Week three of marketing program
I’m starting week three of my marketing program today. Last week I didn’t keep on top of my daily actions as much as I would have liked. The week certainly wasn’t a complete write-off, but there was one day when it really didn’t happen. So, I need to start this week with renewed energy. Anyone got any spare energy they can lend me?
Overall I’m definitely feeling the benefit of following the program, it’s providing me with structure for my marketing activities and a means of tracking results. Results so far are very encouraging. I’m beginning to get a feel for which of my daily actions are most effective, and which I could probably replace with something else. For example, going to a couple of networking events each week I’m sure is doing me some good, but the online networking I do every day isn’t very successful. It’s not that I’m expecting instant results from it, it’s just that I’m not really feeling like I’m engaging with anyone at all. Actually, writing this makes me realise that it’s not necessarily the activity that is a problem, but that I need to improve how I go about it. I’d better give some thought to that and see if I can turn it around over the next couple of weeks.
Why do pyramid schemes make me uncomfortable?
At breakfast yesterday morning one of our regulars gave me some information on a pyramid scheme that she’s getting involved with. Now, she’s someone that I’ve been breakfasting with for several months now so there’s a certain level of trust there. So, why does the idea of signing up to it make me so uncomfortable?
It’s one of those schemes where you get a certain amount of money for what you do and also a cut from anyone that you introduce, and presumably from anyone that they introduce etc. That’s why it’s a pyramid. I don’t know exactly where it came from but I’ve got this ingrained suspicion of this type of scheme. Is it just gut feeling?
I think part of my problem is that I believe that making money can’t be that easy – money is something that you should earn, with hard work. I’m a strong believer in hard work – working hard on my business gives me a sense of achievement.
Am I looking a gift horse in the mouth? Or am I actually being very sensible following my intuition?
Week two of marketing program
I’m now into week two of my 28-day marketing program and I’m pleased to say that I’m still going strong. Feeling pretty pleased with myself actually. The program has helped give me the right mindset so I’m making the most of all the opportunities that come my way. And there is something very satisfying about working through my list of actions each day – individually the actions probably aren’t that mindblowing, but working through them consistently each day definitely adds up to something.
I’ve got two successes which I’m particularly pleased about – a potential new client from one of the networking events I went to last week (don’t want to speak too soon but it’s looking very promising) and a press release accepted by Business Cornwall, Cornwall’s business magazine – I only sent it to them this morning and it’s already on their website (New premises for design companies). Fingers crossed it generates some interest for us and our chum Neil.
So, a good start to the week and lots of enthusiasm for my marketing activities. Can’t wait for breakfast at Cape Cornwall in the morning.
Feed Forward not Back
I went to a very interesting event in Truro this afternoon. It was run by Enterprising Women which is an organisation for women in business. After a couple of inspirational talks we were taught the Feed Forward technique.
Feed Forward is a technique to help you continue to improve – in whatever area you wish to improve. It’s actually very simple. Instead of asking for feedback on something you’ve done (and let’s face it asking for feedback isn’t always the easiest thing in the world), you think of something that you would like to improve and then ask people for suggestions. That’s pretty straightforward isn’t it?
We spent 45 minutes or so going round the room asking each other for suggestions on a particular subject. The idea was that we didn’t give loads of detail or enter into a discussion about it, we just said what we would like to improve in and everyone gave two suggestions. It was very interesting how everyone interpreted it slightly differently and gave completely different advice. I ended up with quite a list to consider.
So, I came away from the afternoon with a new technique and having met a load of new people. Good stuff!
Breakfast at Cape Cornwall
This morning I went to a business breakfast at Cape Cornwall Golf & Leisure Resort. I’ve been doing this regularly for the last few months. The idea is to have breakfast with other local business people and do a bit of networking. The Golf Club is a great venue – in a stunning location and the breakfasts are great.
Unfortunately I couldn’t enjoy the view this morning because of fog – now that’s definitely an interesting way to start the day, driving carefully along the narrow, windy country lane in thick fog. Oh well, it’s all part of the fun of living in West Cornwall isn’t it? And we’re having a beautiful sunny evening in St Just so definitely no complaints there.
If you’re based in our neck of the woods why don’t you join us for breakfast one Tuesday? Best way to find out about the breakfasts is to join the Facebook page: West Cornwall Business Club.
Lunch with the ladies (and gents)
Went to a cracking networking event today. It was lunch at a nice restaurant in Penzance with members of Network Cornwall, which is a networking group for women in Cornwall. At least that’s what it has been up until now, but they’ve decided that they can’t legally keep it just to women because of discrimination so a few men have started to pop up. I wonder how they found it being in a group of predominantly women.
Anyway, I had a fab time. Spoke to a few ladies I’d met before and a few that I hadn’t. It’s always such a great atmosphere at these events and the food is fantastic. What more can you ask for?
A busy week
After a fairly quiet couple of weeks things have definitely been getting busier this week. I was meant to go speed networking today but decided that doing a quote for a prospective client had to take precedence. I was going to go but 5 minutes before I was due to leave I was on the point of stressing out over getting things done, so decided to stay and work instead. Turned out to be a good move because I’ve got loads done and can start the weekend without any important jobs hanging over me.
How to Talk to Anyone
You know what it’s like when you go to a networking event and there are one or two there who seem to just breeze around the room, being greeted by loads of people they already know and talking to new people with ease? Wouldn’t you love to be just like that? I know I would, but instead I’m the one nervously standing in the door desperately looking around for a friendly face. Actually, I’m not as bad as I used to be, I’ve definitely got more confident but I would like to feel more comfortable with striking up a conversation with someone I’ve never met before.
One of my fears when it comes to networking is not knowing what to say when I meet someone for the first time. This book provides you with techniques for overcoming that – not just things to say, but the whole thing from how to enter a room and choose who to talk to, to how not to answer certain questions that might leave the other person at a loss as to how to respond. Great stuff! I can certainly see how I can do things differently. A lot of it is being more aware of how you are reacting to the situation.
I’ve got this one down as a book to dip into every now and then. I don’t think I’m going to be able to go out there and put all 92 tips into practice straight away, I’d never remember them all. So, I think the thing to do would be to try out one or two at a time and see how they help, gradually improving my networking and conversational skills.
Rating: 
Buy “How to Talk to Anyone” from Amazon >
Social networking etiquette
Today I’ve been trying to figure out what my policy should be as to Facebook friend requests from people I don’t know. I’ve got a couple where the only connection is that they are also friends with one of my ‘friends’. Apart from that I don’t know who they are or why they want to add me to their friends list. I suspect it is for ‘networking’ purposes – the mutual friend is a business networking friend rather than personal.
However, is it a good start to a networking relationship to send an apparently random friendship request with no accompanying note? I would have preferred some sort of hello and why they want to be friends with me – would have started it off on a better footing. Instead I’m left wondering who they are and have had to send a note to them saying ‘erm, do I know you?’. I’m giving them both a week and if I don’t get a reply will have to reject them.
What’s the accepted etiquette of this? Am I being too demanding in wanting a bit more than ‘whodjewhatsit wants to be friends with you’?
Fear and networking in Cornwall
We had a less than satisfactory networking experience last night. We went to a seminar/networking event run by one of our local business networks. These events are always pretty good with the seminar bit being really worth going to so we had decided to both attend. Big mistake. We’ve noticed it before but keep trying again – we’re just no good at networking if we go to an event together. We always end up talking ourselves out of it and leaving early.
As usual the speakers were excellent and we got a lot out of that, but as soon as it ended we went all unsure of ourselves and couldn’t bring ourselves to go and talk to anyone else. Pathetic isn’t it? I’d been all geared up to meet new people, but there is something about being with my partner that holds me back. On the way home we did the usual disection and came to the conclusion that I should go to stuff on my own – being on my own makes me much braver and I get a lot more out of it.
So a bit of a knock to our confidence, but I’m not letting it completely do away with what confidence I’ve gained over the last few weeks. I just have to go to more stuff and build on my networking skills. I know I can do it, it’s just unfortunately something that I have to do without my partner.
