from TheMindGuru's Blog

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Daily, I read and hear stories from many vendors about how they are not able to connect with others, for whatever reason they create in their own minds.
My personal input on this matter is always the same: what do you have to lose? Nothing at all :)
IF,

you apply proper engaging, it will take you ---> everywhere!
Don't be afraid to be the initiator of your next business relationship BUT, be aware...
there is always a right and a wrong way to do it.

DO NOT:
- send a single link to... none will click on it.
- demand: "we just friended you, friend us back..."
- promote yourself/ your product/service at someone else's Facebook, Twitter, etc. I think it is called "spamming" :) That's an instant turn off.


DO:
- engage, properly. "Rosie: I would like to see if I can add a couple of clients to your site... Please let me know if you can include these venues on your site and what details you need...thanks!"

- refresh others memory. "Rosie, I hope you remember me from... a few months ago.
Just wanted to pass by and say hello and ask if you can please forward me your bridal packages? I would like to add you to my vendor files for future reference and to see if your packages fit with a few of my existing brides. Hope all is well - take care!"

- read the "it's not that small" print. If you want to be added somewhere, make sure you follow their rules.
For example, you are a vendor located in NYC. Most likely, the South Florida local vendors directory will reject your entry, not because they don't like you but cause' they only feature South Florida local vendors.

- your homework. Take the time to research about the person/service/product you want to network with. Look for something ELSE than the simple plain benefit of doing business together :) get inspired, inspire.

Outsource it.
There is a bunch of gifted entrepreneurs out there, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly with all of us, just because... so do yourself a favor and follow the ones who are "making things happen" :)

my response was:
Dear A, I was wondering how to approach you because you don't know me at all.
I have just one way to be and that is "brutally honest". Hope you don't take it personal cause' it is not.
I've been around for a while, marketing myself and others. I like your concept but,...

Did you ask yourself?
- what I offer others don't, etc... (basic MKT101 questions)

You should address them before moving forward.
My words have the best intentions so please don't get discouraged.



There are many ways to approach the "starting a business" phase.
I invite you to visit "Emily Ley" blog, you will read about her whole experience.
She started selling via Etsy.
She just opened her online store last week.
While building up her new website, she started sharing the process of taking her business to the next level with all her readers (I'm one of them).
Today, she's conquering the stationery world, and then some: http://emilyley.com
She will be a great source of inspiration to you.
If there is anything I can do to help you, ask away.
Regards, Rosie :)

(I must say I didn't hear from her for a couple of weeks. Nothing, zero, nada...)

Until last Friday :) Yay!!!

A: Hi Rosie,
Thank you so much,

my response was: WOW! I'm glad to see you've done MAJOR progress...
Believe me, my words come from my own experiences so I know they are not pretty @ the beginning but, com'on... better me than a prospect client, don't ya think? :)
 
(yes, I'm doing her product photography now)

When Steve asked me to do some head shots to feature in his upcoming website I decided to combine his clean cut look with his physical abilities.
This image shows nothing else but his real-life-passion and it sells much more than any $x,xxx magazine ad.

Did you hear about neuromarketing?

DEFINITION - Neuromarketing is the study of how people's brains respond to advertising and other brand-related messages by scientifically monitoring brainwave activity, eye-tracking and skin response.

I'm not going to get all technical here but, the more I read about neuromarketing the more I'm convinced I'm doing something RIGHT, which is... I'm getting emotional.

90% of the emails I receive after phone or in-person consultations are similar to this one:


"I can tell you have a passion for photography and that is important to me. Of all of the photographers I have spoken with, I got a really good feel from you..."

Forget about my beautiful images and my affordable packages for a minute... at the end of the day it's all about making clients trust in my ability to deliver what they want, expressing my genuine enthusiasm about what I have to offer.

Image courtesy of http://letmegrowstudio.net

I used to roll my eyes every time my grandma mentioned "Good example starts at home" to me.
Today, I understand her preaching had a purpose.
I promote good causes and many talented people just because... I believe in them. Period.
I can honestly say that investing in others pays off. How? well,...
Vendors love the fact I take my time to talk about them and what they do, specially when I barely give any indication of who I am. Because of that, they take 'their time' to find out about me and what I do. You can call it curiosity. I call it OPPORTUNITY.
I really don't expect anything in return but, sometimes, a 2-lines-email appreciating my effort is what makes my day.
Because it's clear I don't have a hidden agenda when spreading the word around, relationships between other vendors, potential clients and me start developing and...
at the end of the day, my own business gets exposure. My name is remembered.
You never know where a simple act of kind can take you.

Are you ready to join me? Hope so.


"Action is the foundational key to all success." - Pablo Picasso

A couple of years ago I got one of the 1st generation "infamous" iPhones and after returning it twice for different issues I decided to go back to my old-fashioned trusty cell phone; no internet, no emails, not good for my line of work.
2010 started on the right foot and getting a new iPhone 3G was top priority on my "must-have devices" list.
"Making myself available 24/7 and being just a click away are key elements to my daily business workflow. Instant response to my clients is setting me apart from my competitors... and then some."
Well... that's what I thought 'til I came across “My Wedding Concierge” iPhone App.
Today, this new collaboration tool is changing the way I expose my products and services - taking it to another level.
Now, I'm going places... hope you join the ride soon.
Rosie :)

http://www.my-wedding-concierge.com

"The “My Wedding Concierge“ iPhone App allows brides to research wedding vendors on the go. My Wedding Concierge is the only iPhone App that focuses solely on wedding vendors. Focused on this vendorcentric view, the iPhone App forgoes traditional wedding planning tools such as seating charts and to-do lists.
As a result, My Wedding Concierge can confidently say that all 60,000+ page views last month were of brides using our app to search for wedding vendors in their local areas.
My Wedding Concierge offers one touch email, phone, and visit to the vendor’s website. Wedding vendors can upload up to 30 pictures of weddings for the bride to peruse. 
Brides can rate their favorite photographs and store them away in her favorites folder. 
Brides no longer have to carry around a huge wedding folder with pages ripped out of a magazine. Brides can click on the “Request Info” button and their email is immediately captured and sent to the wedding vendor for follow up.
My Wedding Concierge aims to be the ultimate wedding search engine. Brides will be able to use our site to search for relevant information from wedding vendors, hand selected wedding blogs, images, and news articles. All wedding blogs indexed on our site have been selected for content and brides can search through all wedding blogs in one place instead of visiting each site individually. "