Here are some great ideas on how to build your network:

6 Quick Ideas for Building Your Contact List:

1. Trade Show Marketing, Fishbowls, and Plexiglas Drawing Box
2. Register for free and inexpensive seminars from your local business journal.
3. Read the local business paper and scan articles written about successful small business owners.
4. Join two of the hundreds of networking organizations in the US (e.g. BNI, local chamber of commerce, etc.).
5. Go through the want ads and look for others promoting their businesses. Call them and say, “I am a local business owner in the … business, and I am looking to network with other business owners so that we might refer business to each other . . . would you be interested in getting together? I would like to learn a little about what you do and also talk to you about what I do to see if we might help each other get more business?” You may have to talk to 10 to get 2, but many will want to meet with you.
6. Ask 10 people that you know for 3 names and addresses of business owners that are in the process of building a business.

I hope this information helps you grow your list.

All the best,

Sometimes, weird things pop into my head and I think that they are worth blogging about. I hope you agree that this was worth posting on this blog.

All sales reps and business owners have one common challenge. That challenge is marketing. We’re always looking for more effective ways to get the word out about our business. In my opinion, word-of-mouth via networking is probably the most powerful and under-rated of all options. How can you create powerful word-of-mouth advertising for yourself?

By volunteering to speak at group meetings.

First of all, when you are a featured speaker, it is assumed that you are an expert on that particular topic. This is when assuming is a good thing. Speaking to groups of people can help you close volume (i.e. pitch numerous people at once) and is a great way to save time, energy, and money. You can really get your name and brand out there by volunteering to speak at events.

Oh – back to the word goyasu. Here is what it means:

G et

O ff

Y our

A ss[ets]

S peak

U p

Maybe I’ll make a move to have the word goyasu added to the dictionary. Hey, if bling can make in there, why not? (smile).

So the moral of the story is to go out there, and let your light shine by sharing your expertise with others. I do understand that public speaking is not for everyone, but certainly fortune favors the bold, so be bold and collect your fortune.

If you are looking to improve your public speaking skills, networking organizations like Business Network International, NYC Social Media Networkers, and Toastmasters International may help.

Talk to you soon.

Ahhhh… Wouldn’t that be a great life? Well, emPOwering NOW LLC, can make it happen for you. Michael Wolf and Mahalene Louis are teaching a universal curriculum to end the illusion of separation and empowers the heart of conscious creativity. Their mission is to empower Leaders and Visionaries to receive, develop and maintain the state of mind where all things are possible. They are based in Austin, TX.

What I like about the “M&M Connection” (i.e., Mahlene and Michael) is that they are real people who have truly been there and done that. They are not hokey folks who are just spewing theory. For instance, Michael has a great track-record in corporate sales and, and Mahlene dedicated more than two decades of her life making the esoteric easy to understand and practical to every day living.

Folks, I got to tell you, I come across A LOT of business coaches, but Michael and Mahlene are the real deal.

There is a lot of talk about the “Law of Attraction”, and “The Secret”, but I’d dare say Mahlene and Michael’s Mini Intro to the Path of XPR to a great primer to put a lot of things into perspective. Check out this video:

Also, make sure to visit their website at www.EmpoweringNow.com.

All the best,

P.S. I had the pleasure of interviewing them on Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Click on the player below to listen to the 60-minute interview. You can even download to your iPod or other MP3 device for listening on the go.

Timothy Ferris wrote a great book called The 4-Hour Work Week. In that book, he talks about employing virtual assistants to work in your business while you work on your business. That is to say a virtual assistant (VA) works in your business handling administrative tasks while you focus on growing your business by engaging in income generating activities (e.g., meeting with prospects and existing customers, attending networking events, open house events, product demos, etc.).

Highly qualified VAs are available offshore for as little a $6 per hour. The VAs in based in the Phillipines are particularly skilled and affordable. Some people frown about using offshore personnel and think that money is leaving the USA. That is not true. When a business owner cuts expenses while increasing her/his revenue, it is most likely that that “new found” disposable income will be spent right here in the USA.

To learn more about this option that can help you save time, energy, and money, go to www.OutsourceForSavings.com.

Kind regards,

You know, I like to help people, and generally do not want or expect anything in return. However, when networking, some people always call me for a “hook-up” of some sort but they never reciprocate.

Check out this video I put on YouTube:

Here is a letter that I’m sending to a few people. They have to be reminded that networking is a two-way street:

======================================

Dear Friend,

I need your help.

You know that I network like a mad man and I work really hard to help others have success. I’m always looking for ways to connect people to prospective customers, vendors, and strategic partners. Not all of the referrals work out, but the fact is I give quality introductions via email, or I set up a conference call or a video chat.

Heck, I may have purchased products from you or used your service in the past – or maybe I still do.

Hey, I really need you to help me out.

Who do you know who is a busy corporate professional that has a side business?

I market two services that may be able to help them automate and preschedule blog posts and social media updates, and a tool that allows them to network with others from the comfort of their home or office.

Here are the links for these two services:

• www.PostScheduler.com
• www.SpeedNetworkingOverThePhone.com

Please keep your eyes and ears open for me and forward this info to others in your network.

I’ve shown you time and time again that I do in fact keep my eyes and ears open, and forward info to my social media network about you and the products/services that you offer.

Let’s get the exchange flowing, and let’s keep it going and growing.

Thank you.

Kind regards,

Tyrone Turner

======================================

Hey, if they don’t get the message, they don’t want to get the message. I’ll just take my database of contacts elsewhere.

You make sure that you do the same. Follow your dollar. Put money in the pockets of those that put money in your pockets.

Don’t be reluctant to give first, but if it seems to be a parasitic relationship rather than a symbiotic one, drop that zero and go find a hero.

All the best,

Not all networking groups are created equal.

I’m not saying that one type is necessarily better than any other type, but they are not equal in the sense that there is a difference in the rules of engagement and the expected returns on investment (i.e., of time, energy and money spent).

By my count, there are the 3 categories and 13 specific types of networking groups.

The three categories are as follows:

1. Face-to-Face Business Networking Groups
2. Business Cocktail Mixers
3. Local Chambers of Commerce

When you add up all of the specific types of networking groups that fall under the above three categories, you’ll have thirteen specific networking groups.

Let’s continue.

Face-to-Face Networking Groups

• Business Cocktail Mixers (e.g., various groups on Meetup.com)
• Bottom Line Business Networking Groups (e.g., Business Network International; Le Tip; and Leads Club)
• Local Chambers of Commerce

Advocacy Groups

• Community Groups (e.g., Parents Teachers Association; Civic Associations; and Community Boards)
• Faith-based Organizations (e.g., Churches; Synagogues; Mosques; and Temples)
• Trade Associations (e.g., National Association of Public Accountants; and the National Court Reporters Association)
• Women’s Groups (e.g., various hybrids like Mothers Against Drunk Drivers; or the National Organization for Women)
• Cultural Organizations (e.g., Various ethnic clubs)
• Political Clubs (e.g., Republican Club; Green Party)
• Special Interest Groups (e.g., Sierra Club; People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

Virtual Networking Groups

• Speed Networking Over the Phone Groups (Specifically, BlitzTime)
• Video Chat Networking Groups (e.g., Web Cam Pitch Party)
• Online Referral Exchange Marketplaces (e.g., Salesconx; and ReferQuest)

I recommend that serious networkers join 2 face-to-face business networking groups, 1 advocacy group, and 2 virtual groups. However, don’t join more than one of the same type. Feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.

A lot of us home-based entrepreneurs still have a full-time job. That sure does make growing one’s business kind of difficult. However, difficult is not impossible. Especially in 2010 and beyond.

After reading books like Tim Ferris’ The 4-Hour Work Week and Scott Fox’s e-Riches 2.0, and joining great online communities like The Perfect Biz Finder and Click Millionaires, I picked up a couple of ideas on how to automate your initial contact and follow-up.

I discuss a few of them in the below video.

Check out the video and click through the links for more information on these free and low-cost services.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

• GetResponse
• uReach
• Phonevite
• Send Out Cards
• Ping.fm
• Post Scheduler
• Desk Ping

Let me know how these tools work out for you.

This is a business blog but if someone attacks you and tries to liberate your property or life force from you, and you can’t defend yourself or your property, well, you’re SOL (i.e., “so outta luck”)

In this fast-paced, at times dangerous world, it is better to be prepared for something and not need it, rather than need something and not be prepared. This is how it is when it comes to violent confrontations. Hey, most people are law-abiding citizens who will not try to hurt their fellow citizens, but then you have the bullies and jerks.

In my experience as a martial artist, most fights or assaults are not “fair”. Usually someone attacks someone doesn’t want to fight, or a person is caught off-guard/ambushed. Also, some sort of a weapon is used against an unarmed opponent, or it is many people against one person (i.e., someone got “jumped”). Again, this is not gospel as I leave the gospel to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but that has been what I’ve seen.

Well, you don’t want to carry an illegal weapon like some of the exotic martial arts weapons or some knives. With knives, you especially want to leave them alone if you don’t know how to properly use them!

Oh my. What to do?

Something that looks non-threating that you can carry around in your coat pocket or purse is the Yawara, also known as the Pocket Stick.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce David Bunch (a.k.a., Sensei Buddha) demonstrating and explaining the use of this weapon.

This weapon is less-than-lethal and legal to carry, but as demonstrated by Sensei Buddha, it can be a devastating. What I like about this weapon is that when I show it to some people, they laugh at it. Well, he who laughs last laughs best, right? Also, a Yawara can really mess up your smile. Kind of hard to have a picture-perfect smile when you’re missing a couple of teeth.

When looking for that extra edge, forget about mace and other dangerous weapons that may backfire on you and learn how to use the Yawara–the Pocket Stick.

To learn more about Sensei Buddha, visit his website at www.BuddhaStrike.com.

Glenn Garnes is a sought after speaker and trainer on a variety of topics relating to business relationships, including partnerships. Voted as “America’s Most Influential Business Connector” at the U.S. Small Business Conference, Glenn has positioned himself as an authority on building quality business relationships. Glenn’s book, Let’s Not Be Partners, Things You Must Do Before You Tie the Knot (’not’)! lays out a simple, but effective process for making better partner choices, and achieving more in business.

I had the opportunity and pleasure of interviewing Glenn on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009. Wow! What an info-packed interview that was. Here are some of the things Glenn touched on:

• How to determine if you need a partner
• How to choose the right people for the right reasons * How to structure your relationship to maximize effectiveness
• The importance of structuring your deal in writing
• What to do if you’re already in a bad relationship

Folks, I’ve got to tell you, I so wish that I spoke to Glenn before I started my last two companies. I’ve made a lot of the mistakes that Glenn discussed on the call. Ever been in church and feel like the preacher was speaking to you? Well, that is how I felt when I was interviewing Glenn!

Here is the interview.

Make sure to visit Glenn’s website at www.GlennGarnes.com.

All the best,

Daniel Stoica, Accounting Consultant, helps you explore and discover your passion and turn it into a successful business, as this is his passion. “Minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your net worth at the same time by providing you with professional accounting and tax preparation services” is his profession. He goes beyond his own expertise and uses the resources of his professional network to meet the needs of his clients. He is incredibly passionate about helping others.

I have to tell you, bookkeeping, accounting, and taxes and the like are not the most exciting topics, but when you don’t have a seasoned professional like Daniel on your side, you can really lose your shirt – or more!

Sometimes, it is not about how much you earn, but how much you keep that counts.

In the Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 podcast I did with Daniel, here are some of the topics we discussed:

• Where you should be spending your hard-earned dollars
• What you should not be spending money on
• What the best business structure is for your business
• How taxes can really add up depending on the nature of your business
• Some of the the deductions that home-based entrepreneurs qualify for
• And a lot more!

This was a general accounting overview and Daniel has agreed to visit with us again to focus on specific aspects of accounting and taxes to optimize your profits.

To listen to the 60-minute interview that is certainly a must-listen to, click on the player below.

David is based in Chicago and his website is www.DanielStoica.com

All the best,