How To Expand Your Circle in 2013

As a follow-up to my last post, ("Network Expansion Starts With Relationships"),   I was asked to discuss how one should go about expanding their circle.  Expansion should be an ongoing effort, whether personal or business related, but it is definitely a business building requirement.  This past month I’ve done just that…expanded my circle.  Here’s how you can expand yours:

1. Sell yourself –Treat yourself like a business. Or as my older brother would say, "treat yourself like a brand”. Everywhere I go I’m talking about what I'm doing to make the world a better place, starting with my family, expanding to my community, and even nationally (by doing something as simple as exercising my right to vote!).   I rarely speak about my entrepreneurship until someone specifically asks me, which happens more often than not. (That's when the importance of having your elevator speech ready is manifested!)   Share your story---give people your elevator speech. Pull them in so that they want to know more about you. When people leave you they should feel energized and excited about what’s in store.

2. You want to know people that know people that KNOW PEOPLE!  Who are you connected to? Where are they going? Can they get you from point A to B, if B is just to far? You have to network. There are a lot of people that I don’t know personally, however, I know tens of thousands of people through my network. It’s not what you know; it knowing WHO can get the door opened for you so that you can share what you know.  

3. Speak Up – You can’t attract people if you’re quiet.
 

4. Ask for help – One of the smartest things I credit myself for doing is asking for others to assist me. I will gladly use all my brain power and the brain power I can borrow. A lot of people are looking for others to mentor; align yourself with them but be sure they know what they are talking about. If you want to be financially secure, stop taking advice from someone who is always $2 dollars short.
 

5. Be approachable – would YOU want to meet YOU? You can describe a picture with a 1000 words but some pictures say 1000 things. We have to be mindful of not only our appearance but the energy we give off as well.

The Take Away:   No one will ever sell you as well as you. So get out there and sell yourself. The road to success is not one that has to be traveled alone. Connect yourself with other people with similar dreams. Make the commitment to strengthen your networking skills, and enjoy the expansion of your circle in this new year!   

~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2013. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Network Expansion Starts With Relationships

If your future were determined solely off the network of friends you have now, would you trade them in? If every job or college interview depended not off of your performance, but your friends, how would it turn out for you? Now that I have your attention, are you at least thinking about it? As a headstrong teen-ager who got into a L-O-T (!) of trouble with my friends, my Grandmother used to always tell me: “Show me your friends and I will show you your future.”  It made no sense to me at the time, however, the notion of being guilty by association has surrounded us for years. And although not a 100% accurate, the assumption is usually true. As an adult, I came to consider Granny's saying as golden wisdom. It has helped me establish a standard to measure if my own friendships were propelling me forward or keeping me at a stand still. Fortunately for me, I’m surrounded by a circle of individuals that challenge me to push myself everyday. Sadly, this is not everyone’s situation. While some have a great support system, many don’t. People that do not want to see others succeed or accomplish their dreams surround many. 

Most of us spend too much time holding on to bad or damaged relationships due to the fact that they are in our circle of influence. Superficial relationships cause more harm to you than being honest with yourself and ridding yourself of negative relationships. Of course, we all NEED to experience some negatives in order to learn that we have a choice. 

If I’m doing my job correctly you may be asking yourself the following two questions: What do I do? Do I find a new network of friends? My suggestion is that if you find yourself being loyal to people who are not loyal to you, you must move. If every time you share your dream and they kill it, you must move. If you are the smartest person in your circle, you must move. You must move in order to expand your network. 

This is not a piece to motivate you to end all friendships, however, I hope that it prompts you to ask yourself what your future will look like based on those you call friend. One thing I know for sure: You can’t change your friends, but you can change your network.

 ~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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The Value of Proof Reading

Nothing hurts the image of a brand (mine, yours, and even "big" businesses!) like a misplaced apostrophe or glaring spelling error.   

Before launching articles, items for sale, or even a blog post on your website, be sure to do a thorough proofread of every page of web copy to check for errors yourself, or even pass the copy on to a friend or colleague who can double-check your work.  

If you’re not a confident writer, it may be worthwhile investing in the services of a professional editor who can re-frame your words in a more polished tone.   

Happy writing!

 ~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2012. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Online Marketing Errors You Can Avoid

While it's true that many entrepreneurs have used the Internet to build lucrative businesses and better lifestyles, for every successful marketer, there are hundreds who never even make enough money to break even.  We can all avoid being a part of this unfortunate majority by learning from the mistakes and strategies of successful marketers. This posting outlines a few of the worse online marketing mistakes that are considered the leading leading causes of failure in the online industry.........

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Business Breadcrumbs....

So....you're a solopreneur. You're the bookkeeper/accountant, CEO, secretary and janitor all rolled into one, right? Me, too! The only difference in us is that I'm very clear that the way I pay myself each month, which would probably NOT be endorsed by your bookkeeper or accountant. It IS unorthodox, but then again, the way most solopreneurs pay themselves is by seeing what is leftover after paying all of their expenses. What happens if there is nothing leftover?

Stress. Defeat. Struggle. Lack.

I used to be guilty of accepting the breadcrumbs of my business, too. I thought that everyone else should get the money before I did if I were being a "responsible" business owner. Now I know better. Paying yourself last is just a practice (sometimes hard to break) that will never grow your business.

If your intent is to see how much is leftover after expenses, there is no power in that. You get what you get. Some weeks and months may be fine, others----not so much. The best thing you can do to increase your income is to begin paying yourself off the top. You may feel a bit squeamish at first, but pick an amount that feels safe and decide that this month you are cutting yourself a check first, no matter what.

Once you do it a couple of times, you’ll notice that your income always covers that amount in addition to your expenses. Why? Because you’ve made a powerful decision that you are of value. Plus, isn’t it rewarding to see money coming into your account consistently?

Now, it’s time to bump it up. How much do you need to increase your paycheck to feel more ease and freedom with money?

You don't need a coach, nor a blueprint to begin your path to true abundance. Simply start paying yourself FIRST---whether it's $10, $100, or even $1,000 each pay period. Put the money in your "personal" savings bank account. If you see money in there it feels abundant and therefore you’ll feel more secure about money. The payoff is feeling secure, successful and raising your vibration to attract more. You’re tithing to yourself.

The first time I did this, it resonated with me in such a way that I decided to revamp my business plan and make it a business priority! I began adding more money into my savings each month. Not my retirement accounts, just a plain old savings account at my credit union. In just a few short months, I had saved more money than I ever had before! I was paying myself before my expenses, even when I knew I might not make all the payments on my expenses. But guess what? There was always enough money to do it all!

You change your wealth setpoint by paying yourself first. Being the realist that I am, I don't cut myself a check every month in the same amount. I just pull out whatever amount that I’m inspired to----but I always leave my "cushion" in the account.

Here’s another key point in paying yourself...give yourself enough to start taking action on the things you’ve been craving but have felt you don’t have enough money to pursue. For instance, I’m hot and heavy into renovating different rooms of our house. So, I’ll see how much the new light fixture, paint, bar stools, etc., will cost, and then decide that I’m going to pay myself enough to buy them. I have a list of all the items and services we need to complete our house in a very strategic order. And I follow my plan.

I’ll do the same with things I want to invest in for my business, like a website makeover or hiring a consultant. If you wait to make more money before you shift your expectations, you’ll be waiting a long time. This is where having a business plan comes into play--- you can tweek it as you build your business, while staying true to the reason(s) WHY you decided to start a business in the first place. Refer back to your business plan during the year so that you’re not randomly spending money.

Now, I’m not promoting spending ALL your money on stuff you want all at once. Balance is good. And, I AWLAYS have an intention that I will pay myself and everyone else in my accounts payable. I’m very clear that there is no other option. And so I prove myself right every time.

When you decide HOW you will spend your money, you’ll increase your overall vibe about profits. Start small until you can trust the process and you see positive evidence that you have more than enough money for all of it.

Then keep stretching your expectations about how much you want to see in your personal bank account.

No more breadcrumbs, no excuses,  and leftovers. Pay yourself first. You deserve it.


~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Advertising Online

A well-known cartoon shows two dogs in front of a computer. The caption reads, "On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog."

While the cartoon is amusing, the reality is not. The inherent anonymity of the Internet has fostered a number of questionable advertising and marketing practices, such as unsolicited email spam. Over the past decade, Federal and state governments have passed advertising laws that protect consumer privacy and ensure fair and truthful advertising practices online.

If you plan to advertise online -- whether you're buying ads on search engines or direct marketing through email -- you'll need to understand some basic rules. Go to these resources to learn more:

1. Advertising and Marketing on the Internet: Rules of the Road: Discusses the applicability of federal advertising laws to Internet advertising and marketing.

2. Dot Com Disclosures: Describes information businesses should consider as they develop online ads to ensure that they comply with the law.

3. CAN-SPAM Act: Requirements for Businesses

Details the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act), which establishes requirements for those who send commercial email. It also spells out penalties for spammers and companies whose products are advertised in spam if they violate the law, and gives consumers the right to ask emailers to stop spamming them. Commercial email messages must include: notice that the message is an advertisement or solicitation, an opt-out notice, and a valid postal address of the sender. CAN-SPAM also prohibits falsification of transmission information and deceptive subject headings. The Act creates criminal prohibitions against those who knowingly transmit spam through others' computers without authorization. The Federal Trade Commission may also pursue individuals who knowingly hire others to send deceptive spam.

4. "Remove Me" Responses and Responsibilities

Explains the truthful requirements for claims that you make in any advertisement for your products or services, including those sent by email. This means that you must honor any promises you make to remove consumers from email mailing lists.

Some marketers send email as a quick and cheap way to promote their goods and services. Be aware that the claims that you make in any advertisement for your products or services, including those sent by email, must be truthful.

If your email solicitations claim that consumers can opt-out of receiving future messages by following your removal instructions, such as "click here to unsubscribe" or "reply for removal," then the removal options must function as you claim. That means any hyperlinks in the email message must be active and the unsubscribe process must work. Keep in mind:

* You should review the removal claims made in your email solicitations to ensure that you are complying with any representations that you make.

* If you provide consumers a hyperlink for removal, then that hyperlink should be accessible by consumers.

* If you provide an email address for removal, then that address should be functioning and capable of receiving removal requests. It may be deceptive to claim that consumers can "unsubscribe" by responding to a "dead" email address.

* Any system in place to handle unsubscribe requests should process those requests in an effective manner.

The Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits unfair or deceptive advertising in any medium, including in email. That is, advertising must tell the truth and not mislead consumers. A claim can be misleading if it implies something that's not true or if it omits information necessary to keep the claims from bring misleading.

Other points to consider if you market through commercial email:

* Disclaimers and disclosures must be clear and conspicuous. That is, consumers must be able to notice, read or hear, and understand the information. Still, a disclaimer or disclosure alone usually is NOT enough to remedy a false or deceptive claim.

* If you promised refunds to dissatisfied customers, you must make them.

The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Watch a video, How to File a Complaint, at ftc.gov/video to learn more.

The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Make sure that your marketing emails are designed to protect your business AND your customers. The last thing a business owner needs is to be hit with an FTC complaint while growing their business.

Happy Marketing!



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 5

Online networking/social web sites: Are they really networking and are they really working?

You can find them everywhere on the Internet. Based on contact management, they are direct in messaging, emailing, and even in the six degrees of separation. They go by many different names and have various methods of finding people. The problem with these sites is that they are not really networking. Do you disagree?

To be effective in networking requires building a relationship with another person. This is difficult to do through messages and email. If you have ever had a discussion with a person through email or instant messaging, have you ever been in a situation where you had to actually pick up the phone to find out what a person was really talking about? I have. All because the tone of the email seemed to be filled with discontent about one of my products. Yet, when I actually spoke to the customer, the issue was actually with his postal delivery service. My customer ("Mr. Smith") later told me that his postal carrier had an emergency that day, causing his delivery to be late. That entire situation was out of my control, and I'm glad that I took the initiative to call him and found out what was really going on. "Mr. Smith" has increased my sales 30 percent simply by repeating this story to his friends and family. I call that a win-win!

In relationships conversation is extremely important. The communication is key. The thing that we may not really pay attention to is the importance of tonal inflection in the voice and the added benefits of body language in expressing ourselves. These are the things that online networking is lacking.

Since the most important aspect of having a relationship with another person is based in trust, it is difficult to develop trust in someone that you have never seen nor heard. It is even more difficult to get a person to do business with you without some type of face to face contact.

With this in mind, will these web sites last or are they merely a passing craze? Are they popular simply because we are looking for success in any way that it might come to us? Time will tell.

It is my advice that if you are looking for new contacts, step away from the desk and out into the community. Online networking is less effective for getting business than it is putting your resume online to get a job. All of the people are faceless and voiceless and no one really wants to do business with an email. Or do they? With the thousands of people out there who are selling what you need, including those in your own community, how do you decide what to buy? My guess is that you're like me and end up buying most premium products and services from someone that you have met in person, whether that person is the Company's owner, or a salesperson. I am, of course, excluding buying products through an online store.

So then... what is the future of online networking? You are in control of it. Please take a moment and leave a comment on your opinion of online networking. Is it really working for you? Please be sure to tell me if you have ever gotten any business from it exclusively.



~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 4

What is a leads group? Leads groups seem to be the most popular form of networking judging that comment by the fact that there are more leads groups in existence that have been around for a long time than most other types of groups.

Leads groups are often referred to as closed groups. This means that there can only be one type of a business represented in a group. For instance, I'm a member of a closed group where I am the only writer in the group. Other freelance writers would be allowed to visit, but if they wanted to join the organization they would have to find a group that did not already have a writer. If there was no opening in an existing group for a writer, the person would have to go on a waiting list until an opening became available, or a new group was formed. This system eliminates competition, as there is one specialist in each group. Which works out super good for me because my graphic design skills leave a lot to be desired, but I've recently partnered with a Graphic Designer in the group. Are you beginning to see the benefit? He hands out my business cards to his 200 plus member network, and I hand out his business card to my network. Branding and free advertising? Check!

Most leads groups meet once a week. There are some that only meet once a month. Leads groups offer something that a lot of people need. Structure and discipline. What do I mean by this?

Structure - In a leads group you do not have to be a master net worker. As a matter of fact, you can be a shy person and still have success in a leads group. Most leads groups allow a given amount of time to tell other members about your business. This usually ranges from one to five minutes. In this allotted amount of time you can go into great detail about your business including describing what type of leads you are looking for. The format is usually accomplished by sitting around a large table, and a leader moderates the time and asks questions. The meetings are generally held early in the morning or at lunchtime.

Discipline - In a leads group you are expected to show up for the meetings. Theoretically, if a leads group had only 15 members and several people did not show up, it would be difficult to have a reasonable meeting. To insure against this happening most groups require that you assign a substitute when you can not attend. This substitute should be a person in the same industry as you so that the balance of the group is not affected. In this situation, if you have a tendency to miss a lot of meetings, it would not be good to join a leads group. If you miss a lot of meetings without a sub, you will be ejected from the group.

The upside? In a leads group you will get to know people very well over time and get an idea of their abilities to fulfill the needs of a referral. This is good if you do not have time during the week to meet with people one-on-one in order to get to know them. A dedicated group will provide you with a steady stream of leads that you can utilize to expand your business.

The downside? Well, sometimes the leads become a paramount obligation and people feel pressured to pass them. If they are passing leads that are just names and numbers without a true expressed need, the leads generally lead you nowhere. Another issue is a member of the group whose quality of product or service does not meet the standards that you would want to refer to someone. It is difficult to pass a solid qualified lead to someone who will not provide the kind of service that you would expect them to.

There are also a few groups in existence that are in essence leads groups. They allow freedom to go to any meeting you wish as long as you are a member. The format is the same, seated at a table, and there is usually a time limit. The problem with these groups is that people wander in and out and without a lot of time to talk individually, you still have to set appointments outside of the group to really get to know someone. Without the discipline, the free-form leads group usually does not last for a long period of time. Often these groups open and close with great regularity leaving the members to search for another meeting to attend.

In closing, I would like to add that there is no wrong or right group to belong to. Visit groups and you will find the ones that are right for you. It is often beneficial to belong to three types of groups to get the most out of your networking efforts.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 3

I talk a lot about Focused Networking, but I've never written about the subject, so it seems like a good idea to include it in this series on "Networking Groups".

In each business, we have a target market or the perfect prospect. If you have been in a particular business for any length of time, you should know what type of person or business owner falls into this category for you. If not, it is time to figure out who this might be.

In networking for business it is important to have a well rounded networking schedule. You should attend many different types of groups in order to reach a broad spectrum of people. If you only attend a business after hours, you may run into several people who provide the same product or service as you. In this environment, it is important to know what makes you different from them. In most cases this is not a company thing, but a personal thing. When you have reached the point that you can relate what makes you different, you will do very well in a competitive environment.

One of the groups that you are likely to attend is a trade association. In my first exposure to networking many years ago, I attended meetings for a group that specialized in the creation of multimedia. I went to the meetings each month in the hope of building a relationship with others who might be able to help me find some work in the field. The opposite happened. I found myself in the ultimate competition. I should have been there to learn about trends in the industry and to get background information of my competitors, but....there was literally no work to be had in an environment with all of my competition!

What happens if you attend the trade association meeting of your target prospect?

It is likely that you may be the only person in the room selling your product or service. If you do your homework before you go and discover the mission of the group, it is easier to prepare for that kind of opportunity. And that's the kind of opportunity where you can really build a solid foundation for your business.

In this environment, you may be sitting through a presentation by a speaker that you know nothing about, so to maximize your networking opportunity, arrive early and leave late. Talk to as many people as you can in the time that you have to network before the presentation begins. If you see someone in the group that you know, approach them and ask them to introduce you around in the room. This will help you to shortcut the process of meeting people. It also gives a friend an opportunity to refer you personally in a group of their peers.

It is important to be creative when looking for meetings to attend. Attend many, and you will have more opportunities to work with. Set a goal to visit all the types of groups at least once a month for maximum exposure and optimum contacts.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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Networking Groups - Part 2

In "Networking Groups - Part One", I wrote about the four types of networking groups. Now, let's take a look at a category of networking groups.

One category that most people are familiar with is the Chamber Of Commerce. Chambers serve a long standing role in the business community. It is a role of development and support. A Chamber Of Commerce can offer business both small and large with networking opportunities, training programs, legislative assistance and a host of other benefits. A Chamber Of Commerce can be a local, statewide, national, or international organization with separate memberships for each. If you belong to an area Chamber of Commerce, you do not belong to a state or national Chamber. Each plays their own role in the business community.

Some Chambers of Commerce take more of a role in the community to influence policy while others might focus more on business development. Most of them however have a wealth of information for the member that goes unused by most.

For example, let's say you have a business and you have a question about a city ordinance that relates to your business. Most often a Chamber of Commerce can provide you with the answer to your question. Each of them has a database of members that can often be accessed through some point. Usually computers are made available to members with databases that can be searched for information on other members.

When looking for networking opportunities within a Chamber Of Commerce, most people think only of leads groups or the common after hours. The reality is that any function hosted by a chamber of commerce holds opportunities for networking with other business owners and business leaders.

Chambers of Commerce generally have a yearly membership of several hundred dollars for an individual or company. There are various levels of membership that can be had. Most Chambers offer an executive level membership that includes exclusive meetings between a more elite level of business people. When looking for this type of prospect, you can often gain access to them by joining at this level. The problem you might have is actually paying for this level or attending the functions as they are provided.

I recommend that you become a member of several groups to expand your networking strength. This should always include a Chamber of Commerce. Keep in mind that if you are involved in your community in other business networking organizations like the Rotary Club, a local Merchant's association, or smaller networking group, you might want to consider joining a Chamber of Commerce in another part of town. This will make you a part of that community as well and open the doors to increased prospects and opportunities.

In any event, you should always attend a Chamber of Commerce function in any area several times and find out what types of assistance they can offer for the growth of your type of business. Do not join any group just for the sake of joining a group. Find out what types of members attend the functions that are offered to determine the amount of exposure you will have to your target prospect.

When you attend a Chamber of Commerce meeting for the first time, look for the most popular person in the room, the one who everyone seems to want to talk to and get to know them first. This way you will make faster connections to the rest of the group. Often the leaders of the group can help you to get in the mix quicker.

Look for people who do what you do and analyze their strengths and weaknesses for opportunities to build alliances with them. If they have been a member for a long time, it is likely that they have most of the business in their industry at this point in time. It is hard to compete in such circumstances, so try an alliance before you bang your head against the wall trying to compete or just giving up.

Chambers of Commerce have been around for many years and there are all types, including minority and international. Be sure to visit many before deciding which to join and your membership dollars will serve you better.




~Manifest your Business Solutions and build a better business. The original post is on Manifest Business Solutions © copyright, 2011. Share it freely, but you must link back to this source. Regards, Admin

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