The traditional approach is a constant blast of marketing messages with what you have to offer and hope someone wants it.    Some people don’t even express an interest and yet still get an infomercial from the salesperson.

Unfortunately, some people can view this as a form of SPAMMING.  Unless asked for it, it might not be advisable to ASSUME everyone wants to know about your offer.  The old rules of “throw it out there to see what sticks” no longer apply.

In today’s marketplace, people are more aware of how every dollar is spent and will evaluate everything before making a purchase.  The most important factor to consider is how your product or service will impact your customer.  Buying decisions usually happen when there is a problem to fix, an emotional need to resolve, time or money to save or other convenience factors to consider.  

Here are a few simple rules to follow:

1. Ask specific questions then LISTEN to their response.
2. Think of their NEEDS before engaging in conversation.
3. Always ask PERMISSION to send them information.
4. Never ASSUME everyone wants or needs what you have.
5. Be RESPECTFUL of their time.

A few tips for online networkers:

1. Every person online is a total stranger and you need to establish a relationship before you can determine if you have something they want or need.
2. Don’t abuse their friendship by “SELLING” your products or service to their circle of friends.
3. Connect with them directly either by email or direct message and ask if they would consider sharing it with others.  Giving them a choice instead of forcing your messege on them will take you much further.
4. Make it as easy as possible for someone to SHARE info.  Try posting all details online either on your own personal social network, Facebook wall or website and then simply send the complete link URL.

Remember, people don’t want to be SOLD anything but they love to BUY things!

This year marks a new decade to take control of your life and make changes that can sometimes be very difficult.  We’re creatures of habit and most often settle into a routine that may not be allowing us to live our life to it’s fullest potential.

When you think of what you’ve already achieved, it can give you hope and inspiration to leap forward.  After you read this blog post, take a few minutes and reflect on all the positive events that happened for you in 2009.

Find a quiet place, grab your calendar from last year, a journal and a pen; then start reviewing each month and find at least one thing that you accomplished or made you feel happy or inspired.  Maybe you moved into a new home or started a new position or fell in love.  Whatever it is, write it down.  Only write things that had a positive impact in your life.

Here’s my 2009 year in review:

• January – Held my first all day workshop, “Goals by AttrACTION”
• February – Had my 10 year wedding anniversary; visited my brother in Dallas and celebrated his 50th birthday
• March – Produced my first CD, “How to Network on Twitter & Attract All the Followers You Can Handle”
• April – Launched “Networking Best Practices” Webinar Series
• May – Hosted an event to raise money for a friend in need, celebrated Chantal’s 17th birthday
• June – Completed the “100 Articles in 100 Days” Challenge
• July – Produced CD, “Creating Your One Minute Networking Commercial”
• August – Spoke for the Chamber of Commerce; launched US Small Business Radio Show
• September – Created the 2-day U.S. Small Business Conference
• October – Went to CEO Space in Las Vegas, had a weekend getaway with Greg
• November – Became Club President for CEO Space – St. Louis, enrolled in Wealthy Writer’s Wisdom coaching program
• December – Attended CEO Space in Las Vegas, celebrated Hayli’s 10 year birthday

Of course, these are just the highlights and I plan to do the same activity of writing in my journal.  I’m sure  there are more to add to this list after I review my entire year.  I just wanted to share with you a few things to give you an idea of how to get started.  Please share your comments below and tell me a few of yours!  I’d love to hear them!

Let’s face it, we all want immediate results. We look for shortcuts and simplicity. I remember when I first went into business years ago, I was so excited that I didn’t have an employer to answer to that I didn’t realize all the pitfalls that were just ahead. In fact, one of my first customers turned out to be my worst customer. His expectations were unrealistic and the demands he made created doubt in my mind if going into business was the right move. However, it really wasn’t his fault that he misunderstood what we agreed to, I didn’t have an agreement that clearly stated what he was getting.

After that experience, I realized how much I really didn’t know about business. When I look back now, I’m really grateful that I had that happen in my first month in business, although at the time I wasn’t so pleased. I decided then that I would look for people who were already successful in business and ask for their opinion. If I could learn from others that had been there and done that, then I could avoid costly mistakes.

I figured out that if I volunteered my time to assist in projects with other powerful business owners, that I could learn from them. I could get to know them better and some of them became my personal mentors in business. It’s like becoming an intern or apprentice but on a per project basis.

Look at who’s in your community that could be a role model for you.  Attend events like CEO Space that have Fortune 500 mentors and celebrity instructors.  Continuously search for business coaches and consultants to get advice.

Recently, I attended a luncheon hosted at the St. Louis Business Expo that had a guest speaker who shared these characteristic traits.  Her name was Nancy Friedman, “The Telephone Doctor” who was off the charts!

She discussed what the Best of the Best in Business all have in common.  Here are the bullet points of her speech but I’ve added my own comments to what she explained.

1. Make the decision to have a great ATTITUDE
   I believe attitude is the basis in which we all start with.  If you’re approaching people or projects with the wrong attitude, you’ll get the wrong results.  How many times have you had trouble achieving your goals and later realize you didn’t have the right mental attitude to attract it into your life?  So many people start their day without taking time to do an ATTITUDE check.  For the next few days, wake up and think about what attitude you plan on having throughout the day and see if you get better results.
2. VISUALIZE obtaining success
   First of all, define what that means to you.  Is it being able to have the freedom to decide what you do with your time?  Is it making the front page of your daily news?  Maybe it’s being able to walk on your treadmill for 20 minutes several times a week.  Whatever your definition, spend a few minutes in the morning when you get up and again before you go to bed at night.  What’s if feel like when you visualize success?  What emotions come up for you?  If you’re a visual person, think about finding a picture out of a magazine that reminds you of your success.  Hang it somewhere that you’ll see it every day and study all the features in the picture.
3. ENERGY, HUMOR and ENTHUSIASM
   My 3 favorite characteristics!  Have you ever been around someone that puts out great ENERGY?  You know, it’s so highly charged that you leave them feeling better than before you met them!  I love being around these types of people because it usually rubs off on me somehow and I give it away to someone else!  In addition, having a great sense of HUMOR puts people at ease and makes a strong connection between you.  Whenever you find the right moment to make someone laugh, take advantage of it.  We don’t always have to take things so seriously to have a successful business.  If you know me at all, you usually see me filled with ENTHUSIASM!  I embrace life and encourage others to do the same.  I’d like to also add INSPIRE to this list so you find a way to lift someone else as you climb the ladder of success!
4. Resist NEGATIVE tendancies
   This one takes practice.  It’s much easier to look at how bad things are instead of taking a positive point of view.  When things do go right, we have a tendancy to put blame on someone or something else.  One of the hardest things to see is the bright side of a bad situation.  Remember, when life hands us lemons, it’s up to us to turn it into lemonade!  Make a commitment to only see the GOOD in everyone and everything and the negative will slowly disappear.
5. Do WHATEVER it takes – Double check and offer extra effort
   Do you go the extra mile for your customers?  I make it a point to over deliver and under promise.  When anyone gives something to me, I look for ways I can not only balance the scales but tip it over!  The world is a very abundant place and there is so much you can give.  Take time to learn about someone and give them something they’ll cherish forever.  Make it meaningful and you’ll always be remembered.
6. Embrace CHANGE
   Change can often bring uncertainty and can make you feel uncomfortable.  The definition of insanity is to continue doing the same thing but expecting different results.  If you’re looking to progress in your business or professional life and the old ways of doing it aren’t working anymore, it’s time for a change.  Look at becoming “solutions based” and find a way to change things to fix the problems.  If it doesn’t work, keep changing it until something produces the results you’re after.
7. GRATEFUL for what they have
   If you want to receive more, take time to look at what you already have.  Gratitude is the best way to increase the flow of abundance and ignite the sparks of the law of attraction.  Slow down and acknowledge all the good things and accomplishments you are making.  Find a quiet space and reflect on all the amazing times you’ve had or the incredible people you know or feel how healthy and alive you are.  Count your blessings and believe you can achieve success.

I loved the part where he got in the cab to meet that guy from Dean Witter and took on the challenge of figuring out the “Rubiks Cube.”  He knew he could do it and yet the other guy kept saying, “there’s no way”.  He believed he could do it, and in less than his cab ride to their destination, solved the puzzle.

When one of his machines was stolen by someone on the street, he called this part of his life “being stupid”.  He knew he shouldn’t have left it with a stranger but made the wrong decision to pursue something else. 

How many people relate to his life challenges?  The terrible relationship he had with his wife, the poor judgement on a business (those silly scanners) dealing with reality and responsibilities.  Losing it all and totally hitting rock bottom would most likely put anyone in poverty and living on the streets.  The sadest part was watching him cry while he sat on the floor of the men’s room with his son in his arms because they had no place to sleep.

Too many people take their situations for granted and never realize their true potential.  We settle for average and as we get older we lose hope for anything more than what we have.  They blame it on their past, their lack of skills or anyone else that prevented them from succeeded.  Everyone except themselves.

The absolute best part was the video clip I have included in this post when he has a heart to heart talk with his son to not let anyone ever tell him not to pursue his dreams. 

“Hey… Don´t ever let somebody tell you, you can´t do something. Not even me… Alright? You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can’t do it.  You want something, GO GET IT…PERIOD.”

As Thomas Jefferson believed and wrote in our Declaration of Independence, we all have the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Click Image to Order CD

Considering I’ve been networking all my life and have probably heard thousands of people share their  introductions, I can tell you that the majority of people are missing out on capturing that critical moment!  In fact, some people say all the WRONG things!

After several requests from my coaching clients, I decided to develop a simple program that you can use to Create Your One Minute Networking Commercial which includes a downloadable worksheet.  To make sure you get the best benefit from the program, I have also include a BONUS 30-Minute Coaching session with me personally so I can review what you came up with and offer suggestions.

In this Program You’ll Learn:    

• How to Make an Impactful First Impression
• Phrases You Should AVOID Saying When You Introduce Yourself
• Include certain BUZZ words
• Separate Yourself from Your Competitors
• Integrating Your Wish List
• Memory Hooks That Work
• Communicating Your Brand
• Third Party Testimonials and Clients
• Customize Your Pitch for Your Audience
• How to Incorporate a Call to Action
• Plus Other Secrets I Personally Use

You can order the CD by clicking the image above or by visiting www.SassyNetworker.com  It’s also available as an INSTANT Download if you want to get it immediately!  After you have created your commercial, contact my office at 636-387-3000 to schedule your FREE 30-minute coaching session!

While we were watching it, I thought about my mother and how she lived her life very modestly with little adventure.  She took the safe route of working for someone until she retired.  I started thinking of how conservative she really was and how I ended up being the major risk-taker in the family.  No one ever took the chance to start their own business, let alone speak in front of hundreds of people like I did.

This movie really opened my eyes to how I’ve been living my life all along.  Now, I don’t say YES to everything but I realized I say it more than the average person.  I stay open to all possibilities and allow myself to follow opportunities.  I’ve discovered that when you say YES! to something instead of NO! you have more excitement and adventure in life.  Every day is filled with opportunites and it’s up to us to live a completely fulfilled life!

Go out and rent the movie, you’ll laugh a lot and might start saying YES! more often!

Click on the Image to Order the CD

Considering the number of people that are unemployed right now, I believe we’ll see a rise in home based businesses over the next few years.  Almost everyone that has contacted me to see if I know of any companies hiring has heard me say this, “Maybe it’s time you start your own business until the market changes?”  This is a perfect time to launch a new business!

It doesn’t matter who you are or what experience you have, if you have a strong desire to succeed, you can work from home and earn an income.  A word of caution, don’t expect to make your same salary your first year in business!  However, you can start to generate additional income while you’re searching for employment.

I’ve coached people all over the country on how to become more effective in their networking efforts.  If you attend any networking meetings now, I’m sure you’ve met several people that own a business from their home.  Unfortunately, if they introduced themselves to you in a manner that was distasteful, you won’t spend the time getting to know them.  These happen to be the same people that approach me and say that networking doesn’t work for them.

The main problem is they expect immediate results from a “one, two punch”.  They shake your hand and then ask you to lunch to explain all about them and their business and expect you to get involved or partner with them after only the first meeting.  So here they are, total strangers that want you to invest in them and their company immediately without regards to what you might want or be interested in.

I should know since I have established a HUGE network, I’m approached continuously and have looked at a variety of programs throughout the years.  However, I can definitely tell you what works and what doesn’t when it comes to networking to build a business or team.

I believe there’s a different approach to networking for someone who owns a home-based business and that’s why I created this CD to coach anyone in need of attracting more business through networking.  During this one hour program, I reveil secrets and simple strategies that you can use immediately to get better results. 

Here are a few other topics I cover in the CD:

• How to separate yourself from your competition
• Phrases you should avoid saying when you first meet someone
• How to position yourself as an EXPERT in your field
• Ways to set an appointment and what to say when you meet
• Keys to developing relationships with total strangers
• And, so much more!

Plus, I’m including a FREE bonus report called “9 Critical Elements You Should Consider Before Starting a Home Based Business” that you can give to anyone that is thinking about being in your business.  It’s a useful tool that will help open the eyes of some of the people you approach to get involved with your company.

My goal is to offer you a variety of Networking Best Practices to help you get the most from your experience.  To get your copy of this CD, simply click on the CD image above and one will be sent to you.  This program is also available for instant download along with other CD’s and products at www.SassyNetworker.com

To Your Networking Success,

Darlene Willman aka The Sassy Networker

My Girlfriend Gina's Happy Hour 5-21-09

Several weeks ago, one of my best friends, Gina Keeven, was put in the intensive care unit at the hospital where she spent 8 days fighting to gain her strength and recover from a life threatening illness.  This woman is one of the biggest “givers” I know and many people were concerned about her. 

Gina not only has 2 children but manages a successful business called Choices Catering and Brokerage.  Unfortunately, most of her clients stopped using her service since she was hospitalized and was unable to generate any revenue for almost 5 weeks!

Although she has the support of her close family, I knew she needed something else…the support from her network.  Personally, I wanted to find a way to help raise money to get her back on her feet again.  A few of us got together and decided to host a special fundraising event called, “My Girlfriend Gina’s Happy Hour”.

We hosted the event at The Little Hills Winery who graciously donated a glass of wine and appetizers for anyone who attended.  I want to personally thank Tammy and David Campbell for letting us host the event at their beautiful winery outside on their patio.

I believe we had over 40 people there to network and show their support.  Many people purchased a “Pay it Forward” donation ticket which touched my heart and absolutely amazed me.  Several people donated raffle prizes and almost everyone bought tickets.  I’d like to give a special thanks to Brenda Fraser with Zonta Int’l in St. Charles, MO for donating our only high ticket auction item for a weekend getaway for two. 

I’d also like to acknowledge the women that jumped in to help without even being asked.  One woman in particular spent a good portion of time making calls with me, setting up the event and making this all come together and that woman is Kathy Wasserman with Hardshell Productions.  A few other women that helped out were Julie Eudy, Becky Schoenig, Becky Quinn and Nancy Schneider. 

After everything was put together and tallied, we actually raised a little over $2,200 for Gina and her family!

Here is a complete list of all the amazing people that either attended or contributed to this special event.

Norma Boozer
Sherri Bell
Shari Peterson
Patricia Robinson
Julie Eudy
Lethia Owens
Becky Quinn
Kylin Meyer
Lisa Morgan
Cathy Sexton
Rebecca Lovelace
Marilyn Westenberger
Kimberly Conley
Kathy Wasserman
Vicky & Cara Shrum
Linda Kluge
Sue Spencer
Donna Ratliff
Jeanine Rauch
Mary Kay Sheets
Susan Snyder
Mary Morak
Rev. Pat Powers
Kathy Kannady
Tessa Greenspan
Amy Bea
Kim Snoe
Craig Daily
Shirley & Phil Gailus
Kelly Alcorn
Dianna Bridgins
Brenda Fraser
Naomi Francis
Steve & Sandy Ellison
Jennifer Prost
Gary Wagner
Sarah Zehr
Nancy Schneider
Maria Borror
Cindy Marsh
Kelley Lamm
Marcia Willman
Karen Garcia
Deborah Colburn
Becky Schoenig
Cathy Babis
Tammy Campbell

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for your support!  It’s times like this that people like you are the true angels of inspiration!

THE BENEFIT:  The amount of information I can obtain about a person through their profile, their blog and website determines whether they are someone I want to meet and do business with.  This is a major advantage over traditional networking in person since all you know about a stranger is their name badge and what they look like.  The chances that I’ll learn all about their business, their expertise, their achievements and why I should do business with them are very slim since we only a few minutes to meet each other.

THE MISSING LINK:  I have been hosting networking events for several years now and love the face to face interaction.  Nothing can replace the true energy of being in the same room together.  People communicate in person by their appearance even before they begin speaking.  Their voices and even their laughter have an impact on whether we want to network with them.

Think about it, once you’ve made a contact with someone and have a friendly dialogue, what’s next?  Technology is the driving force that brought you together but how can you create a professional relationship just by sending text messages and communicating electronically?

THE SOLUTION:  I’ve been giving this a lot of thought and came up with a new concept…it’s called Virtual Networking by Phone!  It’s a place to talk once you’ve met someone online.  I will completely facilitate the process and help people come together to ultimately attract more referrals.  Networking is about relationships so each week you’ll learn more about the other people participating.  You’ll support each other and give advice, resources and referrals to each other.   Every Tuesday at 9:00 am CST we’ll meet for one hour and progressively grow and strengthen those particular contacts over the course of a month.  Only 20 people can attend each month and limited to one profession at a time, eliminating any competition.  New groups begin on the first Tuesday of the month!  JOIN NOW!

“My goal is to bring the two world’s of online and offline networking together to meet people anywhere in the United States through the internet from places like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, PerfectNetworker or other social networks.”
                                                                                                 To Your Networking Success,

                                                                                                 Darlene Willman, “The Sassy Networker”