Posts Tagged ‘DARE To Be Phenomenal Networking Events’

The DARE Networking Luncheon is this week!  Linda Holt of New Light Redesign and Susan Seifer from MadPatter Art Designs will share with us “3 Different Design and Color Trends for 2011″.  Don’t miss this event!

BIO For Linda Holt

New Light Redesign transforms spaces through the use of color and what the client already owns . Owner Linda Holt has had a life long passion for art and design. For 26 years she was a professional  photographer and the owner of Linda Holt Photography in Boston. Throughout her photography career she maintained an active interest in Interior Design decorating her own home and those of her friends. In 2006 she closed her photography studio and enrolled in  North Shore Community College Interior Design program. She is also a graduate of The School of Redesign and Home Staging as well as having earned 2 different Color Consulting Certifications.  In 2008 she opened New Light Redesign to be an affordable alternative to traditional Interior Design. She works with Home Owners and Realtors from North of Boston to Southern NH.   Linda’s  passion is creating  warm and welcoming spaces that you’ll  love coming home to.

BIO For Susan Siefer

MadPatter ArtDesign develops and produces innovative artisan decorative finish surfaces on walls, ceilings and canvas.  Owner Susan Siefer is an established decorative surface designer creating beautiful environments in residential homes and commercial establishments throughout the New England area. With a formal education in fine arts and design, Susan stays current with new decorative finishing products and techniques through workshops, contacts and collaboration with other designers. When not working on site, Susan works out of a beautifully renovated mill building in Lawrence, MA.

Everyday we hear about gas prices soaring, food and clothing going up 6-10% and I know many of us wonder how we will continue to stretch our dollars.  Well, I am happy to announce a special event!

How to Shop for Free

Coupon Class for DARE To Be Phenomenal Members

with

Kathy Spencer

Author of the book

How to Shop for Free:  Shopping Secrets for Smart Women Who Love to Get Something for Nothing

Learn How to find the best savings and combine them with store promotions, coupons, rewards programs, and store credit to get almost everything on your shopping list for free!

Tickets are $25.00 and include light refreshments!

Book sales  will also be available before and after the event. The cost of the books are $14.99 and a book signing will take place after the class.

**All Sales Final

When:

Tuesday, April 5^th at Connie Doto Realty Group

119 Pleasant St, Methuen, MA

Visit the site below to register!  Only 20 seats are available so don’t wait too long to register for this event!

http://www.meetup.com/Dare-To-Be-Phenomenal-North-of-Boston-Chapter-Meetup/events/16767468/

I attend a lot of networking events each month and I often have the opportunity to watch the interactions between the participants.  There is something very different that happens when you put men and women in the same room together, unleash them and have them network versus when I watch what occurs at women only events like the DARE To Be Phenomenal’s Networking Events.

Typically at a Chamber event I see something strange happen to the women.  They suddenly forget how to connect.  They aimlessly go around shaking hands and exchanging business cards without “connecting” to the people they are meeting.  Fast forward to one of the women only events I attend and you see something almost magical transpire – true connections being made.

So how to you stay true to you when networking?  Follow these simple tips to make your next networking event more authentic for you.

Remember  Your Heart

In a nut shell, be yourself! Real connections come from the heart.  They are heart-felt, honest interactions between two or more people.  No one is phony, inauthentic, or out solely for their own benefit.  The difference is dropping that phony business persona you have created and instead interacting with people as if they were your friends.  Now this doesn’t mean being unprofessional, but it does mean allowing people to see the real you.  Others want to connect with like-minded quality people and will be more apt to introduce you to friends and associates if they like you.

What are the keys to business success?  Honesty, curiosity and vulnerability coupled with intimate connections are the foundation of a successful and satisfied business and life.  So stop thinking you have to be something you are not and start being yourself!

Have the Right Mindset

If you come from a place of service first and not from a mindset of what’s in it for me you will be more likely to make the kinds of true connections that you are looking for.  Use your intuition to help you discern who would be a good connection for you and who would not and let this be your guide as you navigate your way.  Not every person you meet will be someone you want to do business with.  Always trust your gut, it will never steer you wrong.

Have Clarity

Be clear on what you want to accomplish at each event.  Taking the time to meet with two or three people at an event where you can share some quality time learning about them and their business is better than running around collecting business cards of people you will never remember and who probably won’t remember you.

Networking is a great tool to build your business but it’s in the relationship building and follow up where true business connections are made.  Be yourself, have the right mindset and be clear on your goals and networking success will be yours.

Yesterday, the Success Minded Women’s Business Network reached a new milestone when the 300th member joined the organization!

This group was formed in March and we had our first event in April.  Since that time the group has grown consistently over the 7 months at an average rate of 1.4 members joining each day.

If you live in the Greater Boston, Southern New Hampshire area and want to be part of an inspiring group of women dedicated to supporting each other grow their business and have a phenomenal life then I would love for you to join us!

Many of us are deeply entrenched in the viral networking world these days.  We are connected on Facebook and Twitter, LinkedIn and Plaxo.  There are so many sites available to us that often times we forget that there is one very handy networking tool at our disposal that is very effective; the business card.

As many of you know I am the founder of DARE To Be Phenomenal Success Minded Women’s Business Network.  These events are designed to connect savvy business women with others who are looking to engage in business building and joint ventures.  Since the group is so large and you are sure to meet someone new at each event, it amazes me when I hear someone say they “forgot” their business card or worse yet that they don’t have a business card!  This is one of the most cost effective ways to market yourself and your business.  Rule # 1:  If you don’t have a business card get one; they are not obsolete.  And make sure you take them with you everywhere you go!

Ok, so you have your business card and made sure that you took them with you when you left your home or office; now what?  I remember when I first started out in business and got my first set of business cards.  I handed them out to everyone; and I’m not kidding even the waitress at the local coffee shop!  But as I got more sophisticated with my networking and business skill set I learned that everyone doesn’t need my business card and that it should only be given to those who ask for it.  Rule # 2:  Never, never force your business card on someone; ask them for their card first.  Most people will reciprocate and ask you for yours.  Even if they don’t, remember you have their contact information anyway.

When working with my clients I am often asked “How can I make my business card stand out from all the rest?”  Great question isn’t it?  There is a ton of debate on what to put on your card but obviously the basic information should be included.  A lot of business owners are moving away from including their addresses since so much is being done virtually, but if you have a business that people need to find by all means continue to include it.  I am in the process of redoing my card and plan on including my URL’s for my Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter accounts.  If Facebook and Twitter are not something you use for your business that is fine to exclude them.  But, all professional business people should have a profile on LinkedIn and that SHOULD be included on your business card.  Rule # 3:  Thinks outside the box and include URL’s to other sites where people can connect with you.  If you don’t have a LinkedIn account get one!

The next tip continues to address the question “How can I make my business card stand out from all the rest?”  Most business owners never use the back of the business card.  Using the back is a great way to add additional and thought provoking information about you and your business.  The back of my card is a call to action for people to visit my web site.  Parts of my updates include changing the back of the card to ask people to go to my web site to sign up for my FREE report.  This change is subtle but important in that I am asking them to do something very specific.  Rule #4:  The back of your business card is “valuable real estate”.  Use it effectively with a call to action to visit your website, sign up for your free report or other action related to your business.

When I had my business cards made the last time I made the mistake of having them printed on glossy card stock.  Although they looked great and are extremely eye catching they are literally impossible to write on.  And that my friends is NOT good!  Lesson learned for me.  Don’t make this mistake.  Have cards printed on high quality, non-glossy card stock to make note taking easier.  Rule #5:  Print cards on high quality flat card stock for easy note taking.

Business cards are one of your best marketing tools available in your marketing tool box. But you must remember to use them to have the greatest impact!  Just like everything else you do to promote your business they will help you to spread the word about you and your business.

Everywhere you go you hear people talking about the recession, job losses and the rising unemployment rate.  Some of my friends have been laid off, some of them are trying to figure out creative ways to draw more revenue into their business and sadly some are giving up.

As more and more people are experience these hardships there are a group of people who are not just doing well but are thriving…finding the right job, increasing sales and finding innovative solutions to their business challenges.

Wondering who these people are? They are the people who are highly connected to their network! They are the people who understood way before the recession hit the importance of establishing, building and cultivating quality relationships.  They have their insurance policy and it’s in the form of their network!

Sadly, most people I know, despite the fact that they go to countless networking events and belong to a ton of organizations were just not prepared for these economic conditions and where caught with their panties (or pants) down.  So instead of sitting, wishing  and waiting for the economy to do a 180, do these five things right now so that you can turn your business around, get a new job or find the opportunities that are waiting for you.

1. Call Everyone You Know

Get on the phone and start calling your network and ask them how  you can help them.  I am a strong believer that giving always comes back to you ten fold but you must put yourself in the giving position first to end up being the receiver in the end.  Plus, it just feels great to be of service to someone else.

I know you know plenty of people that may be going through something similar and would love it if someone reached out to them to lend a hand or help them make a contact.  In the end, this gesture will be remembered and will open opportunities up for you down the road.

2. Strengthen Your On Line Presence

It never ceases to amaze me how many business owners are not taking advantage of the online sites that can help them increase their visibility and exposure.  As a business coach I teach my clients the on line sites that best suit their business and objectives so that they can be more visible and attract the types of joint venture opportunities that could catapult them to success.

I have met some wonderful people through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and as a result are currently working on two lucrative projects.  Find a way to increase your presence on line and look for creative ways that you can leverage your time and talents to increase sales and get the clients you are looking for.

3. Get Out There

I hate to tell you but you must put yourself out there and make new connections all the time.  Business is not going to fall from the sky into your lap just because you are wishing and praying for more business.

How many networking events do you attend weekly?  On average I attend at least 2 events each week and often times many more.  Get out there and pound the pavement! Meet new people and find opportunities to work together.  I challenge you today to find a networking opportunity in your area and go to it!  Stop wishing and hoping for new business and make the connections you need to grow your business.

4. Make New Connections

Is there someone you would really like to be introduced to?  Do you have a strategy of how you are going to meet this person?  If the answer to the questions are “yes” and “no”, listen up.

Sit down and make a list of the people you would like to meet.  Are you on LinkedIn?  If not, get on it NOW.  This is one of the most useful online tools for getting introduced to people.  But the good old fashioned way of picking up the phone and asking for an introduction is just as fabulous.  Who are you going to ask for help in making the introduction?

No matter how you get introduced, whether you do it on your own or ask assistance from a business associate make sure that you are warm, friendly and personal as you reach out to this new person.

5. Relax and Enjoy

These are stressful times and we don’t need more stress in our lives.  Go out and have fun.  One of the things I enjoy seeing is how much fun the women have who attend my monthly networking events. They are making friends, building new relationships and forging ahead working together to make their businesses stronger.  So don’t be afraid to have fun in the process.

Your network can be vast, strong and powerful if expanded and cultivated appropriately.  Never take your network for granted and do everything you can to strengthen your existing relationships and to build new ones.  In the end your will have the best insurance policy money can’t buy.

Tonight I am hosting my seventh networking event at the Boxwood Grill in Methuen, MA.

As of this writing we have over 260 member from the Greater Boston Area and Southern New Hampshire.  We even have women travel from the Maine area from time to time.  Tonight’s event has 92 women registered for the event.  Just yesterday I told my friend I can’t wait until there are 100 women in the room!

If you live in the area and have never come to one of the meetings, please consider joining this group.  Most meetings are FREE to the members.  You can order off a limited menu and we have a cash bar.  The women are truly phenomenal and I know you won’t be disappointed.

So if you are in the area come on down tonight, September 29th, 7PM at the Boxwood Grill, 260 Howe St, Methuen, MA.  I would love to meet you and introduce you to the premier networking event in the Greater Boston Area!

The rest of the month has a ton of great networking opportunities coming up.  My post today is a compilation of events from today through the end of the month in an effort to help you figure out what’s out there!   See if one, or maybe two or three is right for you.

• New Media Marketing Event will premier this Friday, September 18^th from 3-5 PM at Centro Restaurant.  (www.imperial-image.com/VPevent). A panel of experts will be speaking on a variety of topics that will help you build brand.
• MVCC Mixer Event on Tuesday, September 22nd from 6-8 PM at MNTW Community Credit Union.  Call the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce for more information.
• Septebmer 23rd at the Wyndham in Andover check out Wyndham on Wednesday’s from 5 -9 PM offers a free networking event followed by Main Event Trivia!
• Also on September 23rd check out E Women Network’s Monthly Event with special Key Note Speaker Hank Phillipi Ryan from Channel 7 in Boston.  Open networking begins at 5:30 PM with dinner and accelerated networking.  Go to ewomen.com for more information.
• September 24th at Riverwalk Village in Methuen another MVCC Mixer Event! Event runs from 5 -7:30 PM.
• September 29th join us for DARE To Be Phenomenal Success Minded Women’s Business Network evening networking event.  7 – 9 PM at the Boxwood Grill, Methuen, MA.  Register here http://www.meetup.com/Dare-To-Be-Phenomenal-North-of-Boston-Chapter-Meetup/
• Septebmer 30th at the Wyndham in Andover check out Wyndham on Wednesday’s from 5 -9 PM offers a free networking event followed by Main Event Trivia!

Do you  know of any other events?  Post them in the reply section so everyone knows what’s going on for the rest of the month!  Happy networking.  Will I see you there?

Many of you who read my blog regularly know that DARE To Be Phenomenal runs a Women’s Only Networking Event once a month.  We have a new location and are now meeting at Boxwood Grill in Methuen, MA from 7 pm -9 pm. This new location should solve some of our space problems.  Not only do we have a private room with private bathrooms but we have our own bar and bartender along with a gorgeous private balcony with plenty of seating.   This month we are meeting on July 29th!

Today we have over 150 members  and we are growing everyday.  In the last month alone we added almost 50 new members.  Is that phenomenal or what?  What is really spectacular about this group is how much the women spread the word and tell their friends.  This has really helped the group grow.  So if you know any women that would benefit from this group please let them know that we are meeting next week.

You know what else is phenomenal?  How many women are dedicated to coming out and helping other success minded women grow their business.  We have a little tribe here…well actually, a big tribe and our tribe is growing all the time.  So if you are looking for a group of like minded women who are dedicated to supporting one another as they strive to have the most phenomenal business and life, join us next week on June 29th.  We would love you to join us.

Daring you to success…….

Tomorrow is the DARE To Be Phenomenal Women’s Only Networking Event.  Last week I posted that we were already at 100+ members with over 60 registered.  Well as of this writing we are at 119 members with over 75 women registered!

If you live in the Merrimack Valley area and are interested in networking with a group of extraordinary women dedicated to forging new relationships and taking their businesses to the next level; I highly recommend that you register and attend these meetings.  You will meet some of the most interesting and phenomenal women in the area and you are sure to have a great time and learn tips, tools and strategies to take your business to the next level.

For more information go to http://www.meetup.com/Dare-To-Be-Phenomenal-North-of-Boston-Chapter-Meetup/

See YOU tomorrow!