Karen Frank's 3 E Communications

'February 17 Networking News - Are You Getting All the Wrong Referrals and Can't Figure Out Why?'

2010-02-18T13:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to my latest version of Networking News!

'February 17 Networking News - Are You Getting All the Wrong Referrals and Can't Figure Out Why?'

It;'s Another Rant! Video - Are You Busy?

2010-02-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

This five minute video rant asks the question is working hard working for you?

Here's the link I mention at the end of the video:

www.networkingsuccesskeys.com

Special bonus - If you see the "AFV" (America's Funniest Videos) moments, email me at karen@3ecommunications.net with "Here's the funny thing(s) I noticed in the background" in your subject line and I'll send you a free ebook!

Tweets and Facebook posts - what NOT to do.

2010-02-08T12:31:00.000-08:00

I love playing mad scientist at home. It's where I sit in front of my computer screen and pound out pages and pages of copy and spend time tweeting.

I spent some time yesterday putting up a fan page for my Networking Success Keys video series and it wasn't as hard as I was afraid it might be. So I feel like I just figured out (I think) the whole Facebook thing. I also discovered why people are saying not to post your stuff automatically in both Facebook and Twitter.

When you see tweets on Facebook and Facebook comments on Twitter it kind of looks like you're having an out of body experience. You are in both places at once and yet you are in neither!

Wierd! and good to know.

Tomorrow I am shooting video again and I'll be sure to make one just for the blog!

Happy online networking!

Who are you being?

2010-02-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

by Karen Frank

I was recently approached by someone in a networking group I was visiting who wanted advice for handling a somewhat delicate situation. He had overheard something that disturbed him which was said by another member of this group.

In this person's zeal and passion for solving the problem she solved, she was using language that could potentially offend the very people who need her help the most!

What's worse is, she was overheard by others, who might have potentially been clients, but now will not because they felt what was said was offensive.

"Nobody wants to do business with Lazy People, that's why they need me." is what was said.

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I am not going to get into a long discussion about how other people can't make anyone feel a certain way, but I will say this. On of the gold nuggets I've picked up along the way is that your reaction comes from inside. I'll prove it. If you are a thin person who is completely satisfied with your weight and someone walked up to you and said, "wow, you're fat" you would think they were wrong (or jealous) and blow off the comment. That same comment said to someone who believes they are fat (whether or not they actually are) would most likely create a response of hurt and shame in the person who is trying to lose weight. Same comment, different results.

That being said (and setting that totally aside for a moment) Language is so important.

Had our original "anti lazy person's" goal been to weed out lazy people from her client base, that would have been one thing. But instead it was her perception of the demographic of her target market - The very people she wanted to reach.

Lest you think this was a "bad person," she was passionate about her craft. She felt being lazy was a life and death situation because her experience of it was that this was true. In fact her mother was a "lazy person" and as a result had a horribly messy house which resulted in her isolation as an older person and eventual death because no one ever visited, she injured herself and no one was there to help.

So her motivation was very noble. The language, not so much.

Nor was this person an unsaavy marketer. At every networking event during the introductions she did a good job of describing what she did.

Most likely, the problem came from not really understanding what her target market is thinking and only seeing the problem she solved for them from her point of view.

Who she was being was not aligned with who would attract her perfect client. And that explained perfectly why she was struggling to find business.

Remember, that marketing and networking is more than just the problem you solve, who your niche may be and the words that come out of your mouth. To be of most service to your target market is to develop the kind of "beside manner" that they would appreciate most. Remember platinum beats gold every time The platinum rule is treat your clients how THEY would like to be treated - NOT as you would want to be treated.

Learn who your ideal clients are. Learn to describe them as just a single person. You might even want to give your niche a proper name like Betty, or Michael.

Once you understand how they think, feel and talk and what motivates them - and also what de-motivates them, you'll be well on your way to finding more of your ideal client.

And the advice I gave the observer? Straight out of our local BNI culture. Ask that person - "If you were doing something that might make it more difficult to refer you or do business with you, would you want me to tell you?" - And then let them decide.

I'll be curious to find out what happened.

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can!

Just be sure to include the entire article and include this complete "blurb"

with it:

Networking Expert, Karen Frank publishes Networking News, a semi-monthly

newsletter devoted to helping you avoid marketing disasters and networking

faux pas. Get the home study course "The Seven Deadly Sins of Networking

and How to Avoid them" Free when you sign up for Networking News at

http://www.7deadlysinsofnetworking.com

Sick of the endless pounding of "Guru's" in your inbox?

2010-02-05T11:04:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to be on Jim Edward's email list! He is doing a 30 day video challenge on his blog and today's video is so right on that I wanted to share it with you. This is his second video "exposing" the no-so-nice tactics of the internet marketing guru's who are, frankly scrambling for business right now. The video is about 6 minutes long and worth the viewing! Click here to see it.

Till next time,

Karen

BTW, the video is up now

2010-02-04T16:04:00.001-08:00

If you stopped by the other day and saw my hockey video (it's still here - and working - I think) I mentioned that I had a new video but it wasn't up yet.

It is now. Go here to see it:

www.networkingsuccesskeys.com

K thx by

Rant du jour

2010-02-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

You KNOW what they say about Assuming.
by Karen Frank Networking Trainer

Sometimes nice people with the best of intentions can run afoul of the sensibilities of others. Examples of these are people in direct selling who are using outdated marketing models, people who have been trained to "get over hating sales because sales is service" and those who genuinely want to stay in touch because they KNOW they can help you.

Here are three quick self check in's to make sure you're not crossing a line without meaning to.

1. Just because you are "passionately speaking from your heart" doesn't mean you're not being pushy.

It happens all of the time to people who are using slightly outdated marketing models. "Just speak from your heart and it will all work out OK," Well that's mostly true AS LONG AS you're paying attention. Watch for tell tale signs of lack of interest or discomfort. Sometimes your story is TMI (too much information) and sometimes you think the person you are talking with has the problem you can solve - which leads us to

2. Even if you KNOW your product can help me it doesn't really matter.

You must do two things. Build familiarity and trust. In building the relationship if you have determined that I have a problem, but I don't think I have it, then you're just being pushy, frankly. I am not your target market unless I KNOW I have the problem you solve and am ACTIVELY SEEKING a solution. If I am not, then maybe I need education OR maybe I am solving it another way and I am too polite to tell you which then leads to

3. Please don't put me on your list without permission and them bombard me with information I don't care about

I am on the lists of dozens of well meaning people who I KNOW I've never asked to be included in their distribution list. There's this tool in outlook that sends certain emails directly to the trash. If I've figured out how to use it other people have too. IF you want a relationship with me, so I will connect you with others who need what you have, demonstrate that you will be a great referral source by
a. Not being pushy
b. Asking permission before plunging into your story
c. Getting permission to stay in contact
d. Actually stay in contact.

I am very unlikely to refer someone who only contacts me when their latest greatest product or service rolls out.

A relationship is just that. Not only do we talk business, we know each other - we're friends.

Fancy that!

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can! Just be sure to include the entire article and include this complete “blurb” with it:

Networking Expert, Karen Frank publishes Networking News, a semi-monthly newsletter devoted to helping you avoid marketing disasters and networking faux pas. Get the home study course "The Seven Deadly Sins of Networking and How to Avoid them" Free when you sign up for Networking News at www.7deadlysinsofnetworking.com

***OK Rant over. ***

I Shot a Video For You During Hockey Practice

2010-01-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about my upcoming video course that I couldn't wait until all of the I's were dotted and T's crossed, so here it is! (Sorry about all the background noise...ice rinks are loud!)

Yes, that's my son in net in the background of the video!

The video I talked about isn't up yet but will be soon. When you put your email address in the box below, it will take you to a page where you can sign up for advanced notice.

Please note: If you are already a subscriber to Networking News, you will be asked to change/update your preferences. All you need to do is wait for the confirmation email. Then be sure to check the Video Advanced Notice Box on the form.

Give Me Advanced Notice for Your Video Course on Networking!

For Email Marketing you can trust

"See you" when I release the next video - VERY soon!

The Secret Levels of Networking

2010-01-16T16:48:00.000-08:00

When people think of networking, typically they think about people going to chamber mixers and trying to find clients. This fairly narrow definition of networking is, I think, one of the main reasons people get frustrated and give up. This may be your experience too.

Recently something Alexandria Brown (the Ezine Queen) mentioned something in a teleclass that hit me - probably because I was NOT wearing my "expert hat" at the time. She said something like - "If you don't like your results when networking - change the networking you are doing"

This led to my "discovery" of the secret levels of networking.

Level One: Hanging out where your clients are and looking for new business

This is typically the chamber or another kind of party or mixer.n This gains you visibility and perhaps credibility (if you are a stellar networker). You can connect to people who might know clients for you and you might be able to rustle up a speaking gig if you make the right connection.

Upside - These are typically informal meetings and don't require a strong commitment on your part. If you have family or a busy unpredictable schedule this can be a great way to get out and meet people.

Downside - Because of its informal structure, these can typically become social only events. You're more likely to run into the pushy sales guy who hands his card to everyone he meets, people are less likely to have their "business hats" on, and sometimes - just sometimes the raffle takes more time than the time allotted for networking. Fun if you win - not fun if you don't (and are standing too near the giant amplified speaker- ouch!)

Level Two: Hanging out where clients and people who know your clients are but in a structured environment

This is a business meeting such as the one BNI or LeTip or B2B offers. Here you are expected to try to find business for fellow members, participate in the group and usually in return receive some business.

Upside - If you approach these kinds of meetings with the intention to stay in "for the long haul" - usually at least a year you will become part of the community, establish wonderful relationships with people and become a resource for your clients. I've seen businesses get 10 to 90 percent of their annual revenue from such groups depending upon the type of business they have

Downside - It's a fairly big commitment - typically weekly or at least monthly. It can feel pricey at first because you will be giving much more than you get - trying out other people's services, paying meeting fees etc. This would not be the kind of group to start with if you need cashflow right now - unless the group has a resource for business loans or a cashflow expert.

Level Three: Hanging out where people who know lots of your clients do

You can actually use the groups in Level Two to accomplish Level Three if you shift your thinking and remember to ASK for strategic alliance partners where you're networking here. Level three also includes giving talks or workshops to groups of your strategic partners, (and/or offering informational products for sale - for more information about informational products, see the audio recording links below). It would also be why you might join a service organization or participate in an on line group such as yahoo. If you're going to do the yahoo thing join groups that you are genuinely interested in and participate in the conversations.

Upside - This is much less effort that trying to find clients one at a time and trying to find strategic partners one at a time. This kind of strategy begins to place you in the position of "expert" in your line of work and helps you with your professional image in the community.

Downside - You need to be "on" at all times. Dressing appropriately and behaving appropriately for the situation is key. You'll destroy your reputation as quickly as you built if if you're not aware of who you're "showing up" at these events. Remember - word of mouth marketing is always working - however it may NOT be working in your favor!

Level Four: Hanging out where people who understand the power of a strategic alliance are actively seeking out strategic partners

This is my absolute favorite. This is participating in education and classes with people who do business with the kinds of clients you have and may or not do what you do. For example, I participated in a program that lasted about a year. While I am not longer in the program, I still have relationships with several of the participants. Because we "are on the same page" and understand each others goals very well, it is natural for us to form strategic alliances. Any time you participate in educational situations - whether they are live seminars, teleseminars, workshops or classes you have this opportunity. Remember everything you do is a networking opportunity.

Upside - Everyone is on the "same page" with you and forming alliance with people you've been though training with feels effortless. Often times in business seminars, the trainer spends time encouraging strategic alliances, so attendees are actively looking for this kind of opportunity.

Downside - You need to be willing to participate in the training. If you go with the sole intention of networking and making connections, you'll waste a great opportunity for self growth and it will be obvious why you're there!

Bottom line - you could apply all four of the "secret levels of networking" to any situation. Just remember when you're out there doing that, stick to the problems you solve for people and focus on who you're looking for. You'll be sure to be a networking ninja in no time!

Want to use this article in your newsletter or on your website? You can! Just be sure to include the entire article and include this complete "blurb" with it:

Networking Expert, Karen Frank publishes Networking News, a semi-monthly newsletter devoted to helping you avoid marketing disasters and networking faux pas. Get the home study course "The Seven Deadly Sins of Networking
and How to Avoid them" Free when you sign up for Networking News at www.7deadlysinsofnetworking.com

Back in Blogland again!

2009-06-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

You may have notice that Miss Karen's Productions is gone, gone, gone! Well, after a trip to Experience the Reality of Success, and a divine download at my sister's place, I shut down the old MKP and have re-opened as 3 E Communications - Elegant, Easy, Effective - business communications for the entrepreneur.

Now that I kind of "get" what blogging is for, I'll be popping in now and again with words of networking and marketing wisdom, articles and resources.

Logos and all that "stuff" will be along soon! Until my next post, feel free to drop into my new website www.3ecommunications.net

Looking forward to posting and seeing your comments!

Karen