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December 18, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

12 Lessons I Picked Up from the Big Seminar | Business Inspiration

By Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero

“People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.” Ralph Waldo Emerson ~So you just dropped a tidy sum to attend the Big Seminar (or some other three-day event). Now it’s over and you’re exhausted. Your client work is backed up. You have a fistful of business cards to connect with. And your family would like some face time. Time to get back into the swing of life, right? Wrong.

I go to A LOT of seminars. Rubbing shoulders with my colleagues, talking over dinner and debating ourhottest industry issues at a live event is honestly one of my secret weapons to success.

Here’s a checklist of 12 lessons from the Big Seminar you can apply to future events to maximize your momentum:

  1. Collect business cards – Just remember these are not “business cards”. They are “people”. Each card you collect is attached with an obligation to listen to that person and follow up.
  2. Write a note to niggle your noggin – Take a second right then and there to write something on the back of their business card that will remind you of your conversation. Don’t trust yourself to remember. These events can be draining. Just make a note.
  3. Categorize each business card – Take 4 rubber bands and put each card into one of these categories: a) potential client, b) joint venture, c) general and d) stalker/creepy person (hopefully this is a small pile). Piles “a” & “b” should be a priority for you to follow up with when you get home. Pile “c” can take a few days but don’t forget them. And pile “d” you can destroy privately.
  4. Keep a portable notebook or recorder with you – You’re going to get some brilliant ideas. Save them for posterity immediately. Also make sure you make a note of any follow up action you promise. Personally, I keep a spiral bound index card booklet with me. The paper is firm enough it doesn’t rip. Then I can detach them at home and sort out my thoughts. Some people actually keep a small digital recorder around their necks. Great idea!
  5. Take lots of pictures and upload online – I have the tiniest little Casio Exilim camera that’s no bigger than a credit card. And I take a ton of pictures. People LOVE seeing them later. Be sure to get their name, business and website (A lot of folks have more than one website. Ask first).
  6. Show genuine curiosity – You never know when you are a good fit for someone’s business. Or if you might form a new friendship. Ask each person you meet something about themselves or their business. Then shut your mouth and really listen. (It’s good practice).
  7. Do something unexpected – This isn’t just some karmic ideal. It’s a very real business (and life) principle. A great example of that was what my husband, John did for Marlon Sanders. You can read details on my blog. In a nutshell, John was just being John — paying attention to his surroundings and responsive to people. He had no idea who Marlon “was”. Well he helped get Marlon out of a bind before his presentation without any expectation. Marlon not only mentioned my business from the stage in front of over 400 people, but he dedicated an entire ezine to lionizing John, including a link to my site. (Thanks to Marlon, John now has god-like status in our house).
  8. Get away from the same old crowd – It’s tempting to hang with the people you know. Especially when you don’t see your online friends that often. That’s fine. Just make sure you take some spins around the hallway and forge some new friendships, too.
  9. Take mini breaks – You’re getting bombarded with a lot of information and a lot of different energies. It’s easy to get depleted. Mini breaks will keep you going. But don’t miss an entire presentation if you can help it. You will undoubtedly miss the biggest aha moment of the seminar.
  10. Do NOT make deals or promises – The excitement makes this a hotspot of deal-making, but don’t. Not yet. Talk about it. Brainstorm. Come up with different scenarios. But don’t talk money or legal issues until you’re back in a sane, stable environment — like home.
  11. DO buy extended packages from the speakers – I didn’t “get” this when I first started going to seminars. First of all, you will never remember everything you heard from a speaker. Total immersion is the only way to really get those lessons to soak in. Secondly, you always get a much better deal onsite! If you’re moved by a speaker, then let that person teach you his or her expertise. Seminars are the best places to find and connect with your mentor. (Now that I think about it, every mentor I’ve had I met in person at a seminar first. Hmmm. I don’t know if that’s so for everyone, but I believe in the power of taking a piece of a dynamic, successful speaker home with you.)
  12. Plan to take 1-2 days off work for follow up. – Here is where 90% of the people miss the boat. You have all those business cards and connections. Remember the categories and the notes we made? Now it’s going to be easy for you to follow up. Send out a short, friendly email to categories, “a”, “b” and “c”. (I try to add a personal touch to each one, but you don’t have to. It’s time well spent, though. Taking that extra minute really separates you from the masses.) However, if you send out a group blast, be sure to use the BCC (blind carbon copy) so you don’t expose everyone’s emails – that is a huge pet peeve of mine. This is a nice time to have those photos uploaded.

Warning: Do NOT sign them up automatically for anything, even free stuff like an ezine or e-course. It’s okay to include a link to your site in your signature line or the P.S., but don’t assume they want your materials unless they opt in. A phone call or a postcard will make you stand out even more.

Like I said, seminars have become my business bread and butter. They can work for you too.

Author Resource -> Copywriting guru Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero has been helping entrepreneurs and copywriters get their marketing messages razor sharp since 1999.

Get free access to 5 tips to turn your “blah” sales message into red-hot copy that ROCKS… at RedHotCopy.com

Filed Under: Business Inspiration Tagged With: business, business inspiration, networking, writing

October 6, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

Your Elevator Speech in 5 Simple Steps | Business Inspiration

By Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero

Last week I had a meeting with a very well-known motivational speaker. I had met him before at a seminar and interviewed him over the phone for a book, so I felt somewhat comfortable. While on the phone interview, I told him I wanted to write for him. He was surprisingly very open to it. As an idea guy, he was bursting with brilliance but short on staff. We discussed possibilities and soon I was set up with a project. Once I finished, I knew there were many others sitting in his office waiting to be sold. But he was so busy I couldn’t connect with him. So, I planned a shopping day near his office (an hour away from me) and asked if I could drop by. Fortunately, his schedule had an opening!

Your-Elevator-Speech-in-5-Simple-Steps-Business-InspirationI had a little trouble navigating to the offices and was late, which I hate. He had lunch ready for us in a conference room where we could chat. After showing me around, he asked me to deliver my 30 second “elevator speech.” You know, how you would explain what you do to a stranger in 30 seconds or less.

I didn’t have one.

If you think my hair is red, you should have seen my entire face and neck. I turned a noticeably deep shade of scarlet. He looked dumbfounded. Fortunately, he was able to glean enough of what he needed through our conversation to figure out how I sell myself (obviously, not very well that day). I learned my lesson. I went home and wrote my elevator speech that night. I suggest you do the same. See my instructions below.

YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECH – STEP-BY-STEP

An “elevator speech” is a short synopsis of your business that can potentially get you clients. It shouldn’t take any longer to deliver than the time you would spend going between floors in an elevator – roughly 30 seconds. If you have an enticing opening, people often want to know more. Then you reel ‘em in.

When crafting your elevator speech, remember to include the “what’s in it for me” factor. They don’t really care what you do. They want to know what’s in it for them. How can you help them?

  1. Identify your target market at the beginning of your speech. Don’t be afraid to be narrow. Having a niche is preferable, as you probably already know. Everyone can’t be your client.
  2. Identify the problem you solve for your target market. This should provoke curiosity. “I help widget manufacturers who have a hard time increasing their sales.”
  3. Expound on how you solve that problem. What techniques do you use? What are some examples of your results for other clients? Know statistics about trends in their industry if possible.
  4. Separate yourself out from the pack. Why is your company different than the others? Why should they hire you?
  5. Practice, practice, practice saying it until it sounds natural. Otherwise you’ll SOUND like you’re selling and turn off the listener immediately.

Here’s mine. You’re welcome to use it as a template, but please don’t copy it word for word. It would be embarrassing to have my speech delivered back to me one day (though I would respect you for having one at all!)

“I work with entrepreneurs who are having trouble increasing their sales. So I woo their customers into buying by using persuasive language – I’m a copywriter. Since sales are all about relationships, I write copy that builds trust and loyalty to my clients by using the right words. I start by learning all about their business and competition. Then I don’t waste anybody’s time because, I know going in what works and what doesn’t. There are certain techniques and psychological factors that can dramatically increase sales. I know them.”

Author Resource -> Copywriting guru Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero has been helping entrepreneurs and copywriters get their marketing messages razor sharp since 1999.

Get free access to 5 tips to turn your “blah” sales message into red-hot copy that ROCKS… at  RedHotCopy.com

Filed Under: Business Inspiration Tagged With: business inspiration, creating, marketing, networking

July 9, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

6 Tips for What to Do When You Have a Few Minutes to Speak About Your Business

Written by Felicia Slattery 

Business Inspiration | Public SpeakingPublic speaking provides a powerful way for you to market your business in a variety of contexts. Often, you may find yourself at a networking meeting or other occasion where you’ll be invited to speak for just a brief period about your business. Only a few minutes isn’t enough time to deliver a full-length “Signature Speech” (that’s a 30-60 minute speech filled with useful information for your audience so you can market your business), but you can give people an accurate sense of what you do while boosting your credibility and potentially attracting new prospects.

Here are my tips for when you have just a few minutes to talk about your business:

  1. Start with your purpose. What do you want to get out of the event? Are you hoping to get people to sign up to receive a free report and therefore join your mailing list? Do you want to sell an e-book? Be specific about what you hope to get as a direct result of your speech.
  2. Consider the purpose of the audience. Why is that audience gathered? Think about who those folks are and why they have selected to attend that event and what they hope to gain from listening to you speak. Be sure to give them what they have been promised they will hear. One clue can be to look at the context of the event to determine what your audience hopes to gain.
  3. Consider your area of expertise. In your business what have you helped your clients with that has produced spectacular results for them? Talk about that.
  4. Consider your PASSION. This is huge. Speak to the audience about something you are passionate about. When you do so your audience will be drawn to you and will want to listen. We are inspired by passion, and that includes listening to others who are passionate about what they do.
  5. Make it interactive. Do this by asking questions. I prefer to have interaction throughout my presentations to continue to draw the audience in.
  6. Always provide a few steps, tips, or techniques that your audience members can use in their lives right away. You want people to feel they have come away from your talk with great value. Providing helpful information will help you achieve that goal– even if you only have just a few minutes to speak.

Remember your job in the few minutes you have to speak is to build your credibility and attract your ideal clients and prospects. When you do, you’ll soon see the power even just a few minutes has when you are marketing your business with public speaking.

Public speaking is one important way to increase your credibility as a small or home-based business owner. I invite you to discover how to Increase Business by Communicating Your Credibility now. You’ll get this FREE e-course designed to help you attract more business and get more cash flow. Pick it up here:http://www.communicationtransformation.com/creating-credibility-ecourse.html

If you’d like to learn more about using public speaking to market your business, visit http://www.CashInOnSpeaking.com. You’ll learn everything you need to know from how to choose a topic, how to best organize your speech to get instant results, and where to go to get booked to speak.

Felicia J. Slattery, M.A., M.Ad.Ed. is a communication consultant, speaker & coach specializing in training small and home-based business owners effective communication skills so they can see more cash flow now.

 

Felicia J. Slattery lives her life with energy, passion and enthusiasm. She is a teacher, trainer, speaker, writer, consultant and coach and specializes in training busy professionals to succeed through effective communication and by delivering results-driven presentations.

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Article Source: www.ladypens.com

Filed Under: Business Inspiration Tagged With: business, Business Goddess, marketing, networking

February 10, 2013 by Donna Thornton Leave a Comment

Business Inspiration | Should You Join Little Social Networks – Small Business Marketing

orginally published on Small Business Marketing blog – Marketing Artfully

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Social Media Marketing - Little Networks

Social media marketing, is not having friends or connecting with old acquaintances, but actual marketing that is about brand building, getting new opportunities and when possible, generating leads for your business.

Social networks (like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google+) are places where people gather to communicate, share pictures of their doggies, quotes, and just random bits of their life. If you had asked someone even a few years ago if having an omelet for breakfast would be worth telling the world about, they would have looked at you like you had a brain problem, but many of us now share A LOT of the minutia of everyday life online through these media.

Right now, there are some main social networks where people share their info and which communicate with each other pretty well:

  • Facebook (first really big one)
  • Twitter (great for searching, computers and getting to people you never thought you could reach!)
  • LinkedIn (more for industry, not just a job board anymore but not as SOCIAL unless you can devote a LOT of time and attention)
  • Google+ (a late-comer but owned by google so fast out of the gate and one of my favorites!)
  • Foursquare (good for local businesses)

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So how do you decide how many social networks you should join? I go by which ones have the most people that I am going to get opportunities from. What kinds of opportunities do you ask? People to sign up for my mailing lists, opportunities to speak on webinars or in person, leads for our social media marketing company, potential coaching clients, basically the same leads I am trying to get by writing targeted blog posts every day or so.

Notice I did not say sales. In service industries or big ticket training programs or expensive products, the chance that I will post something and someone will buy it on the spot are pretty slim. NOPE, social media marketing is about kissing the girl, not getting to third base on the first try! (thanks to that nice @garyvee for the Paradise By The Dashboard Light analogy)

Small Business Marketing Doodle

Social media marketing servicesOkay, most small biz owners are overwhelmed, disgusted or confused by social media. What is it, why do they need it and how should they fit it into their already busy schedule?

We work with small biz owners to help implement a social media marketing plan that will work for their company! Find out more about our social media marketing services or call today to talk with real live human being! 727-415-9165

Small Business Marketing Doodle
How Do They Make Money?

The next thing I check is how do they make money. Google makes money from selling advertising, Twitter has a less clear profit model, but they are working on it. Facebook sells ads and LinkedIn sells premium memberships with enhanced communication capabilities.

Little social networks that want to grow up to make lots of money need people. They will make VERY little on the front end and OOODLES when they have millions of users. Unfortunately, with the exception of the big 4, I have not found other social networks with lots of people yet. Not to say someone won’t come along BUT it doesn’t make sense for me TIMEWISE to join 100 little networks, hoping that they will grow.

I will give you a perfect example…Plaxo. Plaxo came along early and was very proactive about connecting with Facebook, in fact, you could have all your FB posts go over to Plaxo. Huh, not as many people, same stuff over there as is on Facebook….why not just use Facebook?

But Someone Asked Me To Join A Little Social Network and I Don’t Want To Disappoint Them!

Because I have big networks across multitudes of platforms, I get “invited” by other people to join other networks that they belong to. Little networks with nothing particular to set them apart from the big networks I have. Some warning signs of little networks that are not wise to spend your time on:

  • it is a “craigs list” style website – why not just use craigs list?
  • like facebook, with a little linkedin and some twitter thrown in – seriously? first off, having that many interfaces would be a nightmare to use and again – why not use the ACTUAL Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter?
  • NOT like Facebook, we focus on creating relationships with our members – Facebook COULD be about relationships if you choose to use it that way, so could Twitter and LinkedIn

So Do You HATE All Little Social Networks?

I do NOT hate little social networks with a purpose other than copying big social networks.

I have a client who started a social network for lightworkers and metaphysical people (who I believe are an underserved market) and is busting her ass to get members and grow her business. I belong to this and contribute to her offerings when I can BECAUSE her client base are people who fit well into the consultation and coaching part of my business.

There are some up and coming social networks I like a lot (some are tools for using with social networks but they have a social factor too!)

  • Pintrest – a visual kind of bulletin board where you share social stuff
  • Instagram – Mobile picture sharing site that works with Facebook
  • Spotify – for music sharing
  • Tumblr – a micro posting site (this one is a dark horse, have it on here because there are socially connected people pushing for it!)
  • Klout – tracking your social capitol and can share with others (I am writing a whole post about this one – keep your peepers open for it!)

So how did I pick this list? They are ones that come on my radar because friends use them or they get press or I just find them cool. That does NOT mean that I should spend all of my time growing friends and followers on them, but it does mean I will make an account and see how it goes, using them when I have time.

So let’s cut to the chase, if you are doing social media marketing and are focused on it as an aspect of brand building, networking and promoting your business, joining a million little social network wanna-bees does not make sense. What does make sense is to focus on the big 4 and have a smaller presence on a few smaller networks that make sense to you personally!

If you have a network that you ADORE and want to share here, please leave a comment and I will review it…we all may find a great new “place”! If you are just a spammer, I read all comments before publishing so don’t waste your time!!!

 

Filed Under: Business Inspiration Tagged With: business, marketing, networking

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