Marketing… Be a GREAT Host

Do you belong to networking groups? How about the chamber in your area? Have you ever offered to host an event or meeting at your place of business? How about have the chamber host a “grand opening” for your location if you have not done that before…? Suggest that your networking group have a holiday “go around” and one night you can start at one place of business and show where you work, how you work and what you are looking for… (depending on how large your group is you might have to spread it out over two nights)

By hosting a get together at your location it allows others to get to know your business a bit more “intimately”. You can supply a small amount of refreshments and tasty bites to share. You are the “host with the most” and are highlighted – take advantage of this opportunity. If you work from home – what better chance to share that as well – again it opens you up to your group in a deeper level.

Networking… Don’t Miss The Opportunities

It’s all in the relationship! Networking is a way of life today for Entrepreneurs. You can work for a company or be a solo-preneur and have a need to network. With the downturn in the economy people are turning to those who “care”, those who have “time”, those that “follow-up” and those who “offer a resolution to a need”. Is that you? Network – Network – Network You never know who someone else might know and by networking you get your name and services out there in the running for work. Also in turn, by networking you might find a person that fits a need you might have! It is a win win situation. There is an art to networking, the main key is to be authentic and be YOU! We all know that when you network you should be there to get to know the others you are meeting and not just “sell” yourself. Practice that! We have some great networking groups here in Santa Clarita that meet weekly or monthly. There are networking groups that have affiliations outside of our little valley if your services are not just for local customers. There is a fun website – www.meetup.com that lists every kind of “Meet Up” group you can think of from personal self-care to hardcore business people. Look into, join and get notices – the most important part is NETWORK!!! Build Relationships!! You never know who and what you might find! Good luck and Have a GREAT Time!

Inviting Through Facebook

OK by now you should have a Facebook Profile/Fan Page… did you know that you can use that profile/fan page to market your services. Please be aware that Facebook frowns on you using it to solicit sales of products but to market a free event it is GREAT. Free events could be something like Stephanie Graziano’s, Building Your Own Business – once a month coaching conference call (www.buildingyourownbusiness.com) or Judith Cassis’ Teleseminar Series she is prepping for (www.successmadesimpleteleseminars.com ). When she has a topic that is open to the public she can “invite” through Facebook. Even the great “gatherings” McKenna and Green do in the store for their clientele, they too can send invites through Facebook events. How great to open up your visibility and get more exposure. True Stephanie’s and Judith’s are set for an “audience” from anywhere in the world but do not discount the marketing you can do just by sharing information. You never know who is really in your backyard! Use every available tool out there to get noticed! More advertising!!! Don’t forget Merchant Circle also, this is more for local businesses…

Your Virtual Assistant can help you with Hosting an Event!!

Many small business owners host throughout the year – these could be “open house” for a new business to lectures and workshops.    The events might be big and they might be a bit more intimate and special invite only.  Virtual Assistants can help set up ways for announcing the event, (newsletter format, email blast, regular mail, and website advertising).  VA’s can help by handling registration or RSVP’s (organizing them on a chart).  VA’s can take payment for the event through the business owner’s merchant account or paypal account if it requires payment to attend.  VA’s can follow up on the details of the event with the guest, confirming they have everything they need.  Wow, I am exhausted just going through all of the steps that need to happen to take note of RSVP’s and registrations for an event.  A VA can also help secure a location, secure food and speakers if needed.  There are so many tasks to hosting one event, why do it alone?  It would not make sense for the business owner to go through all of these administrative tasks to host an event without any help!   Check into a Virtual Assistant and see how they can assist you at your next event!