Don't Miss Global PR Blog Week 1.0 and
Learn How to Sell More

IN THIS ISSUE

1.    Global PR Blog Week 1.0
2.    Sales Success! Strategies for Women
3 .   Quote of the Week
4 .   Resources for Entrepreneurs and Marketers
5 .   A Little Fun
6 .   Smell the Coffee


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. Global PR Blog Week 1.0

I know you won't want to miss this one. Twenty-eight PR experts are discussing the benefits of blogging all this week. [Remember, I told you about blogging a couple weeks ago. A blog is a "web log" or online journal/commentary.]

Each day features a different topic. Check it out: Global PR Blog Week. Today, there are lots of good articles to help you understand and get better page ranking on Google using a blog, help your nonprofit organization, and deal with ethics. Take a look and visit every day.

You may recall that I recently started a blog for Marketing Idea Shop. My goal is to provide an ongoing list of resources and opportunities for you, and a good way to organize the information I find. I encourage you to take a look at my blog ... I've added several posts in the last week.

It's easy to search a blog by subject or a particular word. Just type what you're looking for in your Google toolbar and click "search this page." Oh, you don't have a Google toolbar? It's f*ree. Download the Google toolbar here. It also lets you easily block those nasty pop-ups.

My lead article in Brainy Tidbits a couple of weeks ago was entitled "Top 10 Reasons to Start Blogging." If you missed it, just click on the link.

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2.  Sales Success! Strategies for Women

Have you noticed? It doesn't matter what field you're in (or if you're dealing with kids and husbands), women are in the business of negotiation and sales. We're always negotiating or selling something. And we're darned good at it. Even if we don't do ALL the steps, women achieve success.

If you want to be better at sales, take a lesson from women.

Be creative.
Sometimes making the sale or getting what you want takes a bit of creativity. Think about why your prospect would want to buy your product or service. What's in it for her? She will look beautiful in that red dress, but where will she wear it? Can you partner with another business and give her a percent-off coupon to a local restaurant? If she buys the dress, can you sweeten the purchase with a beautiful necklace and pair of earrings (that just happen to be on sale)?

Be organized.
The women I know are generally very organized. We have to be! We are often maintaining and managing a household, children, pets, a full or part-time job, and keeping our husbands or boyfriends happy along the way. That takes organization ... and maybe a few happy pills (just kidding).

If you want to be better organized, make lists. Keep a calendar. Use a PDA. Take a time-management seminar. Use a database. Whatever it takes to keep you organized. Women know how to do this with finesse. And with a little practice, you can learn this, too.

Be focused and decisive.
Women know that the first step is deciding what we want. If you know what you want to achieve, you will be more likely to reach your goal. Decide to win the sale and don't let anything get in your way. If you decide the outcome before you go into the prospect meeting, the universe will very likely provide it.

Pay attention.
Women are the ultimate ADD (attention deficit disorder) people. We hear what you're saying, observe your sailing trophies, see the pictures of your kids and wife and understand your implied requests. All at the same time. And we quickly develop a relationship with you. Did you know that people usually buy from people they like?

Ask the right questions.
Well before we begin dating, women learn to ask questions and keep the focus on the other person. This skill serves us well as we grow older and begin to sell our products and services. If you can keep the prospect talking about himself and his needs, he will think you're brilliant. Remember to probe for the pain. If you find the pain, you can provide the salve to ease that pain.

Plant the seed and let it grow.
Women are amazingly able to say a little word here, ask a question there, and get the other person to begin thinking the way we want them to. Plant the seed and wait for it to germinate. Remember that research shows it generally takes 9 contacts with a prospect before you make a sale.

Get buy-in along the way.
Women know we can't say, "This is the best thing since sliced bread," and expect our prospects to buy from us. Instead, we watch for signs of approval as the conversation progresses and make sure the prospect says "Yes!" each step of the way.

State the obvious.
Recapping the conversation and agreement may sometimes feel like a waste of time, but you don't want to leave the meeting and then wonder, "Do we have the deal?" Instead say, "To recap, here's what we just agreed to..." and get the prospect's signature on the contract and check!

Share the credit.
Women tend to be inclusive. We want to make sure that everyone who helped with a project or a sale is given credit for their work. Being a team player can make all the difference if you are on a short deadline or you must depend upon others to help you do a good job or fulfill the contract.

Say "thanks" and follow up.
Manners. Manners. Manners. That's all it really is. Women learn this lesson well. We teach our kids manners by being a good example, and if you do something often enough, it becomes a habit. Say thanks when someone helps you, no matter what they do. And if the sale doesn't happen right away, don't worry. Just be persistent and keep in touch. Often, that's all it takes!


Want to learn how to improve your sales? As a special treat for my readers, you can immediately download the table of contents and three sample chapters of SALES SUCCESS! STRATEGIES FOR WOMEN, our new sales training ebook, FREE with the click of a button. No shipping costs. It's a fully printable, self-study learning guide. Download it FREE here.


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3.  Quote of the Week

"Success is feeling fulfilled in life by playing to your strengths and taking advantage of opportunities for contribution, challenge and accomplishment."

Kristin Rohr
Communication Strategies
Bethesda, Md.


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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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4.  Resources for Entrepreneurs and Marketers

• Are you a public speaker? Here's an opportunity from the National
  NAWBO newsletter:
  
  The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is looking for speakers for its 2005 Women’s Business Conference to be held June 9-11, 2005 in Dallas, TX. This year’s theme is "Taking Business to New Heights: NAWBO Celebrates 30 Years" in honor of NAWBO’s 30th anniversary. NAWBO is specifically interested in the following session topics: integrating new technology into your business, accessing and utilizing venture capital, new developments in human resources management, creating a dynamic and productive website, tips for successful negotiation, leveraging networking opportunities, and successful marketing practices. To obtain a copy of the Request for Presentations, please visit the NAWBO website and click on the link on the right hand side of the home page. Videotape or audio tape required with RFP. Here's the link to the NAWBO website.
  
  
• Planning a Vacation?
  
  Thanks to Kim Komando at http://www.komando.com for this website link. The American Automobile Association (AAA) has a F~REE fuel consumption calculator on its site. So if you're taking a driving vacation, you can plan your fuel budget for the trip. You just put in your current location and destination, along with a few other details and it will tell you what you can expect to pay in gas. Check it out here.
  
  
• Wireless Symposium Coming
  
  The Virginia Piedmont Technology Council's (VPTC) Fall Symposium on Wireless Networking will be held Wednesday, September 15th at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville, Va. The day-long event will feature pertinent keynote addresses and panel discussions about this rapidly changing technology. For additional information, call VPTC at 434.817.6300. Program information and registration is available here.
  
  
• Learn the Ins and Outs of Certification
  
  Here's an announcement from the National Women's Business Center in Washington, DC. Get the inside scoop on how women-owned businesses are entering and growing in the corporate market.
  
  You’ll learn how to combine three key tools: Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) certification, an understanding of corporate supplier diversity programs, and a sound corporate marketing strategy. Over 500 WBENC corporate members are eager to do business with certified woman-owned suppliers. This seminar will show you how to reach them. Every woman-owned business seeking to grow its sales to major corporations should master the material covered in this seminar. This class is especially helpful for woman-owned firms interested in subcontracting with large federal prime contractors.
  
  It is being held Wednesday, July 28, 2004, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm (refreshments and networking following), at the National Women's Business Center's Training Center in Washington, DC. Tuition is $50 for NWBC members/$65 for nonmembers. To register, call Susan Kuhn at 202.785.4922 or register online.
  
  
• FREE! Marcia Yudkin's "Web Site Makeover Case Study"
  
  Are you thinking of changing your website? Has it gotten out of date? Has your business changed over the years so you need to promote your products or services better? When someone comes to your website, can they quickly see what you do?
  
  Recently, marketing consultant Marcia Yudkin decided it was time for a makeover on her website. She felt it didn't look as up-to-date as she knew her information was. But she didn't want to lose the momentum she had created (not to mention all the incoming links!) since starting her business in 1998. Marcia gave it very careful study and the end result met all of those needs and then some. In fact, within 4 weeks she had 31% more visitors, 224% more subscribers, and a sales increase of 178% just by re-doing her website.
  
  Download this free report before July 31st and see how she did it.
  
  
  
• Looking for a great shopping cart system? How to Pick a Shopping Cart System that Makes You Money is an ebook that explains all the important features. You can get it here, free!
  
  
• Do you like these resources? There are plenty more like these in my ebook, BUSINESS SUCCESS SECRETS: HARD-WORKING TACTICS & RESOURCES.
  37 pages, packed with ideas you can use immediately ... to get more business, generate more traffic to your website and make improve your bottom line. Over 135 hyperlinks that can take you directly to a marketing resource or idea you can use right now...so you can save time and money. Beginning and advanced tactics to really make a difference in your marketing results...and you can make more sales with much less effort. Learn to save money on your advertising. Get a list of websites that would LOVE to post your articles. Get a list of websites that would LOVE to post your articles.
  
  Read more about it or order it here.
  
  
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  5. A Little Fun

I suspect this child will grow up to either be a lawyer or a PR consultant...


The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples.

The nun made a note, and posted it on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching."

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples."

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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6. Smell the Coffee...

Our dog Lulu doesn't bark much. So when she woke us up at 5:55 am on Monday, I knew right away something was amiss (you can't fool me...at least not all of the time)! I stumbled out of bed to learn what the commotion was (while my sleepyhead husband covered his head with pillows) by peering out our bathroom window at the second-story porch.

"Oh, my!" I exclaimed. And I rushed to the door to see what to do.

There on the railing were two raccoons, having a wonderful time. I opened the door, sent the dog out and clapped my hands, yelling, "Get out of here!" The female was gone in a flash, but the male stood his ground. After all, I had interrupted them before they had a chance to smoke their cigarette and ask, "Was it good for you?" But after much barking (by the dog, of course) and yelling (by me), the male decided to saunter off and take a nap.

It took me a half hour to clean up the mess they made on my porch--broken plants, dirt everywhere, and the birdseed container spilled across the deck. The birdseed is now safely in the house and our visitors haven't returned--yet!

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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