a catering business and was looking for weddings and large parties to cater. She was also looking for an accountant but had been putting it off because she didn’t want to just hire someone from the phone book. She and the accountant struck up a conversation and began a business relationship. Another suggested that she might also consider large corporate meetings as a source of catering clients and that perhaps her husband could use her services at his firm. Another said that her daughter-in-law was in the wedding business and was always looking for good caterers and that she could put them in touch.

One was looking for a job as an administrative assistant and another’s husband was interviewing for an administrative assistant in the same area.

One woman seemed a bit hesitant to ask but saw that everyone was getting what they needed. She shared that she had been experiencing a great deal of pain in her arm for months and had seen several doctors but they couldn’t find the problem. I told her that I could show her a simple technique to remove the pain and would be glad to show her at the end of the evening. I did and her pain was completely gone when she left.

Months later we met again and I learned that the pain had never returned.

So many needs were being fulfilled that everyone started thinking of other people’s needs.

One said her dentist was looking for a dental hygienist but couldn’t find one in his remote area and another said she had just met a lady working at the grocery store who was a dental hygienist who couldn’t find work and was even willing to relocate.

One needed her fence repaired and another had a son who was a handyman.

One needed an auto mechanic she could trust and another knew of one.

One said her teenage daughter was looking for summer work and another was looking for a babysitter she could count on.

All of this in a small group in the span of a couple of hours. So what’s different between this and how we often experience networking? Networking can provide this type of result but often doesn’t because the emphasis is so often on selling what you offer to the group instead of giving what you have or know to the group.

This small setting worked this way for a number of reasons. Before sharing needs, we created a comfortable environment and set the tone with a brief discussion about the possibilities that community can offer. We took turns briefly telling what we needed and gave the speaker our attention. The emphasis of the evening was on fulfilling each other’s needs.

If you belong to a networking or social group, try making this suggestion to your group. Suggest that for one event (and probably leading to more) instead of everyone briefly introducing themselves and saying what products or services they offer, have everyone briefly introduce themselves and say what they need or what they are looking for. It can be helpful to preface this with everyone taking a moment to write down 3 to 4 things they need. These “needs” can be for any aspect of life (i.e. business, family, finances, health, gardening, home improvements, etc.). Give examples to the group (such as the ones in this article) to help everyone get the idea.

What we are looking for is often more customers and clients. I don’t mean to suggest that these needs are excluded. The intention is to change the way we communicate what we are looking for. It can be very helpful to define clearly your perfect client or customer and then share this description when you network. For example, my perfect client is someone who wants to create a life they love through a simple and fun process.

It’s human nature to be more on the defensive when you feel someone is trying to sell you something (i.e. this is what I have to offer) than when someone is asking for your help (i.e. this is what I need). People tend to go out of their way more to help someone when they know what they need. It feels good to fulfill someone else’s need. In fact, it can be quite addictive!

The best way to get your needs met... is to let people know what they are.

Three Tips to Build Your Business with Networking

2007-03-23T00:08:00.001-07:00

The most powerful force in any business is People. You can build your business by creating relationships with other business people. The number one mistake people new to networking make is to approach an event or meeting as if the people in the room are your customers. They might be, but far more important to business growth are the hundreds of people those individuals know. You want networking to be so successful for you that other people become your sales team—and you don’t have to pay them anything to do it!

So, HOW do you get there?

Tip #1

Pick the right venue for your business. Networking can happen anywhere. You might get a business deal at the grocery store but you are far more likely to get solid leads from events and clubs that target other businesses that are strategic alliances to your business. It is key to do your research so that you will not have several people in the same business that you are in. You also want to find out if there are any agendas, hidden or otherwise, for the group holding the event. Make sure you are comfortable with the organization before you pay for a membership. Several groups will allow you to be a guest at their meetings or events a few times before you need to join. Use those guest visits to see if this is the right venue for you.

Tip #2

Your “infomercial”—make the most of it.

This is your 30-60 seconds to shine. It seems like a very short time but you can get great leads if you give people the right information to help you. Start with your name and your company while speaking loudly and clearly. Be brief about what you offer for a product or service. Do not provide people with a “laundry list” of your business because they won’t remember it all. Give a testimonial or example of the best customer you already have or would like to get. Be very specific about who would be a great referral for you at that particular time. Your target can be different every time you present your infomercial because your marketing needs will change. For example, this week you want to find customers who sell flowers, next week you may be looking for owners of convenience stores. Be sure to repeat your name and company name at the end for those who missed it but now have a referral for you.

The key ingredients: a. Your name

b. Title and company (stating you are an employee vs an owner can produce more leads)

c. Give an example of who should do business with you and why (testimonial)

d. Great referral wish list (name three very specific ones that fit your criteria of a best customer for your business)

Tip #3

Follow-Up every lead within 24-48 hours.

One of the most frustrating things for people who have given out referrals is the lack of follow-up. If you are given a lead, be sure to call that person within 24-48 hours. Schedule time on your calendar that is dedicated to following up all of your leads from each meeting or event. Mark on business cards where you met the person so that you can personalize your contact. Some networkers have had great success with a polished, personalized email when they don’t have time for phone calls. If you make arrangements to call them another time, be sure to do so at the correct time.

Catherine Christensen is a full-time business woman in Calgary, Canada. She operates a real estate staging business called Designs of the World. Recently she began assisting with the organization of events for business people to meet each other and successful role models such as CEOs who built major companies from very small beginnings. She is also involved in Canadian Women in Business which is an organization that provides a forum for like-minded business women to learn and connect.

Joint Ventures - Part XII

2007-03-06T05:36:00.003-08:00

JV to Build Your List – Your list is your greatest asset, right? But if you only have 1,000 names where 50,000 or 100,000 is the norm (more is better, right?), then why not JV a list exchange. Bear with me. It’s true that you may not have much to offer to the list owner of 100,000+ names, when you only have 1,000. But it can be done.

One way to do this? Ok, let’s pretend that I convince a speaker to do a teleseminar with me that I know at least 2 or 3 other 100k+ list size owners would love to tell their subscribers about. Let’s couple that with the fact that these list owners want to build their lists even more. And you do too. You could make a deal with some of these list owners that whoever opts in to your teleseminar, you’ll do a solo mailing of a product of their choice to the entire list if they promote the call. Remember they’re delivering a message to their list that their list would be interested in, and they’re interested in getting the names of the other list owners that will opt-in. So you act as the middle-person and make all sides happy, while greatly adding to the size of your list.

I’ve personally done this, and I’ve got some big promotions on the way that will grow my list even further. All you need to do is to contact these people and let them know how they benefit from the arrangement.

Joint Ventures - Part XIII

2007-03-06T05:36:00.001-08:00

Company Speeches/Seminars – Lots of companies give in-house speeches and seminars. Most charge a nominal sum. You can do the same, and sell your products and services. It’s a great way to get into a company and do your pitch.

Friends and Relatives – One of the best ways to get started in JV deal making is by working with people you already know well and who trust you. I’m talking about friends and relatives who are entrepreneurs. Look, there’s a reason why MLM companies like Tupperware and the Pampered Chef do so well. Most of their first-time salespeople sell to their friends and relatives first. My younger brother sold a set of knives to my mother that she still uses to this day (after years). I used to sell Mason Shoes door to door when I was a teenager (yes, admittedly a LONG time ago). Guess who my first buyers were?

Well, the same thing works for JVs. I have some friends who opened up a restaurant. I’m now working with them, without any money out of their pocket, to develop JV deals that will build additional profit centers for them. And yes, I get a cut.

When you work with folks that are close to you, you tend to have their vested interest at heart. And that sets the stage for JV deals with “cold” prospects, because you also want to be known as having their best interests at heart.

You are the dealmaker. You make it happen and know all of the ins and outs of business. This comes with time, so the more deals you make (even the unprofitable ones), the better you’ll be equipped to handle the bigger more profitable ones.

Joint Ventures - Part XIV

2007-03-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

JP Maroney worked out a deal to get his room for free to hold his mini-seminar as well. Jay Abraham regularly did deals to get cars, airfare, you name it.

JV for Airtime – Yes, it’s even possible to JV with radio and television stations for free airtime for your ads and infomercials. Every radio or television station has some unsold airtime. They have to use it for something. They only need to fill a certain amount of public service time. After that, the rest of the time is used for the most profitable way they can come up with. If you present a compelling offer to them, yours may be more desirable to them. Simply find out what they want, and offer it to them for an exchange of airtime.

NOTE: This technique is done more often than you think, mostly by ad agencies and bigger companies. But even with that going against you, there is still a considerable amount of unsold time available, especially in the smaller stations. Hint: You don’t have to do the deal with only one station at a time.

Leverage JV with Bartering – This is another little-known technique you can use to make your deals even more lucrative.

Let’s say that you found out that your local radio station WXXX needs a new roof. So you do a deal with the local roofing company J&J Roofing, where you trade your services for a roofing job. J&J charges $10,000 for a new roof needed by WXXX. But it only costs them $3,000 in labor and materials. The other $7,000 is profit. So you provide $3,000 worth of services to J&J, get $3,000 worth of labor and materials in result, and are able to give WXXX a new $10,000 roof for only $3,000 worth of services. Now you get J&J’s $7,000 profit.

Listen, it does work that way more often than you think. Jewelry, cars, furniture, services, and just about anything you can think of produced by a for-profit company always has that kind of leverage if you work the deal the right way.

“Think Outside the Box” – Yes, I know it’s a cliché. But in this case, it’s very true and profitable. The examples I provided here aren’t by a long shot every possible technique you can use. Rather, they are designed to get you thinking in the proper “mindset.” You’ll soon see that there are more possibilities and opportunities around you that you may have not noticed before. So your job is to always be on the lookout for them. And recognize them when they do catch your attention.

Will they always be profitable? Hardly. But as you get more and more exposed to this kind of creative marketing thinking, you’ll be better equipped to spot the ones that are more frequently up front.