FIVE (5) Simple steps to more customers with better networking

Here are some ideas to help you get the most from your networking:

1. Understand why you’re there – to begin relationships – not to sell
2. . Networking is the first step in a long dance. Don’t rush. Ask people questions
3. . Learn about them and their business. If they meet your target criteria, ask for their card. If not, don’t. Don’t sell yourself
4. . It’s okay to tell people what you do. Give your 10-15 second infomercial but stop after that. You’re there to gather information and to meet people, not to sell. Don’t corner people and don’t get cornered
5. . Manage your time and conversation so you can meet enough people to justify your time spent networking. Offer referrals
. The best way to begin a relationship is by giving someone something – like a referral. It doesn’t cost you anything. If they’re the kind of person you want to do business with, they’ll reciprocate and a valuable and long-term business relationship could develop.

Networking can be done anywhere you meet people. If you are active in your community or industry, you can easily network. Some people “network” while shopping for groceries. Successful networking depends on your attitude and focus. The more people you meet who might need your product or service, the more potential customers you can have.

Carol Birkey . com
Business Coach/Office Support
816-781-8053
“You do what you do best and let me do the rest”

Keep your eye on the hidden costs of purchases…..

The actual cost for supplies you buy for your business isn’t the only expense you incur in purchasing them. For instance, if you bill your services at $75 per hour and spend 2 hours in driving to and from office supply stores, the cost of your time is $150!!! Yikes!Instead, select an office supply store you like and sign up for their rewards program. Watch for their coupons and buy all your supplies from the same store.

Carol’s Confident Comment – “The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”.

Visit CarolBirkey.com for more information and tips!

Wear your Nametag

There are many complaints about wearing nametags and all of them can be validated.

• Nametags look silly

– yes they do. But, remember everyone else is wearing them too.

• Nametags ruin my clothes

– not if you wear them on the edge of your lapel or use cloth-safe connectors like lanyards and plastic clips.

• But I already know everybody

– no you don’t. You may think you know everybody, but new people come in and out of the organizations all the time.

• But everyone already knows me

– no they don’t. Even the best networkers know there’s always someone new to meet.

Your nametag is your best friend for several reasons. First of all, a person’s name is the single context of human memory most forgotten … and people are less likely to approach you if they don’t know (or forgot) your name. Secondly, it’s free advertising for you. Third, nametags encourage people to be friendly and more approachable.

Customer Database

If you don’t have a customer database, start creating one. Collect your customer’s names, addresses, birthdays, anniversaries and email addresses even if you have no clue what you’re going to do with them.

Contact me and let me help you start your database and show you how to use it effectively.

CarolBirkey.com

The Telephone

* Your voice mail greeting should be professional and brief. Eliminate any favorite music excepts. Remove your child’s precious message. Don’t include any religious or motivational phrases.

* Put your wireless to use and walk around when you talk on the phone so that you give proper breath support for your voice. You’ll sound more energetic and confident, too.

* Don’t let the pitch of your voice fall too low when it’s tired. Sit or stand up straight when you talk. Hum often to keep your voice warm.

* When you leave a voice mail message, say your name and spell it if necessary then say your phone number twice – slowly and distinctly.

* Call yourself and listen to your own greeting. Do you sound inviting or monotonous?

Organizing your Desk

1. Start at the beginning. Remove everything from your desktop. Put back only the necessities and keep large clean space for current projects. What are the necessities? Phone, notepad, calendar, step-file organizer — keep the cutesy items in sight but off your desk.

2. Place your phone on the left side of your desk if you are right handed and on the right if you are left handed.

3. Keep a spiral notebook by the phone for messages. Start with the date each day. By doing this, you will have reference info when you need it.

4. Keep or delete? If you use something every day, leave it in your desk. If you use something once a week, you should be able to reach it from your chair. If you use something once a month, keep it in your office or work area. If you use something less than once a month, keep it elsewhere.

5. Keep your office supplies in one drawer. Keep only the supplies you use frequently in your desk. Do you really need 25 pens and 15 packages of salt?

6. Look around - End each day (or at least each week) by tidying up your desk and returning everything to its place (Yes, everything should have a place).

***Quote for the month: “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.” - Henry Ford***

“With personal coaching, I assist you in making more money, saving more time and networking more effectively.” Carol Birkey, Personal Business Coach and Mompreneur

“Your Time – Manage it or Lose it”

Be like a coach in a game that’s tied with two minutes left: manage the clock.

1. Plan your time – Starting your day with no plan is like packing a suitcase without knowing where you are going.

1. Take 15 – At the very end or very beginning of each day, take 15 minutes to consider the things you must or want to do during the coming day.

1. Know Thyself – Are you a morning person? Afternoon? Evening? When are you at your best? Plan your most demanding tasks for that time and you’ll get better results.

1. Beware the Time Bandits – Neighbors, friends or colleagues who drop in unexpectedly during work hours may be bored or lonely and looking for company. It’s your time, be tactful but firm.

1. Schedule your “ME” time – You must have “ME” time to do things just for you. Relax and recharge

 

***Quote: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Althsuler***

 

“With personal coaching, I assist you in making more money, saving more time and networking more effectively.”

http://www.Carolbirkey.com
Personal Business Coach/Office Support

“Keep Customers Calling”

Businesses spend a lot of time, energy and money finding new customers. They advertise, hand out coupons and practically do headstands to generate new business.

In the shuffle, it’s easy to forget a company’s most important customer – the one who’s on the phone right now. The fact is, it costs businesses six times more to gain a new customer than to retain a current one.

Here are some tips to help you create legendary customer service:

1. Make customers feel important – Call them by name, ask them to tell you about themselves and ask questions about their accomplishments.

1. Exceed expectations – Constantly look for ways to give customers more than they expect.

1. Show thanks – Let customers know you are thinking of them. Send customers congratulatory cards for birthdays, promotions, graduations, etc. Most customers only hear from businesses when they’re trying to sell to them —- be different.

1. Listen – To get your customer to believe in you, have confidence in you and buy from you – truly listen to them.

 

***Quote: “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” – Mark Twain****

 

“With personal coaching, I assist you in making more money, saving more time and networking more effectively.”

http://www.Carolbirkey.com
Personal Business Coach/Office Support

5 Marketing Mistakes you Can’t Afford to Make

In virtually every area of business, there will be pitfalls along the way. Marketing is NO exception.

1. Mistake #1 – Eliminating marketing efforts when times get tight.

When cash flow slows, advertising, direct mail and other forms of marketing are the easiest expenses to reduce, right? But cut these and you eliminate the very activities that will bring in new customers to turn your business around. By stopping your marketing efforts, you will be setting yourself up for additional loss of business.

2. Mistake #2 – Not measuring results.

Don’t wait until times get tight to start measuring the results of your marketing efforts.

Ask customers how they found your business and then track the results.

3. Mistake #3 – Putting all your marketing dollars in one area.

If your entire marketing budget is used on just one method of promoting your business, you won’t realize the highest return on your investment. Diversifying your efforts will increase the frequency and reach of your messages and stretch your marketing dollars.

4. Mistake #4 – Allowing your ego to get in the way of common sense.

Ego can tempt a very bright person to do dumb things. Your marketing decisions should be based on factors that will positively impact your bottom line. Buying full-page ads or covers featuring yourself and not focusing on your business’ unique offerings may result in money out the window.

5. Mistake #5 – Not Getting Help when you need it.

If you find you’re too busy to handle your marketing efforts or that your materials aren’t looking as professional as they should, it’s time to call in the reinforcements. Hire an independent business consultant to bring in new concepts and fresh ideas.

Carol Birkey
Business Coach/Office Support
816-781-8053

“I look forward to moving your business forward”

Profiting from Networking

Sales are frequently developed through the relationships we have created with other people. Networking functions provide the opportunity to expand our contact list, particularly when we create and nurture quality relationships. It is not enough to visit a networking group, talk to dozens of people and gather as many business cards as possible. However, every networking function has tremendous potential for new business leads:

* Make a positive first impression: You have EXACTLY one opportunity to make a great first impression. Factors that influence this initial impact are your handshake, facial expressions, eye contact, interest in the other person and your overall attentiveness. Develop a great handshake, approach people with a natural, genuine smile and make good eye contact. Make a powerful impression by asking them what they do before talking about yourself or your business. Once you have demonstrated an interest in someone else, they will – in most cases – become more interested in you. When that occurs, follow the next step —

* Be able to clearly state what you do: Develop a 10-second introduction as well as a 30-second presentation. The introduction explains what you do and for whom. This introduction should encourage the other person to ask for more information and when they do, you recite your 30-second presentation. Each introduction needs to well-rehearsed so you can recite them at any time and under any circumstances.

More business coaching information on my main website carolbirkey.com.