Hallo NetWorkers, wer ihn noch nicht kennt, sollte unbedingt den Newsletter von Nancy Roebke bestellen. Kommt einmal die Woche und enthaelt immer sehr gute Tips. In dieser Ausgabe u. a. ein paar Tips zu Signature Files. Wir haben uebrigens die Erlaubnis von Nancy, ihre Sachen in der arche-media Site zu vroeffentlichen :-). Gruesse Klaus -- =====> Those that can, do. Those that can't, consult. <====== > Get your site promotion done! More at http://netpromotions.de Design for print & web -> http://arche-media.net/sw/ ----------- Beginn Weitergeleitete Mitteilung ----------- Datum: 02.02. 02:18 Uhr Erhalten: 02.02. 08:35 Uhr Von: Nancy Roebke, [EMAIL PROTECTED] An: Network Ink Subscribers, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Network Ink Volume 1 Issue 33 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In This Issue You'll Find: 1. Common Networking Mistakes 2. Real Life Networking Question: I've put out lots of business cards but no new business- NOW WHAT? 3. Online Networking Question: Please help me create a signature file 4. Networking Tip Of The Week: Open up Space on Your Hard Drive 5. Networking Site of The Week: 555-1212.com http://www.555-1212.com/aclookup.html 6. REALLY Nice Things You Said About This Newsletter! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * Common Networking Mistakes Since networking is a "learned" skill, part of that education comes in the form of finding out what DOESN'T work in helping to form mutually-beneficial networking relationships. Below is a list of the 10 most common networking mistakes and ideas on how to avoid them. 1. Not being prepared to network when the opportunity presents itself. "Prepared" means have contact information about yourself handy (preferably business cards), AND having a list of icebreaking questions at your fingertips to encourage a new contact to talk about themselves. 2. Not being in "the right place at the right time". Not all events that a business professional CAN participate in, SHOULD they. Ensure that the events have common goals with your own and are set up to function in a manner that will accomplish those goals. You can learn a lot by reading the promotion material about the event. 3. Not listening FIRST. We are all interested in finding others who know, like and trust us, and who will refer new business to us. We can build those relationships faster by listening to what people say about themselves, without interjecting about ourselves until the appropriate moment. 4. Not knowing the "appropriate moment". The appropriate moment is when the person your speaking with has told you how you can help them. Or when ASKED. But not before one of those two things happens. 5. Not hanging out with the "right" people. There are literally BILLIONS of people in the world. Some, by the nature of their fields, can help each other more than others. With only so many hours in the day, it is important to establish WHO (by field of business more than by name) can best help you, and target those fields first when looking to build mutually-beneficial business relationships. 6. Not having an interesting 30-second commercial about yourself. You only have one chance to make a good first impression or get someone interested in what you do. Make sure your opening line will elicit a positive response asking for more details. 7. Once asked for details, not being specific enough. There is a HUGE difference between sharing every detail about what you do and making "specific" lead requests. The first can get your prospects running far, far away from you. They don't NEED to know every detail about what you do to help you. They do need to be able to "focus on faces". And they can do THAT when you are specific about what you need. Instead of saying "everyone you know in business would be a good lead for me", say "this week, I am looking to meet people who are changing the location of their business". or "people who are thinking about going into business", or "people who are thinking of retiring from business". We can focus on the faces of the people we know who fit these profiles FASTER than we can focus on "everyone in business". 8. Not GIVING before RECEIVING. It isn't often that one gets anything before proving themselves. This is true in networking, too. Be prepared to help others before asking for help in return. 9. Not RECEIVING and wondering why. When this happens (notice I said "when", not "if"), it is important to ask the persons who are not reciprocating WHY. Do they not know, like and trust you? Do they not understand what you need? Or are they not givers? Whatever the reason, you are ENTITLED to receive back in the relationships you give in. Otherwise it isn't mutually-beneficial. 10. Not learning more about networking. Networking is a learned skill. Seek out teachers who excel in the many facets of networking and use their services. You and your wallet will be glad you did. Copyright 1998 Respectfully, Nancy Roebke, Editor >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You're One Of The Smart Ones Using Press Releases, Right? Visit http://www.gebbieinc.com/misc/justbizz.htm ! Consider Ordering The Complete Program For Access To ALL the FREE Publicity You Deserve! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *Real Life Networking Question: I've put out lots of business cards but no new business- NOW WHAT? Q. Adam Valine at <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote me to ask: I recently printed up 500 business cards for my computer consulting company and have been scattering them around to acquaintances and contacts, but I haven't seen any business from these, nor have I gotten more than a very few calls from people who have gotten them. Am I doing something wrong? Should I try a different approach to it? If so, what? A. Business cards can be used in a lot of ways. Just "giving them out' (unless they are used in organized groups) will result in a similar response as Direct Mail- 1- 2%.The more creative ideas you try, the more success you'll have. Here's some ideas: 1. Keep them EVERYWHERE so you always have some on-hand. Keep them in every vehicle, in the office, at home, in every purse or wallet you own - everywhere. Post them on bulletin boards in stores. Leave them with your tip when you pay at a restaurant. 2. Enclose them with all correspondences- especially bills (I know a Realtor who sold a house because he included his card every month in his electric bill). 3. Attach ad specialties or premiums to them. I have received business cards with little bars of soap and tokens for a car wash attached to them. I have also gotten business cards which have magnets on them which are now hanging on my refrigerator. 4. Have some laminated so they can't get wet. I carry one that had a quarter laminated on the back of it. I was told I'd always have money for a phone call when I was given that card. That was 4 years ago. 5. Use the back side to print information people will keep for a long time- a calendar, metric conversion information, measurement equivalents, mortgage amortization schedules- anything that people would need to refer to again and again. A word of caution- in some cultures it is an insult to write on the back of a business card. 6. Use the business card as a coupon. Buy $10.00 worth of products and get the card punched. Ten punches gets the bearer a free gift. 7. Get 500 business cards printed and visiting EVERY business that could possibly help you in your area to promote your business. Leave 2 cards with each person (one for them to keep - one to give away). 8. Use OTHER PEOPLE'S cards as a networking tool. Approach the manager of a local restaurant for permission to put a fishbowl there, agreeing to give away a free dinner to the person who's card is drawn. The restaurant gets some free publicity out of it, plus the profits on the dinner given away. The person placing the fishbowl in the restaurant gets all those names and addresses on the business cards as LEADS! When contacting the leads, thank them for entering the drawing at the restaurant. 9. Agree to enclose the cards of other business professionals in the mailings you do in exchange for them doing the same for you. Offer joint specials for presenting business cards of the professionals in your networking circle to each other's business. 10. Use your business card as a survey- have customer satisfaction questions printed on the back and ask that they be returned with the client's next order or invoice payment. Copyright c 1998 Nancy Roebke >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The best time to give your prospects or customers what they want is NOW. Right when they want it. Even if "Right when they want it" is 3 AM. With autoresponders, your prospects get the product information they want while the idea is fresh in their minds. They get what they want, when they want it. That increases your chances to get the order. Even if you're asleep at 3 AM. As low as $4 a month. For more information, mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *Online Networking Question: Please help me create a signature file Q. I got a very short request from David Gangi ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) : Please help me create a signature file A. Using Signature Files As A Networking Tool One of the most widely accepted forms of advertising online, is your signature file. It is the little message at the end of your e-mail that contains your name, and between 4 and 6 lines of other information about you and what you do. With a little creativity, your signature file can be used as a successful networking tool. The only way it can be such, though, is to get your sig file OUT THERE! And the ONLY way to do that and maintain credibility, is to participate actively in business forums and write articles that get published in online ezines and newsletters. The wise networker has a variety of signature files designed for different purposes and for use in different forums. Most e-mail programs allow you to design several signature files, and select the one you wish to use with each message you send out. If your e-mail program doesn't offer this feature, consider changing to one that does. I recently downloaded the newest version of Pegasus (http://www.pegasus.usa.com ). It's a free e-mail program with quite powerful features. When creating different sig files, have a "purpose" in mind. what do you want that particular sig file to DO? What CAN a sig file do? 1. It can be a business card for you. In can contain all the info your paper business card does- Name, Company name, address, phone, fax, URL, e-mail and pager information. 2. It can be used to distribute free information. Do you have a tip you want to share that is a short, bullet-type tip? Put it in your sig file. If you offer free information , such as a free report, or article available on autoresponders, put the information on that free material in your sig file. If you need help with autoresponders, please feel free to contact me. I use about 80 of them right now. Here's a signature file I use promoting one of them: Learn to Network! Increase income, cut costs, and put an end to cold calling. Get our FREE series of articles that teach you the secrets of successful networking. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Today! ProfNet- Helping Business Professionals Find More Business 3. It can be used to target a specific market. Do you regularly service CPAs in your industry? Or are you looking to expand your client base of CPAs? You sig file can contain a request for referrals for CPAs- I am currently looking to speak with CPAs about the new tax laws. A good lead for me would be a CPA you currently know, like and trust. Feel free to have them contact me at (you@your-email- address). 4. It can be used to target specific geographical areas. Can you only do business in your town, but you understand the power of the Internet and want to maximize it's benefits? Your sig file could read something like: I am looking to meet my neighbors in Erie, Pa. If you live in the area, feel free to send me an e-mail and say "HI!". You are less likely to get spammed by your neighbors with this approach, because people who live in your town know you could easily pay them a visit. 5. You can offer a "special" in your sig file. Offer something that only people mentioning your sig file get. You can use your sig file to promote a "sale", as well. 6. Your sig file can be used to build a subscriber base for your own ezine or online newsletter. Provide instructions on how to subscribe. Mine reads: Learn to Network! Increase income, cut costs, and put an end to cold calling. Subscribe to our FREE newsletter that teaches you the secrets of successful networking. mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ! ProfNet- Helping Business Professionals Find More Business 7. A good sig file can be used as an announcement to promote an event. Are you holding a seminar? Having an open house? Hosting a charity event? Holding an online chat session? Put the information about it in your sig file. 8. The Internet can seem so cold to folks who prefer face-to-face meetings. Your signature file can be used to make you more "human" on the Internet. Do you have a great sense of humor? Your sig file can contain a one-line "joke of the day". Do you have a cause that you support? You can promote it in your sig file. 9. Use your sig file to do a little market research. Ask one question, and tell respondents how to forward you their response. Once you have reached you desired number of respondents, change the question. 10. You can use your sig file to list your products and services. You will find that , with some creative writing, that you may be able to combine a couple of these ideas into a very productive signature file. I would caution you about one challenge I see in many signature files today. Please don't tell us that we can make a million dollars a minute (or anything that remotely sounds like that), by contacting you about your product or services that slices, dices and does our laundry. We won't take you seriously, and it is a terrible waste of the most valuable "real estate" you have online- your signature file. Copyright 1998 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Raise Money For Your Business Without Asking Your Bank Manager This booklet offers case studies on ways to generate revenue for your firm- all tried and true avenues, that do not involves getting a loan. A MUST for start-up businesses , businesses looking to expand, or businesses with cash flow challenges. http://www.profnet.org/booklet/moneybook.html >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * Networking Tip Of The Week- Open up Space on Your Hard Drive Open up Space on Your Hard Drive By Bob Osgoodby This week we will actually go through the process, step by step on how to open up space on your hard drive. 1. In Windows 95, go to Start and select "Find", then select "Files or "Folders". In "Named" enter - "*.tmp" (no quotes) - and Windows will find all instances of files with the tmp extension. Many of the files will have a size of "zero". Unless you have recently crashed your computer, you can safely delete all of the files that are there. Place your mouse on the first file and, while holding down the shift key, go down to the last one. This will highlight all the files listed - delete. If you are in doubt about removing a particular file - don't. 2. Start your Browser and remove the History File - click on "Internet Options," then select the General tab. To clear your History folder click on the "Clear History" button. Confirm by clicking "OK." 3. Return to your Desktop and select the "Recycle Bin". Click on "File" and then "Empty Recycle Bin". 4. Go to Start - select "Run" and enter "ScanDisk" - (no quotes). Select "Thorough" - this will allow you to check your files and disk surface for errors. I recommend the "Automatically Fix Errors" option is checked. 5. Finally - you should defrag your disk if you haven't done it in awhile. Go to Start - select "Run" and enter "Defrag". Depending on the size of your disk, this can take some time. If you have a screen saver enabled, you should turn this off before running defrag. Some computers don't take kindly to having defrag interrupted by the screen saver kicking in. Once it starts, I simply turn off my monitor. This is a perfect task to accomplish just before sitting down to dinner. I did this process myself and freed up over 100 MB of space on my hard disk. ----- Bob publishes the free weekly "Your Business" Newsletter Visit his Web Site at http://adv-marketing.com/business to subscribe and place a Free Ad for your business. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *Networking Site Of The Week- 555-1212.com http://www.555-1212.com/aclookup.html Need help determining the geographical area of a phone number? Want to know the area code for a certain city? Visit this site. You can... 1) Enter an area code and get a listing of cities, or 2) Enter a city and get the area code >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *REALLY Nice Things You Said About This Newsletter! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * Dear Nancy, I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and all your dreams fulfilled in 1999!!! Just read your latest newsletter and could relate to all that you said in a very personal and meaningful way....Bravo! Looking forward to working with you in the new year. All the best, Fred Kay * All that I can really say about your article is Amen! Kindest regards and best wishes for the Holidays and the New Year! Barry Hoskin Heritage Cards * Thanks Nancy for the insight into you. I run my business very much the same way but I'm not gardening enough or canning my own food anymore which are passions. Thank you for reminding me of this. I am going to expand some this year with a couple of partners in a Limited Liability Company so we can each retain our individual businesses but do something more formal. You reminder of simplicity came right at the perfect time. Dianne Loy Ferri * Nancy Seasons Greetings from Ireland! Many many thanks for all your support in 1998. I have sown many networking seeds in 1998 and a hell of a harvest will be reaped in 1999!!! Happy Holidays Bernadette * Good Morning Nancy, Thank you for such a straight from the heart newsletter! Just thought I would drop you a line and say thank you for all the 'titbits' during the year. Appreciate you John Reynolds >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * Copyright Notice/Reprint Policy All material in this ezine is protected by U.S. Federal Copyright law. It may not be reprinted in any form, or hosted on any Web site without explicit permission from Nancy E. Roebke, Executive Director. Articles that are personally written by Nancy E. Roebke, belong to her. Anyone wishing to reprint those articles in publications, either on or offline, must get written permission from Nancy E. Roebke. That includes publishing them on Web Sites, in ezines, in magazines, newspapers, or any other media, on or offline. ALL comments welcome and reprint permission available through e-mail request. Educational institutions may obtain articles available at NO CHARGE. No reasonable request denied. Thank you for your interest in the material provided and shared with the small business community. Everything in this ezine, on all web sites promoted, on all autoresponders, and in all printed marketing material is copyrighted and protected. Authors have pursued all infringements of copyright and would be happy to provide references of those who have seen our wrath. Authors would be happy to discuss the "sharing" of their material with you. Please contact Nancy Roebke at [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *Subscribe/Unsubscribe Info You know someone who wants help with their networking skills? They can subscribe by sending any e-mail to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] You want to leave? REALLY? Well, ok.. I don't understand why, but you can unsubscribe by sending any e-mail to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]. That's it.... Copyright 1999 ------------- Ende Weitergeleitete Mitteilung -----------
