|
Tips
November 15, 2007
Do NOT automate your email:
Some email programs have a timer so your email gets checked on a certain schedule. Turn this feature off. Handling emails as they come in is a distraction and it wastes time. Depending on your needs, use 3-5 predefined times during the day to check your email.
November, 2007
What in the world is an elevator speech?
An elevator speech is a short description of what you do that is told to someone else in the time it takes an elevator to go from the bottom floor to the top. Good elevator speeches last about 10-15 seconds and contain enough creativity and information so they're remembered long after they're given.
The worst thing you can do – When asked "what do you do?", the worst answer you can give is "I'm an ______________ (accountant, lawyer, consultant, etc.) Answering like this only tells your listener what you are, not how you help others. When you label yourself this way, you forgo any discussion of the benefits you provide to others and leave this up to the listener to figure out on their own.
A great elevator speech is made up of three (3) distinct parts; the hook, deliverables and benefits, and finally putting it all together. Follow these steps to develop an elevator speech that turns heads.
Step #1: Develop your own hook. A hook is a catch phrase whose sole purpose is to get someone's attention. Here are some examples:
Occupation ---- Hook
Landscape Gardener ---- I turn the world green
IRS Agent ---- I'm a government fund-raiser
Nutritionist ---- I teach people how to behave in front of food
Each one of these statements begs the question, "how do you do that?"
Step #2: After being asked for more information, explain your deliverables or in other words, explain what your service or product provides.
I specialize in ______________________ (action verb followed by your deliverables) for the _______________________________ (your target market).
Step #3: Practice, practice, practice your own personal 10-15 second elevator speech until it becomes as comfortable as your shoes.
NOTE: If you need assistance with making your business stand out with a great "elevator speech", please call for an appointment.
August 15, 2007
If you don't have a customer database, start creating one. Collect your customer's names, addresses, birthdays, anniversaries and email addresses even if you have no clue what you're going to do with them.
Call me and I can help you start your database and show you how to use it effectively.
September 15, 2007
Keep your eye on the hidden costs of purchases..
The actual cost for supplies you buy for your business isn't the only expense you incur in purchasing them. For instance, if you bill your services at $75 per hour and spend 2 hours in driving to and from office supply stores, the cost of your time is $150!!! Yikes!
Instead, select an office supply store you like and sign up for their rewards program. Watch for their coupons and buy all your supplies from the same store.
Carol's Confident Comment – "The definition of insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".
2007 Newsletters
Available soon!
2006 Newsletters
December 15, 2006 Newsletter - "Rules for Small Business Success"
December 1, 2006 Newsletter - "Rookie Mistakes in Networking"
November 15, 2006 Newsletter - "Use the T.E.A.M. model to get the most out of your employees"
November 1, 2006 Newsletter - "Profile of your 'Ideal' Customer"
October 15, 2006 Newsletter - "Advertising on a Tight Budget"
October 1, 2006 Newsletter - "Can't we all just get along."
September 15, 2006 Newsletter - "Steps to Professionalism"
September 1, 2006 Newsletter - "Don't Let Tough Times Dampen your Enthusiasm"
August 15, 2006 Newsletter - "F is for FOCUS"
August 1, 2006 Newsletter - "Five (5) Problems Small-Business Owners Face (and the Solutions)"
July, 2006 Newsletter - "Dare to Delegate"
June, 2006 Newsletter - "Networking with your business card"
May, 2006 Newsletter - "Dealing with Paper Overload"
April, 2006 Newsletter - "Organizing your Desk"
March, 2006, Newsletter - "Your Time - Manage it or Lose it"
February, 2006 Newsletter - "Keep Customers Calling"
January, 2006 Newsletter - "New Year's Revolution"
|
