I’m sharing my “Soulful Networking” secrets on July 16th

July 16, 2009
12:00 pm	to	1:00 pm

I’m delighted to share that I will be the featured expert on The National Association of Home-Based Business Moms (NAHBM) Expert Teleseminar Series on July 16th at 11 am (PT), 12 Noon (MT), 1pm (CT), 2 pm (ET).

The Topic is: How Soulful Networking Leads to More Fun, Fame and Fortune

On this call, you will discover:
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* What networking IS and, what it IS NOT so you can really get your networking working.

* Common myths, misconceptions and mistakes surrounding networking that can derail your success.

* The four essential ingredients to creating a network that becomes your insurance policy for success.

* The ONE thing you can do to make more money, quickly and with greater ease.

* The evolution of “profitable” relationships Hint: “profitability” isn’t just about dollars and cents.

* Must-know Soulful Networking Principles that support the creation of your own relevant, responsive, loyal and caring network.

* and … as much as we can possibly squeeze into this content rich call

Here’s how you can attend this NAHBM Premium Member Event:

If you’re not a NAHBM Premium Member yet, find out more about NAHBM Premium Membership Benefits and join at http://www.nahbm.com/benefits-join/

If you’re already a NAHBM Premium Member, you will find the call in number on your NAHBM Premium Member Events page. If you no longer have this information, please e-mail NAHBM at support@nahbm.com

Can’t make the live call? No worries! All calls are recorded and available to NAHBM Premium Members. Join today and you can listen to this call, plus all past recorded calls! http://www.nahbm.com/benefits-join/

I look forward to “seeing” you on the call!

My Best,

Networking with Ease: Our Biggest Give – ever! [Volume 2 Issue 5 - March 20, 2009]

Networking with Ease eZine – Volume 2 Issue 5

Hello Networking Entrepreneurs!

Did you hear the news? Last week we announced the biggest, coolest, most exciting program in our entire careers! The best part of it is that it will really benefit hard working, motivated business owners and entrepreneurs like you!

We want you to experience being a member of Networking Masters International… not just for 30 or 60 days but for one full year.  That’s right… for a limited time you can become a member of Networking Masters International – for FREE! (Reg. $187/yr).

As a “NETWORKING INSIDER” you’ll have access to:

• * monthly training teleseminars;
• * monthly Q & A coaching calls;
• * a growing member download archive with 100+ hours of audio;
• * access to a private networking and mastermind network
• * and a whole lot more!

When motivated and creative entrepreneurs like you begin to connect in meaningful ways – on purpose and with  passion – it makes a difference for everyone involved – especially for the potential clients out there who can benefit most from your brilliance.

So, be sure to take advantage of the BIGGEST GIVE before it’s gone and get your networking working for you in new and profitable ways!

Imagine… effortlessly attracting more (and better) clients, income and opportunities within your own relevant, responsive, loyal and caring network (economy). Exciting isn’t it!

Happy Networking!

Gina & Stephen Bell,
a.k.a. “The Bells”
Signature of Success Consulting, Inc.
Corporate home to:

Networking Masters International
International Non-Fiction Writers Association
JV Mavens Partner and Prosper Network

.

GET YOUR NETWORKING WORKING TRAINING EVENT – MARCH 09:

“Follow Up Keep In Touch”
with Networking Masters International co-Founder Stephen Bell
DATE/TIME: Friday March 27th at Noon PST, 1:00 pm MTN 2:00 pm CST, 3pm EST
Tele-webcast link: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=6575655
Join us for the live call. Members enjoy access to calendar friendly recordings. (Annual Membership is FREE for a limited time… see BIGGEST GIVE details below!)

On this call you’ll discover a simple, proven follow up keep in touch system that will increase your visibility, referrals and customer loyalty. Stand out from the crowd and get your networking working by staying in touch and building relationships with prospects and customers.

There really is a fortune in your follow up!

Are you a member of Networking Masters International? Networking Insiders are in the know with access to more than 100 interviews and teleseminars in the member’s only archives. We’ve made it easier – and more affordable than ever – to be a member. See the BIG GIVE announcement below (psst! For a very limited time – membership is FREE – by invitation only! Good thing you subscribed!)

OTHER TELESEMINARS, INTERVIEWS & EVENTS:

March 25th – Gina Bell at JV Mavens Mastermind Q & A Coaching Call

March 27th – Networking Masters International – Member Training Event with Stephen Bell, Follow Up Keep In Touch 2:00 pm CST

March 31st – Networking Masters International – Private Member Q & A Coaching Call 2:00 pm CST (dial-in details will be emailed to Networking Insider members privately)

April 1st - Gina Bell at Femalepreneurs.com Business Success Coaching Club

April 4th - Gina & Stephen Bell at BNI Saskatchewan 3rd Annual Charity Awards Gala

April 14th - Gina Bell at MOMeo Telesummit

April 15th – Gina Bell at AWE – International Association of Web Entrepreneurs Member Training Event

April 23rd – Networking Masters International Member Training Event with Gina Bell, Create and Leverage Your Verbal Business Card. 2:00 pm CST

April 30th – Networking Masters International – Private Member Q & A Coaching Call 2:00 pm CST (dial-in details will be emailed to Networking Insider members privately)

September 9, 10, 11 – Gina & Stephen Bell at Get Your Networking Working Blueprint Workshop – TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Act fast to benefit from early bird savings and easy-on-the-budget installment options.

And… be sure to join us for Authors Unscripted Talk Show Thursdays at 3:00 pm at INFWA.com

VERBAL LOGO EXTRAORDINAIRE
~ Gina Bell, co-Founder of Networking Masters International

Recently I heard what has become my favourite business related quote…

“Marketing is the tax we pay for being ordinary” ~ author unknown.

It’s not the most motivating or inspiring quote around but it does hit the nail on the head in terms of the primary goal of marketing… and that is to draw attention to your product or service as “the” best choice for your target market AND, to be remembered for it.

Ordinary isn’t noticeable or memorable. Not only that, who wants to pay a lot of tax – even if it is just metaphorically speaking?

So the goal then is to be EXTRAordinary… noticeable, relevant and memorable to your target audience and potential referral sources.

When it comes to networking, the very best way to gain more mileage and return for your investment of time is to develop an extraordinary verbal logo. A verbal logo is what you say in response to the most commonly asked question… “So, what is it that you do?” HOW you respond to this inevitable question will determine how noticeable and memorable you are.

The most common error people make is to say what they do by way of industry labels… i.e. “I’m a (fill in the blank)”… or, in regard to their company name i.e. “I work for (fill in the blank)” or “I own (fill in the blank)”. Now, these statements may be true but they are boring with a capital “B”, it doesn’t mean much to the person you’re speaking with and worse yet, they may have had a negative experience with the industry or company.

So how do you respond in an extraordinary way? Try focusing your response on the clients you serve and the results you deliver. The easiest way to do this is to describe your ideal client and why they work with you…

But there’s a bit of a catch. When asked “So, what is it that you do?” your initial response will ultimately depend on who asked the question first. Here’s what I mean…

If the other person asks you first, keep your response very simple and then toss the question back to them… “I’m in marketing… What do you do?” I do this for two reasons:

1) Being interested in them is memorable for THEM

2) to get them talking. By listening to their response and probing with some additional questions; when they finally ask me what I do, I can customize my response to be more meaningful to THEM. (P.S. It’s ALWAYS about THEM).

Once the conversation rolls back my way, THEN I’ll share my verbal logo.

To give you an example, here’s my standard response to the inevitable question:

“My clients are motivated entrepreneurs who want to promote themselves in a way that is comfortable not salesy. Together we find strategies that feel right, boost confidence and most importantly attract more of their perfect clients.”

The goal is to get them to respond back with “Oh, how do you do that?” or “Wow! Tell me more”… and even better “That sounds like exactly what I need, can I have your card?”… (and remember… if you get them talking first and really listen to their response, you can tailor your verbal logo to serve a need/want they shared with you in conversation so you really do become “exactly what I need”).

So challenge yourself to create an EXTRAordinary verbal logo that leaves your new contacts begging to know more about you and what you do. Developing your networking skills like a verbal logo is one way to give yourself a competitive advantage. Did you know, there are countless ways that you can improve the overall results of your networking efforts?

A great start is to explore the wealth of information, articles, interviews and resources right her on this blog!

Here are two more great articles to get your networking working:

• * The Gift of Thoughtfulness (Is a Gift to Yourself) by Bob Burg
  
• * Find the Lesson and Move On by Gina Bell
  

Join us every Thursday at INFWA.com for Authors Unscripted Talk Show.

The focus is entrepreneurial authors, their books and beyond. Enjoy topics that will boost your business and life too!

Earlier this week we interviewed Michelle Donovan “The Referability Expert” and co-author to The 29% Solution.

About the book: Develop your networking skills, increase your connections, and become part of the roughly 29% of people who are separated from the rest of the world by just six degrees.

The 29% Solution is the first book designed to integrate networking into the way you do business on a weekly basis with fifty-two quick, straightforward networking strategies.

Your income is directly related to your ability to network your business for growth. This book gives you the tools to become a great networker and part of the 29% of the population that produces exceptional results.

Click the link to listen to the interview replay: http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/WwdGNlXx

Yes, you read it right… You can be one of a limited group of entrepreneurs who claim FREE annual membership for one full year. Your only investment – a small shipping and handling fee of just $9.95 (less than you’d spend on an average take-out lunch!).

Hurry! When word gets out about this Big Give, the memberships will go fast!

.
.
.
.
Here is a brief description of what you’ll receive when you join… Membership Benefits include:

* Networking Mastery 3-CD set. Enjoy a new CD in your mailbox every 3-4 months
* Live Monthly Teleseminars (includes downloadable audio recordings)
* Live Monthly Q & A/coaching calls (includes downloadable audio recordings)
* Immediate access to an ever-growing educational audio archive worth thousands of dollars (currently more than 100 recordings on file!)
* Member Discount: Get Clients Now! Group Mastermind at www.getmoreandbetterclientsnow.com
* Member Discount: 3-day Live Get Your Networking Working Blueprint Workshop. Watch the event trailer now at www.getyournetworkingworking.com
* and a whole lot more!

Full description and details at: http://www.thenetworkingmasters.com/benefits

Payment Methods: MasterCard, Visa. Membership fee CDN dollars.

Membership Renewal: Credit card payments automatically renew in 12 Months. Regular annual membership fee is $187/yr. You will receive a membership renewal reminder via e-mail 10 days before the renewal. It’s very important that you register with a valid and monitored email address. Also, please add info[at]thenetworkingmasters.com to your safe senders list.

Networking Masters International is a division of Signature of Success Consulting, Inc.

Networking with Ease: Focus on GIVING [Volume 2 Issue 4 - March 13, 2009]

Networking with Ease eZine – Volume 2 Issue 4

Hello Networking Entrepreneurs!

A warm welcome to our newest members this week: Amy Miyamoto, Maureen McMeekin, Katherine Reschke, Tracy Jones, Lisa Hudson, Deena Douglas and Kimberly Englot! We’re thrilled to welcome you to our family of Networking Insiders!

We are SO excited! We are finally ready to launch the biggest, coolest, most exciting program in our entire careers! The best part of it is that it will really benefit hard working, motivated business owners and entrepreneurs like you!

When you consider the economy I’m sure you’ll agree that there’s never been a better time than right now to really get your networking working for you in new and powerful ways. Imagine… effortlessly attracting more (and better) clients, income and opportunities within your own relevant, responsive, loyal and caring network (economy). Exciting isn’t it!

Keep on reading because this issue is devoted to exactly that… with a surprise gift that will blow you away (in a good way he he).

Happy Networking!

Gina & Stephen Bell,
a.k.a. “The Bells”
Signature of Success Consulting, Inc.
Corporate home to:
Networking Masters International
International Non-Fiction Writers Association
JV Mavens Partner and Prosper Network

.

GET YOUR NETWORKING WORKING TRAINING EVENT – MARCH 09:

“Follow Up Keep In Touch”
with Networking Masters International co-Founder Stephen Bell
DATE/TIME: Friday March 27th at 2:00 pm CST
Tele-webcast link: http://instantTeleseminar.com/?eventid=6575655
Join us for the live call. Members enjoy access to calendar friendly recordings.

On this call you’ll discover a simple, proven follow up keep in touch system that will increase your visibility, referrals and customer loyalty. Stand out from the crowd and get your networking working by staying in touch and building relationships with prospects and customers.

There really is a fortune in your follow up!

Are you a member of Networking Masters International? Networking Insiders are in the know with access to more than 100 interviews and teleseminars in the member’s only archives. We’ve made it easier – and more affordable than ever – to be a member. See the BIG GIVE announcement below (psst! For a very limited time – membership is FREE – by invitation only! Good thing you subscribed!)

OTHER TELESEMINARS, INTERVIEWS & EVENTS:

March 17th – Gina & Stephen Bell at Entrepreneurs Unplugged Telesummit http://snipurl.com/bbryz

March 25th – Gina Bell at JV Mavens Mastermind Q & A Coaching Call

March 27th – Networking Masters International – Member Training Event 2:00 pm CST

March 31st – Networking Masters International – Private Member Q & A Coaching Call 2:00 pm CST (dial-in details will be emailed to Networking Insider members privately)

April 1st - Gina Bell at Femalepreneurs.com Business Success Coaching Club

April 4th - Gina & Stephen Bell at BNI Saskatchewan 3rd Annual Charity Awards Gala

April 15th – Gina Bell at AWE – International Association of Web Entrepreneurs Member Training Event

September 9, 10, 11 – Gina & Stephen Bell at Get Your Networking Working Blueprint Workshop – TICKETS NOW ON SALE! Act fast to benefit from early bird savings and easy-on-the-budget installment options.

And… be sure to join us for Authors Unscripted Talk Show Thursdays at 3:00 pm at INFWA.com

Check our the newest articles & interviews on the blog:

• * Get Your Networking Working Interview with Josh Hinds of BusinessNetworkingAdvice.com
• * Get Your Networking Working With Confident Conversations

Join us every Thursday at INFWA.com for Authors Unscripted Talk Show.

The focus is entrepreneurial authors, their books and beyond. Enjoy topics that will boost your business and life too!

Yes, you read it right… You can be one of a limited group of entrepreneurs who claim FREE annual membership for one full year. Your only investment – a small shipping and handling fee of just $9.95 (less than you’d spend on an average take-out lunch!).

Hurry! When word gets out about this Big Give, the memberships will go fast!

.
.
.
.
Here is a brief description of what you’ll receive when you join… Membership Benefits include:

* Networking Mastery 3-CD set. Enjoy a new CD in your mailbox every 3-4 months
* Live Monthly Teleseminars (includes downloadable audio recordings)
* Live Monthly Q & A/coaching calls (includes downloadable audio recordings)
* Immediate access to an ever-growing educational audio archive worth thousands of dollars (currently more than 100 recordings on file!)
* Member Discount: Get Clients Now! Group Mastermind at www.getmoreandbetterclientsnow.com
* Member Discount: 3-day Live Get Your Networking Working Blueprint Workshop. Watch the event trailer now at www.getyournetworkingworking.com
* and a whole lot more!

Full description and details at: http://www.thenetworkingmasters.com/benefits

Payment Methods: MasterCard, Visa. Membership fee CDN dollars.

Membership Renewal: Credit card payments automatically renew in 12 Months. Regular annual membership fee is $187/yr. You will receive a membership renewal reminder via e-mail 10 days before the renewal. It’s very important that you register with a valid and monitored email address. Also, please add info[at]thenetworkingmasters.com to your safe senders list.

Networking Masters International is a division of Signature of Success Consulting, Inc.

Get Your Networking Working With Confident Conversations

Taking the time to prepare BEFORE networking face-to-face or online leads to confident conversations and meaningful connections.

If you’ve ever stressed about talking to strangers at networking events or have found yourself paused in front of your computer screen wondering how to start a conversation within a social network there are simple things you can do.

BEFORE you go to a live networking event or, login to your favourite social network, develop an inventory of open-ended questions and interesting discussion topics that you can leverage to get conversation started with the people you meet.

The key to networking with ease and confidence is to use “open-ended” questions which require more than a one word answer to get the conversation rolling – naturally.

Prepare Opening “Conversation Starter” Questions:

• Do you find these meetings helpful to your business?
• I’m new here. What can you tell me about this group?
• Hi! I don’t think we’ve met yet…I’m Gina Bell, and you are?
• What brought you to this meeting?
• That’s a great pin (suit, scarf, purse…etc), where did you get it?

If you’d like to continue the conversation to get to know them a bit better you can ask them:

• Where are you from?
• How do you keep yourself busy when you aren’t working?
• Where do you work?
• What is it that you do?
• How will I know if I meet someone that could use your product/service?

Notice that these “get to know you” questions focus on the person you are speaking with rather than the organization, or event itself.

According to Susan RoAne, Author of What Do I Say Next? “Small talk is what we do to build to big talk. It is what cements relationships and success.”

Where can you find “Small Talk” Topic Ideas?

• Current Affairs
• Best Selling Books
• Movies
• Business News
• Industry Trends

Consider your personal interests and areas of expertise to come up with additional topic ideas. Start and develop a journal of interesting topic ideas for future reference.

Good Resources for “Small Talk” Topic Ideas are News (Local, National & International, Paper, TV, Internet, Radio), Magazines, Books, Movies, etc…

Why worry about small talk? Small talk in conversation allows you to find common ground, something in common to spark a connection…this is the catalyst for confident conversations, rapport and the beginnings of developing a win-win business relationship.

Small talk leads to discovering fascinating facts about the people you meet. These facts are the key to becoming a valuable asset in their network and building social equity with them. Based on these findings you can follow up in a memorable way (they’ll be very impressed that you remembered the conversation); make strategic introductions for them, send them information, resources and referrals that will help them and more.

When you become a valuable asset in the network of others, your social equity grows and this always has a positive reflection on financial capital to. What goes around comes around.

TIPS:

1) Listen. Really listen to people and remember the fascinating facts. Write them on the back of business cards, enter them into your contact database notes.
2) Use the information you discover to be a connector and someone of value to THEM. This is true networking.

3) Allow the conversation to unfold organically. (i.e. Don’t grill them with question after question! Get in on the conversation too but again, try to listen more than you talk).

Happy Networking!

Media Releases…Defining Your Audience

Having a story printed about you and your business is the best form of FREE advertising there is. Why you ask? Because it’s believable.

A news story in a local or national publication can give more details about your business in a way that allows your expertise to shine. People skim through the advertisement sections but are more apt to read informative articles.

Think about the last time you opened your newspaper and saw a story about a local business. Perhaps you read about a trendy new restaurant or martini bar that piqued your interest. Or maybe a neighbourhood book store was bringing in a famous author to promote her new book. Did the story grab your attention? Were you enticed to take action and check it out? Chances are if this topic was of interest to you, it did. And that brings us to finding the right market for your story.

Sending a media release to every editor of every newspaper and magazine will get you no where quickly. You will soon make a name for yourself – and not a good one at that. You already know (or you should know) how to find your ideal customer – your target market. It’s the same process to find your ideal publicity vehicle.

The first step in figuring out who to send your well-written media release to is to look at your own target market.

• What newspapers and magazines do they read?
• What television shows are they watching?
• What radio stations are they listening to?

Next, research the editors, journalists, freelance writers, and producers inside those publications and programs that work on stories relating to your industry. But always keep in mind that it is their job to publish their newspaper or magazine or to air their television or radio program. They entice people to subscribe, watch or listen, and encourage advertisers to pay money for ads. Their job is not to promote you.

Editors have their audience’s interests top of mind. To be effective, consider the journalist’s perspective. An editor will be reading your media release to see if it is of interest to his or her defined audience.

It does take time to create a targeted media list but the effort is worth it. Names are usually posted on Web sites and newspaper mastheads. It may take an enquiring phone call to see the best source for your story. As you grow your list of targeted contacts, you are developing a reference guide not just for sending your media releases, but also for article writing that can help to boost your business exposure.

Keep in mind that publicity is not about you – it’s about giving editors what they need to create a strong story. In other words, you’re making their job easier by giving them exactly what they need to create a compelling piece…and getting free publicity for your business as a bonus.

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