Before we start to do something new, we check our capabilities and up to that start. Even we wouldn’t be succesfull after that checking process, would be happy and satisfied with what we do or did. However if we do what we love, it generally results successfull.
For entrepreneurs, there are loads of skills that should be checked. One of the most important one –for me its the first- is communication skills.
Communication skills are important cause of patnerships, cooperations and to keep on networking. Those processes make startup more worthy. The point is in Internet age, communication ways changed and while they have some advantages, they have also disadvantages. You can reach e-mails easier than phone numbers. But the problem starts here, e-mails do not give the right sense like your phonecalls. It’s harder to realise if they replied positively or negatively. So even it’s more easier to reach who you want via web, it’s harder to call them in your network.
1. Start with formal e-mail
It’s clear that we generally communicate with our friends on msn or facebook and it goes on daily. So while typing an e-mail, dont think its a usual friend chat, so type more proper –sure not “to whom it may concern”- but it should be formal
2. Show that you respect and follow him
To get attention and get the reply, its better to show you respect, but not like you spoil them, use their articles or experience that you liked. It would also show that you really follow him.
3. Introduce yourself
you are not just a fun of him, you also do something worthy. So introduce yourself with the way he would pay attention, show what you can add value to him. Make him to say “sounds, he knows what he wants”
4. Balance and kindness
While you show that u follow, dont spoil him like you admire, you get him as a goddess. if you spoil so much, he wouldn’t pay attention to your e-mail because he is a usual human too, so exagration would seen not so nice. On the other hand while you introduce yourself, don’t exaggrate yourself and don’t act like you compare yourself with him. This time-by doing this he would think that you are so arrogant. So keep your kindness and keep the balance.
5. Be patient
the ones you want to reach dont have so much time, so they may delay to reply you, they may skip, and also they may forget. Keep your patience, wait for 15 days at least. It doesnt mean he/she doesnt care you, even you can use his gratefulness cause of late reply. =)
If he doesnt reply after 20 days, send another e-mail and start something like this; “i can imagine you might be so busy there” and keep in with your mail the previous mail content to make him more pressed.
6. Don’t miss chances
When he replies and tells you that he is really busy and he can arrange an appointment a month later, dont miss this chance and welcome this offer. But while you welcome this offer, ask something more to keep in touch till you get the appointment date.
by the way if he doesnt reply you at all, dont worry, its his own fault for not being able to manage his time =)
Category: Networking
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Having a Good Coach for Business
Blogtrepreneur by adam: The incredible advances in modern communication and the prolific use of the internet have made the coaching profession blossom in the past five years. But many people are still unsure about what coaching really is and what it can do for them.
A coach is an individual who has experience in a particular field, and who offers their services to other people trying to accomplish things in that field. A good coach can serve as a catalyst for huge changes in your career, business, or personal life. They provide you not only with valuable education and resources, but with much-needed accountability and moral support as you take on challenges like starting a business, losing weight, or writing a novel.
Coaching is similar to mentoring, but it also incorporates a process of education and teaching. An experienced coach can adapt themselves to the individual needs of their clients. They are not tied to a rigid outline or lesson plan. Instead, they develop a working relationship with the client to facilitate personal development that will affect real change.
Other important elements to a good coaching relationship are:
– A non-judge mental, supportive environment that allows the client to think outside the box and be creative with their life decisions.
– Regular meetings (virtually or in person) which keep the client on a schedule, moving systematically toward their goal.
– Specific exercises and assignments which provoke the client to think in different ways.
– Honesty and objectivity by the coach—not simply telling a client what they want to hear.
– Professionalism
It is important to remember that while the coach and client have a relationship, and are often discussing deeply personal issues that the client must work through; there must always be a level of professionalism and enough emotional distance between the two parties to allow them to be objective when working together. The coach does not want to allow their personal feelings to color the advice and support they offer their client; and the client needs to be able to assess if their coach is really helping them or just being a “nice person.”
More information on Blogtrepreneur
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Alliances with Other Bloggers
Blogtrepreneur by Adam: The blogosphere is a big, scary place when you’re just starting out. There are millions of blogs and you may be competing with other, more established writers who have already established a following on the very subject of your blog. Some popular blogging genres include technology, politics, parenting, and fashion. True, you have your own unique spin on things; and that’s why you want to start up your own blog in the first place. But in order to lay a foundation for generating traffic and creating a brand around your blog, you need to accept one important fact: No Blog is an Island! That is, if you want to succeed as a professional blogger, you’ve got to form alliances.
The best way to start building your alliances is to search for as many other blogs that you can find on the same topic as yours. Make a list and visit them all every single week for three months, leaving thoughtful comments. With few exceptions, most bloggers aren’t making tons of money on their blogs. They write as part of their business or as a hobby. The one thing that keeps them motivated is getting real (non-spam) comments on their posts. After a few months of reading and commenting, you will probably have isolated a handful (10-20) blogs that you really enjoy reading and look forward to visiting.
At this point, send a polite message to the blogger and ask them if they would be interested in exchanging links with you. Tell them how much you enjoy reading their blog, that you’d like to add them to your blogroll, and that you’d appreciate a reciprocal link. The vast majority of the time they will be receptive to this request, especially if you’ve been commenting long enough that they recognize you have a genuine interest in reading their blog—not just swapping links.
Out of the group of blogs that you’ve exchanged links with, you may have formed a special relationship with one or two bloggers who have similar writing styles to you; or who you especially admire. You can then approach these individuals and ask them if they would be willing to allow you to do a guest post on their blog. Having a post on their front page with the link to your blog in the text will up your exposure, as will having the endorsement of an already popular blogger. Most bloggers would be delighted to allow you to guest post, since it’s free, original content for their site.
Finally, make sure that you have included all your blogging contacts in your social media circle. Most bloggers have accounts at Twitter, Facebook, and other sites. Be sure to include those folks in your own network and engage with them there, too. If your blogging friends post a Tweet, be sure to Re-Tweet it; and you can expect the same treatment in return.
The good news is that the blogging community tends to be very open. Sure there are some snobby ‘cliques’ out there, but the overwhelming majority of bloggers are ready and willing to help you promote your blog as long as you are willing to do the same for them.
Building Relationships With Other Bloggers [Blogtrepreneur]
Are you familiar with joint venture partnerships?
In the course of a month, it’s not uncommon for me to receive several emails from people who are launching a book, product, or program with an invitation to participate in “getting the word out” to people in my network. The invitation includes offering a free high value bonus to purchasers of that book, product or program. If the bonus is accepted, each partner is supplied with the promotional emails to send out to their list on a specific day or time frame.
It’s a cost effective way to reach hundreds, thousands, and millions of people all over the world to build your email list and generate income.
This practice has been around for years. You’ve probably received tons of emails either inviting you to participate as a JV partner or make a purchase based on the trusted recommendation of the email list you’re on. Once the purchase is made, people have access to all the free bonuses submitted.
In the last few years, I have invited folks to partner with me as well as agreeing to promote select campaigns because I cannot say yes to every invitation that comes my way.
Some of the criteria I use to make my choices to say yes:
* I have partnered with that person previously and trust in their material and reputation
* The invitation is a referral from someone I know and trust
* There is an opportunity to generate affiliate income from referral registrations
* I have reviewed or experienced the book, product or program in advance to assess it is a good fit for my list, complements my own business focus, and is of high value
* The author of the material is available to be interviewed in my Compelling Conversations Series if I want to book them as part of the promotion to introduce them to my network
* The information has a fresh perspective on material that might not be new (what really is new?)
* I have a good feel for it, intuitively
On the whole, I have found JV partnerships to be a great way to introduce my business to new markets, build my reputation and brand, and generate income. Having folks promote my products and programs to their network has been a tremendous support in marketing my business. So it has been disappointing in the last few years to see that some people have dropped the ball in their agreements to promote the campaigns to their list.
I’ve had this happen on at least two occasions. They’ve given me different reasons for not following through and I believe it becomes even more important to be selective about commitments Today, people are inundated with so many invitations they are saying yes to more things than they can manage. To me it’s about integrity and ethics. If I say I will promote something, barring an emergency, you can count on me to do what I say I will do, period. If I need to change my mind, I will let people know as far in advance as possible.
So, if you are using JV promotions to build your business, be sure you are saying yes for the right reasons:
* It’s a good fit for your market
* You can honestly recommend the product
* You have the time, energy, and space to add another commitment to your plate
* You have the systems in place to follow through on your promotion agreements
* You send out the promo mailing when you say you will
When folks are looking for additional JV partners, they will look at prior campaigns for ideas on who to contact. The web is a small place and people talk. You can either foster a positive or negative reputation.
This article is contributed by Michelle Ulrich.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” by Margaret Mead
Here is a list of my Top 10 Reasons Volunteering Can Help You Grow Your Business:
1. Volunteering helps you find your place in the community, whether online or in person, especially if you are “the new kid on the block.”
2. Volunteering facilitates many new learning opportunities. This occurs through mentoring or just being around others who share your passion or interests.
3. Volunteering fosters new relationships and builds on existing ones.
4. Volunteering can be a great opportunity to try out new skills or hone existing ones.
5. Volunteering gives you a sense of giving service; studies have found this to be very healthy for our brains, our overall health and our psyche (soul).
6. Volunteering creates opportunities for you to be on ‘ground zero’ of your community or industry.
7. Volunteering builds self-confidence and great potential for leadership building opportunities.
8. Volunteering can lead to business opportunities as most people like to do business with people they know and trust.
9. Volunteering is an important value we can teach our children. We can also act as role models for those in need. You may be the reason they give back and volunteer when they are ready.
10. Volunteering is a way to share your knowledge with others as others before you have passed down history and traditions from one generation to the next.
When you are in a rut, need some help or want to impart your knowledge to others, find a community (online or offline) and get involved. It won’t feel so lonely, your questions will be answered and you can pass down your legacy to share with others. Besides, it’s good for your health and well-being.
P.S. Volunteering can be a great way to ‘pay it forward.’ I have seen commercials where one person is having a horrible day and takes it out on someone else, and then the next person takes it out on the next and so on. If we turn that around and perform random acts of kindness via volunteering in our communities, what an incredible and beautiful synergy we can pass on to others. We can affect our communities with one single act. Imagine if everyone pitched in and volunteered for something…what a peaceful and happy planet this would be!
About the Author
Michelle Ulrich is the Chief Villager and founder of The Virtual Nation, an educational destination for Virtual Professionals around the globe. Michelle is an avid believer in giving back to her industry and she does this by offering coaching, teleclasses, resources, and tools, in addition to providing a community of learning, a nation of culture, and a virtual village for her members. Education is the foundation of her organization as well as for her own personal and professional development. Michelle has been a community college instructor teaching a Virtual Assistant certificate program online. Aside from coaching and teaching, she is also a speaker and soon-to-be author on the subject of Virtual Assistance. She maintains her private practice where she specializes in working with authors, coaches and speakers who struggle to keep up with e-commerce and new technologies. Clients can check out her services at www.virtualbusinessmarketing.com, while Virtual Assistants can find her over at www.thevirtualnation.com. She can be reached by telephone at (916) 536-9799 in the Pacific Time zone.