Finally someone who has broken down in clear steps how to focus on benefits and deliver what's most effective in the conversation.

I strive to be the one who initiates the conversation and benefit from listening before tailoring my message to the person and their individual needs. It is critical to think on your feet and remain focused for those times you are put on the spot.

The power of words is incredible. The more you can say in fewer words is an effective tool we yearn to master. As an adult educator years ago I used this fill in the blank approach extensively. This is a great worksheet Suzi.

Hey... will be great to see everyone tomorrow. Thanks for arranging this Marianna.

These are great points Brent and ones that can just as easily apply to any type of project, even business plans.

• know your market
• know your competitors
• have a clear plan with defined goals
• followup and measure your results
• adjust ... repeat :-)

Great article Mark. I always believe that honey attracts more than vinegar and your comments are so true that where payment has not been forthcoming a friendly reminder works wonders.

In cases where payment goes to step 3 and beyond to collection the quite often a review of the contract or due diligence during initial contact with client reveals some warning signs that were missed.

Hi Trina and welcome aboard. Great to see a fresh face in Alberta on board. Checked your website. Your rates are great.

Biznik is a great way to share the written word in educational articles for members which I note you have already done. Kudo's for jumping right in on Biznik.

I do a lot of work with websites. I often refer out copy writing services so I am interested in knowing more about the types of writing you like the most.

Cheers - Brad

Hi Marianna. Left you a voicemail this morning as I cannot get there today. Live on a dead end steep hill and it is closed in/out due to ice for a bit longer. Funny weather we are having these days. At least Biznik is not affected by weather :) Have fun and drive safe and we will see you in 2009.

Cheers - Brad

Great article Kirk. To be successful one must be coachable, approachable, and resourceful among other things.

With mentors there should be a natural fit and often they are right in front of us such as a successful long term client or business associate.

Do not be afraid to try new things and understand that someone outside your organization looking in will have a vastly different view than you from within.

The only 'constant' in the world is 'change'. Therefore we should revisit the 5 person test periodically. Even if we have our 'five' in each area have new relationships or opportunities to learn and grow presented themselves?

Lets turn the tables at bit.

How many of us are also peers, referral partners, and mentors for others? For how many persons in each area? It can go both ways. Not just for the personal and business coaches either.

I agree Meg. It is a great way to meet motivated entrepreneurs in relaxed and fun venues. I always have been close with my customers and work with all of them as friends, because they are friends. Finally a website that follows that lead. Meet people, have fun, build friendships and help each others businesses to grow. Does this mean we will see an event on the North Shore soon Meg? :-)

Brad

Alas I could not reschedule work to be there tonight Christa but will make an effort for future events. If I am not in Seattle for next years anti-office party then I will be in Vancouver for ours which next year will be big I am sure.

Maybe we have an anti-office summer party in 2009 too :-)

I have been meaning to check out the Art Gallery. What better way to do that and meet up too. I'll try to remember to bring my digital camera too.

Arrrrgh! Camera. Pictures. I must ... re ... member ... next time :-)

Great meetup. Great stories and sharing of needs and ideas. I actually delayed my first appointment of the day so I could stay longer and learn and hear more about everyone. Those who can make it next time it is well worth it and a great way to meet folks here in Surrey/Langley.

I have used CT for 5 years with no complaints PJ. 24/7/365 support on the phone no less, not just an online email help form. For those of us who host a lot of sites dedicated servers are a better deal as you have unlimited use of the server to host many sites for one fee and you can customize stuff. I am reviewing what Eric Larson has to offer in dedicated servers and email hosting. Eric I will take you up on that coffee very soon :-)

Coffee for sure. Maybe a bagel :-)

Great start and looking forward to it. Lets get the word out so we can get some more folks coming. Brian maybe some of the folks we met at the Board of trade event last night would be interested? What about Georgina?

Certainly worth seeing who else is on Biznik in Surrey area and put it out to them Marianne.

Susan brings up a great point. Ensure you have ownership and control of the name and brand and the content of your site.

Ensure the registrant details AND at least one of the Admin, Billing or technical contacts are your details and are current and accurate details including email address.

PJ where you registered yourself and provided your own details you are covered but if there are resellers out there on Enom or anywhere holding back on codes or access to allow transfer of domain names they should be reported.

One of the challenges many people face starting out, myself included, is how to position themselves and price their product or services.

On the one hand you want to gain exposure and get new clients. On the other hand you never want to set a precedent that limits or holds you back.

It would be interesting to learn more about your editing and proofreading skills Catherine. That is a biz that can translate to local and remote work and I am glad to see you qualified that your rates and offer above do not apply to your copywriting.

I am the guy that picks the spiders up to personally escort them out of the house. My wife on the other hand .... very much arachnaphobic :-)

I am a systems and software analyst Dan. Mainly work on database and web software projects for marketing, property management, manufacturing, and service companies. More of a problem solver, removing bottlenecks that are holding companies or individuals back from their innovative ideas to build and grow their business.

I agree with your comment that entrepreneurs do know what they want. The challenge is that many times they do not know how to get there efficiently, myself included. That is where a site like biznik really helps, pulling the knowledge and expertise to the surface where it can be shared and learned.

I checked out your website Dan. Interesting. One of my clients knows Joe Vitale. Do you know or know of Dan Kennedy or Bill Glazer?

Hi Dan. Publicity is a marketing tool seldom utilized by small businesses and individuals yet it can be very effective in delivering credibility and results.

My only experience with publicity came in 2006 when my other company Apartment Pilot (www.apartmentpilot.com) landed a high profile customer in Manhattan and the news wire picked up on it and were phoning for days to get interviews and radio and TV spots. We had our 15 minutes of fame so to speak then reality settled back in. What sucked is we were completely unprepared for the feedback and opportunities that came (and went) soon after we were newsworthy.

What are your most memorable experiences with free publicity Dan?

How long has your new book been in publication and where can it be purchased?

Welcome to Biznik Caroline. Great to see someone from back east getting involved.

You should elaborate a bit on what 3D modeling you do and some specific applications you have worked on recently? Knowing there are more web, logo and SEO folks out there I do not see a lot of 3D and I am sure people will find that to be an interesting and unique thing that you do.

Brad Archibald HOSS SOlutions http://www.hoss-solutions.com

Search engines are insatiable for content and the more relevant content we can feed them the more attention we will get in return.

And while we are at it ... don't underestimate the power of keywords and content created in Biznik. By ensuring our profile details are concise and complete, that we fill in our keywords and descriptions, and we are posting articles and topics with links back to our website in those topics we can greatly boost our online visibility. Dawn sort of hit on that in her reply by adding her name, title, and link to website.

I have only been active on Biznik having filled in my details just over a week ago and my name is already second on Google search. (I am the top 5 on Google) Other 4 took months and years to get where they are. I am now working on other tools linked through Biznik to raise the profile of my company, HOSS Solutions.

With a little thought on words and focus on what you do it can be fun and very effective. Thanks for the article David.

Brad Archibald Software Developer HOSS Solutions http://www.hoss-solutions.com