Week of June 29, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's topics include:
* Mid-Year Recession Busting - Linda Fayerweather
* What Makes a Good Email Message? – Authenticity - Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs are Energetically Responsible- Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution Diversify- Paula Fraizer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mid-Year Recession Busting
In 2 days, 2009 will have 50% of the year remaining. Last week we talked about Planning and Leveraging. This week you need to dust off your Vision or create one if you are lacking.
Having a long term vision is a must. A vision out three to five years will give you an opportunity to plan for the future instead of just ruminating on the present. Visions will be true to the Mission and Core Values of a firm but also will be lofty and sometimes cause staff to gasp. That gasp indicates you have stretched the challenged the status quo.
A good vision is:
~Long term - 3 to 10 years out
~Big and focused on success
~Written in the present test
~Identifies your passion, unique market position, niche and perfect customer
~Quantifiable - think revenue goal
~A written description of why you are building/growing this business.
A vision helps you GET over the past, LIVE in the present and PLAN for the future!
Check out Changing Lanes Workshops for building your business plan with a vision that works.
Next week – Have a Long Term Vision
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What makes a good email message? Part 3 – Authenticity
One of the best emails I’ve received in a long time is from an art teacher (Paul Brand) with whom I study. He doesn’t follow the rule of frequency and sticking to it. Instead he started his post off with “This is the first email in an occasional series of notes about my paintings and art related activities.” While this may not be of interest to you, it was to me. In his post he had a picture of a recent watercolor that he had finished. What’s better yet- he showed the photograph of the house he was painting and a description of the type of mood he was trying to capture in the art. Mind you the photograph of the house was extremely different from the painting itself. Yet, Paul “taught” me how I can let my imagination fly when painting in watercolors. The content was meaty and authentic because Paul is a teacher and a friend. His casual style of writing along with the inclusion of details from a family trip helped authenticate the post. If you would like to see an example of the post, simply email me at rebecca@rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com and I’ll forward it to you. It’s a perfect example of email marketing that works!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Inspired Entrepreneurs are Energetically Responsible
We are half way through the year, are you where you want to be in your business?
If you have not achieved the benchmarks that you intended for the first 6 months of the year, take a look at where YOU are focusing your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Your success does not come from outside of you, so you can’t blame anyone or anything not the economy, not your industry, not your employees if you are not where you want to be.
It’s time to take unqualified energetic responsibility for everything and move out of lower energy and into focusing your thoughts, feelings and actions on where you want to be. Become single minded in your approach to staying out of negativity. When you find yourself experiencing negative emotions, take a moment to center yourself, reread your company vision and mission statements and tap into the passion that you have for achieving your vision. That passion will help you take the necessary actions that will lead to achieving your 2009 intentions!
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com/
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com/
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
419-344-6613
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 8: DIVERSIFY YOUR CONTACTS
“A major key to success in building a powerful business network is diversity. The problem is that when you surround yourself with people that have similar contacts [and most of us do] you may find it hard to connect with new people or companies with whom you want to do business. If you limit yourself to that one circle of friends and colleagues, your business’s exposure will be finite – limited to that same circle of associates, and the people they know. This can be a recipe for the slow and painful death of your business!”
I hosted a workshop several weeks ago. Everyone in attendance looked…well…like me - suit on, hair done, laptop in tow and Blackberry in hand EXCEPT one guy. He had on uniform pants, work boots, a sweat shirt and had his hair pulled back in a pony tail. Almost no one talked to him. Why? Because he was different!
The one person that did take the time to connect with him, a very smart BNI Executive Director, had struck gold. He learned that Jeremy was an auto mechanic. He wasn’t just any auto mechanic; Jeremy was one of two Certified Master Porshe Mechanics in all of Southwestern Virginia. Do you think some of his clients may be part of our target market?
TAKE ACTION:
1. Attend a networking event.
2. Find a person in the room that no one is talking to and engage them.
3. After learning something about who they are and what they do, ask them to introduce you to someone in the room that THEY know. Diversity…here we come!
How much money are you leaving on the table by hanging out with people that are already connected to the majority of the people in your network? Get out there, meet someone new and start digging. You never know when you might strike GOLD!
Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula’s business networking articles have been published internationally. She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion – Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Mid-Year Recession Busting Part 2
Week of June 22, 2009
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's topics include:
* Mid-Year Recession Busting - Linda Fayerweather
* What Makes a Good Email Message? – Content - Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are - Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution - Paula Fraizer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mid-Year Recession Busting
In 8 days, 2009 will be 50% over or have 50% remaining depending on your view of the world. Last week we talked about being Consistent and Positive. This week you need to DO – Plan and Leverage.
Do plan and Leverage to be around and be sound. Refine and realign your business plan. Don’t have one, well, take the time to get it.
Do plan and leverage to utilize your staff, your contractors and your vendors to meet your business needs and growth projections.
Do plan and leverage your cash and credit. A budget that manages cash closely and manages credit even closer will keep your business frugal and leverage the time needed to adjust to the new economy.
What are you doing this week to Plan and Leverage?
Check out Changing Lanes Workshops for building your business plan.
http://www.changinglanes.biz/index.cfm?p=page&id=52
Next week – Have a Long Term Vision
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
PS If you are in Northwest Ohio and are looking to Recharge Your Plan, join me and others on June 24! A Great way to Re-Charge, Re-Energize and Re-Align your plan. Click here to --> ReCharge Your Plan Now
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Makes a Good Email Message? - Content
What makes a good email message? Part 2 – Content
Content is king. I receive the HARO (Help a Reporter Out) email 3-4 times a day. (I know, I know, you’re swearing at me right now because I told you last week that weekly might be too often. But hear me out…) HARO’s purpose is to hook reporters up with potential sources. It’s great for my business because it allows me to “give something more” to my clients by telling them about a story being written in their industry and what the reporter needs. The email itself is relatively ugly, but it’s rich in content.
The needs are broken down by Urgency;
Business/Finance; General;
Health/Fitness;
Lifestyle;
Technology and Travel.
Under each main heading is a 5-7 word description about the topic for which the reporter needs help. That mini-description is hot linked to the story summary that follows the skeleton of the email. Each summary lists the name of the reporter, the content, media outlet, geographic region, deadline and specific needs. This is all very valuable stuff to someone like me. So what can you learn from this?
Two things:
1) A valuable email doesn’t have to be glitzy and glamorous because
2) Content is king!
Deliver something your customer is looking for and content will trump design and even frequency!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attracts From Who They Are
The final step in the attraction process is for you to determine what you choose to improve. There may be things from step 3, what clients expect of you, that are not happening right now. For example, maybe you put that your clients expect you to be an expert in your field and right now you are not perceived that way. In step 4, you would write that down, along with everything else from step 3 that is not currently happening or not quite where you want it to be yet.
In effect, you are creating a list of things to work on with action steps to take to get you to where you want to be.
You can then focus on this list as you work on growing your business.
Be sure to spend time each day, reviewing all 4 steps in the attraction process. Before you know it, you’ll be working only with your perfect customers/clients.
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com/ [
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
419-344-6613
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 7: MASTER THE TOP 10 TRAITS
“Networking is more than just shaking hands and passing out business cards. Networking is really about building your ‘social capital,’ according to the results of a survey of more than 2,000 business people throughout the US, UK, Canada and Australia. The survey respondents rated [the] most highly rated traits related to developing and maintaining good relationships. ”
Here are the Top 10 Traits that characterize Master Networkers ranked in order of importance:
1. Timely follow up on referrals
2. Positive attitude
3. Enthusiasm and motivation
4. Trustworthiness
5. Good listening skills
6. Commitment to networking 24/7
7. Gratitude
8. Helpfulness
9. Sincerity
10. Dedicated to working your network
TAKE ACTION:
1. Take a brief inventory of your current skills, abilities, habits and attitudes.
2. Rank yourself on the above Top 10 Traits on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being the best). 50 is the maximum number of points. Have your referral partners do this exercise with you.
3. Identify and invest in a referral marketing workshop or program to strengthen your skills. Remember…work with an EXPERT! Visit http://www.referralinstitute.com/ for a list of trainers in your area and upcoming events.
Do you believe that the ELITE 29% of the population share many of these traits? I do! Which do you possess? What are you committed to doing to make the difference for you and your referral partners?
Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula’s business networking articles have been published internationally. She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion – Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Only
$10
Re-Charge, Re-Energize, Re-Align your Plan!
Join other forward thinking Business Owners in Northwest Ohio to get your plan re-aligned for 2009!
June 24 - Wednesday
4-6PM 90 Minutes of planning with Pat Altvater and Linda Fayerweather Refreshments provided by Owens Community College Culinary students.
Details at Re-Charge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's topics include:
* Mid-Year Recession Busting - Linda Fayerweather
* What Makes a Good Email Message? – Content - Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are - Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution - Paula Fraizer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mid-Year Recession Busting
In 8 days, 2009 will be 50% over or have 50% remaining depending on your view of the world. Last week we talked about being Consistent and Positive. This week you need to DO – Plan and Leverage.
Do plan and Leverage to be around and be sound. Refine and realign your business plan. Don’t have one, well, take the time to get it.
Do plan and leverage to utilize your staff, your contractors and your vendors to meet your business needs and growth projections.
Do plan and leverage your cash and credit. A budget that manages cash closely and manages credit even closer will keep your business frugal and leverage the time needed to adjust to the new economy.
What are you doing this week to Plan and Leverage?
Check out Changing Lanes Workshops for building your business plan.
http://www.changinglanes.biz/index.cfm?p=page&id=52
Next week – Have a Long Term Vision
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
http://www.changinglanes.biz/
PS If you are in Northwest Ohio and are looking to Recharge Your Plan, join me and others on June 24! A Great way to Re-Charge, Re-Energize and Re-Align your plan. Click here to --> ReCharge Your Plan Now
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What Makes a Good Email Message? - Content
What makes a good email message? Part 2 – Content
Content is king. I receive the HARO (Help a Reporter Out) email 3-4 times a day. (I know, I know, you’re swearing at me right now because I told you last week that weekly might be too often. But hear me out…) HARO’s purpose is to hook reporters up with potential sources. It’s great for my business because it allows me to “give something more” to my clients by telling them about a story being written in their industry and what the reporter needs. The email itself is relatively ugly, but it’s rich in content.
The needs are broken down by Urgency;
Business/Finance; General;
Health/Fitness;
Lifestyle;
Technology and Travel.
Under each main heading is a 5-7 word description about the topic for which the reporter needs help. That mini-description is hot linked to the story summary that follows the skeleton of the email. Each summary lists the name of the reporter, the content, media outlet, geographic region, deadline and specific needs. This is all very valuable stuff to someone like me. So what can you learn from this?
Two things:
1) A valuable email doesn’t have to be glitzy and glamorous because
2) Content is king!
Deliver something your customer is looking for and content will trump design and even frequency!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
http://www.marketinginabox.biz/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attracts From Who They Are
The final step in the attraction process is for you to determine what you choose to improve. There may be things from step 3, what clients expect of you, that are not happening right now. For example, maybe you put that your clients expect you to be an expert in your field and right now you are not perceived that way. In step 4, you would write that down, along with everything else from step 3 that is not currently happening or not quite where you want it to be yet.
In effect, you are creating a list of things to work on with action steps to take to get you to where you want to be.
You can then focus on this list as you work on growing your business.
Be sure to spend time each day, reviewing all 4 steps in the attraction process. Before you know it, you’ll be working only with your perfect customers/clients.
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com/ [
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com/
419-344-6613
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 7: MASTER THE TOP 10 TRAITS
“Networking is more than just shaking hands and passing out business cards. Networking is really about building your ‘social capital,’ according to the results of a survey of more than 2,000 business people throughout the US, UK, Canada and Australia. The survey respondents rated [the] most highly rated traits related to developing and maintaining good relationships. ”
Here are the Top 10 Traits that characterize Master Networkers ranked in order of importance:
1. Timely follow up on referrals
2. Positive attitude
3. Enthusiasm and motivation
4. Trustworthiness
5. Good listening skills
6. Commitment to networking 24/7
7. Gratitude
8. Helpfulness
9. Sincerity
10. Dedicated to working your network
TAKE ACTION:
1. Take a brief inventory of your current skills, abilities, habits and attitudes.
2. Rank yourself on the above Top 10 Traits on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 being the best). 50 is the maximum number of points. Have your referral partners do this exercise with you.
3. Identify and invest in a referral marketing workshop or program to strengthen your skills. Remember…work with an EXPERT! Visit http://www.referralinstitute.com/ for a list of trainers in your area and upcoming events.
Do you believe that the ELITE 29% of the population share many of these traits? I do! Which do you possess? What are you committed to doing to make the difference for you and your referral partners?
Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula’s business networking articles have been published internationally. She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion – Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Have a profitable week.
Linda Fayerweather, Editor
Changing Lanes LLC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Only
$10
Re-Charge, Re-Energize, Re-Align your Plan!
Join other forward thinking Business Owners in Northwest Ohio to get your plan re-aligned for 2009!
June 24 - Wednesday
4-6PM 90 Minutes of planning with Pat Altvater and Linda Fayerweather Refreshments provided by Owens Community College Culinary students.
Details at Re-Charge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Lacking focus? Ask yourself "Is what I’m doing now aligned with my No. 1 goal?" If not - stop doing that! Recharge your Business http://ping.fm/txknN
Monday, June 15, 2009
Mid-Year Recession Busting
Week of June 15, 2009 This week's topics include:
* Recession Busting - Linda Fayerweather
* What Makes a Good Email - Frequenfcy - Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are - Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution - Paula Fraizer
Recession Busting In 15 days, 2009 will be 50% over or have 50% remaining depending on your view of the world.
The recession continues to linger and getting off the sidelines needs to happen so your business is poised to rebound.
Taking a three pronged approach the next 3 weeks my help you refine your plan to bounce out of this recession.
1. Be Consistent and Positive
2. Do Plan and Leverage
3. Have a Long Term Vision
Being consistent and positive in our actions and messages requires us to be vigilant. Consistency helps our customers feel we will be there next week, next month and next year. Whining about the economy to customers may give them reason to shop around.
Being consistent and positive with our employees doesn't mean we sugar-coat and not share the gravity of the situation. On the contrary, they need to be part of the team, part of the process and some will have information and ideas that are part of the solution.
Be consistent and positive with where you spend time! Last week I was at my Maumee Chamber of Commerce luncheon and part of our program includes a briefing from the City Manager about the state of the city. My city has many positive things happening and, yes, there are some issues, but the over all theme is "this recession will end" and my city will be ready!
What are you doing this week to being consistent and positive? Check out my PS for one idea.
Next week - Do, Plan and Leverage.
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
PS If you are in Northwest Ohio and are looking to Recharge Your Plan, join me and others on June 24! A Great way to Re-Charge, Re-Energize and Re-Align your plan. Click here to --> ReCharge Your Plan Now
What Makes a Good Email Message ? - Frequency Last week we discussed opting out of those pesky sales emails that fill your inbox each morning. Today let's look at what makes an effective email marketing campaign.As you know you want to have top-of-mind awareness for your business with your target market.
Does this mean you send daily emails to people? No - you'll become the "little boy who called 'Wolf'" with this tactic. Instead use your blog or be active in social media to get your voice heard.
If your clients value what you have to say, they'll read your blog at the frequency they want. If you do use email marketing as a part of your marketing strategy, decide how many times you're going to send it out and stick to it. Weekly is quite a daunting task if you're the only person writing the piece and that could be too many touches for your client/prospect.A good place to start is to ask your customers/prospects how often they'd like to receive your posts and what types of information they need. Then work the plan!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
www.marketinginabox.biz
The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attracts From Who They Are In Step 3 of the client attraction process, you get to choose what you'd like your clients to expect of you by making a list of expectations!
This is the fun part.
Do you want them to expect that you only work 4 days a week - great, put that down!
Do you want them to expect that you are an expert in your field - then write that down.
You do not necessarily write down things as they are happening now, but how you WANT it to be in your business.
Get really clear and write down, not just what you are here to offer, but the WAY you will offer it.
You are basically placing an order for how you want to deliver your product or service, how you want to be perceived, how much you want to charge, how successful you want to be, etc. You no longer have to work with people that are not a fit for you because your ideal client will want what you want!Remember however that you must be energetically congruent - you can't expect to work 4 days a week, for example, but then expect someone you do business with to be open 24/7 (unless that's the nature of their business).
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
29% Solution
Dear MMM Readers,As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I've found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 6: CREATE A NETWORK RELATIONSHIP DATABASE "QUICK! NAME THE 100 PEOPLE who have had the greatest impact on the growth of your business. Can you list them all from memory? Can you recite their birthdays and anniversaries and the names of their top 100 contacts?"
If you can do all that you probably don't need [to read] this part of the book...[I'm] guessing that your powers of recollection are in the 'mere mortal' range - like the rest of us - and that you need some tools to keep all those details straight about your business network relationships. Luckily for all of us, such tools are easily accessible..."To support your referral marketing efforts your CRM (contact relationship management) system should at least track:
1. Basic contact information
2. Referrals given and received for each specific person
3. Revenue realized as a result of each referral
4. Specific ways you help people and they help you
5. How often you meet
6. Your weekly activities - speaking opportunities, networking events attended, follow up phone calls, thank you cards mailed, etc.
7. Other valuable information for each individual - goals, accomplishments, personal interests, associations/organizations they participate in, birthdays, anniversaries...whatever they share with you that you'd like to recall later.
The system you choose should also provide reports that will offer the results of your daily/weekly activities so you can keep doing what works and STOP doing what doesn't work. Many times you will begin to see your successful sales and marketing sequences - the series of events that typically move your relationships from credibility to profitability with your prospects AND with your referral partners!
TAKE ACTION:
1. Select a method to help you track your business relationships and your activities.Yes! It can be a manual system. Pick a way that works best for you - on line or off line.
2. Create your database. Start with your most active relationships and recent activities.
3. Check out www.Relate2Profit.com. It's my method of choice.
Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula's business networking articles have been published internationally.She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion - Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com
* Recession Busting - Linda Fayerweather
* What Makes a Good Email - Frequenfcy - Rebecca Booth
* The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are - Pat Altvater
* 29% Solution - Paula Fraizer
Recession Busting In 15 days, 2009 will be 50% over or have 50% remaining depending on your view of the world.
The recession continues to linger and getting off the sidelines needs to happen so your business is poised to rebound.
Taking a three pronged approach the next 3 weeks my help you refine your plan to bounce out of this recession.
1. Be Consistent and Positive
2. Do Plan and Leverage
3. Have a Long Term Vision
Being consistent and positive in our actions and messages requires us to be vigilant. Consistency helps our customers feel we will be there next week, next month and next year. Whining about the economy to customers may give them reason to shop around.
Being consistent and positive with our employees doesn't mean we sugar-coat and not share the gravity of the situation. On the contrary, they need to be part of the team, part of the process and some will have information and ideas that are part of the solution.
Be consistent and positive with where you spend time! Last week I was at my Maumee Chamber of Commerce luncheon and part of our program includes a briefing from the City Manager about the state of the city. My city has many positive things happening and, yes, there are some issues, but the over all theme is "this recession will end" and my city will be ready!
What are you doing this week to being consistent and positive? Check out my PS for one idea.
Next week - Do, Plan and Leverage.
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
What's working in your Business?
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
PS If you are in Northwest Ohio and are looking to Recharge Your Plan, join me and others on June 24! A Great way to Re-Charge, Re-Energize and Re-Align your plan. Click here to --> ReCharge Your Plan Now
What Makes a Good Email Message ? - Frequency Last week we discussed opting out of those pesky sales emails that fill your inbox each morning. Today let's look at what makes an effective email marketing campaign.As you know you want to have top-of-mind awareness for your business with your target market.
Does this mean you send daily emails to people? No - you'll become the "little boy who called 'Wolf'" with this tactic. Instead use your blog or be active in social media to get your voice heard.
If your clients value what you have to say, they'll read your blog at the frequency they want. If you do use email marketing as a part of your marketing strategy, decide how many times you're going to send it out and stick to it. Weekly is quite a daunting task if you're the only person writing the piece and that could be too many touches for your client/prospect.A good place to start is to ask your customers/prospects how often they'd like to receive your posts and what types of information they need. Then work the plan!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
www.marketinginabox.biz
The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attracts From Who They Are In Step 3 of the client attraction process, you get to choose what you'd like your clients to expect of you by making a list of expectations!
This is the fun part.
Do you want them to expect that you only work 4 days a week - great, put that down!
Do you want them to expect that you are an expert in your field - then write that down.
You do not necessarily write down things as they are happening now, but how you WANT it to be in your business.
Get really clear and write down, not just what you are here to offer, but the WAY you will offer it.
You are basically placing an order for how you want to deliver your product or service, how you want to be perceived, how much you want to charge, how successful you want to be, etc. You no longer have to work with people that are not a fit for you because your ideal client will want what you want!Remember however that you must be energetically congruent - you can't expect to work 4 days a week, for example, but then expect someone you do business with to be open 24/7 (unless that's the nature of their business).
Copyright 2009 Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
29% Solution
Dear MMM Readers,As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I've found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 6: CREATE A NETWORK RELATIONSHIP DATABASE "QUICK! NAME THE 100 PEOPLE who have had the greatest impact on the growth of your business. Can you list them all from memory? Can you recite their birthdays and anniversaries and the names of their top 100 contacts?"
If you can do all that you probably don't need [to read] this part of the book...[I'm] guessing that your powers of recollection are in the 'mere mortal' range - like the rest of us - and that you need some tools to keep all those details straight about your business network relationships. Luckily for all of us, such tools are easily accessible..."To support your referral marketing efforts your CRM (contact relationship management) system should at least track:
1. Basic contact information
2. Referrals given and received for each specific person
3. Revenue realized as a result of each referral
4. Specific ways you help people and they help you
5. How often you meet
6. Your weekly activities - speaking opportunities, networking events attended, follow up phone calls, thank you cards mailed, etc.
7. Other valuable information for each individual - goals, accomplishments, personal interests, associations/organizations they participate in, birthdays, anniversaries...whatever they share with you that you'd like to recall later.
The system you choose should also provide reports that will offer the results of your daily/weekly activities so you can keep doing what works and STOP doing what doesn't work. Many times you will begin to see your successful sales and marketing sequences - the series of events that typically move your relationships from credibility to profitability with your prospects AND with your referral partners!
TAKE ACTION:
1. Select a method to help you track your business relationships and your activities.Yes! It can be a manual system. Pick a way that works best for you - on line or off line.
2. Create your database. Start with your most active relationships and recent activities.
3. Check out www.Relate2Profit.com. It's my method of choice.
Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula's business networking articles have been published internationally.She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion - Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com
Monday, June 08, 2009
Distractions
Monday Morning Motivators – June 8, 2009
Enjoy your java with an eclectic collection of tips and ideas to use today and to get energized for the week ahead. Subscribing and unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“Clutter is postponed decisions. –Barbara K. Hemphill
Table of Contents
1. Time Management for Slackers VI - Linda Fayerweather
2. Stymied by Too Many Emails? - Rebecca Booth
3. The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are - Pat Altvater
4. 29% Solution - Paula Frazier
5. Fine Print
1. Time Management for Slackers VI
FIND AND USE HEALTHY DISTRACTIONS: The apple break has always been a favorite of mine. When you are feeling sluggish, can’t finish the task or just having really heavy eyelids, it is time for a break. Taking a walk in the summer sun or rain; crunching an apple or some carrots, even taking a lunch break away from your desk can be a wonderful time management tool. So often when we feel overworked or overwhelmed, our brains hear us and check out! Making a healthy choice to step back, relax and revive can mean a huge difference in meeting your deadline.
Review:
Week One! GET MOVING
Week Two! KNOW YOUR PERSONAL CLOCK
Week Three! START WITH SOMETHING FUN
Week Four! RENAME THE UGLIES
Week Five! SLOW DOWN
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
Outsource your Weaknesses
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
2. Stymied by Too Many Emails?
Were you crazed by the number of emails in your inbox this morning? Take control of your email by unsubscribing to those emails that you’re not interested in. Every legitimate email marketer gives you an “out” for getting off their email list. Many of them will ask you why you’re opting out. Leave them the feedback. For instance I started getting emails from a local restaurant on Friday. By this morning there were 2 more emails in my in box regarding their restaurant. While I love the restaurant this is too many touches in such a short time span. While you’re unsubscribing today take note of why you’re doing so and what marketing lesson can be learned here. Delete!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
www.marketinginabox.biz
3. The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are
In step 2 of the attraction process, you determine what energizes or excites your ideal client. Answer questions like:
• What’s important to them?
• What do they want to achieve?
• What can’t they live without?
Your ideal client is someone just like you; in fact, they are a version of you since we attract from who we are and how we feel about ourselves and our life. So think about what energizes you and why? What can’t you live without – is it passion, challenge, commitment, creativity, etc. Once you have identified this for yourself, it most likely applies as well to your perfect client too.
Finally, passionately think about what energizes you. Sometimes as entrepreneurs we get drawn out of our passion by the everyday activities we do, so focus on energizing yourself each day and you’ll find that the clients that are a match to your energy, will flock to you!
Copyright 2009 by Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
419-344-6613
4. 29% Solution
Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 5: GIVE TO OTHERS FIRST
“Why give to others first? The reason is simple. In order for any relationship to develop and stand the test of time it must be beneficial to both parties…Think about it. What’s one of the most valued commodities in business? Time! No one can stand the thought of wasting time because there’s never enough of it. So if it turns out that a relationship is only one-sided what has been wasted? Valuable time.”
“(Furthermore) by giving to others first, you take the initial step in building two-way, win-win networking relationships. You’re being proactive and positive. You’re leading by example, modeling the behavior you hope others will adopt.”
How do you know what to give your referral partners? Ask them! One of the easiest ways to waste everyone’s precious time is to try and read each other’s mind. Consider scheduling regular monthly meetings to let each other know exactly what your current needs are and agree to specific actions to help and support one another.
TAKE ACTION:
1. Schedule a monthly meeting with each of your referral partners. End each meeting by identifying and agreeing to a specific “To Do” for each other.
2. Invest in 3 card carriers from the office supplier you’re in relationship with. Fill them full of your referral partner’s cards so that you’re ready to refer at a moment’s notice. Keep one on your desk, one in your briefcase and one in your car.
3. Read page 38 of The 29% Solution for a bonus idea!
I know that it’s tempting to net-TALK, net-EAT and net-DRINK when you get together with people you know. After all, you’ve agreed to become referral partners because you actually like and respect each other. You already have a strong personal and business relationship. Remember to stay focused during your monthly meetings and do what you agree to do or you will net-NOTHING when it comes to your referral relationship!
Copyright 2009 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula’s business networking articles have been published internationally. She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion – Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com
Enjoy your java with an eclectic collection of tips and ideas to use today and to get energized for the week ahead. Subscribing and unsubscribing at www.mondaymorningmotivators.com
“Clutter is postponed decisions. –Barbara K. Hemphill
Table of Contents
1. Time Management for Slackers VI - Linda Fayerweather
2. Stymied by Too Many Emails? - Rebecca Booth
3. The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are - Pat Altvater
4. 29% Solution - Paula Frazier
5. Fine Print
1. Time Management for Slackers VI
FIND AND USE HEALTHY DISTRACTIONS: The apple break has always been a favorite of mine. When you are feeling sluggish, can’t finish the task or just having really heavy eyelids, it is time for a break. Taking a walk in the summer sun or rain; crunching an apple or some carrots, even taking a lunch break away from your desk can be a wonderful time management tool. So often when we feel overworked or overwhelmed, our brains hear us and check out! Making a healthy choice to step back, relax and revive can mean a huge difference in meeting your deadline.
Review:
Week One! GET MOVING
Week Two! KNOW YOUR PERSONAL CLOCK
Week Three! START WITH SOMETHING FUN
Week Four! RENAME THE UGLIES
Week Five! SLOW DOWN
Copyright 2009 Linda Fayerweather
Outsource your Weaknesses
Changing Lanes LLC
www.ChangingLanes.biz
2. Stymied by Too Many Emails?
Were you crazed by the number of emails in your inbox this morning? Take control of your email by unsubscribing to those emails that you’re not interested in. Every legitimate email marketer gives you an “out” for getting off their email list. Many of them will ask you why you’re opting out. Leave them the feedback. For instance I started getting emails from a local restaurant on Friday. By this morning there were 2 more emails in my in box regarding their restaurant. While I love the restaurant this is too many touches in such a short time span. While you’re unsubscribing today take note of why you’re doing so and what marketing lesson can be learned here. Delete!
Copyright 2009 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
Celebrating 10 years of delivering results for our clients.
www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com
www.marketinginabox.biz
3. The Inspired Entrepreneurs Attract From Who They Are
In step 2 of the attraction process, you determine what energizes or excites your ideal client. Answer questions like:
• What’s important to them?
• What do they want to achieve?
• What can’t they live without?
Your ideal client is someone just like you; in fact, they are a version of you since we attract from who we are and how we feel about ourselves and our life. So think about what energizes you and why? What can’t you live without – is it passion, challenge, commitment, creativity, etc. Once you have identified this for yourself, it most likely applies as well to your perfect client too.
Finally, passionately think about what energizes you. Sometimes as entrepreneurs we get drawn out of our passion by the everyday activities we do, so focus on energizing yourself each day and you’ll find that the clients that are a match to your energy, will flock to you!
Copyright 2009 by Pat Altvater
Transforming Bodies and Minds
http://www.outsmartweight.com
http://www.transformationsinstitute.com
http://www.ignitethepowerwithinbook.com
419-344-6613
4. 29% Solution
Dear MMM Readers,
As someone that relies completely on word-of-mouth to build my businesses, I’ve found The 29% Solution, written by leading referral marketing expert Dr. Ivan Misner, to be instrumental in my success. He offers 52 weekly networking success strategies (one per week) and specific actions to take to experience success through focused, purposeful networking efforts. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming weeks.
WEEK 5: GIVE TO OTHERS FIRST
“Why give to others first? The reason is simple. In order for any relationship to develop and stand the test of time it must be beneficial to both parties…Think about it. What’s one of the most valued commodities in business? Time! No one can stand the thought of wasting time because there’s never enough of it. So if it turns out that a relationship is only one-sided what has been wasted? Valuable time.”
“(Furthermore) by giving to others first, you take the initial step in building two-way, win-win networking relationships. You’re being proactive and positive. You’re leading by example, modeling the behavior you hope others will adopt.”
How do you know what to give your referral partners? Ask them! One of the easiest ways to waste everyone’s precious time is to try and read each other’s mind. Consider scheduling regular monthly meetings to let each other know exactly what your current needs are and agree to specific actions to help and support one another.
TAKE ACTION:
1. Schedule a monthly meeting with each of your referral partners. End each meeting by identifying and agreeing to a specific “To Do” for each other.
2. Invest in 3 card carriers from the office supplier you’re in relationship with. Fill them full of your referral partner’s cards so that you’re ready to refer at a moment’s notice. Keep one on your desk, one in your briefcase and one in your car.
3. Read page 38 of The 29% Solution for a bonus idea!
I know that it’s tempting to net-TALK, net-EAT and net-DRINK when you get together with people you know. After all, you’ve agreed to become referral partners because you actually like and respect each other. You already have a strong personal and business relationship. Remember to stay focused during your monthly meetings and do what you agree to do or you will net-NOTHING when it comes to your referral relationship!
Copyright 2009 Paula Frazier is a referral marketing trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. She is an Executive Director for BNI and part of a select team of Master Trainers for Referral Institute. Paula’s business networking articles have been published internationally. She is also acknowledged in the New York Times best seller, Truth or Delusion – Busting Networkings Biggest Myths. Check out #33, Delusion with a twist! Paula can be contacted at paula@referralinstitute-va.com
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