comments

Hi Judy - I'm jumping on the bandwagon of loving your article. We all recieve so much communication these days, it's important if we are going to publish a newsletter that we inform and entertain.

I agree with Pamela that using your authentic voice is the key to getting readers to "stick." Like Pamela, I find I get more energized responses when I write about a personal insight, in my voice and being vulnerable. People can relate to me as a person rather than just a distanced voice.

You are always such a great resource. I love reading your articles and blogs. I learn something new every time.

I don't know if you've checked out the Blue Penguin site, but he's doing some fabulous work with newsletter coaching.

Jen

Okay so I'm going to chime in here for those who aren't web designers but have read and enjoyed your post. I think as small business owners we all feel the same pain.

Whether we are in the restaurant business, consulting, or web design, we struggle with trying to serve our clients/customers while trying to financially maintain our businesses.

I'm going to save this post and use it as a reminder when I'm working with a new client just to make sure I'm grounded.

Thanks again!

I am just getting started in the networking world and to tell you the truth it isn't my favorite thing to do. I love meeting and talking to new people, but somehow this seems so contrived.

Thank you for your tips about preparing ahead of time. I'm going to try that this month at the three networking events I'm attending. I think that will help with the nerves to know a little about who I may meet and how I want to interact with them. I will be coming back to this article often.

I think we need a catch all place, but to tell you the truth, sometimes it is a little overwhelming. I want to participate, but then there isn't enough time to sort through everything.

I suggest a couple more larger general categories with one being a catch-all.

Would there be any interest in a non-Seattle forum where people from outside of Seattle can connect? Just an idea.

Hi Dani, What a great article for me at this time. I've begun my networking this summer with the local chamber of commerce (which covers three towns) and have visited a couple of BNI meetings. After 6 months in business it was nice to share what I've learned and what I need.

I like your idea of goals for a networking group. I had general goals such as increase referrals or be of service to the others, but just like developing your client profile, now I realize I need to develop a networking profile.

Thanks a lot. I'm going to work on this today so I can make some informed decisions in the next couple of weeks.

Hi Barbara. Thank you for this article. My biggest take away was that the business you start isn't the business you end up with.

It reminded me of my father and grandfather's businesses. Neither started out as what it is now. I've just started my business and I will keep this wise advice in my back pocket.

Thanks again, Jen

Hi Christine. This is a lot of good information, but I wouldn't expect less! I loved the "don't sit in research jail."

I worked for a company and we did exactly that. After nearly two years of research, it was like pulling teeth to get people to go through the data, pull out what we could use and then develop a plan. Even then the plan used probably only 10% of the information in the research. I kept thinking what a waste.

Thanks! Jen

Hi Alex. Have you thought about using Facebook's discussion sections of their business pages for opening up questions for discussion. Again I think you need the traffic, but it is a way to get people talking.

Something to think about. Jen

Hi Carol - I agree with you that two day seminars seem to develop the concepts better, build stronger relationships and if structured properly, leave the audience wanting more.

The only issue is captivating them before the workshop even starts. As Dennis said there are more front end costs to get the word out. A friend of mine just did a two day workshop in Seattle and it was a struggle to get the minimum participants to pay for the venue. You don't want to be in that position.

My advice would be to offer one day workshops with the option down the road of longer workshops on deeper topics. That way you can gain the trust of the participants through the one day workshop and build the following for longer workshops.

Jen

Hi Chad - Welcome to Biznik. I'm sure there are a lot of us who have dogs and will be looking to you for advice.

I'm going to bookmark your site for my future questions!

Jen

Hi Scott - Welcome to Biznik! Your site sounds fabulous. I'll drop by and check it out.

Jen

Hi Katherine - I've found a great resource in Mary Pat Kavanaugh. Her business Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Queen-of-Social-Marketing/8079208275. You should check her out.

Otherwise there are great resources here on Biznik. I am alwasy learning new and better ways of using the web and social networking here.

Welcome, Jen

Hi Trina - what a great way to use a Gratitude Journal! Each night I do my own personal gratitude journal and it has made a huge difference in my life.

Recently, I at the end of my work day, I think of the most challenging event of the day, and then ask myself why I am grateful that happened. I always find a huge learning buried there. Now I will start to use the gratitude journal to capture those thoughts.

Thanks again! Jen

Hi Fran. I enjoyed your article. It is so true that our inner and outer vision needs to work together in order to achieve our goals. Funny that I should read this article this morning because that was what my morning walking meditation was about.

To help strengthen my personal inner vision, I've done a lot of work with affirmations. Is this something you work on with your clients?

Jen

Hi Brian. I've been to many a tradeshow and I think Tristan said it best, there can be long faces on both sides of the table.

Whenever I go to a show, I always have a couple things I'm looking for. Then I leave the rest up to what happens. By doing so I leave with a lot less "stuff" (that usually gets thrown away after a while anyway, and more personal connections.

Thanks for the article.

Hi Christine. Great article. I think the biggest thing I took away besides the need to do research (which I am working on as we speak, thank you!) was the fact that when people visit our sites, they are coming to a different country.

The "ah-ha" I had was to ask myself if I didn't know anything about my business, would I want to click to the next page? Did the home page break it down simply enough so that I wanted to check out more? Did it give me the basics?

I am always looking at ways to work on my site. You've given me some great things to think about. Thanks!

Hi Kathryn. Thanks for the great article. I loved your sense of humor with your examples. It made the information accessible and enjoyable.

You're right about social networking being nothing new. As a smal business owner, you are always talking about your business, now the internet give us the ability to talk to more people.

Thanks! Jen

Great and useful article. I liked the breakdown between the four types of clients/customers...that we might have.

Thanks for the resources too. I love when we can share useful tools with one another.

I'd like to add one of my own, "Hug Your Customer" by Jack Mitchell. It doesn't speak to getting referrals, but it does talk about how taking care of your customers and really knowing them can turn them into advocates.

Thanks again! Jen

Hi Dustin. Thanks for the article and the reinforcement. I set my business plan when I started my coaching practice earlier this year. Then I review my goals quarterly and set out specific action plans/steps to acheive those goals.

I also do a little problem solving. If I need to attract new clients, I look at how much networking I'm doing, what is effective and what I can do differently. Then I adjust accordingly.

What I will take away from your article is the need to do some of the analysis at the end of the month. Sometimes as an entrepreneur we can play the "I'm too busy" card and put off these essential activities.

Thanks again!

Welcome Chin! How exciting to be setting up a business with your friends and family. That takes a lot!

I've made a lot of strategic and non-strategic connections here. I think you will find a lot of value in the people and use them as resources.

Good luck!

Jen