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Blog by: Debbie Lundberg Life & Business Coaching

While there are a lot of suggestions for networking and attending various functions, there are few that we believe serve you best.  You will find each of our suggestions are easy to remember, require action on your part and focus more upon the other person than upon yourself.
 
Just know, networking is not synonymous with communicating.  It is your responsibility to make the other person feel connected and interested!
Network by focusing your attention on results, and not just the action of being at an event.  Before you use any of the ideas for networking, commit to the following:

1)  If you go to a networking event with someone, agree to drive to and from the location together and have minimal (or even no) contact at the event.  Having a conversation with your friend while at a networking event just means you wasted time and energy driving to the function when you could have just met where you usually do.  If you want time with your buddy, go get a coffee or drink after the networking function; just do not spend your time together since that is not productive!

2)  Have enough cards for two per person you can potentially meet.  Make sure those cards are up-to-date with no changes in name, email or phone scratched out and written in pen.  Is the focus a change in your career?  If so, then get professional cards printed with minimally your name, email and phone with your 2-4 areas of professional prowess listed.  Make sure your cards are only UV coated on the front so that people can make notes on the back.

3)  Have easy access to your cards and place those you receive from others in an equally convenient location.  Ladies…no purses at networking events, or at least carry small ones and ensure you do not need to fumble with zippers, etc. when getting your cards.  Go for functionality at the events and use your pockets for your card and cardholders.

4)  Check your attitude and outside interests at the door.  Keep in mind the situation, opportunity and focus, and know that your truly do not get a second chance to make a first impression!

A quick way to remember how to communicate is with the acrostic NETWORK:

• N  -  Names
• E  -  Event
• T  -  Target
• W  -  Work
• O  -  Offer
• R  -  Reach
• K  -  Keep
  

Now that you have a way to remember the sometimes seemingly daunting experience of networking, here are a few ideas for being successful in a NETWORK:

• N  -  Names - Get names, in advance, of who will be there.
• E  -  Event - Attend for at least one hour or more.
• T  -  Target - Plan to make 3-4 solid contacts per hour.
• W  -  Work - Act as if the event is one that you created – work it.
• O  -  Offer - Decide what ideas or benefits you can provide for others.
• R  -  Reach - Reach out to people afterward.
• K  -  Keep - Keep in touch and keep networking.

NAME:  Locate the person in charge of the event a few days prior to the date.  Ask for a list of attendees.  Sometimes these lists will not be disclosed, but it’s worth a shot. If you do not get the names, arrive early and review the name tags to come up with a plan for who you would like to meet. For your name, wear a name tag. Go ahead and have one made so that you are comfortable with it.

EVENT:  No matter how long the networking event lasts, commit to attending minimally for an hour.  When people “blow in” and “blow out”, others notice.  Additionally, staying at least one hour gives you the opportunity to catch latecomers. You already arrived early to see the names and prepare for whom you wish to meet.  Now you are poised as the person whom others wish to meet.

TARGET:  Target people or companies when you arrive early and plan for whom you want to interact.  Target 3-4 solid connections for each hour you are at the engagement.  This does not mean you can only speak with 3-4 people, but focus on quality over quantity. Collecting business cards is one thing…getting the perhaps few cards of people who can be a collaborator, is another. This is communicating versus networking.

WORK:  Work the room. Yes, work it! This is where you take on the role of a host or co-host. This is not to say you take credit for the event or the party, rather you make it a point to welcome others and introduce them with a firm, quick handshake of 2-4 pumps of the hand, and interested, interactive conversation. When you appear as the person to meet, you become the person to meet.

OFFER:  Even though you are looking to advance in your area(s) of life focus and move forward with your approach or business at each networking event you attend, make sure you devote equal time and attention to listening to and learning about the other people you meet. They may also have areas of life focus and business plans, and good communication is a two-way street. If your experience can assist someone else is attaining his/her goal, they will be much more likely to assist you with your focus/goals.  Make an offer to follow through with information, a contact or something else, and you will endear yourself to that person. When you follow up with him or her in the future, you are now a welcomed call, e-mail or letter coming across his or her desk, rather than another person just looking for a favor. This is a value position that must be sincere in the offer and quick in the execution.

REACH:  You have made the new contact and figured out a value-added connection you can provide. Now be sure to reach back out to him or her after the event. Typically, a follow through outreach within 24 hours is optimal. Keep in mind, a phone call can appear pushy, and an e-mail can be impersonal. Contrarily, a handwritten note is quite personal, and a note with a relevant article or bit of information is a real connection (if you have agreed to follow up via phone or email do that, but if there is no commitment, go for the personal note). Think about it…how many people display, or even save, phone messages or emails? Not many. However, many of us keep handwritten notes as keepsakes because they create a personal connection.

KEEP:  It has been stated that you must network regularly…not just when you need something. Networking is a function that you must constantly keep on your weekly to-do lists, not just something to do if you need a new job or referral.  Keep also stands for keeping in touch and keeping your word. When a person says he or she will be somewhere or do something on a particular date and then lets it slide, this becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons. Keeping up with your commitments keeps progress on your personal and professional goals heading in the right direction!

Make the most of your full-time, full contact “sport” of NETWORKing. Have fun, make connections, and look for the value in your efforts. I’ll see you at an event…engaged in conversation, and engaging others to do the same!

Search Engine Optimization, SEO, is critical to the success or failure of your business. As the Internet, social media marketing and mobile marketing continue to change the landscape of business, SEO has become more important than ever. Building a website without a plan for SEO, is the single most expensive lesson any business will learn.  A quality design is essential but that is only 50% of the job. Your efforts must continue long after the initial launch of the site and it is an ongoing process.

A great website that’s user-friendly and filled with constant, fresh content is important – in fact it’s crucial to the success of your business. But what if nobody can find your site? Sadly there are tons of great websites all over the Internet that nobody can find – thanks to not using SEO techniques properly.

If you’ve done any website work, even if it’s only for your own, you’ve no doubt heard the phrase “SEO game” when it comes to promoting your site. The fact is, SEO is no game at all, it’s actually very serious business when it comes to driving traffic to your website. What should you do?

First, you have to have an SEO plan or strategy. When you are promoting your website to the search engines, make sure you are using keywords and phrases that are completely relevant to your website and niche. For example, if you have a website on natural treatments for diabetes but you’re using keywords that have to do with aviation, you might get people to visit your site, but they sure aren’t going to stay. If you are trying to solve a problem for your readers and visitors (and that’s exactly what you should be doing) then you need to provide them with the keywords they need to find you.

Another big tip – don’t rely entirely on an SEO “expert” for all of the work. It’s important that you understand the process of SEO and have some say in it – after all this is YOUR business and nobody knows it and understands it like you do.

Limelight Marketing Consultants is a full-service marketing company assisting businesses with online and offline marketing efforts through creative design and strategic marketing approaches. Limelight has the tools and expertise to get you to the top of the search engines. Call (813) 388-9384 or email Liane Caruso at liane@limelightconsultants.com if you want to learn more!

Your Significant…Self? How to be the best YOU for any relationship
By: Michelle Phillips, Author of The Beauty Blueprint

That famous country song said we were looking for love in “all the wrong places” but maybe we were actually looking in all the wrong ways.  You might have a “list” of what you are looking for in your ideal mate or you might be looking for that special someone who “completes you”.  In the process you might be bringing in that same person who we may think is our type yet the reality to finding love successfully may be asking the question, “What type are we?”

Before you put on your Friday night best or log back on to your favorite hook-up website again let’s take a minute to look and feel your best about the most important person in the next relationship, YOU!  It is absolutely true that we attract what and who we are in to our lives.  When it comes to bringing in our friendships and romantic relations what we radiate is something I call, “The Law of Attractive”.  It is the true beauty that can’t be painted on or pumped up in the gym, instead it is the kind of amazing that, when you have the confidence to let it shine, will bring in the perfect person who compliments you not completes you.

I recently had a client I was coaching and after we conquered her work fears she said that her next goal was to get back into a relationship. Of course, no one who wants a relationship truly wants just anyone, they want Mr. or Ms. Right! And most of us know in our hearts exactly what that means, when someone asks we unfurl that dreaded “List”!  It is the magic, 10-foot long scroll with every physical, emotional, and spiritual quality that we think we need in a mate to be happy.  I asked her what was on her list and she rattled off things like; patient, extroverted, and easy-going.  I have to back up by saying I had already been working with her for a few months, and, while she was working on herself currently, she was none of those things.  So when I asked how her manhunt was going she said sadly that the people she was dating were none of those things.  Shocker!

So where do you start? Think about the phrase, “He” or “She” is a good match for me.  You don’t match socks by finding some that go nicely with each other, you match them by finding two that are as close to each other as possible.

-         Make your list.  Make a note of all the attributes you would find important in a long-term or forever type relationship.  Be sure to list more than just physical qualities like dark hair and full lips, the values that you find important such as; honesty, integrity, loyalty, and compassion, will play a much bigger role in the long-term success of your partnership.

-         Check it twice.  Before you start on your scavenger hunt for love, check the list once for yourself first.  If there are areas that you find important in someone else think about if you have them.  If you don’t, there is nothing wrong with taking some time to work on you.

-         Pay close attention to who is naughty and who is nice.  All too often when don’t stick to our list out of fear of rejection, (something), or maybe just a physical connection that we mistake for love but the whole time the alarms are going off inside us to run.  Trust your gut here and know that when the time is right for you and that special someone it will work out.

While there may not be a club, church, or online dating site to find true love there is one place that holds the magic of cupid’s arrow, your heart. Find that and honor it and you will be fully capable of loving someone else.  Love and be loved, it starts with you!

Michelle Phillips is the author of the bestselling beauty and self-esteem book, “The Beauty Blueprint- 8 Steps to Building the Life and Look of your Dreams” (Hay House) is now available on major book sites. You can listen to her live on Mondays at 12pm est on www.HayHouseRadio.com .  She is also a regular guest on the national TV shows, The Daily Buzz, GalTime, and Daytime. www.michellephillips.com

Beware Of Experts
By: Etiquette Coach, Patricia Rossi

The second I hear an Expert…

I immediately start sniffing for the nearest escape hatch.

INTERNALLY: I’m in a fight or flight stance ready to launch.

EXTERNALLY: I hold a steady gaze while turning their voice and verbiage into Charlie Brown’s teacher undefined Wa Wa Wa Wa…

So thank you Experts for this coping pattern given to me at the tender age of 10, where I was tested and told about my gift. I was a carrier. The diagnosis of my ‘gift’ wasn’t well received and caused fear, ridicule, and confusion in my pre-Oprah 1970′s working class community.

Another event at age of 10 presented itself to me without warning; the untimely death of my mother. So, here I am trying to balance the news of my gift (that the experts forecasted) would never let me process information in a normal manner and no ‘Mama Duck’ to give me the most basic of survival and thriving skills while I navigated the pond.

As I treaded water; I would try my best to learn from the other ‘Mama Ducks’ and their families. I would approach them at times to be included, to learn, and hopefully grow and graduate myself to the big pond. However, many rejected me; one even telling me that they might catch my gift of dyslexia.

A few… an amazing, beautiful and vital few did give me a peek in… as what to do and I made it out of the little pond. So I latched on to the vital FEW.. and my journey continued. I had the good fortune to find a tutor that taught me how to tame the letters and numbers that gyrated,danced and jumped across the page every time I gazed upon it.

Those early rejections and learning to live with Dyslexia gave me wings I would not have normally sprouted and those wings lifted me up and out to the mecca pond of life where the BIG experts dwelled.

With my pencils sharpened and sitting in the front row of life the experts had one message for me and shared it with me time and time again.

They said Patricia, “You talk too much” and I felt ashamed. But I kept on talking. The Experts would put big red gooey X’s on my report card that highlighted my excessive talking. There it was! Not just in verbal form but in written form as well.  Whew! Did I feel shame. But I kept on talking.

The Experts were right about one thing. They shared with me once, “Patricia you can’t sing undefined you don’t have a singing voice” and you know what? They were 100% right! Even Experts aren’t wrong all the time. So I guess I will just keep talking!

In my present life, I talk on television, I talk on the radio, I talk in magazine and newspapers. I speak to large audiences, business professionals, professional athletes, and everyday moms and dads. I recently just talked 65,000 words into a book that was published by St. Martins press, that just went into it’s 3rd printing in 16 weeks undefined another thing the Experts said was impossible.

I teach people how to build, maintain, and grow social and business relationships by being at ease in any and all situations they might find themselves in.  From the big pond to the small pond our interactions either propel us ahead or hold us back. Whether you are a Rhodes scholar a Mensa member or a little duck trying to make it out of a small pond; your social skills if intact will take you to places unimagined.

To book Patricia Rossi for a speaking engagement, personal appearance, TV, radio, or print media, please contact:

Patricia Rossi
Post Office Box 814
Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Phone: 727-375-0375

Email: patricia@patriciarossi.com

The Business Card Blues
Written by: Debbie Lane C. Ht.

One of the first things a new hypnotist does is get a business card.  We are proud of what we do and anxious to get the word out.  We have been told to put that card into the hands of everyone we meet.  I know I did the same thing.  I looked at who was successful in other arenas and followed their example.  

At the time I began, real estate was booming and everyone was swimming in prosperity.  I noticed that the most successful people had their pictures on their cards.  People are more likely to hold onto a photo, so my picture went onto my card.  

It is best not to try and be all things to all people in an ad.  So, rather than put a laundry list of everything hypnosis could do for an individual on my card, I put my contact information (especially my website once it was up and running).  Using top quality, glossy paper, in order to appear successful, I ordered 1000 cards to start and was off and running to networking meetings.  

Like the rest of the crowd, I put my cards at a table where people could pick them up.  I pressed my cards into as many hands as I could.  I swapped cards like a trading card fanatic, greedily counting the number of cards I held at the end of every meeting.

When I got back to my office, I placed the cards in a “to be filed” pile.  Some even made it into my data base.  At one point in time, I could have papered my office with other people’s business cards.  Not any more.  Nor do I give my card away so freely.  I have stopped putting them at the materials table as well.  If you want my card you have to ask for it.

I realized that when people were loaded into my database without any kind of personal relationship or request, they weren’t happy getting newsletters.  Some might even call it SPAM, even though my name was being added to every list in town.  This was a solid reason not to give my card out so freely.  Further more, if a card is shoved into my hand, it ends up in the trash bin.

I now ask for cards when I make a real connection with someone.  I ask for several cards, so that I can refer my clients to them when appropriate.  I place those in a card holder I keep handy.  I will send a short hand written note after receiving the card, mentioning our meeting and offering help if and when appropriate.  

No more feeding frenzy at networking events has actually improved my relationships with those I do encounter and increased my enjoyment of the event.  Try it, go ahead, leave the cards behind and find out how much better known your reputation becomes!


©   Debbie Lane C.Ht. (727) 781- 8483 www.wisdomhypnosis.com

In my hmmm hmmm years of living on this earth, I have never met one living soul that didn’t like to hear their name.

If you want to impress someone, bypass the diatribes about your oxford degree, surviving 30 days at sea on a raft made of shark skin, or how you won that contest in college eating the most hotdogs. Make an instant impact, the fastest and simplest way, by remembering and voicing their name.

But….what if you can’t remember the name of the person you’re speaking with?

Whatever you do, never say “I forgot your name,” or “I can’t remember your name.” Those kinds of statements will just make the other person feel unimportant, and forgotten.

Instead, say something like, “Your name is right on the tip of my tongue,” or “It’s been such a long day, could you tell me your name again?”

Of course, you’ll make an even better impression if you can remember the person’s name in the first place. Try these 9 simple techniques to help remember names:

• Listen. Really listen when someone is telling you his or her name. Sometimes instead of listening, we’re thinking about what to say next. Don’t do this. Listen to the person’s name and say it out loud as soon as possible, “It’s so nice to meet you, Tammy.”

• Repeat. After meeting someone new, say the person’s name a few times to imprint it in your memory. Use it while speaking to the person, but not so frequently that it feels awkward.

• Nickname. Give the person a nickname that helps you remember them (Tall Tammy, for example). If you use this technique, make sure you don’t say the nickname out loud, keep it to yourself!

• Write it down. Write down names and identifying information (or enter them in your Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, etc.). After you meet someone and go your separate ways, write down the person’s name, where you met them, and something that will remind you of what you discussed. This is especially helpful at networking events.

• Spell it. If a person has an unusual name or the name has more than one spelling, ask them how they spell it. If a name is generally spelled only one way, like Robert or David, you could ask if they prefer Bob or Dave. Always ask before shorting another person’s name. Don’t assign them a nickname.

We are excited to announce that we are working on the 2012 WWOTB Directory due out in January. We are printing 700 copies this year. They will be distributed free to members as a pocket guide of resources. This is a supplement to the web directory that is more for searching key words than finding people based on industry.

In order to be listed in the directory, you have to be renewed through 2012. So for those of you up for renewal - it's best to consider annual membership to take advantage of this perk.

There are several advertising opportunities to benefit your business.
- Full page ads (B/W and Color)
- 1/4 page color profiles
- Business card size ads

Advertising rates start as low as $50!
Ad packages with renewals start as low as $125!
80 1/4 page color profiles available! First come, first serve!

As a perk of being a member, you can be listed under one industry category but can pay an extra $10 to be listed in other categories as well. You can also pay an extra $25 to be listed at the top of a category.

If you are interested in advertising opportunities, email wwotbdirectory@gmail.com. Some of the advertising is "one franchise per category" - so don't delay. Also, the first 20 members to sign & pay, get to choose a cool freebie!

Ad orders will be taken starting December 1st.

It’s a well known fact that women can do it all; now they can have it all too! Working Women of Tampa Bay has coordinated the ultimate shopping experience for busy woman who deserve indulgence and need to prepare for the holidays! The Think Pink Women’s Boutique & Expo is a night of mini spa treatments, exciting makeovers, free samples, gourmet food and wine tastings along with a selection of dozens of local vendors showcasing their unique holiday gift ideas.

The only way to shop is by turning your to-do list into a night out with the girls! You’ll network with other female professionals and chat over a glass of wine while supporting local women-owned businesses. Relax, rejuvenate and connect with some complimentary spa treatments and retail therapy!

This private shopping event is free for members and only $5 for non-members. The first 150 women will receive a complimentary glass of wine, appetizers and a Yelp tote filled with goodies! Avoid the craziness of Black Friday at the mall and join us at our 2nd Annual Holiday Shopping Expo hosted at the Shriner's Activity Center in Tampa on November 30 from 6pm-9pm.

We are proud to present our generous sponsors: TBT, Yelp, White Book Agency, BABM Magazine, Good Living Magazine, Health and Healing Touch Wellness Center, Exploracise, Motivating Other Moms, Vault Denim ~ Pinellas, Grow Financial, Chevy - Night of 1000 Toys, Rinnova MedSpa, Darren Pena Salon, Brandi Kamenar Image Design Studio, Center for Weight Loss Management.

Succulent snacks and wine will be provided by: Quintessence Catering, Napa Flair, Carrabba’s, Costco and Melting Pot.

Our fabulous vendors include: Scentsy, Miche Bag, DP Fitness & Wellness, Thirty-One, Stella & Dot, Intensity Academy Sauces, Arbonne International, Willow House, Park Lane Jewelry, Mary Kay, Silpada Jewelry, Sickle Hunter Financial Advisors, Jewel Kade, Sencere Moments Photography, Indigo Blue Boutique, One-Stop Cruises, Marcus Designs, Growing Up, Connect for Success, Falling Star Photography, HaleyGrace, Spa Sundara, GiGi Hill Bags, The Chrysalis, Nikken and Illuminated Publishing.

Jessica Rivelli, the founder of WWoTB says, “The mission for the Think Pink Expo is to give our members and other women in the community the opportunity to shop from each other during the holiday season. Local retail sales help support friends, family and neighbors. We believe events like Think Pink help boost our local economy and increase consumer confidence in our community.”

Working Women of Tampa Bay has over 10,000 social media fans and more than 600 members between in its flagship chapter and the newly launched Working Women of Central Florida. The organization’s core principles are to help educate, motivate and inspire female professionals and women business owners. Visit the website to register to attend and to learn more about membership and our extraordinary events calendar!

You can register for Think Pink at www.workingwomenoftampabay.com. For more details email workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com.

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Blog by Brenda Tillmann

Having been born and raised in the Deep South, one of the most hospitable sayings I remember is “Y’all come back now, ya hear”. It was (and still is) as common as “please” and “thank you” and served with a smile on a daily basis from just about anywhere one would find them selves whether it is at church, a neighborhood cookout or a local business. You’ve surely heard that expression while watching a television show or during a movie at some point in your life. But for any business owners, a returning customer is essential to survival.

For the entrepreneur, it’s vitally important to learn how to build a base of customers who return to your business time and again. Here are five tips and strategies to foster loyalty with your customers with style, ease and grace:

1. Be Committed. Being committed doesn’t mean that you have to leave everything else and cater to the needs of just one client and forget about the others. It means being fully invested in their success; dedicate yourself to helping them achieve the results they desire. Go out of your way, do what needs to be done, what you agreed on in the first place, and above all, treat your customer’s as you would want to be treated.

2. Appreciate your customer’s 
You can never thank someone enough if it is sincere. A "thank you" can go a long way. Tell someone you appreciate his or her business in person, on the phone, or better yet, a personal hand-written note by mail. When was the last time you received a note saying, "Thank you for your business. I appreciate the opportunity to have you as my customer"?

3. Provide Quality, Not Just Quantity. Make sure your services are the best value for the money. You do not need to lower your prices simply because your competitors do, make sure your customers know that you are worth the extra money and why. To do this, you must give value first, don’t add it. Put value in your customer’s hands before you even ask them to buy anything from you. Find something you customer’s value and give it to them.

4. Continue To Understand Your Customers Needs. Ok, so you’re good at what you do, but that doesn’t make you the best there is, because there is always someone that can do better than you on your heels. You must stay current with what your customers expect and need from you. It’s a terrible feeling to discover your customers have left because you were not providing what they needed. Needs change, so thrive to make yourself better, sharpen your skills everyday, that’s what makes you money.

5. Keep In Touch. One of the most important, and so often over-looked, ways of getting repeat business is to simply follow-up with your customers. If you’re in the habit of providing a service/product to a customer, then you cash the check, and forget about him or her, I can assure you that you won’t get business from that client again. With a Follow Up Strategy in place, it only takes a minute to send an e-mail, a post-card or give a call to a previous client, tell her you really enjoyed working for her, was a fun project, and that you’re always available to answer any questions she may have. Build a relationship with your clients, get to know them, they’ll come back and be more likely to send business your way.

Bottom line: You cannot afford to lose your hard earned customers. What are you going to do today to make sure they continue to do business with you?

Brenda Tillmann specializes in helping entrepreneurs attract idea clients, build strong client relationships and close more sales in less time with her customized programs and mentoring. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you chasing them, visit her to schedule your complimentary 30-minute 1-on-1 Define Your Sales Success Analysis and Strategy session at http://www.BrendaTillmann.com.