How to Get More Clients with Focused Networking

IN THIS ISSUE
1.  How to Get More Clients with Focused Networking
2 .  Quote of the Week
3 .  Resources for Entrepreneurs and Marketers
4 .  A Little Fun
5.  Smell the Coffee

This ezine is for anyone who wants to attract more customers, close more sales, earn more revenue, boost their bottom line, and drive their competitors crazy.

Don't forget to tell all your friends and business associates about this informative newsletter! You don't want to be the only smart one in your group, do you?

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1. Get Clients with Focused Networking

Are you a lemming or a trail-blazing leader? When you go out to network for business, do you head straight to the big gatherings, like the Chamber's Business After Hours monthly events?

How does this work out for you? Yeah, me neither.

I've found that if I don't already know someone there, it's very hard to make any good contacts. People are so busy talking to everyone they already know that I don't stand a chance of breaking into a conversation or meeting people I don't know who might be good prospects for me.

It doesn't mean I don't go to these events. I do. And sometimes I walk away with three or four decent contacts simply by being at the right place at the right time and concentrating on discovering the needs of the people I meet.

But let's talk about a better approach to meeting the best prospects.

If you're a marketing consultant like I am, instead of going to the gigantic "networking" meetings, try joining a group that has a narrower focus, like the local association for CPAs or the local builder's association. You'll probably be the only one in the crowd who does what you do.

And everyone will want your business card.

If you do a little work BEFORE you go to the meeting, you can be even more successful. Here's how:

• Choose a target market, like attorneys or CPAs.
  

• Research the business and networking groups by watching for announcements in the newspaper, searching online, and talking to people you know. You can also go to the library to see which associations are available for the particular target market you wish to pursue.
  

• Telephone the membership director of the organization to find out if the group is right for you. Say to the membership director, "I just read an announcement about the XYZ Group and I'm wondering if it's right for me. If it is, I might like to attend your next meeting and become a member."
  
  Their reply is likely to be, "We'd love it if you would come to the next meeting and see what you think."
  

• "Let me tell you a little more about what I do and you tell me if your group is right for me. I work exclusively with CPAs to help them build their practices. Would this be a good group for me to join?"
  

• And when the membership director says, "Yes, we'd love to have you," you reply, "Are there any other marketing consultants in your organization?"
  

• There may be a few but it's unlikely there will be very many in the group. Now here's the kicker. Ask the membership director, "Will you be at the next meeting and will you introduce me to a few people?"
  
  Of course the membership director will be delighted to do so. Now you have someone to help you network your way to success without having to feel uncomfortable!
  
  In my ebook, PUBLIC RELATIONS 101 FOR SERVICE PROFESSIONALS, SOLOPRENEURS, COACHES AND SPEAKERS: DOWN-TO-EARTH IDEAS TO HELP YOU AND YOUR COMPANY GET FAMOUS AND ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS, you'll learn 11 P.R. and marketing ideas to help you get new clients.
  
  And until Friday, December 1, at 5 pm, you can get this 46-page ebook that includes a mini marketing plan you can adapt for your business for just $19.95. It's normally $37.00, so you'll save OVER $17! But only until Friday at 5 pm Eastern.
  
  To read more about it or buy it and be reading it in minutes, just click here.
  

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SUBSCRIBE TO SUCCESS SECRETS EZINE

If you want the inside secrets of how women just like you
propelled their businesses to levels they never dreamed
possible, sign up for my new "Success Secrets of Women
Business Owners" ezine, which started a few weeks ago. Each
issue profiles one successful woman business owner and
includes her top five (or more) tips for creating a
successful business.

When you sign up for "Success Secrets of Women Business
Owners Ezine," I'll give you a free special report, "Build
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Your Articles" ($9 Value)! Subscribe here.

Read the first three profiles here.

Future issues will be published the first and third Wednesdays
of each month. Watch for a new issue next week.

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2. Quote of the Week

"Success is doing the right thing, even when it's hard to do."

Lois Carter Fay


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AND NOW, A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS...


What's your definition of success?
Email your comments to me.


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3. Resources for Entrepreneurs and Marketers

• WomenMarketing.com Will Create Directory of Women Entrepreneurs
  
  As part of our new Women Marketing website, we are creating a directory of women business owners. It will include the WBO's name, company name, address, website and phone number, along with a short description of what the company does.
  
  Anyone who becomes a member of the new WomenMarketing forum will automatically be included unless they ask to be removed. This will be a terrific PR tool for women entrepreneurs AND a great tool for those wishing to do business with women business owners—especially for companies that need to meet diversity goals. We expect to launch this new service in the next couple of weeks. Visit the website frequently to see what's new!
  
  REMEMBER, today is the LAST DAY you can become a member of the Women Marketing Forum WITHOUT paying the $29.95 first-month's fee. And you get 7 terrific ebooks when you subscribe!
  
  Go here now...
  
  

• Hate Cold Calling?
  
  Learn how to do it without fear from the "Queen of Cold Calling," Wendy Weiss and her guests. Every Tuesday night at 9 pm Eastern, join Wendy and friends for sales training, F*REE.
  
  Click Here.
  
  

• New Internet Radio Show
  
  Cover Story is a weekly Internet radio program that airs each Wednesday at 2 PM Eastern Time / 11 AM Pacific Time here. The show is hosted by David McInnis and Mick Jolly of PRWeb and Brandy Shapiro-Babin of WebmasterRadio.fm.
  
  Each show is broadcast live with an interactive chat called the "lounge" where you may mingle with colleagues and ask questions of the show guests if you choose not to call in live.
  
  Join them tomorrow at 2!
  
  

• Joint Venture Opportunity
  If you have a business that sells to women business owners, consider signing up for my affiliate program. You'll earn a monthly commission (nice passive income!) for every person who uses your special link to sign up for my Success Secrets
  of Women Entrepreneurs Forum (and you can even use the link
  to sign up for the forum yourself). You'll also receive one-time commissions on any products people buy from us through your link. No need to sign up again if you are
  already a Marketing Idea Shop affiliate. Become an affiliate here.
  
  

• FREE Sales Course
  Subscribe to Marketing Idea Shop's 3-Day Sales Course ...totally FREE.
  You'll get one email each day for 3 days in a row. It's quick, full of great
  ideas to help you become a better salesperson, and takes just 5 minutes to read.
  Click here.
  
  

• Do you need a venture capital?
  Need to grow? Not enough capital? No angels in your family? Find them with this
  400-page downloadable ebook, where you'll have ALL THE CONTACT INFORMATION for 200 venture capital firms and investors who recently invested in companies that are women-owned or women-led. You'll also have access to all contact information for the 671 women-led companies that received funding. This is a wonderful tool for you. Click Here to: Read more about it or buy it here and begin your financial investment ride.
  
  

• WE'RE LOOKING FOR PARTNERS
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  Please send your request for cross-linking via email (click here)

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4. A Little Fun

Thanks to Web Marketing Ezine for this one:

Watch what you say in your ads! Here are a few that didn't communicate exactly what the advertiser hoped they would:

Lost: small apricot poodle. Reward. Neutered. Like one of the family.

A superb and inexpensive restaurant. Fine food expertly served by waitresses in appetizing forms.

Dinner Special -- Turkey $2.35; Chicken or Beef $2.25; Children $2.00.

For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.

Four-poster bed, 101 years old. Perfect for antique lover.

Help keep the smiles coming ... please send me your marketing, PR or sales
jokes. I'll be happy to give you credit and list your website! Email me.

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5 . Smell the Coffee...

Thanksgiving was a bit different for us this year. For the first time in nine years our oldest daughter, Abbi, and her family were able to spend the weekend with us. Unfortunately, our daughter Erin, who usually spends Thanksgiving with us, was not able to make it. I know she's all grown up, but it's hard when we don't get to spend holidays together. Everyone except Erin went to North Carolina to spend the holiday with my husband's sister and her family.

The weekend was delightful, but I really missed one of our family Thanksgiving traditions. At our house, we always go around the table and each person says what they are thankful for. We didn't do that this year. I missed it terribly...almost to the point of silly superstition, like if we didn't do it, something awful is sure to happen to our family.

We're struggling with some child-rearing issues at our house right now. Our two youngest have not lived up to our expectations lately by ignoring values that we have taught them. Have you noticed it's hard to be grateful when you're angry? But something always brings you back to love and gratefulness.

Shortly after we arrived home on Sunday night, Erin called to tell me that the brother of her best childhood friend had been killed in a car accident on Friday. He was only 21 years old. Please hold the Manke family in the Light. We are all very saddened by this news, which makes me appreciate our kids all the more while trying to avoid becoming unreasonably fearful for their safety.

I hope your Thanksgiving was safe and heart-warming.

Peace & Light,
Lois

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Published by:
Lois Carter Fay, APR
Marketing Guru, Marketing Idea Shop, LLC
411 Rainier Road, Massanutten, VA USA 22840
Voice 540.289.3840 or 800.203.8660

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