Promote Yourself With a Business Card

Low Cost Lead Generation - Disciplining Yourself For Growth

Sell Yourself For Future Success

Reach Out to Take Care of Yourself

Tips On How to Make Yourself Memorable When Generating Small Business Leads

Do you remember the last time you went to a networking event or met with a group of other small business owners to improve your small business networking? Chances are you met a handful of people and came away with business cards or other identifying content. How well did you remember the faces and conversations that went with the names? How easily could you recall the business of an individual you met by their face and story alone?

The last thing you want to do is become one of those faces or business cards that leave absolutely no impression once the event is over with. No matter how well you think you captivate their attention while you're speaking to them there's a good chance that if you're not branding yourself properly and making a memorable impression, those people you meet at small business networking events and groups aren't going to remember you. Here are some tips on how to make you stand out and be memorable (in a good way) when networking with other business and industry leaders.

Be Distinctive - You don't need to dress like a clown but a brightly-colored tie, a unique piece of jewelry, good cologne or even a certain grooming style can make you stand out in the memory of business partners in a good way. You certainly don't want to only be remembered because of your hairstyle or scent but those are excellent memory triggers that mark your encounter with a great big flag. Don't be outlandish to achieve this, but don't let yourself blend with the crowd.

Be Engaging - It's very important that when you network with others in order to build relationships that foster business leads, you need to stay engaged. It's obvious when you don't vest yourself in the conversation so make sure you listen well, respond promptly, maintain eye contact, etc. If you're truly present and accounted for mentally then you will stand out among the other people who are trying to "check out" early.

Carry the Conversation - Never let a conversation be one-sided. It's important to listen to the others while you're focusing on small business networking and fostering a foundation for a future relationship but don't just nod and smile. You need to do your share of carrying the conversation so ask thought-provoking questions. When you do this, you will undoubtedly stick out as one of the more engaging individuals. Your name, your face, your business and your interests will stick in the minds of those business owners when the day is done. Make an effort to take a genuine interest in the business owners around you.

Reinforce "You" with Keywords - The people you network with will be meeting a lot of people - that's the nature of being a business owner. They won't remember long descriptions of what you do so you need to break it down to a few key things about yourself. Name, Company name, Business, Product and Location. Use various points frequently and you'll be easier to remember - like "Joe the Barber from Soho"

Contribute to the Group Conversation - Everything about you is important, and you want eyes on you but you can't take the spotlight. Don't hog the conversation, just join it. Think in terms of the power of words and choose what you say carefully. Saying one smart thing in front of the group will make you more memorable than 15 minutes of semi-conscious chatter. Create value for others and you create value for yourself.

You have to sell yourself just as hard as you sell your products. When you're involved in small business networking for building business leads you need to approach those business owners like you're making a sale. This is your brand, and your brand is more than just a logo. It's an experience. If you focus on selling a memorable experience rather than a snapshot then you up the chances of creating a memorable experience. You are your business, so make an impression that won't be easily forgotten.

Low Cost Lead Generation - Disciplining Yourself For Growth

Low cost lead generation like any new skill takes time, patience, and effort to happen.It is a matter of time, taking action on organized plans, studying, and having the discipline to carry it out. There are several important discipline steps to take, all of which are very important.

One of the first and most important disciplines is time management or self management. This is something that I am continuously striving to become better at and the more I work on this, the more I am pleased with the outcomes.

Have you ever noticed how much you can get done when you have a short deadline approaching? For example, you may have a project, or report that is due in 30 days, yet it is postponed until the last week when the sense of urgency is at its highest. I recommend taking projects, articles, or anything that has to be done on a long or short term basis and breaking it down to little steps with the goal of completion. Low cost lead generation canned be learned the same way and before you know it, the steps become easier and easier.

Another important discipline is good health.The combination of exercise, eating a balanced diet, and plenty of rest makes the difference when doing your daily activities. Something like taking a daily walk not only can help you feel better, but can help you produce some of the best strategies for improving your low cost lead generation business. I find that when I write, then take a walk and come back to it, I come up with ideas that help my creativity.

Continuous learning is essential for long term growth. You may have a great strategy for recruiting leads, following up with people, or promoting your business, but things can always be improved and tweaked. I recommend tailoring this to your own individual learning style.

Perhaps you like to read, listen to audio, or a combination of both. Take advantage of the resources out there to help you with any area that will help you with low cost lead generation and success.

Balance is another important discipline to cultivate. This can be a tough one because not only do you want to have time to work, but you also want to have time to have fun or do important things such as spend time with your family or friends.

I recommend taking some time to sit down and plan time for not only your daily and weekly activities such as working on low cost lead generation, but also time for unplanned interruptions. This is not new advice, but helpful in the event something happens that alters your schedule. Scheduling two to three extra hours of free time for the unexpected can really help.

Reflecting on your experiences, goals, and measuring your progress are all part of becoming better at what you do. Follow your heart, make a plan, and stick with it.

Strive for achieving bigger and better things out of life. Your potential is greater than you can even imagine, and the daily discipline will reveal your true capability!

To your success!

Lee Reffel

Put Yourself in the Proper Context

Have you ever noticed that when analyzing a situation, people always "put things in context"? They consider extenuating circumstances, which includes the conditions they perceive to have created difficulties or enhanced performance.

This is an issue for women, because if people are not used to having women in male-dominated roles they will automatically be seen as "out of context." They will have doubts about their ability to perform, not only affecting their perception but that of the women in those roles as well. We end up with "doubt all around."

I learned this when I was the only woman appointed to a very political board. In an effort to help two warring fractions find middle ground, I consented to a meeting. Neither side were interested in compromise and as a reward for my time and effort one group made me the victim of a smear campaign. I was hurt, angry, and confused, and questioned my judgment. But I was also able to step back and recognize that I was being set up.

As a woman, these guys thought I was an easy mark, but they under-estimated the strength that my well-connected mentor and effective network brought to the equation. My supporters said, "Let's consider the context. These guys are known trouble-makers and Betty-Ann always works to find a productive solution. We're on her side."

Until we get more women in senior positions we'll be "out of context," which will create barriers to our success. People will doubt our abilities and causes us to doubt ourselves. In the interim the best thing we can do is get the endorsement of established leaders by making them our mentors or part of our network. They and other "opinion leaders" will legitimize us.

Improve your context by taking some time today to connect with others. You never know when it will come in handy that they've "put you in context."

After a highly successful career in business, including 26 years with PotashCorp where she was Senior Vice-President, Betty-Ann retired in 2007, the same year that she was named to Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Hall of Fame?. She now works as a speaker, author and mentor and is committed to using her personal and professional experiences to inspire and empower other women. A firm believer in the value women bring to organizations, Betty-Ann explores changing perceptions of male and female roles including candid observations about what she calls "Good Gender Physics" on her blog at http://www.stillettochick.com/. She helps both men and women understand the primary energy of their gender but also accept and appreciate the strengths of their opposite.

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