Do you have some reservations when it comes to networking at events? We all have been a little uneasy at some point, especially when you aren’t sure what to do or what your goal is. If you are newbie entrepreneur, having a game plan is helpful as you venture out.

To make your next networking event FUN and fruitful, try these 3 easy steps.

1) Make sure you know how to answer “what do you do” smoothly, quickly and with confidence! Stand tall, breath deep and claim that expertise you have! YOU are the expert and are ready to give your gifts!

2) Have a goal in  mind. What is your personal goal for the event. Will you collect 20 QUALIFIED leads? Will you set 3 appointments? Will you book a speaking event with someone? Whatever it is, have it in mind before you go. Focus on it and you will get it.

3) Assemble your Fabulous Four!- What do I mean? I mean, go with 3 other business owners who will ‘work the room’ with you. If you are a skin care consultant and are with a realtor, a business coach, and a travel agent..be ready to focus on recommending THEM as you talk with people and work the room. You can say something, and by the way, if you are looking for a fabulous realtor, I know DREAMA goes above and beyond for her clients. She is just right over there!”

Give it a try this week and leave  a comment below! Let  me know how it goes!

Okay, you have all of your preliminary work done. Now lets get to work. You can do one of two things. Hand this over to someone who writes press releases, or give it a go yourself!

If you choose to write it yourself, follow along with this outline that will help you begin.

1) Introduction- Your information..city and state..then,  answer the question “why is this worth reading??” “Why is this interesting to others?”

2) Body- Use the information you gathered as a ‘reporter here! Make sure you answer each point and make sure you sprinkle the keywords you gathered throughout the body as well. If you have specific data about your topic..85% of new businesses fail…for example..than you would want to put that here too. Any quotes from any expert you have on your list or that you know will be an added bonus for your credibility! How will what you do benefit others? Your target market? What makes you and your product so great? What makes it so special and stand out??

3) Tell your audience exactly what you want them to do. Do you want them to visit your website? Include your URL. Do you want them to call you? Include an 800 number. If you are asking them to take an action, make sure the action they take is also benefiting you.  Do you have an opt-in box on your website? Is your 800 number ready to take calls?

4)About You- Write a quick paragraph about you and your business. Make sure you include your link to your website.

5) Overview- Make a quick summary or overview on what your Press Release is about. Make is short and to the point. Make sure to once again, have your audience do something..take action..visit your site.

6) NOW is the time to write your headline. Many authors do this..they write their books and then think of the headline! Take 2 minutes and write as many headlines you can think of. Make sure you include important keywords into the headline.

You want to make sure your press release is no longer than 500 words.

Here are a few submission sites you can check out as well.

www.prleap.com

www.prweb.com

Feel Free to Post Comments Below!

As a professional savvy woman transitioning in the beautiful world of becoming an entrepreneur,one of the beginning steps to telling the world who you are and what you do is to craft the perfect press release!

Doing a little homework is important so let’s kind of  ‘role play’ for a bit! some homework first! There are couple of roles to play to help any newbie entrepreneur.

1) Become an Announcer- Pretend you and your product are on the  Price is Right (remember that show?) and Bob is about to announce the next item up for bid. What is it? What business are you in? What products do you sell? What service do you provide?

2) Become a Reporter- When a reporter does her job, she answers all the critical questions. The who’s the Why, What , When, Where and Hows.

3)Become an Artist- Be creative. What makes you and your company stand out from everyone else? What gifts do you have? Talents? Expertise?

4) Become a Researcher- What keywords does your market look for when they search for businesses, products, services that you offer? Make a list and be sure to be ready to use them. We want those little search engines to find you..the engines that COULD..find YOU!

Feel free to comment below! I would love to hear from you!

STAY TUNED for Part 3 and 4 and more exciting changes happening on the site!

As new entrepreneurs, it is important to get the word out..to open the doors to accepting new customers and clients. To celebrate and announce yourself to the world!!

Writing press releases…and many is critical for exposure to you , your website/blog and brand.

What should you include in your press release?  Where do you submit it? How?

Part 1 in this series is to first identify the sites you want to submit your press release to. Choose sites where your

target market hangs out. Make sure they are highly read and are specific to your business.

You will then want to introduce your self to each site.  Here is what you should include in your letter of introduction.

1) A nice introduction of who you are, what your company is, your mission, what you do.

2) Explain why their site is so important and relevant to you and your business.

3) Provide a snipit of your press release..a summary to give them some information

4) Make it a win/win for both of you..offer to  promote their site or links

5) Ask for a response or reply and put a time frame on it.  For example, “It would be great to hear from you

if possible by the end of the week! I don’t want this lingering on your schedule!” (or something like that)

In my next blog post, I will get to to the meat of what to put into your press release to make it a winner!

I just read an article written by Jason Fried who is co-founder of 37 signals and his point of view completely resonated with me.

He says “conventional business breeds paranoia”. What do you think? I have to agree! Many of us starting businesses and many of you who are thinking of starting a business get freaked out with the verbiage we hear so much  the business ‘belief’ system as I call it. We hear all the time that you need to grow your business at lightning speed or you will fail. If you aren’t constantly checking in with your competition, you are done.

Starting your day off in fear, stress, obsession, and in holy shimoly mode isn’t a fun way or a productive way to do business. Is it? Fearing the unknown and the future isn’t ideal for anyone starting their own business!

Instead, truly turn your thoughts around. What are you doing or what will you do TODAY that will  bring delight to your customers? Your clients? What can you do RIGHT NOW to make your day ROCK? What can you do TODAY that will improve your website? To get started on your business plan? To improve your marketing?

Focus on the NOW and the later will be fruitful!

Of course have a plan in place. That is crucial..just don’t spend your waking hours freaked out about the ‘what if’. Focus on the What Next?

Here are some questions for YOU to take action upon right now.

1) Am I truly doing what I love?

2) Am I working ON my business rather than IN my business?

3) Are my clients and customers OVER THE TOP happy with me, my products and services?

4) What can I do right now that will bring me and my business or future business positive movement forward in the direction that I want?

Leave a comment! Let me know your thoughts!