Social Networking, it's Hot!

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, cry if I want to, cry if I want to.... Whatever!

Social Networking is so hot right now, it is almost ridiculous. You need to join and frankly host the party. But as we wind our way through the social networking maze, there are some great tips to remember.

#1 Don't over commit.
So, yes, I have joined too many social networks..... so many in fact that I am wasting my time away and not maximizing my business effectively. Pick 5 of your favorite social networks and do just that, network. At Twitter Wahm we have a printable spreadsheet that allows you to write the networks down that you want to keep up with and allot the amount of time (15-30 minutes) you want to schedule towards each network. You don't need to join 25 networks and fail miserably at providing a platform for your business, just pick five and commit to doing a fantastic job at each. Social Networking is a great free tool to get your business out there, but it is not the only tool. There is much more work to be done.

#2 We don't want your business, we want to get to know you.
If you plaster your business all over your tweets and posts, it doesn't really do it for me, but if you make a joke, let me get to know you better, then I am more apt to listen about your business, and better yet, refer it! It doesn't mean you shouldn't always link to your blog or business page, but you do need to talk about something else at the same time. Be personable. Let me in, I will bite.(that is a good thing)

#3 I know you will cry if you want to.....but do you want to?
Stay away from negativity. If we don't know you and don't have the passion or interest in your complaints, we will stop listening. Yes, in politics and celebrity, negativity and rumor sells, but for lasting customer relationships, it doesn't. We have enough on our own plate, why do we want your plate too?

#4 Remember who your friends are.
Just because you said "hi" to someone on a post or tweet doesn't mean they will remember you. Talk with those that reply to you over and over. This is your customer service angle. Just because they aren't a customer yet, they will be your friend. And good friends make great customers. Don't forget, a lot of business is about perception, the more people you talk to and respond to, the more friends and customers you are perceived to have, thus the more successful you look. If they are buying, then why aren't I? I probably should.... I will....give me 5. (See how this works)

Remember to work the network, don't let the network work you. Personalize all of your profiles with links, emails, quotes, anything that allows another person in your network to attach to you.
Go out there and get your network working.

And as always if you would like to comment on this blog or would like to contact me with questions about your business, don't hesitate to email me at info@businesswomennetwork.com.

DON'T FORGET OUR "HOW TO MAKE MONEY ON TWITTER" report.

Radio Schmadio

Well, I have made my radio debut on Blog Talk Radio. I am partnering with WAHM Addicts for a WAHM 101 radio show. It is amazing the comments that I have received about the program and hope you can all follow along. You can check it the past programs out at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/WAHM-Addicts.

Our first show was about analyzing your business and customer base. My second show was on financing and budgets.

Wow! Can I tell you how much I hate talking about money. It is never easy to budget and manage your business, but necessary.

If we like it or not, the most important step to success is organization. I am not talking just about blackberries, outlook and calendars, but also spreadsheets, Quickbooks and understanding where your money is coming from and going.

One of the biggest mistakes that one can make when running their business is co-mingling their funds. If you have thousands in your business account or $30, keeping the funds separate can only help you and your business, separate receipts, accounts, accounting sheets, etc.

It is easy to lose sight of your financial stability when funds are moving freely between your business and checking accounts.

If you are organizationally challenged and the task seems too daunting..... take a deep breath.
Give yourself a few goals every week to take your steps towards understanding you finances. Dec. 31st is a long way away.

But just as importantly, give yourself a break. Once you have made the steps to keep your finances in check, you need to relax. Yes, some of us may have debt for years, but as long as we are paying our payments and not continuing to spend, there is nothing else to do but to live your life. Don't let your business finances ruin the time spent with your loved ones.
Get your work done, then go live your life.

This is America, I want a bailout!

Absolutely, this is America, and I am sure all of us would welcome a bailout, but at what price?

As you turn to the news, you see bank after bank, company after company getting bailouts. I have come to wonder, if one of my businesses were close to bankruptcy who would offer me a bailout? No one.

When starting or trying to grow a business, fiscal conservancy is paramount. Yes, there will be time you will have to take a risk. There will be a time when your business may have to borrow money.

Don't do that now. Pounding the pavement for free advertising is a lot of work, but worth it.
Don't rush to borrow money for your business.
If you have a local product or business, then get out there locally first.
Join groups, invite those you want the attention of to lunch, make yourself known to be the first customer and cheerleader for your fabulous business.
Don't feel that it would be a stretch for individuals to be interested in you or your business. Your confidence is essential in sales.
Don't be made to feel like you are imposing, the fact is, everyone has an agenda, if they admit it or not. Just make your imprint on individuals a positive one. If someone you know isn't interested, don't be offended, say thank you and move on. It isn't your problem that they will miss out. This works online as well.

Once you have tried every physical and digital option to market your business for free, then you can consider a loan or line of credit.

I knew a woman that had a successful sales pitch, her own board of investors, and needed to grow her business further to maximize its potential worth. But, every time she wanted to expand or try a new concept she would ask for more money from her board. Or, she would ask new investors to participate. Rather than build her business the hard way with less debt to repay, she would keep hiring and expanding off of borrowed funds, eventually those funds will run dry and she will have less profit and capital at the end for herself.

To me that is silly, yes, business takes time, good business takes even longer time. But when an investor does come in to look at your company, you need to show them the lengths you have gone to to build a customer base and profitable business.
Easy money, is as likely as winning the lottery. Don't sell your abilities short. You have a lot more to offer than a borrower. You have a goal and the will. Show 'em you can take the reigns and run with them. That is the most attractive and impressive of all.

ERROR!

Well even the people that know about business have an error even now and then. Yesterday I posted information about our new FREE Twitter Tutorial.....but we had an error on the sign up sheet! If you are interested in maximizing your visibility on Twitter and the effective use of time, please try again. We have fixed the bugs and you can now sign in with ease. Just go to Twitter Tutorial, or copy and paste the following link. www.businesswomennetwork.com/Twitter.html
And thank you all for the comments on this new blog. We look forward to providing you with new information that will assist your business.

What do you do when there is no one there?

So, as much technical and financial startup new businesses can require, there is also the emotional.
You may read this and think that this post is a little touchy feely. It may be. But, if you haven't experienced real disappointment yet, brace yourself, it will come.

In my varied background, I have experience as a realtor. Someone once told me, "Dont get in this business if you can't take it that your Grandma may list with someone else."
It's true. As it is with web, retail, design and any other business.

What do you do when your support system has let you down. When those you have trusted are no longer reliable, or worse yet, they try to sabotage your business in some way.
Hurtful? Yes. Life changing? Maybe. A sign to throw in the towel? No, definitely not.
There is nothing that knocks the wind out of you more than a little betrayal.

But, here is the solution to your new found suffocation...... So what? So what if your closest friend throws you in front of the bus. Who are they? Why do we care? Because we are human, women, and possibly emotional (totally, me), that is why we care. But, no one is your bigger advocate than yourself. Your friends betrayal.......(listen to me closely)...... it is their problem!

You need a confident sales person for your business, and that person should be you. Business brings about many obstacles and it is when we pass the first one, that we gain the courage to jump over the next. "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again".

Really, no one can get in your way but yourself. Show those that doubt you, that they really are as stupid as they have acted. Remove them from your life and get going again.

It's never the right time to start.

So, when you have an idea in your head, but can't seem to shake it. What do you do from there? It never seems like it is the right time to start. But, it always seems like that, with every major decision. Never the right time for a baby, or change your job, to ask for a promotion.

The only thing holding us back is fear. So, lets squash that fear. Whatever it is you are trying to accomplish, what ever business you are trying to start.

It is the time..... if you find yourself too busy to get a hold on your business, first make a list of the top 10 things you need to do to get started. Then schedule 10, 15, 20 minutes a day towards each task. Once you get going and hopefully a little addicted you will find a little more time each day towards the beginning of your business.

Have you ever known a homeschool family? I know quite a few. It amazes me how quickly they get their work done during the day. How is that possible? My kids are in school 7 hours a day and still accomplish the same thing.

It is all about effeciency. There is more time wasted in a day then most might suspect. Don't provide your business with the excuses to fail.

Now is the time to start.
Life needs to either progress or regress but it never stands still.

Why Not Me?

So, there are a lot us that see a new idea or product and think to ourselves "I could of done that" or "I am already doing that". Immediately following with another thought to the tune of "Why not me? Why didn't I get to do that".

Really?... So, here are the answers...... you didn't, not well enough, and why not you?

The first 2 obstacles that we face are mostly inner conflicts with ourselves. First, you don't really believe your business is possible, or you don't have enough money. Well, luckily you have a brain. So, at least we are ahead of the scarecrow.
We put together ten steps to start getting your business to work for you. Of, course there are more than 10 but we thought this would be good beginning.

1. What is your business? Sometimes there are a million and 1 things you want to do and sometimes there is only one. But the idea that usually keeps boiling to the top of your mind, that you can't forget, that comes to you in your daydreams. That is the one. Now we can start.

2. Take a deep breath. This is not the time to empty your bank account starting a business. There needs to be planning involved. Sit down, take a deep breath and classify exactly what you services or products will be. It is much more beneficial to start with fewer good products than 20 mediocre ones. Services as well. You may want to offer the services you know well, then when you further your training and experience you can expand your services with confidence.

3. Get the basics. Whether it is through a community college, small business workshops, seminars, etc. You need to know the principles of owning a business, this doesn't mean you have to take every available business course. If you feel comfortable with accounting for example then spend your time on business licenses and law for your state. This doesn't have to be overwhelming, there are many local business organizations that provide low cost or no cost mentoring in business startup.

4. Learn from the best. There are millions of business in the world. There are more than likely other businesses out there like yours. That is fine. But, what you can do is learn from the best of those businesses. Watch where they have evolved, their clientel, where they advertise, branding, etc. Then take the best of those qualities and put your spin on it. The best of you and them, there a unique brand. None other exactly the same.

5. Branding. Branding the image you put out to the world. It is the face of your company, fonts, logos, images, colors, they should all have the same look. This is how past and future customers create a following for you product or services. Put your best face forward. That would be your one of a kind brand.

6. Goals. You need to have short and long term goals for your company, with a specific timeline attached. Some immediately think of monetary goals. These are necessary, but so are tangible goals. For instance, expansion of a product line, how many customers, how many stores are your products in, sales totals, etc. Keep your goal especially your short term goals realistic. Don't set yourself up for failure with unattainable goals.

7. Website. This does not need to be costly. There are many build-your- own companies available that keep the cost down. But, this is where your branding is important. Will you website bring in instant business, no, probably not. But, it does give those interested in you and your company a place to get to know you.

8. Networking. This is what will get you your business. If your company performs a service, outside the tech industry, this kind of companydoes better networking locally. If you have a product or service that doesn't require close proximity, then the internet should be where you start networking, but you underestimate the value of local support. Locally, get to know people, attend clubs, groups, community meetings, once people get to know you it will be easier to get them to look at your company. Online networking is important, join facebook, myspace, get a blog, twitter, make friends with these people, linked in, create a family with these contacts, chat with them, then present your product.

9. The price is right. Research similar going rates, remember if you have a product it is not only about your company making money it is also about the stores that carry your products that need to make money. So, don't outprice yourself. This concept may seem simple but there are many small businesses that don't always heed this advice.

10. Swag. If you know or have heard of those people that talk to much (not in a bad way),get them your product, free. Perform your service for free. Be strategic with who you comp to. You need them to talk about you and your company. And say good things. :)


These are just some pointers. But what is most important, that if you are surrounded by those that tell you you can't. Then go somewhere else. The reason alot of businesses succeed is they stick it out. They ignore the naysayers and they work until their hands or brains bleed. Welcome to the world of entreprenuers. You will do great.