Don't kiss your chances goodbye

Many times each day I am approached by other entrepreneurs who want me to join their company with them.  Ninety eight percent of the time I am seriously annoyed. 

Times have changed in the way people market their business.  Just a few years ago you could post ads all over the internet and your inbox would be flooded with people messaging you for more information on what you’re doing. Now, things are different.  You can spends hours a day posting ads all over the internet and get ZERO response from your efforts.

So what is working?

The answer and methods are simple; relationship building and attraction marketing.  When it comes down to it, people join people, not companies. 

Think about it.  If you were a door to door salesperson selling vacuum cleaners and you went into someone’s home to present your product to them, what are the chances that they buy a vacuum from you if you barely said a word? Even though you might have the greatest vacuum ever, in order to get them to buy it you need to build a rapport with them, get to know them and get them to like and trust YOU.

The same goes for this industry.  You want to take the time to get to know someone because if you shove your business in someone’s face right away before taking the time to build a rapport with them, you can kiss your chances goodbye.

In some of my Facebook group that I am a member of, I hear people say “There is no selling in my business.”  I want to laugh when I hear that because honestly you need to sell yourself to your prospects in order for them to join you.  You want them to see what YOU have to offer and why YOU are the person they should join with.   So again it comes back to that relationship building.  Ultimately that person wants to know who they are joining with and that you have their best interest at heart and that you’ll be there for them.  

So I want you to try this.  Instead of posting an ad on the internet or even your Facebook page, go to your Facebook page, if you have one and message 3 separate people who are not in the same company as you and who you haven’t talk with in a while.  In the message simply say something like “Hi (their first name).  It’s been a while.  How are you?”  Start building a relationship with them, catch up, see what they’re up to and eventually it come full circle where you’re able to talk about your business with them.  It might not happen right away and that is alright.  Keep going back to them and keep that connection going. 

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Are Your Business Cards Being Noticed?

Have you ever gotten a compliment on your business card? Is it something that you're proud of? Does it simply and clearly tell people what your business does? Is it inviting and make them want to call you?

Did you just answer no to one or more of these questions? If you did then it is time for you to update your business card.

Why?

Well because you might have missed an opportunity to make a great impression.

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to come up with a good business card. Here are some tips to avoid when creating your business cards:

#1: Your card looks like all of the rest-- Most business cards out there leave no real impression and will be overlooked. Leave someone with a card that looks great, feels great and clearly defines what you do.

#2: A Cluttered Card--- You want enough info to catch someone’s eye, but at the same time you don’t want there to be a story on the card. Simple is best. Sort out the information and keep only what's totally necessary for someone to know your name, your company, what you do, and why they should contact you. Don't skimp on your contact information; you want to be easy to reach.

#3: Poor Card Quality-- You want to have good stock paper so that the print/ink doesn't bleed through. A poor quality card implies that a business will have poor quality products and services.

#4: Having a Mystery Business card-- When someone looks at your business card, can they tell immediately what your business does? Your logo should have some connection to what your business does or what you are selling. If you have a jewelry business you wouldn’t want a picture of a cake on your card.

#5: Not Having a Unique Selling Point--- Your card should state at least one very powerful reason a customer should do business with you. For instance, the company I work for, someone can get started working with us “Risk free.” So that could be one of my “selling points.”

#6: Print is too Small-- Does your business card have a font size so small that you need to hand out a magnifying glass in order for it to be read? Since 95 percent of the population aged 35 or older need reading glasses, a good guideline is to use a type size no smaller than 8 point.

#7: The Use of Poor Color-- Spice up your business cards with a little splash of color. You'll be surprised what a difference it makes. Avoid the common mistake of grey print on a white background; it lacks contrast and the print is difficult to read. On the flip side, don't make the mistake of color-overload. Too many colors that don't complement one another will make the card look busy and will detract from the content of your card.

#8: Are Your Cards Getting Seen?-- What good is having a box full of business cards if they're just sitting there collecting dust? Get out there a get them seen.

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