Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Business Networking To Increase Sales, From Colorado Groups to California Organizations These Can Help!



Business Networking To Increase Sales & Profits 
by Charlie Cook Link

1. For most independent professionals, effective networking should be a driving force, if not the central component of their marketing efforts. It’s not what you know but who you know that gets you in the door. Over time effective networking can generate a steady stream of referrals and help your business grow. Your networking strategy can largely replace cold calling, advertising and other less productive marketing efforts.

 2. Most people lack an understanding of how to network to fuel business growth or further their careers. The result is that most people spend too much unproductive time networking with friends and colleagues and have little to show for their efforts. If you’re an extrovert, meeting lots of people may be your idea of fun. If you’re an introvert, it can be a struggle unless you understand how to network to get more clients. For most people, networking without a clear strategy is like investing by throwing darts at the stock page blindfolded.

 3. The primary objective of networking should be gain an understanding of others’ concerns and problems. Then you can make quick assessments as to whether they would have any interest in the solutions you provide. The objective of networking is not to expound on your credentials. Most people waste the few precious moments they have with new and existing contacts by focusing on themselves. Better is to spend most of that time asking questions and collecting information

4. There are many effective ways to network, some far more productive than the typical personal conversation. Its more useful to: • Have a succinct “elevator speech”, a 30 second description of the problems you solve, is an essential networking tool. • Use questions to identify individuals primary concerns and at least one piece of personal information. • Refer your contacts to people in your network who can solve their problems. The benefit of this approach is twofold. First, you’ll be seen as a problem solver, and second, those people who benefit from your referrals are more likely to provide you with referrals in return. • Provide valuable information on a regular basis for free. A weekly or monthly newsletter is one way to establish your credibility. When this missive provides solutions, it will be shared by people in your network, further lengthening your list of contacts.

5. Most people rely on serendipity for results. It certainly doesn’t hurt to let people you meet know about the types of problems you solve, but if you want to get better results and increase business, target your networking. Identify the people you want to make contact with, whether prospects or potential marketing alliance partners, and make carefully researched efforts to build relationships. This approach takes more time on your part, but it gets results.

6. Your networking efforts will be a waste of time without effective data management. When you meet or contact people, enter the information you learn into your contact management software; make note of their interests, what you’ve shared with them, and when and how to contact them next. 7. People have short memories. Follow-up regularly with members of your network or they’ll forget you exist and more importantly they’ll forget that you are the best person to solve their financial, legal, human resource, design, or other problems. Contact the people in your network in some way at least once a month.


I started this site to help others with tips in Sales, Telecom-Renewable Energy awareness. Contact me Tradd Duggan , LinkedIn profile. To Network, possible Sales opportunities or more information.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Five Secrets to Free Publicity


By Tom Searcy 
Article Link

(MoneyWatch) Let me let you in on a little secret: Free publicity is the cheapest way to build your brand. But the right publicity -- the kind that can generate leads, build credibility, and increase awareness in the marketplace -- doesn't happen by accident. How can you gain positive national exposure that will lead prospects to your product or service? No public relations expert would ever say there isn't at least some element of chance involved in what stories get picked up and which ones don't. However, there is a way to increase the odds.

The best approach is to take a "water-drip" torture approach. Keep getting your name in front of prospects through publicity. Every droplet of attention makes a difference. After a while, your story will break through the clutter in the same way water eventually wears away a stone. The secret to success is to be sure you're telling a story that's worth printing. The best publicity draws on one of a handful of tried-and-true themes. Newsworthy stories have something that hits you as a reader and that rises above "just the facts." Here are five can't-fail angles that the media loves:

 1. Underdog. Do you have a David versus Goliath story to tell? Everybody loves an underdog: You were small and the odds against you were great, but you took on the big guys and won! If play this card, you might attract more attention than you ever thought you could.
 2. Superman. Do you have "first, fastest, brightest" story to tell? You don't have to be faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive, but it would help. If you've got a truly unique story -- you're the first, or the biggest, or the strongest, or the loudest -- then you have a certifiably newsworthy story.
3. Cinderella. Do you have a rags-to-riches story to tell? Stories about the GWOG (Guy Working Out of Garage) who strikes it rich always command public interest. Late Apple (AAPL) co-founder Steve Jobs may represent the quintessential example of the small entrepreneur rising to greatness, but there are countless other examples.
 4. Dear Abby. Do you have a "free advice" story to tell? You can't beat free counsel for building trust. Brainstorm the best tips you have to offer customers in your industry. That is the basis for an interesting article.
 5. Scientist. Do you a story based on hard facts and figures? You can assert all you want, but numbers make it real. Research -- real, proprietary research carried out by you and featuring your own data -- can be a great way to get attention. Conducting a survey works just fine.


I started this site to help others with tips in Sales, Telecom-Renewable Energy awareness. Contact me Tradd Duggan , LinkedIn profile. To Network, possible Sales opportunities or more information.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Colorado Telecommunications Association Summer Events



2012 CTA Summer Meeting and Vendor Showcase July 24 - 27, 2012 - Loveland, CO
Event Link

Colorado Telecommunications Association invites you to attend their 2012 Summer meeting. This event offers attendees and vendors educational seminars, networking opportunities and exposure to the latest trends, products and business practices to make and keep your business successful.

HOTEL RESERVATION INSTRUCTIONS: 4705 Clydesdale Pkwy Loveland, CO 80538 Telephone: 970-593-6200 To make reservations online: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/F/FNLESES-CTA-20120724/index.jhtml To make reservations by phone: 1-800-HILTONS (Embassy Suites are now Hilton properties) * Hotel Cutoff for the special room rate is June 24, 2012. * Nightly charges start at $159.00 plus taxes. * Breakfast buffet and manager's reception are included in your hotel stay. *

If you will not be a hotel guest, the Embassy breakfast is available for an additional $16.00 fee per person per day and you must register in advance on the meeting reservation form ATTENDEE (MEMBER / AFFILIATE) REGISTRATION OPTIONS: Early Bird Registration $400 before July 3rd, 2012 Late Registration $450 after July 4 Thursday Showcase only $75 Admit 1 Person to Tradeshow from 2pm - 5pm Spouse / Guest $175

I started this site to help others with tips in Sales, Telecommunications awareness. Contact me Tradd Duggan , LinkedIn profile. To Network, possible Sales openings or more information.