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Marketing Tips
Fact or Fiction #7
A business associate was waxing lyrical the other day about the value of a referral. He said “ it is as good as sold when you get a referral ”. And this is definitely fiction. A refe...
Fact or Fiction #6
Trying to predict referrals is a waste of time! When discussing the value of referrals recently one of the group said that they were great but he wouldn’t want to rely on them as they were t...
Fact or Fiction #5
I heard someone say recently that the best from of follow up is a personal note in your own handwriting. And while it sounds good it really is fiction. Why? Because almost any form of follow up ...
Fact or Fiction #4
Somebody said to me recently that they did not need to network as their existing customers were their best source of referrals. And many business people believe that! Yet, in many cases it is fic...
Fact or Fiction #3
Many people believe that when people like you they will refer business to you , particularly if they are a friend. However this is fiction because it ignores some of the basic principles of refe...
Fact or Fiction #2
Many people believe that if you provide good customer service that people will refer yo u. In fact they even say that this is what makes them different from other businesses - they provide good cus...
Fact or Fiction #1
Word of Mouth is Best! It can be...... and it can be the worst. It very much depends on how you conduct business and the reputation you have in the marketplace. If you do the wrong thing, word o...
Marketing Tip #10
Now ask your new prospect... "What do you see as the most difficult thing about dealing in your industry?" Ask this from a customers stand point and from the industry. Pain or ...
Marketing Tip #9
Now ask your new contact... What ways have you found to be most effective for promoting your business? This will elicit a positive response and also helps you ‘read’ how they think....
Marketing Tip #8
So now we are getting to know the person quite well and have built up some rapport, the next question to ask so that the conversation is focussed on them is... What has been the strangest/funniest ...
Marketing Tip #8
So now we are getting to know the person quite well and have built up some rapport, the next question to ask so that the conversation is focussed on them is... What has been the strangest/funniest ...
Marketing Tip #7
Now keep the conversation going by asking "What do you see as the coming trends in your industry?" This is a speculation question and positions them as the EXPERT in their industry as we...
Marketing Tip #6
Now ask your new contact... What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession through the years? Now the person is thinking back to the good old days and when someone is remem...
Marketing Tip #5
The next question to ask is..... What one thing would you do in your business… if you knew you couldn’t fail? This causes the peron to really think hard about their business, deepen...
Marketing Tip #4
The next question to ask is...... "What advice would you give someone just starting out in the ‘widget business’?" Remember that what you are doing in this process is buildin...
Top Ten Networking Tips - #3
Now that your conversation is getting more involved, ask your new contact what separates them from their competition. This gives them the opportunity to brag about their business which has two adva...
Top Ten Networking Tips - #2
Once you have a conversation started (or even to start one) ask the new contact... "What do you enjoy most about your Industry/Profession?" I call this the BRAG factor as it allows the ...
Top Ten Networking Tips - #1
This will be a weekly item for the next 10 weeks with a new TIP each week. Start any new connection at a Networking Event by asking a question. This gets the person talking about themselves which...
Tough Times.... or an Opportunity?
Generally accepted wisdom in business for years has been to focus on one thing and do it well. And in many cases that may well be true. Yet the business world of today – particularly small bu...
Top Trust Tips for Relationships
Be prepared to invest time. There is a vast difference between first impressions and total trust. In some cases it can take 12 months before a prospect trusts you enough to give you business or ...
Networking is useless
This is what everyone has been waiting for – an investment tip for 2009 that is "guaranteed"!
And here it is - one word – YOU!
2009's guaranteed Investment Tip!
It never ceases to amaze me the number of people who promote networking as the best way of building new business. There are even organizations built on the premise.
How good is your credibility?
I read a newsletter recently where the writer was talking about credibility and how it can be used to build a business.
Are you really networking?
In a conversation recently with another networking specialist were debating the question “do people really use ALL their networks”?
That was close
It appears that the financial crisis may not be as bad as first thought or so some experts are saying.
Practising the Real Givers Gain!
On a recent speaking trip I arrived at the Air Canada check-in at Heathrow (London) with what I thought was plenty of time - 3 hours before my 1.15 pm flight left for Vancouver (Canada) - only to be told they cant check me in as there is a problem with my ticket.
Word of Mouth is Best...Right?
Yes it is - but only if it is part of a complete plan - on its own it probably has serious some limitations. Lets look at that in a little more detail?
Trust - a learned skill?
In his book, The Speed Of Trust, Stephen M. R. Covey says it is "the one thing that changes everything".
Let's find Anybody
Most people would agree with the saying “be careful what you ask for… because you just might get it”.
Problem of Opportunity!
Recently, while visiting a local Laundromat, (my washing machine died over a weekend) I spotted a notice on the wall that said:-
“If you need change for the washing or drying machines come next door. We are happy to help!”
Listen Up!
How well do you really listen when networking and talking to customers or potential referral sources?
Recently I noticed the following in an issue of Coffee News!
A simple cup of coffee - no big deal!
Every Wednesday morning I attend my networking group for their 7am breakfast. I arrive at 6.20 am, park my car, and as I walk to the venue I stop at the same outdoor café for a cappuccino.
Websites - ho hum!
Recently I recorded a CD in my Mastery Series called Digital Marketing Mastery. And because that is not my expertise I interviewed an expert - Ben Slater from Admission.
Testimonials - more that just thanks!
Most People in Business know what a testimonial is, right? Well maybe if it is asked for!
Most people in business give testimonials to others when they are deserved, right? WRONG!
Visibility is #1
Most single people know the value of being seen. It is very difficult to attract a life partner and then build a relationship by sitting in a room by yourself! You need to get out and meet people.
Are you available 24 - 7?
The mobile phone has given us all the opportunity to be contactable 24 hours a day 7 days a week. And this is a good thing right? Wrong!
What Code?
For most of us the beginning of a new business relationship follows some very basic steps, whether we are aware of it or not.
Are you talking too much?
The thing that makes many large companies so memorable is their message - it is simple! Two, three or four words at most! And when we hear that phrase we immediately know which company it belongs to.
Networking or Notworking?
Networking is the buzzword for business in the 21st century. Everyone talks about it yet many people do not really understand it. And even fewer implement sound networking principles in their life.
It's Relationships Stupid!
Not so long ago a popular phrase, at least in some countries, was "It's the economy, stupid!"
Joint Tendering
Turn your SMALL business into a BIG business ... at no cost!
Do you sometimes miss out on contracts because you are a “small business”? Or worse still do you not even bid because you see yourself as a “small business”?
What was that again?
Recently I have become aware of business people in many walks of life who have no idea how to communicate effectively with their clients and potential clients.
Small is the new BIG!
Many of you reading this will be part of the sector of the economy that governments like to call SME's (small to medium enterprises).
We Do Everything
The "One Stop Shop" - does it work?
Listening recently to someone tell a group of people what he did I was amazed at his skills - as he told them!
It's about them, not you!
One of the cornerstones of organisations like BNI and Toastmasters is the importance placed on recognition. And rightly so! I don’t know anyone who does not like to be recognised for things they have done well.
Stop Selling - Start Asking!
Most people in business are looking for ways to promote themselves and/or their products/services. You probably know some of them. They are the people who are always "selling" you and everyone else on the value of their product or service.
top workshops
Infomercial #1
What is your purpose in doing a 60 second infomercial?...
Infomercial #6
Composing a Better ...
The Wider Use Of Da...
Business Cards #1
latest blog...
The Diamond Rule
Many of us know the Golden Rule - treat others the way WE would like to be treated. And in many areas of life it may well stand us in good stead.