Are You Spreading Yourself to Thin?

Do you do Six thousand things or do you do Six things well?  I came across this video by Dr. Ivan Misner who explains this theory.

When it comes to marketing, do you jump from one thing to another trying to find what works?   Do you give ample time to see if the new plan is working or not and why not? 

As an entrepreneur it’s sometimes hard to determine what marketing will work best and where to spend marketing dollars. 

Here are some things to consider and questions to consider:

• ·        Who is your target market?  Get as specific as possible on this one.  For instance:  I often hear people in the skin care business say – ‘Anyone with skin.’  Really?  A baby has skin, but doesn’t have any money.  Instead think in terms of what problems does your product/service solve and/or what is the benefit of using your product or service.  So if your skin care product clears adult acne, then you want to target adults with acne.  Perhaps people in a professional environment who need to look their best. 

• ·        What part of your business do you do 80% of the time?  Your business may cover multiple facets, say for instance in the insurance area; your business encompasses everything from personal lines of insurance, long term care, health insurance, life, commercial, etc.  Which of these is your specialty?  Sometimes by trying to cover to much, people get confused about what you do and your message is watered down.  By concentrating on one area, your message becomes more clear and focused.  Once you get the opportunity to sit down with someone one to one, then you can explain all the facets of your business.

• ·        Where do your best referrals/business come from?  Look over your past business history/customers and analyze where your best referrals came from.  This is a great way to understand where your marketing efforts are working and where to put more focus.  Concentrate more on quality instead of quantity.

• ·        And as Dr. Misner says in his video, ‘Are you persistent and consistent?’  Placing an ad for one month and/or going to one networking meeting is more than likely not going to get you any business.  Most of the time it takes people 6 to 8 times to hear your message to understand and retain what it is you do.  In the advertising world it’s called ‘Spaced repetition education.’  Why do you think they run ads over and over again on TV.  Why do you think publications want you to sign up for several months at a time?  Because they know one time is not enough.  And most people want to get to know you before they will trust you enough to give you their business.

• ·        If you are new to your business field, ask others what has worked for them.  Talk with those in your field who have been successful and with whom you can relate and find out what has worked for them.  Determine what you feel comfortable doing.  Sometimes what one person enjoys doing, like cold calling, is not for you, but going to a networking meeting and meeting people face to face, would be better for you. 

Whatever you determine is best for you and your business, focus on being persistent and consistent.   Give things time to work.  Analyze what works and why it worked and do more of that.

Tell us what has worked for you.  What has been the best avenue for you to obtain business?  Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

 

To read Dr. Misner’s entire article - http://ivanmisner.com/are-you-spread-too-thin/

Happy Marketing,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

Are You a Networking N.E.R.D.?

 

  

So what is a Networking N.E.R.D. you ask?

It means - 'Networking Everyday Requires Dedication!'  That is especially true in the summertime when our interests are on doing other fun activities that don't necessarily include work/business.  

Fun abounds during the summer. Networking can, too. But it requires you to be intentional. Remember, networking can occur anywhere, anytime. Avoid the summertime networking blues and make the most of the fun (and networking) in the sun!

In 1958, Eddie Cochran sang a very famous rock-n-roll chorus:

"Sometimes I wonder what l'm-a gonna do

But there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues"

Ah, Summertime. That time when we look forward to the weather, family, vacation, relaxation, beach, and the fun that comes along with the season.

Every once in a while I hear a business person say that their business slows down during the summer months. I also know of many businesses that flourish in the summer.  So why are some up and some down?  It is a matter of gearing towards the season. Winter coats sell better in December than July and bathing suits sell better in June than January! So do you change your networking strategy for the season?

       

Have you re-tooled your networking machinery? Are you being intentional with your networking?  I subscribe to the philosophy that every event can be a networking opportunity as long as you honor the event.

As an intentional networker, we must step outside of our networking comfort zones and look in other places to find new networking opportunities.

Where does an intentional networker start?  Begin by searching where you spend your time during the summer months.

What summertime networking activities are you attending?

... Bar Be Que?

... Pool Party?
... Lake Party

... Picnic?
... Wedding?

... Golf... Boating...Ball Games...Tennis... Gardening?

There are many Summertime Networking Opportunities! Remember that a good networker has two ears and one mouth and uses them proportionately!  Listen to what everyone is really saying.  Pick up on the ques for business and referrals for other referral partners.

Sports Fields. Kids play baseball, softball, and soccer. Parents spend night after night at practices, games, or volunteering at the concession stands. These parents/athletes are business people-people who may share your target market.  Discussions can range from vacation, work, home repairs, to neighborhood politics. A simple conversation or offer to help amid the extra innings, may lead to growing your business.

Neighborhood Festivals. Summer is the time of festivals and county fairs. It's a time for rides, music, games, and good greasy food!  It can also be the time to talk to neighbors in more detail. We can build relationships beyond the friendly waves while mowing grass. Take the time to get to know your neighbors.  Host a neighborhood cookout to strengthen or even start relationships.  Who knows, they may hold the key to your ideal referral partner.

Ball Game Networking!  A great networking strategy is to get tickets to a ball game and invite a business owners and/or a potential referral partners. Whether your team wins or loses great connections can be made!   

The FOUR hour one to one!  If you are a golfer, you know what I mean! Find a fellow business owner who also plays golf.  Set up a round and you each bring a client. What a great way to solidify a top referral!  You do not play golf?  Is there an activity that you do that you and a fellow business person can invite clients too?

Any place you go with family, friends or strangers is a networking opportunity!  (as long as you honor the event).

... Bring Your Business Cards!

... Remember Your Fellow Referral Partners

 The GOAL?

... Make connections at every Event You Attend!

... Keep in Touch to Build on the relationships.

Do you attend networking meetings on a regular basis?   More than ever, intentional networkers must be diligent in attending their meetings, whether weekly, monthly, etc. Visibility is crucial during the summer months.    

Vacation. We love our time off to recharge and relax. However, during that time networking is usually left off the agenda and it shouldn't be.  Out of sight, out of mind!

It's ok to be a networking N.E.R.D., Networking Everyday Requires Dedication!

Be a summertime networking N.E.R.D. and cure your summertime blues.
 
Here's to a GREAT summer filled with lots of referrals!

Happy Networking!

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

When to Hand Out Your Business Card?

Have you ever been at a networking meeting and you’re having a conversation with someone and a person walks up and hands you their business card?  And you notice they go from one person to another doing the same.  These people are known as the ‘Card Pushers.’  As they say….’there is a time and place for everything.’

I typically want to do business with someone I know, like, and trust or someone who comes highly recommended.  Someone I know is qualified to do the work.  When someone shoves their business card at me at a networking meeting, when I didn’t ask for it, that card and/or marketing material is more than likely going to end up in the round file before I get out the door.

Recently I read a blog post by Dr. Ivan Miser about when to pass out your business card.  He gave, what I feel is excellent advice…’Don’t hand it out unless someone asks for it.’  Your goal at a networking meeting should be to make 3 to 5 good connections, not see how many business cards and/or pieces of marketing material you can get rid of.  Save some trees and some money and only give this material to those who are truly interested in your products and/or services.  Take time to get to know people and build a relationship.

Below is the link to Dr. Miser blog post so you can read the full article along with a couple of other links about how to get the most out of networking.

http://ivanmisner.com/deliver-business-card/

 

Here is a link to a blog post on ‘Networking Etiquette.’  

Here is a link to a blog post on ‘How to Build a StrongNetwork.’  

What other advice would you give on this topic?  Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Happy Networking,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises