Posted By Amanda Collins on March 21, 2009

As a business owner, it’s imperative to market your business. Networking is a low-cost or free way to meet movers and shakers and get the word out about your business. Naturally, there are many ways to go about networking – some good, some not so good – but the most important thing to know is what you do and the value you offer potential clients.

Networking events are full of business owners and decision makers, many of whom have overlapping businesses. So how do you differentiate yourself so people remember you at the end of the event? The key lies in sharing with others who you are for them. If you’re a financial advisor, Realtor, or mortgage professional, it’s likely there will be a few other folks in the room who do the same thing – and are looking for the same clients. As you’re meeting people and say what you do, many will stop listening when they hear the same thing they’ve heard three other times already in the past 20 minutes. So, instead of saying what you do, share how you can help others.

No matter what your profession, there is a way to differentiate yourself at a networking event. To think of your best approach, consider some of the following points:

•    Who is your target audience?
•    What value do you provide?
•    What excites you about what you do?
•    Can you tie something in to the name of your company or your name?

No matter what you do, remember to share who you are (in their eyes) and how you can help others. That will truly differentiate you and your company among your competition.

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Tags: business identity, business owner, networking, target audience

Posted By Amanda Collins on March 5, 2009

As a writer of materials for others, it's sometimes challenging to get my carcass in gear and actually start writing things for myself. Granted, I have my PDA (that's right, PDA; I'll get an iPhone or Blackberry eventually) set to remind me to blog twice weekly and send out my newsletter every three weeks. Of course, I can just click the "okay" button and this gentle reminder fades into the background. Worse yet, I can delete the offensive reminder altogether.

But how far does that get me?

I recently met with Patricia Brooks, a book shepherd who assists writers get their books out to the waiting public. What she doesn't do, however, is actually help one write. Of course, once I do get my helpful hints into the computer and out of my head, Patricia will be waiting to assist me in creating an appealing presentation and then put the book into the hands of job seekers (and others).

So what is this magic formula for making a book flow? I recently reviewed an amazing book for a client. Written in the style of Dante's Inferno, it's a masterpiece of rhymes and reason. How long must it have taken this writer to complete? I can't get the ideas out, much less get them out in anything other than rote prose.

So it goes for a writer, I suppose. I continue to type useful words and phrases for my clients to advance their careers, expand their SEO, and get them known in the world. One day, I will go away to a beach or mountain with my laptop and write for myself. Well, as long as there's no Tivo or Internet there.

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Tags: books, publishing, writing