Yellow Dog Consulting

Sales & Marketing Consulting for solo-preneurs.

It’s Time to Network

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eWomenNetworks 4 questionsWith the move to Oregon my last couple of months have not been what they were when I lived in Issaquah. Most days I’m home and working away. Sometimes I head out to get some errands done in the afternoon. But I haven’t built a network yet in Portland. And I started to realize a couple weeks ago that the house is pretty settled and I’m ready to get out there.

So yesterday I went to the Portland eWomenNetwork chapter. As you know, I’ve been a LONG time (8 years!) member of eWomenNetwork in Seattle, and I knew I’d stay a member when I moved to Portland. The February meeting was a couple of days after the movers were here so I decided to wait till March.

And it was GREAT. It was just what I needed. Networking with the right people who know this town, and it sounds like a few of them do similar work, OR work with similar clients. I know it’s going to be a great group for me and I’m excited to delve in. And now I am home with a stack of business cards to follow up with (that will be done by the end of the day!) and new connections and opportunities awaiting!

If you’ve been half-assing your networking lately, let me tell you, get off your butt and go. Trust me. You’ll feel better once you do.

3 Lessons in Proper Business Email Exchanges

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imagesI had three meetings today with clients. In two of those meetings proper email etiquette was discussed. The first was about how my client is often introduced to a potential lead. In this situation there’s a couple of referral sources who send really over the top “best client ever” “he’s AMAZING and the GREATEST” kind of emails when introducing someone. It makes my client uncomfortable and he was thinking of telling them about it. As he read me the emails though, he sounds fine, and as long as he’s not writing the same kinds of things in an email intro or back to them, then he’s Ok.

Lesson #1: Be professional in your introductions. you aren’t introducing your BFF’s to each other, it’s a business connection. Stop sucking up, everyone can see it and you look bad.

The second meeting with a client we discussed an email from a service provider that we use that he pays for and I get to work with. The service provider (a woman) says things like “hi friend” and “xoxo.” She’s VERY sweet but wow is this business unprofessional! I have met this person once or twice, and we get along great, but it’s hard to forward an email to my client for approval with xo’s in it, sorry, but this isn’t Gossip Girl.

Lesson #2: you never know who ELSE is reading the email, so better safe than sorry, let’s be a bit more professional in our correspondence so the client can also read it.

And finally- yesterday my client sent me a competitors (of theirs) holiday card. It started with happy holidays and then immediately was 5 things they had for sale. SERIOUSLY.

Lesson #3: A Holiday Card is a holiday card. Not a sales card. It’s a touch that may eventually lead to a sale, but let your holiday greeting be a greeting. NOTHING MORE.

Texting Etiquette 101

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imagesIf you know me, you know I don’t love text messages. It’s one of my least favorite forms of communication. HOWEVER I know that it serves its purpose and it’s helped me find my husband in crowded venues and friends when last minute schedules change.

However, when I spoke on a follow up a few weeks ago, I was SHOCKED to receive a follow up message via text! Seriously? NO. And it wasn’t a simple “great to meet you” it was a short paragraph with info and actual follow up on something we had discussed. I was so surprised by it, it took me a few days to respond (in a different medium).

Text messaging still seems personal to me and not an acceptable way to follow up or network with people you have just met or barely know IN A BUSINESS SITUATION.

Now, if I am meeting someone and they are running late, a text message saying “I’m stuck in traffic, will be 5 minutes late” is fine. But email (my favorite communication medium) and phone (meh, it has it’s purpose) are always the right options, not texting.

The Emily Post Institute, home of my new favorite podcast, Awesome Etiquette, has a great article about texting if you need a quick reminder.