"31 Tips to Help Small Businesses Turn Casual
Contacts into Real Business at Networking Events!"

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Great First Impressions

Top Ten Productivity Tips to Ensure You Make a Great First Impression

Successful entrepreneurs understand good relationships lead to sales. And good relationships start with a great first impression. You have one chance to make a good first impression and the main thing to remember is it’s all about how you make that person feel.

Here are my top ten tips for ensuring you make a great first impression:

1.    Smile! Sincerely try to keep a smile on your face at all times (have you ever caught yourself in the mirror and noticed you were frowning or had your eyebrows knitted together? Pretty scary, right?).
2.    Whether across the room, across the counter, or across the aisle on a plane, go out of your way to strike up a conversation with someone sharing your space. Make them glad you are there.
3.   Make eye contact first, then offer them a wide, genuine smile (it will disarm and cause them to relax).
4.   At networking events, be first to extend your hand and say hello (do not crush their hand, nor should you offer them a limp fish).
5.   Make a positive (and genuine) comment about something they are carrying, wearing, reading or doing – anything to make them feel good about themselves.
6.   Ask them how their day is going or, if you’re at a networking event, ask them what they are struggling with at work. Share the same about yourself. If you’re on a plane, offer them your (unused) pillow or blanket (even if they have one, you can always ask for another).
7.   Ask open ended questions to get the other person talking about something they care about. My favorite questions are: “What is the single biggest issue in your industry today?” “What’s your favorite new idea?” “What is your area of expertise?” or “What book can you recommend and why?”
8.   Actively listen. Do more listening than talking; ask good questions. Look for areas where you can contribute ideas or solutions to problems.
9.   Do not simply wait for an opportunity to talk about yourself. Yes, you should be prepared to give short answers to the question “What do you do?” but don’t launch into a non-stop monologue about you, you, you. Keep the conversation focused on them.
10.   Offer to help them in some way. If the conversation seems to warrant, offer your business card and ask for theirs. If you tell them you will do something, by all means, do what you say and follow up quickly.

It’s key to remember that great first impressions begin before you open your mouth. Then concentrate on how you’ll make that person feel during your conversation. If they come away with a sense that you truly care about their needs, you will have made a fabulous first impression upon which you can build a good relationship that will benefit both parties.

Here's to YOUR networking success!

“My business needs to be presented it in a way that explains the benefits
while disarming negative, preconceived notions. First impressions were critical!
Ellen created a FANTASTIC introduction that accomplished both goals. The business
I have generated, because of Ellen, has paid for her services 10-fold plus!”
Angie Roote / Parties by Angie

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Networking 101: Increasing Your Networking Effectiveness

In this one-hour telephone consultation, we’ll uncover the specific networking problems keeping you from making bigger profits. Is it knowing what to say after you say ‘hello’? Getting into and out of conversations gracefully? Learning how to find your perfect clients? Do you need help choosing (and using) the right events, regardless of where you live? Perhaps it’s knowing how to increase revenue through relationships and referrals? Or you simply have other, nagging questions about using networking to find new business.

When you consider you'll spend $200-$300 a month to attend events, isn't it time you started getting a return on that investment? Think I'm making that up? Add up the registrations, membership fees, travel costs and your hourly rate....you probably spend closer to $1,000 a month. Isn't it time you started getting a return on that investment? The sooner you eliminate the mistakes most people make, the quicker you’ll be getting new prospects at every event you attend. Sign up today!

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“ Ellen is truly are a master at helping people grow their business. What I love most is her
ability to educate others on how to get the most out of their relationships.
Mina Fies, Synergy Design & Construction, Inc.