Last month I followed a post on Facebook that begged the question, 'When can your persistance in follow-up become an annoyance?' It really must be done through the permission of a good relationship. There is a balance that must be adhered to along with respect. A gentleman by the name of Robert Redmonds commented on the post and shared these words of wisdom: Respect with Perseverance. I loved that comment and couldn't agree more. Know when to continue and when to stop. Follow up with unexpected ways that are non intrusive. It doesn't always have to be a phone call. A simple greeting card that simply says, 'Hi, have a great day' is more effective than another email. When you see an article in a magazine or newspaper that relates to their business or their hobby, send it. Ask yourself, 'How can you make them laugh or smile?' Always ask them if you can continue to stay in touch. Here are a couple more comments: David - " I find that asking clients when would they like me to get back to them works well. Then you can persevere over a long time. They'll eventually need us :-) " Roland - 'Peristency is the key! Right attitude is next. Good business relationship sustains." How about you? How often do you stay in touch with a prospect? What do you do to not be a nuisance. Please feel free to leave your comments below. Floydilou
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I must confess, when I first started in the Facebook world, I thought it was important to get as many 'likes' as I could. C'mon, you know what I mean...it makes you look good, right? Yes, building your list is your #1 investment, however it is important to get the right people to 'like' you. What does that mean, 'the right people'? It is the people who are interested in your message and your services. So when you post, 'Hey, go 'like' my page so I can reach 100 people, it doesn't serve you nor does it serve your friends and network. Why should your meat eating, hunter cousin 'like' your vegetarian lifestyle page? HERE IS A SIMPLE FIX TO ASK FOR MORE 'LIKES' THAT ARE TARGETED: Instead, simply ask your friends or business network to share your page to the people they believe would be interested. Here is an example: 'Hey friends, I have a new recipe for the tastiest Kale Salad, can you share my page to people you know that may be interested. I would love to connect with other vegetarians. Much appreciated'. Added bonus: you have reached into their network of friends not just yours. They are helping you reach out to a targeted person without feeling obligated to click the 'like' button just because you are 'family'. Fortunately, I hired a social media specialist to be part of my team in the beginning of my journey in marketing with social media. She got me back on the right track with targeted followers and 'likes'. Social media done with specific protocols and strategies is a beautiful thing. I see too many business owners making simple mistakes that doesn't serve them well. I highly recommend that business owners invest in a virtual social media assistant as part of their team. It is worth every penny...and then some. To your social media success, Floydilou P.S. If you know any business owners who could benefit about marketing online with grace and effectiveness, please share this blog post with them, Of recent, I have been meeting and consulting with small business owners. I am noticing a trend. If your business isn't giving you more time and customers aren't walking in the door spending more money, something needs to change. Wouldn't you agree? People in my age category and older are still doing business as they did 10 years ago or even longer! There is a new way to do business. It is vital that the traditional storefront business embraces the online world and that the online businesses learn how to build a business with offline basics. Doing business in today's world requires polarization. You must define and focus on a specific market. Find a way to stand out from the others in your industry. Uncover ways to give you more time with simple leveraging solutions. When you are open to change, the change will come. You can have more time and more money. It's time for you to refresh, reinvent and revitalize your business. As the famous saying goes, "If you keep doing what you are doing and you expect a different result, that is the definition of insanity." For some of the reasons above, I am excited to announce my own revitalization, refreshing and re-invention. In another month we are rolling out with a new brand and defined focus. It will help business owners really take centre stage in their community so they can live the lifestyle of their dreams. To Doing Business The New Way, Floydilou Recently I read on a post where increasing your net worth isn't sexy. Well, If it is easy it is sleazy. Net worth takes time to build but in my opinion, net worth is sexy! 10 Steps to Increase Your Net Worth with 10 Sexy Bonuses! 1) Change your investments*: I think Apple and Virgin are Sexy, don't you?! Invest in companies that float your boat. Bonus: Feel good with what you are investing in. Sexy is feeling good. 2) Change what you invest* in: The world is moving at a fast pace. Keep up with trends and new products available to you. Bonus: Keeps you on your toes and present. Living in the present moment is sexy. 3) Use your skill and bring it to the marketplace: Start your own business! Bonus: You are using your gift and sharing it to the world. Sharing is sexy. 4) Get a part time job: Whether you own a business or work full-time you can find a casual part-time job that fulfills a 'want.' Example: fitness club reception or direct sales Bonus: Get into shape for free! Healthy is sexy. 5) Add an additional revenue stream in your business: There is always a way to find an additional revenue stream Bonus: You have increased the value of your business along with immediate income. Money is sexy. 6) Cut back on expenses: Can you go without cable? Can you switch your landline to a VOIP, such as Magic Jack. Bonus: You become more aware of what is really important. Sexy is connecting to your values. 7) Reduce your interest rates: Call up your creditor and ask them 'how much can you reduce that rate?' Bonus: With the interest you just saved, put that money into your "Fun" money jar. Fun is sexy. 8) Pay off the credit cards: With your reduced expenses, lowered rates and extra revenue coming in, pay off your cards! Bonus: You sleep better and longer when you are credit card debt free. You age slower. Vibrancy is sexy. 9) Education: School is never out for the pro. What workshops can you take online? What books can you read? Bonus: You become more confident. A well read and educated confident person is sexy. 10) Philanthropy: When you give, you get back in tenfold. Bonus: Giving to the community and our world is sexy. Here's to increasing your net worth, Floydilou (NOTE: * When it comes to making financial decisions with stock market / investments please speak with your financial advisor. ) As a young child what did you daydream about? What are your first fond memories of childhood? As a young girl, I was always drawn to the riverfront. I would ride my bike down to the river and gaze at the Detroit skyline. I would sit by myself for an hour or so. I would feel the grass between my feet. I would look at the tall buildings across the way. I could hear the freightliner sounding it's horn and watch the birds in the sky. Imagine a 10 year old sitting by themselves just dreaming and staring off at the skyline for over an hour. No other friends. Just me and all the other people off in the short distance walking by. It makes me recognize my independence today. I am more productive when in solitude but love to be surrounded by interesting and loving people. I tend to travel and live in places close to water and with beautiful tall buildings surrounding me. It's a combination of architecture mixed in with nature. For me I choose places such as New York or Waikiki. Others may prefer Easter Island or Machu Picchu. I must have a view of a city skyline and lots of people around for the energy! I also grew up in a dance studio and that was my 'play' place. Music, costumes, learning new steps, movement and lots of people around me in the classroom. Yes, I always preferred the solo routines on stage with the bright blinding spotlight. Nobody but me, my music, a spotlight and a loving audience surrounding me with love. I share this memory with you because of late, I have noticed my clients are completely stumped by my first two basic questions that I ask them: 1) What is the vision of your business and why do you want it to be successful? 2) What was it that you wanted to be when you were a younger person and why did you not pursue that dream? Some are in businesses that do not hold true to their authentic self. Others are in businesses they think they 'should' do. Even as I write this today, more of my own memories flood my mind and I recognize how much more of what I do today is reflective of my childhood. After reading the next questions, I want you to think of what brought you joy and take 5 minutes daydreaming and 30 minutes to write down those memories. I want you to think about your favourite place to play when you were a child. Were you alone or were you with many friends? Did you sit back on a couch and read a book by yourself or were you playing stick ball on the streets with all of your friends. Were you the leader? Were you the instigator? Did you prefer to have others to take centre stage? What was it that you wanted to be when you grew up? What did you do on a daily or weekly basis that brought you joy? Ready!...Now sit back, close your eyes and remember those fond childhood memories. Afterwards ask yourself what you can do to bring more of that into your business and life. To your success, Floydilou _The other night I was watching the T.V. show, Restaurant Impossible. At the end of the show, the restaurant owner, filled with emotion, says, "It's light, bright and a new lease on life." Tears came to my eyes as I watched this hard working boomer who was 'stuck'. He owned and operated his business for 30 years and he was desperate to bring pride back to himself and his wife. The restaurant wasn't doing well and that made him feel like a failure. Not true! Sometimes you just need to allow yourself to hand over your control to someone else who can see you and your business in its best light. It will give you a new lease on life. I enjoy make-over shows, whether it's for homes, businesses or people. My friend, Jenn Merritt , coined me as the 'transformation specialist'. I know how to transform people, places and businesses with my vast experience (mentioned below)...and I get my 'high' when we can do it quickly and affordably for you. A common phrase the astonished recipient of home or place transformations is , "It's so light, bright and airy!" You can feel their burdens being lifted. You can feel the new energy it provides. The next time you watch one of those 'room make-over' shows, I guarantee that you will most likely hear the words, light, bright and airy. Yep, you will think of me with a smirk on your face. Another common phrase always said after a personal transformation is, "Look at my eyes!" or "I can't believe I can look this good!" It's as though they are seeing themselves being beautiful for the first time with a new set of eyes....and it's only make-up! ...or hair...or clothes. 5 Action Steps To Start Transforming Your LIfe: 1) Treat yourself. Make the decision to re-direct your money to the one 'stuck' thing that bothers you most. You are worth it. 2) Personal Clutter - Hire a clutter coach. Hire a professional organizer. Hire a friend who is really good at organizing. 3) Mind Clutter - Start reading good personal development books. Do daily affirmations in front of your mirror. Write things down. 4) Business Clutter - Hire someone who is good a putting systems into place. Systems will give you freedom. 5) Home Clutter - Hire a professional home stager even if you aren't re-selling. Do you have a friend, family member or neighbour whose home you admire? Invite them for dinner and ask them for suggestions or assistance. Have your own "Trading Spaces" event within your own home. Get two rooms done in two days with the help of your teenagers and family. Have a professional decorator oversee the projects. Simple transformations can make an all around impact in your life in ways you would least expect it. Let's get you started for the New Year. To your success, Floydilou As mentioned above, here is my experience that brings me to the passionate 'transformation specialist'. I am an accredited CSP, Certified Staging Professional - the art and technique of preparing a home for sale beyond de-cluttering. I am a 22 years veteran in the restaurant industry - front of house, mostly face paced, high turnover or pub style I have 15 years in a direct sales herbal and botanical cosmetic company, - from Hollywood makeovers to personal development training |
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