Ask Yellow Dog: Learning to Grow Your Biz

I got a note from an old friend the other day asking:

“Ok, so I have a entrepreneurial idea, want to read and learn more about growing biz. What’s your fav resources?”

Great question! And one that I responded with “I’m not much of a reader-more of a listener. For me the answer is events, pick people you know/like/trust & ask how they did it.” (note, we were sending DM’s through twitter)

So to expand in more than 140 characters…

I know a lot of folks like to read, and I know a lot of folks (myself included) like to write and share their knowledge and wisdom and tell you what to do. But can we all be honest? Not everything works for everyone. No one has the “five things that will change your business” or “3 steps to make a million dollars this year.” I have heard more speakers than I care to remember throughout the years. And most of them had some book or program I could spend a lot of money on. And I haven’t. Why? Because half their stuff is crap, and the other nuggets of information I either wasn’t ready to act on, or were simple enough I could execute myself.

If you want to learn about growing your business, talk to people who have. Ask your friends, reach out to successful folks and ask to talk on the phone for 15 minutes. Be respectful of their time, but ask questions! I have a great network of friends and colleagues that I can ask one off questions of and get a quick and thoughtful response.

And in that Q&A time at a speaking engagement? ASK QUESTIONS. If there’s a free follow up, or they give you their email, USE IT. Sign up for their newsletter. Don’t harass them,  ask them. Don’t sell them your product or service,  ask their advice. Build a relationship, don’t have a transaction.

Two of my favorite newsletters/blogs are local friends and colleagues of mine: Clise Etiquette & Heinz Marketing. Great content, great ideas for growing your business, and great recommendation on how not to screw it up in the process.