5 Reasons Why You Should Be Networking

Many business professionals, educational institutions and other agents of commerce continually stress the importance of networking. This is quite possibly because they foresee, witness, and experience the tremendous benefits that derive from opportunities of connection. Networking is like a good pair of shoes that never goes out of style. Whether you’re just stepping into the field of entrepreneurship or you have been running your business for a long while, it is still the perfect fit that will get you to that next step.  No matter where you are on the spectrum of entrepreneurship and business ownership, you have something to gain from connecting with likeminded individuals. Below are our five reasons why you should be networking. Take advantage of them.

Information

           

Networking is an outlet for information. People attend to both talk and listen. We suggest that while it is imperative that you speak and promote your business in these kind of forums, it is fundamental that you use networking opportunities to soak up as much information as you possibly can. Listen for what’s working in your industry and what pitches and approaches have been unsuccessful. What are the current trends? Which individuals should you be speaking with? What more can you learn? Who is your competition? How can you stand out? There is no limit to the information you can gather at a networking event. At the very least, it is a soundboard to reassure you of your progress, setbacks or need for a little positive and negative information is useful to a growing business.

Increase business/referrals

As a business owner, it is your job to promote your company and increase your clientele. Networking events facilitate this in a way that is less formal and stuffy.  There’s no Powerpoint presentation, no folders, and no necessary major pitch. You simply speak about your business and hand out your business cards. It is your key opportunity to be as real as possible without feeling the pressure of having to book a client. You go at your own pace, choose the people you want to talk to, and keep the conversations lighthearted.  Entrepreneurs tend to excel at networking due to the natural flow of the conversations. Additionally, you can be more creative in your approach to draw people to you. For example, wear a statement piece (jewelry, shoes, etc.) that is guaranteed to strike up a conversation. Although most networking events are less pressure-filled, it is crucial however, to maintain an objective standard of professionalism as you are still representing your company.

 Making connections

Let’s face it; every business needs resources to contribute to the growth and acceleration of business. Networking provides such opportunities. You are exposed to different individuals who are experts in subjects that you are less familiar with. They may also have capital that your business may benefit from or perhaps you’ve heard they invest in certain kinds of businesses. Your attendance significantly increases your connection potential. Use that opportunity to build and grow.  Once you have exposed your business to likeminded individuals who believe in your company and your vision, it can secure a connection that may transform your business for the better.

Tackle unanswered questions

Networking is your “Q and A” forum. If you’re feeling uncertain about your business or perhaps your next step, use networking to share ideas, receive feedback, and alleviate your uncertainty. Additionally, speak specifically with individuals who know more that you and pick their brain.

           

Building your profile and confidence

Finally, networking is your runway. It is where you strut your stuff so that your colleagues can put a face to your name and you can build your profile. It is always where you go to gain your confidence. Most of the people you are intimidated by are just like you.  Find comfort in that. Believe in your ability, believe in your business and be confident.  

How to Land a Celebrity Client

We live in the age of the celebrity. Although it can be dicey to align your company with a star only to have them implode, for the most part a celebrity endorsement can provide a solid boost for your bottom line.

If you provide your product or service to a celebrity and they later tweet about it or promote it on a talk show you've hit the jackpot. Think of this as an "bonus promotion." 

How can you land a celebrity client? 

Consider these insider tips: 

Work the referral.

Success in business requires hard work but it could also help if you know the right people. That is especially true when it comes to gaining access to a celebrity. If you take aim directly at the star you won't get very far. However, if you can find out who represents them or manages their business affairs you could find an in that way. You'll be on much stronger ground if you can work a referral as opposed to cold calling a star.

Be prepared to do the end run.

Depending on the celebrity, they could have several layers of "protection" in the form of an entourage. This could mean a whole gaggle of assistants, drivers and even bodyguards which will keep you from direct access. There are always ways around these walls. For one, you can try to befriend some of the support staff. If you're trying to connect with an agent or manager, try calling at off hours when you can go shoot through an inner office phone directory. You might get lucky if that person answers their own phone!

Make your own brand a happening brand.

Don't stake your entire business on a free celebrity endorsement. As mentioned, that is bonus but you can get there by making your product a "must have." This could mean providing items for award show gift bags. It's an investment but it can get your product directly into the hands of the celebrity.

Always be kind.

Once you've gained access you'll want to thank the people who got your there. Make yourself available to the staff for further special orders. Don't hesitate to send them a gift as a way of saying "thank you."

Create a great website and online profile.

Suppose you're selling a cool new boot and you want to attract a celebrity. Think about what appeals to them. They might end up doing a little research on your company before accepting a product. That's why your website should be current.  Make sure that your website tells your brand story well. Use videos, blogs and social media to communicate your message.    

How to Get Customer Referrals to Grow Your Business

Before heading out to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster do you check the reviews? There are certainly plenty of places to read other viewers opinions. The same can be said for any type of service company. On many levels, these "reviews" are actually referrals, at least the positive ones are! 

Businesses depend on customer referrals to keep the sales numbers flowing. How are you doing with collecting customer referrals? Is there room for improvement? Try embracing these insights to help gather customer referrals to grow your business.

Collect LinkedIn endorsements.

Your company should have a LinkedIn page up and running. If so then you'll be able to start collecting endorsements from other professionals who you're networking with. In the grand scheme of things these endorsements might not make or break your company but every little bit helps. A good way to generate endorsements is to give endorsements. Stay active on your page and you should be rewarded in kind.

Ask and you shall receive.

You know it never hurts to ask, right? That applies for so many things in life not the least of which is getting endorsements for your business. If you have some trusted clients who you've established a strong relationship with then reach out to them and ask for an endorsement. Make it easy on them by providing the link to where you want that endorsement to go. Your goal could be as simple as increasing your Facebook likes or getting a written testimonial you can post on your website. Be proactive on your hunt for endorsements and you'll be amazed at what can come rolling back to you.

Sift through the recommendations.

If you do your homework right and the recommendations start flowing your way you'll want to sift through them to make sure they are the right recommendations for your company. This ability to sift through the recommendations works best when you're in control like on your own web page or Facebook account. Just because someone says, "I like them" doesn't mean you have to use that recommendation especially if that is all you get. Without writing them yourself, the recommendations should be thoughtful and specific towards what your company is offering. The more details the better the recommendation.

Spread the word.

Securing a good recommendation is meaningless until you can put it work for you. Every new positive recommendation should be shared with your entire social media network. It should also be included in any email blast that you'll be sending out to new customers.

How To Attract the Clients You Want

Your customers are your company's lifeblood. Without them your business will go belly up. Just because you've got some loyal customers doesn't mean you can rest on your laurels and coast through your next bottom line review. You should always be on the lookout for ways to expand your customer or client base. Here's how to attract the clients you want:

Make customer service priority number one.

The goal is to make it easy for a client to do business with you. That is accomplished with a strident focus on customer service. You don't have to send out "thank you gift baskets" after ever order, but make sure every client has a dedicated representative from your company that they can reach out to. Solve problems fast and listen to what that client wants. By providing this kind of top-notch customer service your clients will have no problem recommending your company to their associates.

Focus on information.

To attract clients you need to provide them with valuable information, not a hard sales pitch. You already know what your current clients appreciate in terms of the services your company provides. Let that be the focus of your marketing. You're trying to build up trust and that can only happen when you can demonstrate that you are focused on a potential client's best interests. 

Put technology to work for you.

With all the communication technology at our disposal, there is no excuse for not staying in contact with a client. You can use SaaS services such as ZenDesk or salesforce.com to keep track of complaints and issues. Make the investment to setup a CRM system and it could go a long towards securing that client's business.

Encourage referrals.

Asking for referrals should be a part of your daily business plan. It might help to have incentives not only for your employees but for your current clients as well. A referral means you'll be getting the same kind of client you're already working with. No one is going to send you a "bad client."

Keep your staff motivated.

After all your hard work of attracting new clients, you don't want to lose them if your staff drops the ball. Make sure everyone is on the same page so that you're presenting a unified front to any prospective client. A happy staff means happy clients and that's going to be less stress for you all around.

How to Get More Referrals for Your Business

 

When it comes to your helping your business grow, it all boils down to who you know. And all that could be standing between your business succeeding or failing is your personal network. We’re talking about your professional network and the referrals which are the backbone of any productive small business sales force. Think of referrals as a chain between you and making a sale. The immediate referral might not be buying but that doesn’t mean it can’t lead to a referral that is in the market for what you’re selling. To increase sales you’ll need to increase referrals. Here’s how to accomplish that goal:

Ask and You Can Receive

Every satisfied customer you create is a new referral. Now you’ve got to “activate” that referral. Let that happy customer know you would appreciate their help with getting the word out about your business. Don’t assume everyone is talking about your company. Give them a little nudge and you might just be surprised with the results. You can take it a step further by asking directly for a contact of a friend or family member of that customer who would benefit from what you’re offering. The only shame would be in not asking.

Give and Take

You can get new referrals for your small business by sharing your referrals. This works best in a B2B market but it really amounts to you being proactive about expanding your customer base. If you have a supplier who is selling you a particular product for your business then you can spread the word of his company while he spreads the word of yours. Quid pro quo.

Offer Incentives

Two magic words that get everybody’s attention: finder’s fee. This is a very common practice all across the business world. When someone gives you a referral that buys from you, your referrer is rewarded in some fashion. Local cable and telephone companies use this practice. Sign up a friend and you’ll get a discount. How can you apply that to your business?

Offer Your Referrals First

Somebody has to “break the ice.” That could be you when you offer a referral to a customer or business associate for an item outside of your own company. This could get the ball rolling for a referral exchange.

Spread Your Name

If you have a storefront business then you should make sure every customer walks out with something that has your business name on it. Whether that’s a shopping bag, pen, coaster or magnet you’re spreading the name of your company. How can you do the same thing for an online business? If you post a fun video or photo make sure your web address is embedded on the image. Where ever that graphic goes is where your company name will go. You could hold a contest for the cutest puppy photo. It might have nothing to do with your business but those photos will be shared everywhere. Think outside of the box.

Tips For Optimizing An Email Marketing Campaign

While it is true that traditional mail advertising circulars are still an effective way to reach a customer base, email marketing can truly take your business global. An affective email marketing campaign can improve your company’s chances of increasing its customer base and bottom line. Most of the email addresses you’ll be using in your marketing campaign could be willing recipients. In other words, these folks have signed up for the information you’ll be sending them. The goal is to optimize that email marketing campaign and insure you’ll be creating a positive experience for those customers. Here’s how you can accomplish that goal:

Reconnect With Existing Leads

While it is important to constantly be on the prowl for new lead generation, it is equally important to stay in positive contact with existing leads. You might have been sending them newsletters or special offers without much feedback. We are quickly developing into a society where everyone gets to share their opinion. Why not invite your leads to share what’s on their mind about your business? Ask them about their own needs in the form of a quick survey. Invite them to check out a new “exclusive” offer and provide their comments. This could also be a way of sorting out who is really a “hot” lead versus a “cold” lead.

Use the Power of the Referral

Positive word of mouth is extremely valuable for any business. You can boost that along by asking your existing customers to refer new business you way. You can entice them with a special offer for every referral they send your way. On some level, this is doubling your email marketing when you can get existing customers to do the work for you!

Share Your Business Story

Everyone has a story. The history of a small business is what gives that company its personality and charm. Sharing the origins of your company’s start-up is an effective way to build up trust and familiarity with your customers. You’re no longer just a “shop around the corner” but instead you’re part of the neighborhood. You’re family. That kind of sharing can generate positive feelings for years to come.

Create a Strong Landing Page Lead Magnet

Just as the title implies, a lead magnet is going to pull new customers to your website with a specific offer or benefit. A lead magnet can be a piece of fresh video content or insightful report used to support your business. It’s all about keeping the content on your landing page fresh. Give your lead something new to view, read or participate in.

Provide a “Sample”

Who doesn’t like to get something for free? Grocery stores recognize this by offering free samples of tasty treats. You can provide the same enticement in the form of a free trial registration or demonstration of your product or service. This is a perfect opportunity to education a new customer base about what your company is offering. Once a new customer has been given a “free sample” they often buy the product for themselves!