there's a tag line generator covered here http://sayitbetter.typepad.com/say_it_better/2008/06/clever-kind-and.html

Great post! Relatedly read Here Comes Everybody, The Starfish and the Spider, Tribe, Convergence Culture, Emergence, Linked, Wikinomics, The Big Sort, Nudge and Sway.

Barru This takes the question- asking further in my thinking. One can learn so much about peers, potential clients and other stakeholders by the quality of their answer or how others refer to them ... or not. I rate this article highly

Joy your approach embodies your approach to your own business. That idea of pairing up with people in different cities resonates with me here in Sausalito. I rate you a 9

Brody You are a whiz -both on your geek side and your "plain language' writing side - a rarity - right up there with Chris Brogan. I, too, rate this highly. Bet people will flock to you at biznik gatherings.

I think barter will grow in popularity in a down economy so both Taylor & Matt offer great examples, all 4 parties were providing services incidentally.

It helps if the barter is short-term, that is the work is to be done "soon."

Another benefit is when a barter enables one party to enter a niche market with a warmed-up introduction by the other party.

Also, this kind of article + comment motivates me to want to learn more about the authors' businesses.

Chrystal Look up the book titles (and/or other products) you love (especially those related to your kind of work... mmm that could be an interesting list in your case) and

1. click to write a review for that title.
2. create your profile
3. Also start or join an online community there to post comments http://www.amazon.com/communities

If you rec. titles and feature the books on your site you get a dribble of money from the sales of the books that come from your links. They even have a place for those who do to compare notes https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/gp/associates/network/boards/main.html

Pam, Very timely article. To your three "P"s I might add Path. How appropriate this article is to demonstrate the philosophy in your work.

Many parts of this article will help me next week when we hire 2 new people, especially the "expectations" part. I deeply appreciate the concreteness of your suggestions. They are complementary with the findings of Marcus Buckingham - towards optimizing the performance of an organization by hiring right. - matching a person's talents to the job. Kudos. Will rate this highly.

What a compassionate, savvy + practical article - thank you. And it made me want to learn more about you as a songwriter. Not that you "need" it but I, too, will rate this highly. Thank you for your authenticity!

Chrystal, What a smart idea. Nothing's more powerful than testimonials, especially from credible sources.

Also, one can showcase one's expertise & business with reviews at Amazon and, now, Barnes & Noble.

Very practical approach. I am giving this a 9. Liked your concrete examples.

This is a nugget: "Make referrals an expectation - for example — “would you like the normal price or the referral price?” "

Tiny quibble: the cookies from dentists. Maybe they can offer a healthy snack. Ironically, after speaking at 23 dental conferences I am still shocked by the amount of sweets given away at the conferences and suggested as gives for patients.

As an advocate of SmartPartnering I admire your approach Kare

how well-stated + enabling you to inject news of your own business

That approach is akin to the first steps for smartpartnering - identifying and speaking to the sweet spot of mutual opportunity can attract potential partners to better reach and serve a mutual market, a profitable me2we approach

Wise Molly - so practical and inspiring. Wherever we focus our mind and energy we set our path towards Thanks!

DeBorah I agree with the value of scripting and admire Phil's structure - JUST prefer a give before asking approach+ from Phil's open/positive responses to these comments I'll be he conducts his business that way. I'll bet if we were all in one room it would be a fun and easier conversation than touching this hot button via email

Apologies Just dif. frames of reference re asking friends .. and your generosity of spirit shines through your responses to Mary and to me. Thanks

Chiming in with Mary (above) rather than asking others (step 1) who they know that you should meet (an inadvertently me-centered approach):

1. Get concrete and specific about what makes your business different/better than the competition. (It is not how long you have been in business or having the lowest price)

2. Keep working on ways to expand/improve that differentiating benefit (As our founder here at biznik is doing)

3. Get very specific about the kind of customer/client who can most benefit from what you have to offer

4. Create a You Us Me message. that is speak to your customers' main problem of opportunity (you) what you have in common re that situation (us / what we know about it) then tell them exactly how you can help them solve the problem or capture the opportunity.

Basically I am suggesting a you/customer-centered approach to growing a business.

The next step is to partner with reputable businesses that also serve your kind of customer and go after that "mutual market' better together.

In these bad economic times this efficient method is more likely to attract more customers and spending than solo "meet me"/"buy from me" networking, advertising or pr.

I offer this approach constructively, against the grain of our instincts to sell ourselves rather than to first put the "gift" of a solution in front of people who can benefit from it.

Dani Having read about 10 articles on your topic I found yours to be the best at how to be authentic, non-pushy, helpful to others and efficient in using LinkedIn - thank you so much

Karen

1. What a goldmine! Thank goodness i am on several plane flights so i can read some of those recs.

2. Sorry you had trouble commenting on the blog.

3. Suggestion to you all: as well as biznikers hosting events and seminars, what if we had people such as the commenters here, lead telebriefings? It is another, low-cost way to learn from each other - and get to know each other better.

Oh I look forward to meeting so many of you oen day in Seattle.