Create a Thriving Business » business tips

Public Speaking Super Tip: Ask About the Audience Size

Caterina Rando — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:18:25 +0000

Here’s another great tip for increasing your profits while accepting public speaking opportunities in order to grow your business.

Do everything you can while coaching the event coordinator to make sure they do the work to fill the room.

Public Speaking Super Tip: What Else is On the Agenda?

Caterina Rando — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:00:38 +0000

Here is another success tip video for those of you who are using public speaking as a way to market and grow your business.

When considering a public speaking opportunity, always ask what else is happening that day that might detract from the success of your presentation, so you can have more of an impact on the audience – and make more money.

Public Speaking Super Tip: More Time Means More Profit

Caterina Rando — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 15:00:10 +0000

Hi everyone! Here is a tip for being more effective when using public speaking to grow
your business.

When agreeing to a public speaking opportunity to market your business, always ask for more time than they give you, so you can spend more time with your audience sharing your expertise – and making more money.

Interview on Femme Finance Radio

Caterina Rando — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:17:05 +0000

I was interviewed by Debbie Whitlock on Femme Finance Radio, on How to Have a Thriving Business.

We had a great discussion. We discussed working on your business, not working in your business, as well as setting up strategic alliances, getting help with implementation, marketing, planning, and more.

Give me a chance- it takes me a few minutes to warm up. Click here to listen:

http://www.attractclientswithease.com/interviews.htm

About Femme Finance™ The Radio Program:

After a series of seminars several years ago it became obvious that there needed to be a place for women to come who were committed to increasing their learning about investing and finances.

Born out of the study group that started meeting in 2007 – Femme Finance(TM) hit the airwaves on December 4, 2009 through the I’m Thankful Network. Heard every Friday from 9-10 am Pacific Time, show host Debbie Whitlock sets the intention, that for “each hour we have the pleasure of sharing I intend to connect you with resources to elevate your financial literacy and begin to translate – what for many is the foreign language of finance.”

I Love the word “Yes” and Often the Right Response is “No”

Caterina Rando — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:55:22 +0000

Yesterday a really good friend, who I love a lot, who has often been a mentor, made a request of me that would cost me a good amount of time in an already busy week. I really wanted to say “yes” to her. I felt my desire to oblige, yet physiologically, I also felt the pressure of adding one more thing on my very full plate. I took a breath and explained why I could not meet her request. She was fine with it and the conversation happily continued.

Upon reflection I thought how much this is an issue for so many of us full plate types.

My good friend Pat Haddock is a communication expert and trainer, I asked her to share some of her wisdom here on this topic. Please give a warm welcome to our first guest blogger.

Setting Boundaries by Patricia Haddock

“No” is a small word with great power. Saying no more often can be hard, but it is one of the best tools you have for putting more time in your life.

Start by keeping your goals in mind. Say no to anything that takes you away from your goals or does not increase your productivity. This doesn’t mean that you avoid unpleasant or difficult tasks. The key is to keep your goals and priorities in focus.

Saying “yes” when you mean “no” can lead to feelings of resentment and anger. This can be more damaging to your relationships in the long run than saying “no” when you mean “no.”

Sometimes, saying “no” isn’t easy. Many people were raised to please others, not themselves and feel that if they say “no,” they will lose friends and associates. So, how do you say “no” without alienating others?

• Speak courteously and politely.

• Make “no” the first word you say and keep your statements simple and direct. “No, I can’t do that.” “No, I won’t be able to do that.”

• Give a reason if appropriate, but keep it short and straightforward.

• Show that you understand the situation. Remind people of your roles and responsibilities.

• State the consequences of saying “yes.”

If you’re not sure whether you want to say “no” or “yes,” ask for time to think it over. Be specific about when you will have an answer.

You can find out more about Pat at http://developingasaprofessional.blogspot.com http://abcbusinesswriting.blogspot.com/

Capture the Stories

Caterina Rando — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:22:28 +0000

When you work with your clients, you get to know their stories, you get to know the problems that brought them to you. Most important for your role as an advocate is that you are aware of the positive results they get from working with you. Write those down. Do not expect to remember them. There will be too many to remember.

Action to take: Make a computer file of client stories so you can always have great examples to support any position you are taking.

Be Loud and Proud

Caterina Rando — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:18:35 +0000

Shout your advocacy position from the mountaintop. Let everyone know what you stand for. Erin Stafford is an image consultant, like so many others. However, Erin takes the position that every woman can look great without spending a fortune. Like Erin, pursue every opportunity to spread your opinion through articles, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, speeches and of course, your own website. Make your advocacy position clear and prominent in everything you do.

Action to take: Decide what you want to be an advocate for. Or who you want to be an advocate for.

Do You Have Support Where it Counts Most?

Caterina Rando — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:37:13 +0000

Every woman deserves full support for her business from her spouse or partner. Today on one of my Business Breakthrough calls, a member shared how her spouse was not supportive of her business. In 15 years of coaching and consulting with women in business I have head this way too may times. Also, I have seen too many times how difficult it is for a woman when her spouse or life partner is not supportive.

Even if you have a totally supportive spouse you will encounter this challenge with your clients, your staff, or people on your implementation team. Here are four big tips to create an environment of support from your spouse:

1. Share your mission statement and compelling vision with your spouse. Tell them why your business is important to you and why your success is good for the both of you. For more on compelling vision read this article: http://www.attractclientswithease.com/articles/seeingavision.htm

2. Tell your spouse you really need their support to be successful and make a request for it.

3. Tell them specifically what support looks like. For example: pick up the kids three days a week, make dinner certain nights, have it be okay that I have to work late sometimes.

4. Increase your acknowledgment of your spouse. This is another important topic I will write more on in the near future. For now check out this awesome article to learn this skill:
http://www.attractclientswithease.com/articles/acknowledgment.htm

You deserve support from your spouse/partner for your business. Take these actions to create it.

More on Websites and Blogs

Caterina Rando — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:14:40 +0000

There are some top Internet marketing experts who use blogs as their main web site, with static pages added for additional content. Here’s one example: http://www.jackhumphrey.com/fridaytrafficreport/

If you already have a regular website, look at adding a blog. However, if you are just starting to have a web presence, you can take a look at using the blog format instead of a standard website format. They can both be value-based.

One last thing about using a blog format for your website—I have heard that search engines really like blogs, since you are always adding new content and it is easy for those robots to find.

Check out my Thriving Business Group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=58925660247

If you are not yet on Facebook, sign up now and invite me onto your friend list.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/caterinarando

Have you checked out your local leads groups lately?

Caterina Rando — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:12:28 +0000

Outside of the “big guys” like BNI, you might be amazed at the number of groups that are set up in your local area that only allow one person per business category and may not charge very much for membership or meetings. Becoming a member of a leads group can be very fruitful for your business, especially because it provides an opportunity to develop a close network of people who you see frequently (every week or perhaps every other week) and as they get to know you, are set up to provide good quality leads for your business.

Most groups these days do not have a requirement that you bring a lead for someone to the meetings. However, the more you look out for the other members of the group, the more they are likely to give you referrrals to people in their lives.

To find groups in your area just do a Google search
networking+(your geographic area)+ 2009

I am sure you will get lots of search results.

Otherwise start your own group. I have a innovative strategy to make this a business breakthrough strategy. I call it a Circle of Eight. Check out this concept here.