Business

How to Network Like a Boss

network like a boss

*The following post is a sneak peek from Week 5 of my new e-course Lady Blogger to Boss Lady. To learn more and enroll, visit https://coursecraft.net/c/ladybloggertobosslady.

As a writer and blogger I do a lot of online networking in Facebook groups, in Twitter chats, via email, and even in the comments section of my favorite blogs. But I do my best networking when I step away from the computer and attend live, in-person events.

Many of the women writers and bloggers I know hate networking so much that it makes them sick to their stomachs — literally. But when armed with a purpose and a plan, networking can be highly effective and productive and even fun.

Here are 7 tips to help you network like a boss:

Attend events that will attract your ideal reader/customer. You’re a busy woman with no time to waste. So do your research and be sure that the networking event you’re attending is one where you’ll actually find people who would be interested in your blog, book, or business.

A cute pair of shoes could be a great conversation starter at your next networking event. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Cute shoes could spark great conversation at networking events. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

Make a fashion statement. Whether you like it or not, what you wear to a networking event matters. You’ve got to look the part to get the role. Choose an outfit that properly represents your personal brand and that helps you feel confident and comfortable. Also, add something to your outfit that will make you memorable such as fun shoes, a statement necklace, or really interesting handmade earrings. I once had a pair of earrings inspired by the Boondocks comic strip that always sparked conversation at networking events. Wear the right thing and your wardrobe can serve as your ice breaker!

Have a plan. Approach each networking event with a specific goal, such as, I will collect the business cards of at least 5 people who might be interested in joining my email list. Having a clear objective will keep you from wandering aimlessly around the room and will help you focus your conversation. You know that you need to eventually talk to people about your blog, book, or business to gauge their interest in what you do. Once it’s clear they’re interested in learning more, ask for their card and ask if it would be OK for you to add them to your list, while explaining briefly what they’ll get out of your newsletter. (But be sure to ask questions about what they do and genuinely listen. You don’t want to make the conversation all about you because that’s annoying and just plain rude.)

business cards

Bring business cards. Have your business cards in an easy-to-reach space (not the bottom of your bag) but don’t walk into an event making it rain with your cards. Only give your card when someone asks for it.

Make smart talk, not small talk. So many of my blog coaching clients tell me they hate networking because they’re bad at making small talk. Well, stop making “small talk.” Try having meaningful conversations instead. Give yourself an assignment, if necessary. Decide that you’re going to write a blog post highlighting 5 interesting people you meet at the event. This will motivate you to ask questions to really get to know the people you meet and to get their business cards so you can contact them later for follow-up questions, a photo, and permission to include them in your post.

Also, tailor your conversations to the personality of the person with whom you are talking. For example, if you’re talking to someone who is an outgoing community leader or CEO, simply get to the point. She probably has a dozen other people she needs to talk to and another networking event to attend before the night is over. If you’re talking to someone who is a cheerleader, the kind of person who loves to support other people, keep the conversation focused on why you do what you do and be sure to ask her the motivation behind her work as well.

Be inviting. If you’re talking to a group of people, don’t stand in a closed-off circle. Position yourself so that your group is inviting to others. And if you’re the one who welcomes the wallflowers this will certainly make you more memorable, too.

Follow up! As soon as you get home go through the business cards you collected and jot down a few notes on each person — who they are, what they do, and how you’d like to work with them in the future. Within three days of the event follow up with an email. In the email ask the person if you may add her to your mailing list. Also, offer something to show you were really listening during your conversation at the networking event such as a link to an article related to something you discussed. This also shows that you are dedicated to helping people and that you offer valuable content to those in your tribe.

What tricks and tips do you have for effective networking? 

*This post is an excerpt from Week 5 of my new e-course Lady Blogger to Boss Lady. To learn more and enroll visit https://coursecraft.net/c/ladybloggertobosslady.

Stop Waiting to Be Picked

lady blogger e-course cover

You’ve been blogging awhile and you love it, but sometimes you feel as if blogging doesn’t love you back.

Your traffic isn’t growing. Your favorite brands are overlooking you for campaigns. Potential sponsors are ignoring your pitches. Your application to join a high-profile blogging society was rejected. You dream of turning your blog into a business, but right now that feels impossible. You’re wondering if you should stop blogging altogether.

DON’T GIVE UP! You can transition from a lady blogger to a boss lady and I’ll show you how with my new e-course.

In this 7-week course you will learn how to turn your blog into a business without relying on ad sales or sponsored posts.

Stop waiting to picked!

Stop waiting for brands to ask you to promote their products and services. Start creating and selling products and services of your own.

Stop waiting for blogging groups to welcome you into their inner circle. Build your own tribe.

In this course first I will help you build your best blog yet and then show you several creative ways you can use your blog to generate extra income. You’ll even learn how you can use your blog to jumpstart your career as an author or freelance writer and how to use your blog to land paid speaking engagements. Click here for a complete course overview.

Enrollment for Lady Blogger to Boss Lady opens Sept. 12 and closes Sept. 21, which is when the course begins. New content will be released each Monday for seven weeks.

One of my business mentors told me I should add a live component to this course and charge $497 for it. Perhaps one day I’ll do just that. But I’ve decided to offer a beta version of the course for only $75. And if you join my Lady Blogger VIP list you’ll get a discount. (A discount will also be available to See Jane Write members.) If during the course you do feel you need one-on-one help you can schedule a Skype chat with me for only $50 (regularly $99).

To receive a discount code for the course and other important announcements, click here to join the Lady Blogger VIP list.

You can get a sneak peek at some of the course content tonight. At 7 p.m. I’ll be doing a Periscope broadcast on how to plan an event to promote your blog. In the e-course there’s a module devoted to this topic, complete with checklists and worksheets to guide you through the process. Be sure to charge your devices, follow me @writeousbabe, and meet me on Periscope tonight.

And if you’re ready to transition from lady blogger to boss lady, click here to sign up for my VIP list and let’s do this!

Why You Need a Logo for Your Website or Blog

you need a logo

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Laura Vincent Printing & Design, presenting sponsor for the 2015 Bloganista Mini-Con, but all opinions are my own.

At last year’s Bloganista Mini-Con afternoon keynote speaker Megan LaRussa Chenoweth said that getting a new logo for her blog was one of the game changers that helped take her business to the next level.

Could this one day be your story, too?

When Dionne Love of Laura Vincent Print and Design signed on to be the presenting sponsor for this year’s Bloganista Mini-Con I was so excited. I knew her talent and knowledge about designing logos would be invaluable to the women of See Jane Write.

“A logo will help your business become more recognizable, but it also establishes credibility with potential customers,” Dionne says. “It is the fundamental component of branding and marketing that reflects your personality, your values and principles.”

And this doesn’t just apply to big-name businesses like Nike or Apple. As Megan’s story shows, this applies to bloggers, too.

LAURA VINCENT NEW LOGO CIRCLE

 

Here are five things Dionne recommends you keep when mind when creating a logo for your blog or personal brand — whether you’re working with a company like Laura Vincent or designing the logo yourself:

1. Keep it simple. Consider again logos like that of Nike or Apple, or even McDonald’s. They are some of the most popular logos around but yet also the simplest.

2. Make an impression. “The ultimate goal of all businesses is to have their logo image imprinted in your memory and to make a lasting impression,” Dionne says. So be sure your logo is memorable.

3. Find a font. “Selecting the right fonts is one of the most important steps in logo creation,” Dionne says. Choose a font that’s easy to read but distinctive. Also, Dionne says you shouldn’t use more than two different fonts in your logo.

4. Get color coordinated. When choosing colors for your logo remember that color can create an emotional response, Dionne says. Also keep in mind all the different places you’ll need to display the logo such as across your various social media networks.

5. Be versatile. Remember that your logo will not only be used on your website or blog and social media accounts but also on stationery and business cards. You may even decide to sell merchandise with your logo. Be sure that your logo looks great on any medium.

“So invest the time in developing a great logo,” Dionne says. “You and your business will reap the rewards!”

Dionne Love of Laura Vincent Printing and Design will be available at the Bloganista Mini-Con to chat with attendees about logo design and more. She’ll also be giving a discount on her logo design services to one lucky attendee. 

Tips for Your First TV Appearance

TOA 7-8 2

Today I was on Talk of Alabama discussing our upcoming events The Bloganista Mixer presented by Collage Designer Consignment and The Bloganista Mini-Con presented by Laura Vincent Printing & Design.

I always encourage the writers and bloggers I coach to pitch a segment idea to local TV media. And, not to brag or anything but… after using the tips I give them on how to pitch their idea they usually email me saying “I’M GOING TO BE ON TV!” (Click here to check out those tips.)

But about five minutes after sending that email they send another that reads something like this: “OMG! I’M GOING TO BE ON TV! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?! I CAN’T DO THIS! I’M FREAKING OUT!”

If you’re a few days away from your first TV appearance and you’re having similar anxious thoughts, here are a few tips to help things go smoothly:

Practice, but not too much. Write down five questions you think a reporter might ask based on the topics you presented in your pitch. Now write down your answers to these questions. (Some TV stations will actually request that you do this and ask that you send your questions and answers to their producers.) Read over what you wrote a few times. Now get your spouse, significant other, best friend or blogging or business buddy to interview you using the questions you wrote, but also get them to throw in a few questions that aren’t on your list so you’ll have practice responding to questions off the cuff. WARNING: Don’t try to memorize every word you’ll say. If you do that you’ll sound too rehearsed and come off as inauthentic.

Choose your outfit the night before. You don’t want to feel rushed and frazzled the morning of your big television debut because you couldn’t figure out what to wear. So be sure you have your entire outfit prepped and ready to go the night before your segment. Not sure what to wear? Bright colors are best, but avoid white. Wear something that makes you feel both comfortable and confident. And remember — you have to look the part to get the role. So if you’re going on TV to give tips to aspiring entrepreneurs because you want to be a business coach, you need to look like you run something! If you’re giving fashion tips, that should be obvious the moment you walk on set and you better be the most stylish person in the room.

Arrive early, but not too early. Leave your home and head to the station early enough that you will be on time even if there’s a wreck on the road and you get stuck in traffic. But don’t get there so early that you have 90 minutes to stew in your nervousness before your segment begins.

Make small talk… or not. I’m an extrovert so talking to other people at the station — whether folks who work there or other people waiting to be interviewed — calms me. But the idea of talking to even more strangers may make you want to puke. If that’s the case, head to the restroom for some alone time before your segment. Figure out what works best for you based on your personality. And if you’re a spiritual person be sure to wake up early enough that you can get in your daily spiritual practice. This will also help you feel more centered and calm.

Forget about the cameras. OK, stop laughing. I know this sounds impossible. But try your best to just pretend you’re having a conversation with the person interviewing you and forget that you’re on TV. Most likely your segment is on something that you’re very passionate about, something you probably talk to people about all the time. Just pretend this is another one of those times when someone has shown interest in this passion of yours and wants to know more because actually that’s exactly what this is!

What tips would you offer to folks preparing for their first TV appearance? 

PS – If you’d like to see my segment on today’s Talk of Alabama, the video will be available here for a limited time.