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If you attend a Chamber, networking or other meeting where a guest speaker is presenting or some other important staging is being offered, here is a great way to use your time to drive traffic to your website without having to do any promotion of your own. All you have to do is take detailed notes on the guest speaker’s presentation and make the notes available to meeting attendees as well as to those who could not attend. This tip builds off the fact that most people are inherently lazy and usually will not do what is in their own best interest; so if you can do the work for them, they will visit your website to access the information and you have an opportunity to get these visitors into your sales funnel.

How this works

In your recap take particular note of key presentation points, cited resources (websites, books, reports), and other little gems of knowledge. Bring a digital camera to capture event images to add interest to your recap and to break up the text.  To further sweeten your deal; conduct an interview with the speaker and  pull additional information not presented during the discussion.

What’s in it for you?

Now that you have your recap completed and uploaded to a landing page on your website, contact the event organizer to let them know about your package and ask the planner to inform members about your recap coverage.  They will likely do it because the information is valuable, free and promotes the organization.  Be sure to include links to the speaker and event organizer websites; afterall, they are your partners in this and should get some publicity.

In addition to general exposure from the traffic flood headed your way you can and should use this as an opportunity to grow your mailing list.  Consider offering a free special report, audio seminar or ebook to incent visitors to join your mailing list.

Stop looking at networking events as business card swap parties and you will win, big time!

—————–

John Easton is a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his company, Eastonsweb Multimedia, John creates video, web and multimedia tools to help businesses turn “Browsers” into “Buyers” .  Get a Free Profit Boost by downloading the special report, The Definitive Guide to Explosive Website Performance (Click Here).

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• March 7, 2009 -- There is work in NetWORKing (4)
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It is a known fact among marketers that very few people, if anyone will buy from you at your first meeting.  To get prospects to commit you must send regular messages to reinforce your value and position your company as the one to purchase from. My rule is 8:16, eight communications within a 16 month period before a prospect will do business with you. It stands to reason that getting prospects onto your opt-in mailing list is critical. Doing so eases your prospect’s commitment anxiety (less fear associated with a newsletter than plunking down cash) and for you it gets them into your sales communication funnel.

A clever way to use your mobile phone to grow your opt-in list is to add a mobile-friendly version of your mailing list registration form to your website.  Now when you meet people at networking events, speaking engagements or while shopping at the mall you can use your phone to access your mobile page and easily allow your friend to join your list and willingly become part of your sales (or referral) chain.  In addition to feeding your list, I bet you get a few “wows” as well and you are certain to be remembered. When you use this tactic be sure to bookmark the mobile registration page for quick access.

What is your best approach to growing your mailing list (comment below)?

—————–

John Easton is a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his company, Eastonsweb Multimedia, John creates video, web and multimedia tools to help businesses turn “Browsers” into “Buyers” .  Get a Free Profit Boost by downloading the special report, The Definitive Guide to Explosive Website Performance (Click Here).

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As a business owner I am sure you fortify your expertise by reading industry-related books. Why not get paid the next time someone asks you to recommend something on your reading list. Amazon.com has made this process pretty simple.

By signing up to be an Amazon affiliate, you will receive a percentage of each sale (up to 15%) made through your targeted link or through an Amazon affiliate store (a-Store, as they call it). In addition to generating revenue, your book listings can add valuable content to your website or blog and strengthen your position as the resident expert in your market niche. I am working toward the launch of my company’s new website and we plan on adding an Amazon bookstore as a resource for clients and followers alike. I will let you know how the launch goes and pass along any tips we uncover for growing sales through the channel.

Until then, if you have set up an Amazon affiliate relationship, share with us (through comments) what you have learned.

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Wondering why your online networking efforts aren’t yielding business results?  It could be that your networking partners are incompatible. By this I am not suggesting your associates are “bad” people but if the goal is business growth your networking partners should possess some specific characteristics.  In this, the first in a series on the fundamentals of online networking; I want to help you better recognize a compatible industry partner.

What is a Compatible Industry Partner?

A compatible industry partner is one whose products or services compliment your own.  Symbiotic relationships like these have the potential to exponentially increase your referral leads because customers will be naturally inclined to ask your cohort about the services you provide.

An Example

If you plan events for a living a compatible industry partner might be a contact at your local visitor’s bureau.  These people get requests all the time from visiting organizations looking to plan events in your back yard and if you have a trusted relationship with the bureau contact, you will be getting lots of calls.

The Bottom Line

One of the keys to generating regular referrals is being remembered.  This task is made simpler when your referral partners’ customers are compelled (vs. prompted) to make the ask. A stronger focus on incorporating compatibility into your online networking strategy just might keep you from participating in current and future recessions.

Okay, now fire up your browser, visit the Twitter Yellow Pages and locate some compatible industry partners. Subscribe to our blog updates to stay on top of this series.

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If you want your website, blog or online community to be remembered, it must have a killer domain name. To help you in the search for your next domain name I have compiled a list of several services.  A couple of things to remember before you plunk down your credit card on that hot little domain purchase.

1. Don’t make the domain name too long because no one will remember it
2. Don’t get too cute because you might be the only person the name makes sense to
3. “.com” is always the best extension but they are in ever-dwindling supply
4. Avoid hyphenated domains as they are not particularly search engine friendly

Domain Name Services

1. Name Boy:  A great tool for brainstorming the right domain name.  The service fronts a domain registration service but that’s okay.  It’s the Internets version of free.
2. MakeWords:  In addition to helping you with the task of creating a domain name, this service will let you know if the name is available and provide links to domain registrars for purchase.
3. Dot-o-Mator:  Pretty slick service where you enter a couple of words (prefix and suffix) or let their system come up with some words and bam, instant domain.
4. Domain Generator:  If you are blue suit/white shirt type with little time to mess around, this service will deliver quick and simple results.
5. Snap it Now:  Somewhere between Domain Generator and Dot-o-Mator.  It gave me some decent results.

How do you find domains?

Okay, now you know my secrets.  Let us in on a few of yours.

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Do you find it challenging at times to come up with blog post topics?  One cure for bloggers block involves a quick visit to Search.Twitter.com, one of the better search engines for mining Twitter content. I call the site Tylenol for blogger headaches.

After visiting the site, clickthrough to the “advanced search” page.  No matter your blog’s niche, helping readers solve problems always proves valuable.  That said enter the phrase, “(your blog niche) help…”. Because blogging is becoming more important to our readers I entered the search string, “blog help” and the site returned the following results (note the blog post ideas - in red - that I came up with).

How do you find topics to fill your blog space?

———–

John Easton is a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his company, Eastonsweb Multimedia, John helps businesses attract the best customers using video, web and multimedia tools.  You can view his newsletter editions and subscribe by clicking here.

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The subject of social networking is still at the end of journalist’s pens and on the tips of the marketing gurus’ tongues but today I am more interested in where your engage your social media escape of choice.  I am an active blogger and Twitterer doing most of my social media work while waiting for delivery of  restaurant meals or for a movie premieres to begin.

In the warm months I can be found sitting by my favorite tennis court setting out the day’s blog post (photo above). Enough about me; tell us where you Twitter?

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In case you haven’t read the tea leaves, web-based video distribution is fast becoming the new multimedia delivery model taking the place of the current distribution scheme where cable associations control what we watch. This new model will see user generated content exist alongside professional productions with the consumer controlling the viewing experience.  If you are a content creator or aggregator what do you need to consider to play in this sandbox?

Production Resources

If you are a content aggregator all you need do to build a programming library is to solicit content from independent producers but if you are looking to create your own inventory the job will be a bit more complicated because you will need internal or outsourced production resources; the complexity of which will depend on the nature of your programming.  A talk show for example requires a set (backdrop furniture and props), fairly involved lighting (for guests and backdrop), multiple microphones with an audio tech, and multiple cameras with someone to mix the footage.  A basic crew should consist at a minimum of a camera operator, audio technician, lighting specialist, director and production assistant.

Content

Without content an audience wants to see, your opportunities are surely limited.  To test the waters use free video sharing sites (YouTube, etc.) as a real time focus group to refine your content and to build a following.  To generate revenue and control the viewing experience you will need to create your own platform which given the current state and economics of web development is within reach of even micro businesses.

Video Distribution Platform

To deliver your newly minted programming to an audience, you will need a delivery platform (station) that enables uploading and management of video assets.  Through the system you should be able to create any number of programs and control the rotation of episodes within each program.  In addition to content management your platform should deliver a rich viewing experience taking advantage of the widely accepted Flash video standard and enabling viewers to easily navigate the program guide to select an episode, all from a single screen.

An Audience

Without people interested in viewing your content your great idea will soon tank but not to worry.  In this age of social media the opportunity to build a following has never been more accessible. Consider building your following by leveraging social networks (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc.), building relationships with successful bloggers in your station’s niche, pitching story ideas to traditional media outlets and turning your program’s fans into a powerful evangelical sales force.

Economics

Let’s face it, none of this stuff is free (website development, production resources, marketing, etc.) and with the big technology vendors (Brightcove, SplashCast Media, and others.) moving from free to expensive paid models; you have to be prepared to make an investment in your dream.  To offset your expenses and generate profit consider selling advertising space on program web pages and within the programming itself (called pre-roll <before the program begins> and post-roll ads <after the program ends>).  In addition to ad revenue you might be able to sell your programming to other web distribution networks and if popular enough to traditional broadcast outlets. Got an idea for a hit program or have you successfully launched your own online video network?  Comment below and let us know.

———–

John Easton is a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his company, Eastonsweb Multimedia, John helps businesses attract the best customers using video, web and multimedia tools.  You can view his newsletter editions and subscribe by clicking here.

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                                  Image by Jeff Milner

Google social media for business and you will drown in a sea of guru advice about how MySpace, Twitter or Blogging are answers to your business’s financial woes but is social media all about the dollars?  I mean, isn’t there something more to the hype than money?

If you do social media right, I mean if you give more than you get here are just a few things your business might realize that are worth more than Benjamins.

Friends better yet, fans

Help out a social media newbie and you might win a fan for life, someone for whom your value is greater than the benefits stated in your brochure’s copy.  A fan will passionately sing your praises to their following potentially spreading the word to thousands.

Input

Large corporations spend millions on focus groups but your well tended social media tribe is a free focus group without the inherent bias of paid participants.

Defenders

If you spend your time in online communities referring business to others, extending a helping hand, adding value to conversations; your followers will excitedly defend you against naysayers and those speaking ill of you. Even if the Apple iPhone has a crappy keyboard, say it amongst the converted and watch out.

Answers

Need a web developer, business coach, marketing specialist or just need a question answered?  Simply raise your electronic hand within your social media stream and chances are someone has exhaustively investigated a solution already.

Ideas

Highly educated and diverse; the social media savvy are flat out smart and the ideas that flow will take you places you never thought to travel.  Just the other day, I followed a Twitter conversation with @jakrose about online community software and scripts and got some excellent insight from his research.

Collaborators

Your online community affords you ready access to capable and willing individuals to partner with on business projects.  If a deal you are going after requires a skill that you don’t offer, reach out to your community and you are almost sure to find a skilled associate.  Find a guest blogger or pitch your know-how for another’s blog, the collaborative opportunities are many.

Referral Partners

Share leads with others within your social networks.  This works particularly well in online spaces as these people are connected to larger communities of nodes who can spread the word about your business at click speed.

The bottom line here is never to forget the “Social” in social media. The quality of one’s life can be measured by the depth of relationships.

———–

John Easton is a recovering corporate executive turned entrepreneur. Through his company, Eastonsweb Multimedia, John helps businesses attract the best customers using video, web and multimedia tools.  You can view his newsletter editions and subscribe by clicking here.

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Chip’s website Chip’s blog LinkedIn Training On Twitter

Raymond “Chip” Lambert is a professional trainer, business coach and all around business development specialist that I met while following a group of Twitterers talking up a conference Chip was presenting at.  The rain of positive comments about Chip’s expertise on creative ways for businesses to use the LinkedIn professional network led me to tap Chip to share his insights with the Customer Flypaper community. Get ready because you are sure to learn something from our little chat.

Give me a quick overview of your business

[Chip Lambert] I train successful professionals how to leverage their book of business and existing relationships to build their “Ideal” business.  I do this through time-tested business development strategies and new social media.  Knowing how to close a prospect is a critical skill - but so is acquiring that prospect in the first place.  Most successful people are sitting on a gold-mine of potential referral business, but they are not mining it because they are caught between “selling” and “servicing”.  I help people to break free of that trap and move to the next tier of success.

What are the mistakes most people make using LinedIn as a business development tool?

[Chip Lambert] They think that because they are “there” something will happen.  There is a parallel offline - networking events.  People show up and assume that because they are “there” that something will happen.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  LinkedIn is a technological infrastructure for what successful people have been doing for generations - building and WORKING their networks.  It takes strategy and consistent action to really make LinkedIn - or any social media for that matter - work for you.

Say you have 100 direct LinkedIn connections and thousands more indirect…how does one effectively communicate with the network so that people understand what you do and what you are looking for?

[Chip Lambert]  This is a several pronged asnwer: 1 - Write a stellar profile.  People read them. And update it as you and your business change.  LinkedIn notifies the people in your network when it changes - this drives them back to read your updates.  Tell them who you are, why you are on LinkedIn, what you are looking for and what you have to offer.  Then tell them what you want them to do next - provide them a next step - ie. follow the link to you blog - read it;  sign-up for your newsletter - with a link to do so; etc. 2 - use the “What are you doing now” status update feature.  It keeps you in front of your connections regularly.  If you have multiple social media properties - link the status update features with http://hellotxt.com or http://ping.fm.  That way all of your networks or properties are updated simultaneously.  LinkedIn isn’t the only game in town - it has its place.  Mass marketing strategies don’t work here.  But driving them off linkedin can.

What are some third party tools that can add efficiency to managing your LinkedIn account?

[Chip Lambert] Hellotxt.com - Ping FM.  RSS reader - for subscribing to important threads or questions inside linkedin.

What parting words do you have to help people better use LinkedIn?

[Chip Lambert] Get strategic - the tactics fall out of the right strategy.  If you are looking for clients, get clear about who and search them out.  If you are looking for JV or Channel Partners, take some time and set some parameters and get to work.  To get the most from LinkedIn, get active - not passive.

Your Thoughts

Whew, I told you Chip knows his stuff but enough of our rambling. How do you make use of the LinkedIn community? Do you have questions about LinkedIn that we did not answer?  Comment below and let us know.

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