21 Networking Hot Spots
March 31, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Networking is still the number # 1 way to meet new prospects, get referrals, and build up your business. Here is a list of 21 networking hot spots:
1) Chamber of Commerce- A tried and true spot.
2) Any Business Journal Event- These are events sponsored by your local business journal. Think power breakfasts and educational seminars.
3) Meetups.com- There is a local meet up for almost every topic. Find one that you like or start your own!
4) Networking clubs- These exist for the sole purpose of giving and getting referrals. Hint: start by giving.
5) College alumni groups- You already share common ground!
6) Educational groups- Toastmaster’s, foreign language study groups, educational seminars. All great places to meet like minded individuals.
7) Civic organizations- Rotary, Elks, Kiwanis, Lions. Clubs named after animals. = )
8 ) Cultural events- Museum showings, library book clubs, symphonies.
9) Charity groups- Volunteer to help behind the scenes. You may be surprised at all the great people you meet.
10) Trade groups or professional association- One place to learn about your company, your competition, and your clients.
11) The airplane- Get to know your seat mates. It’s great one-on-one networking practice.
12) Neighborhood associations- Get to know your neighbors…and gain access to who they know.
13) Happy hour- Good way to meet people in a relaxed environment…just don’t get too relaxed.
14) Parents of your children’s friends- Don’t overlook this important networking opportunity.
15) Health clubs- Don’t underestimate the power of a workout. You can lose weight and make friends.
16) Private clubs- Do your research and find one that attracts the type of clientelle you wish to serve.
17) Coffee or lunch- I always meet interesting people at Starbucks and Whole Foods. Don’t be afraid to say hi to new people.
18) Trade shows- A great way to find joint venture partners and learn more about what’s new in your industry.
19) Conferences- Conferences are educational and provide great networking opportunities.
20) Religious or spiritual organizations- Churches, synagogues, life-centers- establish yourself in the community.
21) Dog parks- Leverage your pets to meet with other professionals and fellow pet-lovers.
Care to add more to the list? Click on the comments link up top and share away!
Top 5 Lessons I Learned While Building a Booming Coaching Practice
March 27, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
Earlier this week I shared how I skyrocketed my past coaching business in three months. In that post, I promised I would also share my top lessons. These are my nuggets of wisdom.
1) Your brand matters. "Branding" is not just a fluffy feel good word. It matters. It is what your business is about, and it is what sets you apart from the million other service providers. I didn’t realize exactly HOW important a brand was until I got into the business. Once I caught on, I changed everything. Do this right from the start, and you won’t have to slave over it after the launch of your business.
2) Don’t do one shot coaching-it takes time! When I first started coaching, I worked with clients one month at a time. BAD idea. One month is not enough to create lasting change- unless you are in a specialized field. In personal coaching, it isn’t enough time. If I could do it over, I would ask clients for at least a 3 month commitment.
3) Get FEEDBACK. No matter how amazing you are at what you do- get feedback and get lots of it. I thought some ideas were just brilliant and they "felt right." Then I asked colleagues and clients. They didn’t agree. And that’s okay! Your business is not about you. It’s about serving your market. Listen to them and heed their advice.
4) Don’t get discouraged- No matter how seasoned you are, starting a business from scratch is tough. Don’t get discouraged. Keep at it and try different methods. Give the methods time, but don’t beat your head against a brick wall. Get help, get motivated, and don’t give up!
5) List, List, List- Offline, location is everything. Online, your LIST is everything. Build up a list of people who care about what you have to say. Respect them, treat them like friends, and offer them value in exchange for their time and attention. I constantly give away things to my list. I adore them. I share my life stories, case studies, and whatever else I can. This is your most valuable asset. I learned this in my coaching business.
What have you learned while building your business? Please share below! = )
4 Reasons Your Prospects Don’t Turn into Clients
March 24, 2008
By: Shama Hyder
A perceived risk is the number one thing that stops prospects from turning into clients. Here are the top four reasons why people don’t buy:
1) Losing money- People value what they have more than what they don’t. Even if your services are spectacular, their money is more precious to them. This becomes especially true in tough economic times. You can overcome this barrier by fully conveying the value they will receive for their hard-earned cash. This is a bit easier if you are helping them increase their bottom line (marketing for example) than it is for relationship coaching or personal training. If your services don’t directly impact a client’s bottom line, you may have to work harder to convey the value. Testimonials can really help you do this with ease.
2) Scared of being stuck- Unfortunately, a few hucksters in business give the majority a bad name. Your prospects are scared of being stuck with something that doesn’t work for them and not having a way out. Many service businesses ask clients to sign up for a certain time period in order to deliver results and rightly so. However, this scares prospects into thinking they have no way out. Always explain to prospects that if they are unsatisfied due to your service, they are free to go. If you insist on making them stick to the contract, you may end up up with unstoppable negative word-of-mouth.
3) Making a mistake- Nobody wants to mess up and everybody is afraid of choosing something that isn’t right for them. This is why it’s best to serve in an advisor capacity. Don’t take on clients who can’t fully benefit from your services. Just this week, I turned down three prospects.
4) Not getting what they were promised- Disappointments are scary. Some (unethical) marketers promise the sun and the moon-only to leave their clients without a thing. Chances are your clients have been burned before too. It’s your job to make sure they get what you promise. One great way to overcome this is to let them speak to past clients.
Comments? Questions? Ask below!
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